Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation
OVERVIEW: The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation primarily invests in conservative policy and research in academia, with a focus on democratic infrastructure, economic deregulation, federalism and higher education.
IP TAKE: This ultra-conservative funder supports higher education work that aligns with its overall values. Applicants with proposals that support progressive or liberal thought and research will be turned away here. This is not an inclusive funder, unless you’re working in the far-right, Big Lie space. In recent years, Bradley has facilitated Trumpian politics that are not related to conservative principles, such as increasing the deficit.
PROFILE: The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation in Milwaukee is named for two of the three co-founders who started the Allen-Bradley Company in 1903. In 1985, Allen-Bradley was purchased by Rockwell International—a sale that “boosted The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation’s assets from less than $14 million to more than $290 million.” The foundation seeks to strengthen “the institutions, principles, and values that nurture and sustain the American Experiment and the West.” The foundation’s grantmaking invests in Constitutional Order, Free Markets, Civil Society and Informed Citizens.
Grants for Civic and Democracy
The Bradley Foundation’s Constitutional Order program area supports organizations that “advance federalism and limit government at the national, state, and local levels.” Grants in this area also support programs that “protect free speech,” “restore election integrity,” “promote citizen political engagement,” “uphold the rule of law and Constitutional order,” and “defend the free exercise of religion;” however, they do some from a conservative perspective.
The foundation’s Civil Society program area supports programs that “strengthen families,” “encourage self-reliance,” “promote civil discourse,” and “foster arts and culture in the Milwaukee area.” Some of its primary objectives work to:
Foster private voluntary solutions to social problems in Milwaukee and other Wisconsin communities
Identify and support thought leaders who advance Alexis de Tocqueville’s conclusion that private philanthropy and voluntary associations are fundamental to free societies
Increase efforts to celebrate and promote American exceptionalism and civic identity
Lastly, Bradley’s Informed Citizens program funds projects that “reform and re-imagine systems and institutions of higher education” by advancing “American exceptionalism.” This program works towards instilling conservative principles into classrooms. Past grantees include the Council for National Policy, Center for American Greatness, Foundation for Constitutional Government and Manhattan Institute for Policy Research.
Grants for Higher Education
The Bradley Foundation invests in higher education through its Free Markets, Civil Society and Informed Citizens initiatives. Its Free Markets initiative supports research in economics and other disciplines that addresses “the effects of the vast compliance and transaction costs imposed by government on the private sector” and the benefits of the privatization of government run enterprises. Bradley’s Civil Society initiative maintains as one of its goals the identification and support of “thought leaders who advance Alexis de Tocqueville’s conclusion that private philanthropy and voluntary associations are fundamental to free societies.” While working mainly in K-12 education, Bradley’s Informed Citizens program funds civics programs at colleges and universities that “deepen understanding of America’s civic life and founding principles.” This foundation also runs a fellowship program for scholars whose research and writing aligns with its conservative ideals.
Important Grant Details:
Grants typically range from $10,000 to $200,000. Grantseekers may review the foundation’s past grantees for more information on its giving habits.
Bradley accepts letters of inquiry and proposals on an ongoing basis, but the board of directors meets only four times a year to approve them. According to the foundation, LOIs “should be brief explanations about the organization and project to be supported. If the project falls within the Foundation’s current program interests, a proposal may be invited.” Interested grantseekers may review the foundation’s Application Procedures before sending a letter of inquiry.
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