Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation
OVERVIEW: The Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation supports democracy and civic engagement initiatives, such as community organizing, voter education and voter registration, in eleven southeastern states.
IP TAKE: This long-established, approachable funder makes substantial grants to organizations working in the American South. Its work is progressive in nature and approach and conducted through the lens of racial and gender equity; if your organization’s work does not reflect these values, look elsewhere for funding. Grantmaking here is competitive, but this foundation is transparent and approachable, so don’t hesitate to reach out to them. As well, even though the foundation appears to have limited focus areas on the surface, its three grantmaking areas are pretty open and fund a variety of causes.
PROFILE: The Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation (MRBF) was established in 1953 by tobacco heiress Mary Babcock, daughter of R.J. Reynolds. The foundation’s mission is to “help people and places move out of poverty and achieve greater social and economic justice.” Originally founded to address poverty and award scholarships in America’s southern states, MRBF now supports work in a range of progressive issues, such as housing, education, environment, gender, race, immigration and tax reform. Its three main “pathways of change” are Economic Opportunity, Democracy and Civic Engagement, and Supportive Policies & Institutions.
Grants for Civic Engagement and Democracy
MRBF’s grants for Democracy and Civic Engagement fund projects that “develop the knowledge, skills, networks and motivation to build democratic systems and challenge entrenched structures.” It provides general operating support, program support, organizational support, and program related investments to organizations doing work such as community organizing, leadership development, voter education, and get-out-the-vote efforts. The foundation believes that “a stronger economy and more inclusive politics would better integrate rural and urban communities to the clear benefit of both.” Past grantees include Appalachian Voices, Arise Citizens’ Policy Project, Arkansas Public Policy Panel, Black Voters Matter Capacity Building Institute, Center for Rural Strategies, and the Institute for Southern Studies.
Grants for Work and Opportunity
MRBF’s grants for Economic Opportunity support projects that help people “have direct access to jobs and ways to turn income into durable assets.” These projects may include job training, work support, and “connections to employers seeking skilled, fair-wage labor,” as well as financial services and “tools to encourage entrepreneurship and new business models.” Past grantees include Appalachia Funders Network, Appalshop, Blueprint NC, Center for Rural Strategies, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Georgia Budget and Policy Institute, and Grantmakers for Southern Progress.
Other
MRBF names Supportive Policies and Institutions among its three key “pathways of change.” This program area supports programs and organizations that “foster cultures and adopt policies that open doors to economic opportunity and democratic participation for low-wealth people.” These grants go to institutions that work with innovative solutions, effective policy reform, strategic communication, and community organizing.
Important Grant Details:
Grants generally range from $25,000 to $250,000. Grantseekers may review the foundation’s grants database for more information on its past grantmaking habits. Note that the foundation exclusively supports organizations working in the Southeastern United States—namely Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia.
The Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation reviews proposals in June and October each year. Interested grantseekers must submit an organizational summary to be invited to submit a full proposal. Application guidelines are available at the foundation’s website.
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