Rockefeller Brothers Fund

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $62 million (2024)
• Success Rate: <1% (for unsolicited applications)
• Decision Time: 3 months
• Grant Range: $25,000 - $400,000
• Geographic Focus: National and international (US, China, Central America, Western Balkans)

Contact Details

Website: www.rbf.org Phone: 212-812-4200 Email: info@rbf.org Address: 475 Riverside Drive, Room 900, New York, NY 10115-0066 Online Application Portal: rbf-portal.givingdata.com/campaign/programapp

For the Culpeper Arts & Culture program, organizations should check the annual call for proposals.

Overview

Founded in 1940 by the five third-generation Rockefeller brothers (John, Nelson, Laurance, Winthrop, and David), the Rockefeller Brothers Fund (RBF) is a separate entity from The Rockefeller Foundation. With assets of $1.35 billion as of 2024, the RBF advances social change that contributes to a more just, sustainable, and peaceful world. In 2024, the Fund awarded $62 million in grants and achieved a major milestone: fully reallocating its endowment to 99.8% fossil fuel-free investments, a decade after its groundbreaking 2014 divestment decision. Despite this bold stance, the fund's endowment has grown nearly 50% over the past decade. The RBF operates seven programs—three thematic programs (Democratic Practice, Sustainable Development, and Peacebuilding), three pivotal place programs (China, Central America, and Western Balkans), and the Culpeper Arts & Culture program focused on New York City.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Democratic Practice ($30,000 - $300,000) Strengthens the vitality of democracy in the United States and in global governance. The program supports movement building for systemic change, focusing on collective action and organizing rooted in community power to achieve structural reforms that advance justice and inclusion. Supports engaged, empowered citizens and inclusive, transparent, accountable institutions of governance.

Sustainable Development ($30,000 - $300,000) Focuses entirely on addressing climate change and combating environmental degradation. Supports innovative approaches to reduce emissions, advance alternative energy transitions, and promote sustainable natural resource management. Does not purchase interests in for-profit enterprises or contribute to capital expenses for sustainable energy or water projects.

Peacebuilding ($30,000 - $300,000) Addresses human security and drivers of conflict to create conditions for lasting peace. Redirected in 2011 to focus on conflict transformation, supporting organizations working to prevent violent conflict and build durable peace.

Culpeper Arts & Culture (Varies) Honors the legacy of Charles E. Culpeper by supporting artists and cultural organizations in New York City. Focuses on organizations that elevate the role arts and artists play in addressing pressing social issues, with particular attention to artists of color and other underrepresented groups. The Pocantico Prize for Visual Artists includes a $25,000 cash prize with a two-month residency. Between 2003-2013, awarded nearly $25 million in arts and culture grants. Applications accepted only during annual call for proposals on a rolling basis until funds are allocated.

Pivotal Place Programs ($30,000 - $300,000)

• Southern China: Promotes links between environment and human health, sustainable energy approaches, and community leadership in sustainable development.
• Western Balkans: Supports democratic practice, reconciliation, durable peace, sustainable development, and a European future for the region.
• Central America (El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras): Focuses on sustainable development, climate change initiatives, soil resilience, and water security. Made possible by a bequest from David Rockefeller.

Priority Areas

• Movement Building: Supporting collective action and organizing for systemic change
• Policy Development: Helping grantees transform systems and create lasting solutions
• Equity and Inclusion: Advancing marginalized or excluded groups working to build power and pursue justice
• Evidence-Based Solutions: Grounded in research and lived experience
• Climate Action: Comprehensive climate change mitigation and sustainable development
• Democratic Renewal: Strengthening democratic institutions and civic engagement
• Conflict Prevention: Building conditions for lasting peace and human security
• Arts as Social Commentary: Supporting artists addressing pressing social issues (NYC only)

The Fund works with emerging and established thought leaders and community advocates, providing resources to experiment with new approaches, expand capacity, develop policy ideas, and foster collaboration to meet shared goals.

What They Don't Fund

• Individuals: No grants to individuals, including scholarships, fellowships, or individual artists
• Lobbying Activities: Cannot provide funds earmarked for lobbying in the US or internationally (prohibited by Internal Revenue Code)
• Capital Expenses: Does not contribute to capital expenses, including for sustainable energy or water projects
• For-Profit Enterprises: Does not purchase interests in for-profit enterprises, including through program-related investments (PRI) or impact investments
• Non-Qualifying Activities: Organizations must be tax-exempt or support projects qualifying as educational or charitable

Governance and Leadership

The Rockefeller Brothers Fund is governed by a board of 18 trustees, with approximately half being members of the Rockefeller family, including seven from the fifth generation. The board includes several standing committees: Audit Committee, Investment Committee, Compensation Committee, Executive Committee, and Governance Committee.

Key Leadership:

• Valerie Rockefeller, Chairwoman: Succeeded Richard Rockefeller (fifth child of David Rockefeller) who served as chairman until 2013.

• Stephen B. Heintz, President (since 2001): Has led the RBF for over two decades, guiding its evolution and strategic direction. Heintz coined the term "acupuncture philanthropy" to describe his approach of leveraging modest financial assets to trigger larger systemic change on critical issues. Under his leadership, the RBF completed its groundbreaking fossil fuel divestment and has emphasized the importance of foundations taking risks to drive meaningful change.

The Governance Committee advises the Board on composition and effectiveness, ensuring governance best practices and protecting the Fund's integrity and reputation for the long-term.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through the RBF's online portal at rbf-portal.givingdata.com. The Fund cannot accept grant applications by mail, email, or fax. Before applying, thoroughly review program guidelines and recent grants on the RBF website to determine alignment with current programs.

Application Steps:

1. Create an account on the online portal
2. Complete the grant inquiry form with detailed information about your organization and specific grant request
3. Provide concise responses in all open-ended text boxes (the RBF values brevity)
4. After review, selected applicants may be invited to submit full proposals

Important Note: The RBF rarely funds unsolicited grant requests. Staff are highly engaged in their fields and actively identify organizations well-positioned to meet programmatic goals. Less than one percent of unsolicited applications result in funding.

Special Considerations:

• Culpeper Arts & Culture: Only accepts applications during its annual call for proposals, reviewed on a rolling basis until funds are fully allocated
• Pocantico Center Conferences: Separate application process for organizations seeking to host conferences at the Pocantico Center

Decision Timeline

The review process is generally completed within three months, though the exact timeline may vary. Staff will communicate with applicants throughout the process.

Success Rates

Less than 1% of unsolicited grant applications result in funding. The vast majority of RBF grants go to organizations actively identified by program staff through their field engagement. In 2023, the RBF made 575 awards.

Reapplication Policy

The Fund does not explicitly prohibit reapplication, but given the extremely low success rate for unsolicited applications and the proactive nature of staff grantmaking, organizations should carefully consider whether their alignment with current program priorities justifies reapplication. Organizations should review recent grants and program evolution before reapplying.

Application Success Factors

Key Alignment Factors:

1. Staff Identification: The strongest path to funding is being identified by RBF program staff through their active field engagement. Build visibility in your field by producing high-quality work, participating in relevant networks, and establishing thought leadership.

2. Strategic Fit: Demonstrate clear alignment with one of the Fund's current programs. Study program guidelines closely and review the searchable grants database (covering the past five years) to understand the types of organizations and projects currently supported.

3. Systems-Level Change: The RBF seeks to support organizations working on movement building and policy development that can "transform systems and create lasting solutions to persistent challenges." Show how your work contributes to broader systemic change, not just individual impacts.

4. Evidence and Experience: Ground your proposal in both research evidence and lived experience. The Fund values approaches that combine rigorous analysis with authentic community voice and leadership.

5. Bold Innovation: President Stephen Heintz's philosophy of "acupuncture philanthropy" emphasizes using strategic investments to trigger larger change. Demonstrate how your work can have disproportionate impact or catalyze broader transformation.

Recent Grant Examples:

• New Venture Fund: $600,000 for the Media Democracy Fund (July 2023)
• Architecture 2030: $550,000 to support environmental regulations and carbon neutrality goals (2023)
• Resources Legacy Fund: $300,000 for environmental advocacy (2023)
• New Venture Fund: $150,000 for Fair Representation in Redistricting (November 2023)
• University Settlement Performance Project: $50,000 for arts programming

Language and Terminology:

• Use terms like "movement building," "systemic change," "transformative solutions," "equity and inclusion," "lived experience," and "community power"
• Frame work in terms of addressing "interrelated challenges of democratic decline, climate change, and violent conflict"
• Emphasize "just, sustainable, and peaceful world" outcomes

Common Pitfalls:

• Submitting unsolicited applications without strong program alignment
• Focusing on individual impacts rather than systems-level change
• Proposing capital projects or for-profit ventures (explicitly excluded)
• Requesting funding for lobbying activities (prohibited by law)
• Verbose applications (the Fund values concise responses)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Unsolicited Applications Face Steep Odds: With less than 1% success rate for unsolicited applications, focus first on building field visibility and relationships. RBF staff proactively identify most grantees through field engagement.

2. Study the Grants Database: The RBF's searchable database of grants from the past five years is your best guide. Review grants in your program area to understand what they fund, typical grant sizes, and organizational profiles that succeed.

3. Emphasize Systemic Impact: Frame your work in terms of systems-level transformation, not just programmatic outcomes. Show how your organization contributes to movement building or policy development with lasting change potential.

4. Align with Current Programs: The Fund periodically evolves its program focus (e.g., Sustainable Development shifted entirely to climate in 2010; Peacebuilding redirected to conflict transformation in 2011). Ensure alignment with current, not historical, priorities.

5. Geographic Specificity Matters: For pivotal place programs (China, Central America, Western Balkans) and Culpeper Arts & Culture (NYC only), geographic location is non-negotiable. For thematic programs, demonstrate why your geographic context is strategic.

6. Be Concise: The RBF explicitly values brevity in applications. Make every word count and avoid verbose explanations.

7. Consider the Pocantico Center: Beyond grantmaking, the RBF convenes stakeholders at its Pocantico Center in the Hudson Valley. If your work involves coalition-building or field-wide convenings, this could be an alternative entry point.

References

1. Rockefeller Brothers Fund Official Website. "About Us." Accessed November 2025. https://www.rbf.org/about/about-us

2. Rockefeller Brothers Fund. "For Grant Seekers." Accessed November 2025. https://www.rbf.org/grants/for-grant-seekers

3. Rockefeller Brothers Fund. "Grantmaking Approach." Accessed November 2025. https://www.rbf.org/programs/grantmaking-approach

4. Rockefeller Brothers Fund. "The Fund in 2024: An Interdependent World" (Annual Report). Accessed November 2025. https://www.rbf.org/annual-reviews/fund-2024-interdependent-world

5. Rockefeller Brothers Fund. "The Fund in 2023: Summoning Courage" (Annual Report). Accessed November 2025. https://www.rbf.org/annual-reviews/fund-2023-summoning-courage

6. Rockefeller Brothers Fund. "Endowment Summary." Accessed November 2025. https://www.rbf.org/about/endowment-summary

7. Rockefeller Brothers Fund. "People: Trustees and Leadership." Accessed November 2025. https://www.rbf.org/leadership/trustees

8. Rockefeller Brothers Fund. "Culpeper Arts & Culture." Accessed November 2025. https://www.rbf.org/programs/culpeper-arts-culture

9. Rockefeller Brothers Fund. "The Pocantico Center." Accessed November 2025. https://www.rbf.org/pocantico

10. Rockefeller Brothers Fund. "Grants Search" (Searchable Database). Accessed November 2025. https://www.rbf.org/grants-search

11. Wikipedia. "Rockefeller Brothers Fund." Accessed November 2025. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rockefeller_Brothers_Fund

12. Inside Philanthropy. "Rockefeller Brothers Fund." Accessed November 2025. https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant/grants-r/rockefeller-brothers-foundation

13. Philanthropy News Digest. "RBF awards $62 million, achieves goal of fossil fuel-free endowment." Accessed November 2025. https://philanthropynewsdigest.org/news/rbf-awards-62-million-achieves-goal-of-fossil-fuel-free-endowment

14. Alliance Magazine. "Interview with Stephen Heintz, CEO of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund." Accessed November 2025. https://www.alliancemagazine.org/interview/interview-stephen-heintz/

15. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. "Rockefeller Brothers Fund Inc." Accessed November 2025. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/131760106