Carnegie Corporation of New York - Grant Information & Application Details

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $174 million (FY 2023-2024)
Total Assets: $4.5 billion (as of September 30, 2024)
Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed (invitation-based grantmaking)
Decision Time: Quarterly board meetings
Grant Range: $200,000 - $3,000,000 (typical range based on recent approvals)
Geographic Focus: National (United States) and International (select Commonwealth countries in Sub-Saharan Africa)

Contact Details

Main Office:

Phone: (212) 371-3200
Website: www.carnegie.org
Location: New York, NY
EIN: 13-6162524

Program Areas:

Education
Democracy
International Peace and Security
Higher Education and Research in Africa

Overview

Founded in 1911 by Andrew Carnegie with an initial endowment of $135 million, Carnegie Corporation of New York is one of America's oldest and most influential philanthropic foundations. With $4.5 billion in assets and $174 million in annual giving (FY 2023-2024), the Corporation awarded 353 grants during its most recent fiscal year. Dame Louise Richardson became the Corporation's 13th president in January 2023, making history as the first woman to lead the foundation. The Corporation operates as a proactive grantmaker, with program staff identifying and inviting organizations to apply rather than accepting unsolicited proposals. The three pillars of Carnegie's work are promoting peace, advancing education, and strengthening democracy, with a particular emphasis under Richardson's leadership on reducing political polarization in American society. The Corporation's charter allows for up to 7.4% of funds to be granted to nonprofit organizations in countries that are or have been members of the British Commonwealth, with current grantmaking in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Andrew Carnegie Fellows Program:

Amount: $200,000 per fellow for 12-24 months
Focus: High-caliber research in humanities and social sciences, currently focused on political polarization in the U.S.
Annual Investment: $6 million (30 fellows per year)
Application: Open competition with nominations
Note: Unsuccessful nominees can be nominated again in subsequent years

Education Program:

Annual Distribution: Approximately $60 million
Focus: Helping young people move from classroom to meaningful careers, creating socioeconomic mobility, and encouraging civic participation
Recent Examples:
- Big Picture Learning: $1.5 million (36 months) for network of schools
- NYC Public Libraries: $4 million total for English language learning, workforce development, and civic engagement
- The Institute for Citizens & Scholars: $2.05 million (24 months) for Civic Spring Fellowship

Democracy Program (Strengthening U.S. Democracy):

Focus Areas: Legal pathways for immigrant integration, voting and elections, state community service, and civic learning
Recent Examples:
- Columbia World Projects: $500,000 for Renewing Democratic Participation initiative
- Aspen Institute: $1.2 million (24 months) for Congressional Program
- Various grants supporting nonpartisan organizations working to reduce political polarization

International Peace and Security:

Annual Distribution: Approximately $48 million
Focus: Preventing and managing conflict, movements of people, and non-state actors
Recent Examples:
- Boston University: $750,000 (36 months) for project on China and international economic order
- Brookings Institution: $700,000 (24 months) for Foreign Policy Program
- Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (separate organization)

Higher Education and Research in Africa:

Historical Investment: $134.43 million from 2010-2019 (164 grants)
Recent Examples:
- University of Ghana: $3 million (36 months) for doctoral and early-career fellowships
- African School of Economics: $350,000 (24 months) for Sahel region research
Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship Program: 749 fellowships awarded since 2013
Average Award: $1,029,000 (range: $95,000 - $2.6 million)

Priority Areas

Education:

Secondary and higher education reform
Career pathways and workforce development
Civic learning and participation
Educational equity and access
Library programs supporting community needs

Democracy:

Reducing political polarization
Voting rights and election integrity
Immigrant integration
Community and national service programs
Civic education for young people

International Peace and Security:

Conflict prevention and management
Nuclear dangers reduction
Multilateralism and U.S. foreign policy
Transregional trends in Africa and Arab region
Migration and refugee issues

Higher Education and Research in Africa:

Development and retention of early-career African academics
Support for regional centers of doctoral education
Strengthening connections between African universities and diaspora communities
Higher education policy and research

What They Don't Fund

Building construction projects
Religious organizations
Organizations outside the United States except in select Commonwealth countries (primarily Sub-Saharan Africa)
Unsolicited proposals (with rare exceptions for specific calls for proposals)
For-profit entities

Governance and Leadership

President: Dame Louise Richardson, the Corporation's 13th president since January 2023, is the first woman to lead Carnegie Corporation. Previously, she was Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University (first woman in that role) and Principal of the University of St. Andrews (also first woman). She has stated about her role: "I expect I am going to discover all sorts of extraordinary people out there doing amazing work. My task will be: How do we help them do more of it?" On polarization, she noted: "Having been outside the U.S. for 14 years, to come back and see the polarization and its pace of acceleration has been really quite shocking."

Board Chair: Janet L. Robinson, retired president and CEO of the New York Times Company, succeeded former New Jersey Governor Thomas H. Kean as chair after his nearly 30 years of service.

Vice Chair: Kurt L. Schmoke, president of the University of Baltimore.

Notable Board Members:

Martin "Marty" Baron (retired executive editor of the Washington Post)
General Lloyd J. Austin III (U.S. Army, Retired)
Ann Claire Williams (retired federal judge)
Maria Elena Lagomasino (CEO & managing partner of WE Family Offices)
Kevin J. Conway (vice chairman of private equity firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice)

Democracy Program Leadership: Geri Mannion, who has overseen $394 million and 1,735 grants in support of immigration reform, voter participation and rights under the Democracy program.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

General Grantmaking: Carnegie Corporation operates as a proactive grantmaker, meaning nearly all organizations they fund are identified and contacted by Corporation program officers. The foundation does not accept or review unsolicited proposals or requests for funding in most cases. Program staff identify organizations to implement projects designed to help the foundation achieve its programmatic goals.

For organizations interested in funding:

Review the Corporation's website thoroughly to understand programs, goals, strategies, and limitations
Ensure alignment between your organization's work and Carnegie's priorities
Be aware that intensive and collaborative planning between the Corporation and identified institutions generally precedes grant awards
In rare cases when specific Calls for Proposals are issued, follow the instructions provided

Andrew Carnegie Fellows Program: This program operates differently, with an open application process:

Nominations accepted during specified application periods
Applications reviewed by independent jury
Unsuccessful nominees can be nominated again in subsequent years
Due to high volume, feedback on unsuccessful applications is not provided

Occasional Requests for Proposals (RFPs): Carnegie occasionally issues specific calls for proposals in targeted areas such as:

Reducing Nuclear Dangers
Reimagining Approaches to Multilateralism and U.S. Foreign Policy
Other strategic initiatives

When RFPs are issued, detailed application instructions and deadlines are provided on the website.

Decision Timeline

Quarterly Board Meetings: The Board of Trustees approves grants at quarterly meetings throughout the year. Recent board meeting dates have included:

March 2024: 51 grants totaling $26.2 million
September 2024: 97 grants totaling $57.8 million
December 2024: 44 grants totaling $34.3 million

Letter of Inquiry Response Time: When letters of inquiry are accepted (for specific programs like Higher Education and Research in Africa), applicants are typically notified within 4-6 weeks via email if their letter is declined or if they have been invited to submit a full proposal.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. Given the proactive nature of Carnegie's grantmaking model, traditional success rate metrics do not apply. The foundation reaches out to organizations rather than evaluating a pool of unsolicited applications.

For the Andrew Carnegie Fellows Program, the program is highly competitive with 30 fellows selected annually from a national pool of nominations.

Reapplication Policy

General Grantmaking: Due to the proactive nature of Carnegie's grantmaking, traditional reapplication policies do not apply. Organizations may be contacted by program staff in the future if their work aligns with Carnegie's evolving priorities.

Andrew Carnegie Fellows Program: Unsuccessful nominees can be nominated again in subsequent years. The program does not prohibit reapplication.

Application Success Factors

Key Alignment Factors

Proactive Identification: The most important factor is being identified by Carnegie program officers as an organization capable of implementing projects aligned with the Corporation's strategic goals. Success comes from:

Demonstrated track record in areas aligned with Carnegie's three pillars
Organizational capacity to execute significant, high-impact projects
Leadership and expertise in education, democracy, peace and security, or African higher education
Strong reputation in relevant fields

Strategic Fit: Dame Louise Richardson emphasizes that the Corporation must be "as disciplined, as targeted, as focused, and as flexible as we can be." This suggests they look for:

Organizations doing work that directly advances specific programmatic goals
Projects with potential for measurable impact and transformative change
Innovative approaches to complex problems
Ability to contribute to broader strategic initiatives

Recent Funding Examples

Education:

Network-wide support for innovative school models (Big Picture Learning: $1.5M)
Library-based community programs addressing English language learning and workforce development
Fellowship programs supporting civic engagement (Institute for Citizens & Scholars: $2.05M)

Democracy:

Nonpartisan research and convening on democratic participation (Columbia World Projects: $500K)
Congressional leadership development (Aspen Institute: $1.2M)
State and national service programs

International Peace and Security:

Academic research on international relations and foreign policy (Boston University: $750K)
Policy research and analysis (Brookings Institution: $700K)

Higher Education and Research in Africa:

Multi-year institutional support for doctoral programs (University of Ghana: $3M)
Regional research initiatives (African School of Economics: $350K)

Process Insights

Collaborative Planning: Intensive and collaborative planning between the Corporation and institutions generally precedes grant awards. This indicates:

Grants are not one-off decisions but part of ongoing relationships
Program officers work closely with grantees to shape projects
Flexibility and responsiveness during the planning process are valued

Focus on Impact: The Corporation seeks to invest in projects that can create "meaningful, transformative change" rather than incremental improvements. This suggests they favor:

Ambitious projects with clear theory of change
Organizations with capacity to scale impact
Work that addresses root causes rather than symptoms
Projects that can influence policy or practice in broader fields

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Understand the proactive model: Carnegie Corporation identifies and contacts potential grantees rather than accepting unsolicited applications. Building visibility and reputation in your field is essential.
Align with strategic priorities: Focus your work clearly on one or more of Carnegie's three pillars (education, democracy, peace and security) with particular attention to current emphases like political polarization reduction.
Build relationships over time: Given the collaborative planning approach, Carnegie funding often results from ongoing relationships and program officer awareness of your work. Engage in convenings, publish research, and maintain visibility in relevant networks.
Demonstrate capacity for significant impact: Typical grants range from $200,000 to $3 million. Your organization must show capacity to manage substantial funding and deliver transformative results, not incremental change.
Watch for specific calls for proposals: While most funding is proactive, Carnegie occasionally issues RFPs in targeted areas. Monitor their website and sign up for updates to be notified of these opportunities.
Consider the Andrew Carnegie Fellows Program: This is one of the few open application opportunities, providing $200,000 for individual scholars, journalists, and authors conducting research on political polarization.
Emphasize innovation and scalability: Richardson has stated the foundation seeks "extraordinary people doing amazing work" and wants to help them "do more of it." Show how your work can be replicated, scaled, or influence broader practice.

References

Carnegie Corporation of New York. (2024). "About." Retrieved from https://www.carnegie.org/about/
Carnegie Corporation of New York. (2024). "Financials." Retrieved from https://www.carnegie.org/about/financials/
Carnegie Corporation of New York. (2024). "Carnegie Corporation of New York Annual Report FY2023–2024." Retrieved from https://www.carnegie.org/publications/carnegie-corporation-of-new-york-annual-report-fy20232024/
Carnegie Corporation of New York. (2024). "Programs." Retrieved from https://www.carnegie.org/programs/
Carnegie Corporation of New York. (2024). "Grants Database." Retrieved from https://www.carnegie.org/grants/grants-database/
Carnegie Corporation of New York. (2024). "Trustees." Retrieved from https://www.carnegie.org/about/trustees/
Carnegie Corporation of New York. (2024). "Dame Louise Richardson." Retrieved from https://www.carnegie.org/about/staff/dame-louise-richardson/
Carnegie Corporation of New York. (2024). "Andrew Carnegie Fellows Program." Retrieved from https://www.carnegie.org/awards/award/andrew-carnegie-fellows/
Carnegie Corporation of New York. (2024). "Democracy Program." Retrieved from https://www.carnegie.org/programs/strengthening-democracy/
Carnegie Corporation of New York. (2024). "Higher Education and Research in Africa." Retrieved from https://www.carnegie.org/programs/higher-education-and-research-in-africa/
Carnegie Corporation of New York. (December 12, 2024). "Carnegie Corporation of New York Board Approves 44 Grants Totaling $34,300,000." Retrieved from https://www.carnegie.org/news/articles/carnegie-corporation-of-new-york-board-approves-44-grants-totaling-34300000/
Carnegie Corporation of New York. (September 2024). "Carnegie Corporation of New York Board Approves 97 Grants Totaling $57,785,500." Retrieved from https://www.carnegie.org/news/articles/carnegie-corporation-of-new-york-board-approves-97-grants-totaling-57785500/
Carnegie Corporation of New York. (March 7, 2024). "Carnegie Corporation of New York Board Approves 51 Grants Totaling $26,225,000." Retrieved from https://www.carnegie.org/news/articles/carnegie-corporation-of-new-york-board-approves-51-grants-totaling-26225000/
Carnegie Corporation of New York. (2024). "Grantmaking Highlights." Retrieved from https://www.carnegie.org/about/grantmaking-highlights/
Carnegie Corporation of New York. (2024). "Grant Inquiries." Retrieved from https://www.carnegie.org/grants/grant-inquiries/
Inside Philanthropy. (April 8, 2024). "The Latest in a Life of Firsts: Carnegie President Louise Richardson Talks About Her Role." Retrieved from https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/2024-4-8-the-latest-in-a-life-of-firsts-carnegie-president-louise-richardson-talks-about-her-role
Inside Philanthropy. (July 15, 2024). "The Election Isn't the End Point. A Deep Dive into the Carnegie Corporation's Democracy Giving." Retrieved from https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/2024-7-15-the-election-isnt-the-end-point-a-deep-dive-into-the-carnegie-corporations-democracy-giving
Carnegie Corporation of New York. (June 2023). "Political Polarization in the U.S. Is the New Focus of Significant Research Fellowship Program from Carnegie Corporation of New York." Retrieved from https://www.carnegie.org/news/articles/political-polarization-us-new-focus-significant-research-fellowship-program-carnegie-corporation-new-york/
Carnegie Corporation of New York. (2024). "A Decade of Strengthening Higher Education and Research Capacity in Africa." Retrieved from https://www.carnegie.org/our-work/article/decade-strengthening-higher-education-and-research-capacity-africa/
Carnegie Corporation of New York. (2024). "Getting to Know Dame Louise Richardson with Judy Woodruff." Carnegie Reporter Winter 2022. Retrieved from https://www.carnegie.org/our-work/article/getting-know-our-new-president-dame-louise-richardson/

All sources accessed November 2024.