The Rockefeller Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $275 million USD (approximately £216 million)
Total Assets: $6.2 billion USD (approximately £4.9 billion)
Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
Decision Time: 1-4 months (invitation-only process)
Grant Range: $10,000 - $500,000+ USD (£7,900 - £395,000+)
Geographic Focus: Global (United States, Africa, Asia, Latin America)
EIN: 13-1659629

Contact Details

Headquarters: New York City, United States

Regional Offices:

Washington, D.C., United States
Bellagio Center, Italy
Nairobi, Kenya
Bangkok, Thailand
Bogotá, Colombia

Website: www.rockefellerfoundation.org

Contact Method: Online contact form at www.rockefellerfoundation.org/about-us/contact/

Important Note: The Foundation does not accept or review unsolicited proposals for grants. Do not send proposals or letters of inquiry by mail or email unless specifically requested by a Program Officer.

Overview

The Rockefeller Foundation is one of the world's most influential philanthropic organizations, established in 1913 by John D. Rockefeller to "promote the well-being of humanity." With approximately $6.2 billion in assets, the Foundation awarded $275.5 million across 1,029 grants in 2023. Led by President Dr. Rajiv Shah since 2017, the Foundation takes a strategic, proactive approach to grantmaking, focusing on systemic change rather than incremental improvements.

The Foundation operates on a five-year, $1 billion strategy addressing climate change's intensifying effects through transforming systems in energy, food, health, and finance. Their approach emphasizes "making big transformational bets" and working with "likely and unlikely partners" to solve problems at their root. In 2024, the Foundation deepened its engagement in both U.S. domestic programs and global initiatives, particularly expanding electricity access in Africa and advancing food security worldwide. The Foundation is funded entirely by its endowment and does not accept government funding.

Funding Priorities

Strategic Focus Areas

The Foundation organizes its grantmaking around five interconnected areas:

1. Food Systems Transformation

$105 million "Good Food Strategy" over three years to increase access to healthy and sustainable foods for 40 million underserved people globally
$100 million investment in "Food is Medicine" programs in the United States to combat diet-related diseases
Nutritious and sustainable food systems development
Agricultural innovation and food security

2. Power and Climate

Goal to expand electricity access to 300 million people in Africa by 2030
Renewable energy access, particularly in underserved communities
Climate adaptation and resilience building
$1 billion+ commitment to advance climate solutions

3. Health

Strengthening health systems in vulnerable communities globally
Improving public health infrastructure
Addressing health equity gaps
Food-as-medicine interventions to reduce healthcare costs

4. U.S. Economic Opportunity

Strengthening Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs)
Supporting the Economic Opportunity Coalition, which has secured over $1.3 billion in new deposit commitments
Technical assistance for underserved rural regions and mid-sized cities to access federal economic funding
Economic mobility and inclusive growth initiatives

5. Innovative Finance

Conservation finance (e.g., forest restoration and wildfire risk reduction projects)
Blended finance mechanisms
Impact investing approaches
Financial system transformation to support climate and development goals

What They Don't Fund

While the Foundation does not publish a comprehensive exclusions list, key restrictions include:

Unsolicited proposals: The Foundation does not accept or review unsolicited grant proposals
Lobbying activities: As a private foundation, they are legally prohibited from funding lobbying activities as defined in the U.S. Internal Revenue Code
Projects outside strategic priorities: Work that does not align with their focus areas (food, health, power, economic opportunity, innovative finance)
Individual grants or scholarships: Focus is on organizational and systemic change (exception: specific fellowship programs at Bellagio Center)

Governance and Leadership

President

Dr. Rajiv J. Shah - President since 2017. Shah previously served as the sixteenth administrator of USAID (2010-2015) and is the youngest person and first Indian-American to lead the Foundation. Author of "Big Bets: How Large-Scale Change Really Occurs" (2023).

Key Philosophy: Shah advocates for transformational change over incremental improvements, stating: "Often, that feeling discourages us enough that we lower our ambitions or convince ourselves that we cannot make a real difference. So instead of chasing big goals and trying to fundamentally solve problems, we lower our sights, trying to just incrementally improve a situation." He emphasizes that "Our greatest successes have come when we've been animated by big bold aspirations and willing to see them through over a very long period of time."

Board of Trustees

Board Chair: Admiral James Stavridis, USN, Ret. (joined 2018, Chair since June 2021)

Board Members:

Afsaneh Mashayekhi Beschloss - Founder and CEO, RockCreek
Agnes Binagwaho - Former Vice Chancellor, University of Global Health Equity, Rwanda
Gordon Brown - Former Prime Minister, United Kingdom
Laura M. Cha - Former Chairman, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Ltd
Brett J. Hart - President, United Airlines
Govind Iyer - Independent Director, Infosys Limited
Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli - President and CEO, ONE Campaign
Paul Polman - Business Leader, Investor, Philanthropist
Sharon Percy Rockefeller - President and CEO, WETA
Juan Manuel Santos - Former President, Colombia; Nobel Peace Laureate
Adam Silver - Commissioner, National Basketball Association

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Rockefeller Foundation does not have a public application process. The Foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, where Program Officers proactively identify organizations whose work aligns with Foundation priorities and invite them to submit proposals.

According to their official guidance: "The Rockefeller Foundation does not accept unsolicited grant proposals. Our scientific approach to philanthropy is different — trying to solve problems at the root with the latest innovations and ideas, by leveraging grants, contracts, and other tools, and by bringing together likely and unlikely partners."

For Invited Applicants:

Once invited by a Program Officer, applicants move through a structured three-stage process:

Concept Note Development: The Program Officer develops an internal concept note outlining key impacts, outcomes, and strategic alignment for senior leadership review (1-2 months)
Proposal Development: Collaborative process with the Program Officer requiring:
- Formal letter of request
- 5-10 page proposal addressing rationale, outcomes, activities, knowledge management, evaluation, and risk mitigation
- Detailed budget with narrative justification
- Key personnel biographies
- Pre-grant questionnaire
- Cybersecurity assessment (if applicable)
Due Diligence and Review: Office of Grants Management investigates organizational capacity, financial management, and compliance; senior leadership reviews for strategic fit
Award and Agreement: Grant agreements outline terms, conditions, deliverables, payment schedules, and reporting requirements

Decision Timeline

Typical timeframe: 1-4 months from proposal invitation to award

Payment structure: First payment releases after countersigned agreement; subsequent payments depend on approved progress reports

Getting on Their Radar

The Rockefeller Foundation's invitation-only model means traditional outreach strategies do not apply. However, organizations can position themselves for potential consideration:

Demonstrate Strategic Alignment: Organizations working on innovative solutions in the Foundation's priority areas (food systems, health, energy access, economic opportunity) that show potential for systemic, large-scale impact are most likely to attract attention.

Build Sectoral Visibility: The Foundation identifies partners through their strategic scanning of sectors. Organizations that are thought leaders, publish research, participate in high-level sector convenings, or demonstrate breakthrough approaches may come onto the Foundation's radar through their reputation and impact.

Leverage Networks: Given the Foundation's emphasis on partnerships, existing grantees, sector leaders, and policy networks may create indirect pathways to visibility.

Bellagio Center Programs: While the Foundation doesn't accept unsolicited grant proposals, their Bellagio Center convening and residency programs do host open applications for annual programs. Participation in these programs could potentially create connections with Foundation staff.

Important: Do not send unsolicited proposals, letters of inquiry, or cold outreach emails. The Foundation explicitly states they do not review unsolicited materials.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the Foundation does not accept applications from organizations they have not invited.

For organizations previously invited but not funded, future consideration depends on maintaining the relationship with the Program Officer and continued alignment with evolving Foundation priorities.

Application Success Factors

Since the Rockefeller Foundation uses an invitation-only model, success depends on alignment with their strategic approach and demonstrated capacity rather than application quality alone. For organizations invited to submit proposals, the following factors are critical:

Strategic Alignment Requirements

Think Big and Transformational: The Foundation explicitly seeks "bold ideas" and "big transformational bets" rather than incremental improvements. President Rajiv Shah states he disdains "passively tossing cash to needy causes" and instead looks for projects that "fundamentally solve problems" at their root.

Systems-Change Orientation: The Foundation focuses on transforming entire systems - food, health, energy, finance - rather than addressing symptoms. Proposals should demonstrate how the work will create lasting, systemic change.

Innovation and Latest Approaches: The Foundation emphasizes using "the latest innovations and ideas" and seeks partners who bring cutting-edge solutions, technologies, or methodologies.

Partnership and Collaboration

Cross-Sector Partnership Capacity: The Foundation values working with "likely and unlikely partners" across sectors (public, private, philanthropic). Demonstrate your organization's ability to convene diverse stakeholders and build unusual alliances.

Leverage Mindset: Show how your work can attract additional resources, create multiplier effects, or unlock other forms of capital (the Foundation uses "grants, contracts, and other tools").

Organizational Capacity

Financial Management Strength: The Office of Grants Management conducts thorough due diligence on financial processes, internal controls, and organizational governance. Strong financial systems are non-negotiable.

Demonstrated Track Record: The Foundation seeks organizations with proven capacity to execute ambitious work. Evidence of previous impact, particularly at scale, matters significantly.

Learning and Evaluation Culture: Proposals should include robust knowledge management plans, evaluation strategies, and evidence of an organizational commitment to tracking impact and sharing insights.

Compliance and Technical Requirements

Legal and Tax Compliance: For non-U.S. 501(c)(3) organizations, understanding "Expenditure Responsibility" requirements is critical. Foreign organizations may need "Equivalency Determination" status.

No Lobbying Activities: Proposals involving any advocacy must follow the "Project Grant Rule" with clear separation between non-lobbying and lobbying expenses.

Cybersecurity Readiness: Some grants require cybersecurity assessments, indicating the Foundation's attention to operational security.

Recent Funding Examples

Understanding what the Foundation actually funds provides insight into their priorities:

Blue Forest (Conservation Finance): Brings together communities, finance, and science for forest restoration and wildfire risk reduction in the Western US - restored over 8,000 acres of forest and protected more than 27,000 acre-feet of water supply
Economic Opportunity Coalition: Strengthens CDFIs and MDIs to help underserved communities access capital - secured more than $1.3 billion in new deposit commitments
Invest in Our Future Platform: Provided technical assistance to introduce clean energy in more than 300 communities, resulting in 60 funded projects
United Nations ($100,000): Building capacity for developing countries in the Global South to address climate adaptation
Hopewell Fund ($250,000): Technical assistance for underserved rural regions and mid-sized cities to attract federal economic opportunity funding

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Invitation-only model: You cannot apply to the Rockefeller Foundation. They must identify and invite you. Focus on building organizational reputation and demonstrating impact in their priority areas rather than crafting applications.
Scale and ambition matter: The Foundation explicitly seeks "big transformational bets" that solve problems at their root. Incremental projects or small-scale interventions are unlikely to align with their approach, even if invited.
Systems-change orientation: Frame your work in terms of transforming entire systems (food, health, energy, finance) rather than addressing individual symptoms or needs.
Partnership is essential: Demonstrate capacity to work across sectors with diverse partners. The Foundation values organizations that can convene "likely and unlikely partners" and leverage multiple forms of capital.
Strong operational capacity required: If invited, be prepared for rigorous due diligence on financial management, governance, cybersecurity, and organizational systems. Weak back-office operations will disqualify you.
Innovation focus: The Foundation seeks organizations using "the latest innovations and ideas" - whether technological, methodological, or strategic. Status quo approaches are insufficient.
Timeline expectations: If invited to propose, expect a 1-4 month process from concept note to award, with ongoing collaboration with your assigned Program Officer throughout.

References

The Rockefeller Foundation - Our Grants. Available at: https://www.rockefellerfoundation.org/our-grants/ (Accessed December 2024)
The Rockefeller Foundation - Leadership and Board of Trustees. Available at: https://www.rockefellerfoundation.org/about-us/leadership-and-board/board-of-trustees/ (Accessed December 2024)
The Rockefeller Foundation - Toolkit for Prospective and Active Grantees. Available at: https://www.rockefellerfoundation.org/toolkit-for-prospective-and-active-grantees/ (Accessed December 2024)
The Rockefeller Foundation - FAQs. Available at: https://www.rockefellerfoundation.org/about-us/rock-faqs/ (Accessed December 2024)
The Rockefeller Foundation - Contact Us. Available at: https://www.rockefellerfoundation.org/about-us/contact/ (Accessed December 2024)
Inside Philanthropy - Rockefeller Foundation. Available at: https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant/grants-r/rockefeller-foundation (Accessed December 2024)
Grantable - The Rockefeller Foundation Profile. Available at: https://www.grantable.co/search/funders/profile/the-rockefeller-foundation-us-foundation-131659629 (Accessed December 2024)
Instrumentl - Rockefeller Foundation 990 Report. Available at: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/rockefeller-foundation (Accessed December 2024)
The Rockefeller Foundation - 2024 Impact Report. Available at: https://www.rockefellerfoundation.org/reports/impact-report/ (Accessed December 2024)
The Chronicle of Philanthropy - "No Apologies: Rajiv Shah Stands by Rockefeller's Top-Down Approach". Available at: https://www.philanthropy.com/article/no-apologies-rajiv-shah-stands-by-rockefellers-top-down-approach (Accessed December 2024)
Stanford Social Innovation Review - "A Conversation with Rockefeller Foundation's Rajiv Shah". Available at: https://ssir.org/articles/entry/a_conversation_with_rockefeller_foundations_rajiv_shah (Accessed December 2024)
MIT Sloan - "The Rockefeller Foundation President Wants You to Make Big, Passionate Bets". Available at: https://mitsloan.mit.edu/alumni/rockefeller-foundation-president-wants-you-to-make-big-passionate-bets (Accessed December 2024)
Devex - "Rajiv Shah on Rockefeller Foundation priorities, multilateralism and philanthropy". Available at: https://www.devex.com/news/rajiv-shah-on-rockefeller-foundation-priorities-multilateralism-and-philanthropy-90100 (Accessed December 2024)