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Rockefeller Brothers Fund Inc

Annual Giving
$56.1M
Grant Range
$30K - $0.3M
Decision Time
3mo
Success Rate
1%

Rockefeller Brothers Fund Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $56,090,579 (2023)
  • Endowment: Approximately $1.35 billion (2024)
  • Decision Time: 3 months
  • Grant Range: $30,000 - $300,000 (with exceptions)
  • Geographic Focus: International (Central America, Western Balkans, China) and U.S. (especially New York City for arts)
  • Success Rate: Less than 1% of unsolicited applications funded

Contact Details

Rockefeller Brothers Fund 475 Riverside Drive, Suite 900 New York, NY 10115

Phone: 212.812.4200 Fax: 212.812.4299 Email: grantsmgmt@rbf.org Website: www.rbf.org

Note: To enter the building, enter at 61 Claremont Avenue to obtain your guest pass.

Overview

The Rockefeller Brothers Fund (RBF) was founded in 1940 by the five sons of John D. Rockefeller Jr. as their primary philanthropic vehicle. With an endowment of approximately $1.35 billion, RBF distributed $56.1 million in grants to 575 organizations in 2023. The Fund's mission is to advance social change that contributes to a more just, sustainable, and peaceful world. After receiving a generous bequest from David Rockefeller in 2017, the Fund expanded its grantmaking and launched a new Central America program. RBF is notable for achieving a completely fossil fuel-free endowment in 2024, demonstrating its commitment to mission-aligned investing and sustainable development.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Three Thematic Programs:

  • Democratic Practice: $30,000 - $300,000. Strengthens democracy in the U.S. and global governance, with focus on voting rights, election administration, civic participation, rule of law, and disrupting concentrations of power. Allocated $18 million in 2020, representing up to 13% of annual grantmaking.

  • Sustainable Development: $30,000 - $300,000. Supports ecologically-based, economically sound, socially just development with significant U.S. focus given America's disproportionate global impact. Approximately $12.4 million (20% of grants) directed to climate-related work in 2024.

  • Peacebuilding: $30,000 - $300,000. Advances just and durable peace through policy analysis, dialogue across lines of division, and strengthening constituencies for conflict transformation.

Three Pivotal Place Programs: Address specific geographic regions with disproportionate significance:

  • Central America (El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras): Launched 2019
  • Western Balkans: Active since 2001, focusing on restorative justice, civil society, and government accountability
  • Southern China: Active since 2003

Charles E. Culpeper Arts & Culture Program:

  • Grant Range: Varies
  • Focus: NYC-based organizations supporting artists and addressing pressing social issues through the arts
  • Special Interest: Small and mid-size cultural organizations, community-based and culturally specific organizations, artists of color and underrepresented artists
  • Application Method: Annual open call for proposals, reviewed on rolling basis until funds allocated
  • Restriction: Organizations must wait 3 years from final payment before reapplying
  • Historical Impact: Nearly $25 million awarded 2003-2013

Priority Areas

  • Voting rights and election administration reform
  • Climate change and clean energy transitions
  • Democratic governance and civic engagement
  • Peacebuilding and conflict transformation
  • Environmental sustainability and stewardship
  • Racial justice and equity
  • Civil liberties protection
  • Community-based arts and cultural vitality (NYC only)

What They Don't Fund

  • Tickets or tables at galas and fundraising events
  • Arts and culture projects outside New York City (except through other programs)
  • Organizations that are not tax-exempt or working on educational/charitable projects
  • Mail, email, or fax applications (online portal only)

Governance and Leadership

President and CEO: Stephen B. Heintz (appointed 2000, began 2001) - Long-tenured leader who has overseen major strategic expansions including the Central America program and the Fund's fossil fuel divestment.

Board Chair: Valerie Rockefeller - Succeeded Richard Rockefeller in 2013, representing continued family involvement in the Fund's governance.

Recent Trustees:

  • Carlos Alvarado Quesada (former President of Costa Rica)
  • Janai Nelson (President, NAACP Legal Defense Fund)
  • Robin Strawbridge (VP, Fleishhacker Foundation)
  • Henry Timms (President and CEO, Lincoln Center)

Senior Leadership:

  • Executive Vice President, Programs and Communications
  • Vice President, People and Culture/Chief Diversity Officer
  • Program Directors for each thematic and pivotal place program
  • Directors of Operations, Communications, Accounting, and Financial Reporting

The RBF is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, reflected in both its governance structure and grantmaking priorities.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Critical Reality: RBF staff actively identify organizations that are well-positioned to meet programmatic goals. Less than one percent of unsolicited grant applications result in funding. The RBF "rarely funds unsolicited grant requests."

Online Portal Process:

  • The Fund uses an online portal for the entire grants process
  • Applications sent by mail, email, or fax are not accepted
  • Applicants complete an online grant inquiry form with detailed information about the specific grant request
  • After review, RBF may invite selected applicants to submit full proposals
  • Online portal available at: rbf-portal.givingdata.com

Culpeper Arts & Culture Exception: This program issues an annual open call for proposals and reviews applications on a rolling basis until funds are fully allocated. Grant seekers are encouraged to apply early during the call period.

Pre-Application Requirements:

  • Review program guidelines and recent grants to determine alignment with current programs
  • Ensure organization is tax-exempt or project qualifies as educational/charitable
  • Check recent grant recipients in your field through the grants database at www.rbf.org/grants-search

Decision Timeline

Review Process: Generally completed within 3 months, though exact timeline may vary Communication: Staff will be in touch with applicants throughout the process Notification: Through online portal system

Success Rates

  • Overall: Less than 1% of unsolicited applications are funded
  • Total Awards (2023): 575 grants made
  • Total Awards (2022): 607 grants made

The extremely low success rate for unsolicited applications reflects RBF's proactive grantmaking strategy where staff identify and approach organizations rather than responding to open applications.

Reapplication Policy

Culpeper Arts & Culture: Grantee organizations must wait a minimum of three years from their grant final payment before reapplying.

Other Programs: Not explicitly stated, but given the proactive identification approach, organizations should focus on relationship building rather than repeated applications.

Application Success Factors

Critical Understanding: Success at RBF is less about the application itself and more about being identified by staff as strategically positioned to advance program goals. However, for those invited to apply or applying to Culpeper Arts & Culture:

Alignment is Paramount: "Before you consider submitting a grant application, please review program guidelines and recent grants to determine if your work aligns with one of our current programs." Proposals must be "written in line with most recently funded projects and also in relation to the Foundation's funding areas."

Study Recent Grantees: RBF maintains a searchable database of grants from the past five years. Study organizations in your field that have received funding to understand what RBF supports in practice.

Examples of Recent Grants (2023-2024):

  • Architecture 2030: $550,000 for carbon-neutral buildings advocacy
  • 7amleh (Arab Center for Social Media Advancement): $50,000 for Middle East human rights work
  • Breaking the Silence: $100,000 for Israeli-Palestinian conflict work
  • Dēmos: Supporting democracy and racial justice
  • Center for Technology and Civic Life: Election administration and civic participation
  • Dorrance Dance, NY Women in Film & Television, Climate Museum: NYC arts and culture

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: RBF is explicitly committed to these values. Applications should address how the organization and project reflect diversity, equity, and inclusion principles.

Reuse Existing Materials: "If you have already prepared materials for another funder that address the points above, please feel free to send or add to them instead of starting from scratch." RBF values substance over custom formatting.

For Culpeper Arts & Culture Specifically:

  • Organizations must provide support (space, materials, education, paid work opportunities) primarily to NYC-based artists
  • Strong preference for small and mid-size organizations
  • Strong preference for community-based and/or culturally specific organizations
  • Strong preference for supporting artists of color and underrepresented artists
  • Must demonstrate how arts address pressing social issues
  • Apply early during the call period as applications are reviewed on rolling basis

Strategic Positioning: Given that RBF staff are "highly engaged in the fields where we provide support," organizations should focus on becoming visible leaders in their field rather than perfecting applications.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Proactive identification model: RBF finds grantees more often than grantees find RBF. Less than 1% of unsolicited applications succeed. Focus on becoming a recognized leader in your field and building visibility rather than perfecting grant applications.

  • Deep alignment required: Study RBF's recent grantmaking in detail through their searchable database. Your work must clearly advance one of their three thematic programs or fit within their pivotal place geographies.

  • Three-month decision timeline: If invited to apply, expect a decision within approximately three months, with staff communication throughout the process.

  • Equity is central, not peripheral: Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core values at RBF, not checkboxes. Demonstrate how these principles are integral to your organization and project.

  • For NYC arts organizations: The Culpeper program is your best entry point. Apply early during the annual call, emphasize support for underrepresented artists and community-based work, and show how arts address social issues.

  • Mission-aligned values matter: RBF has divested from fossil fuels and achieved a completely mission-aligned endowment. They seek grantees who share their commitment to systemic change toward sustainability, democracy, and peace.

  • Geographic focus is specific: Unless you work in Central America (El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras), Western Balkans, Southern China, or NYC (for arts), your work must address U.S. national issues or global governance to fit RBF priorities.

References

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