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Citi Foundation

Annual Giving
$78.0M
Grant Range
$50K - $5.0M
Decision Time
4mo

Citi Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $78 million (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Varies by program; typically announced within months of RFP closing
  • Grant Range: $50,000 - $5,000,000 (most grants $100,000 - $500,000)
  • Geographic Focus: Global (80+ countries; major U.S. focus cities include New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, San Francisco Bay Area, Washington D.C.)

Contact Details

Website: https://www.citigroup.com/global/foundation Apply for Funding: https://www.citigroup.com/global/foundation/apply-for-funding Address: 388 Greenwich Street, Floor 18, New York, NY 10013-2362 EIN: 13-3781879

Overview

Founded in 1994, the Citi Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Citigroup, with approximately $78 million in annual giving. The Foundation's mission is to promote economic progress and improve the lives of people in low-income communities around the world. The Foundation invests in efforts that increase financial inclusion, catalyze job opportunities for youth, and reimagine approaches to building economically vibrant cities. Operating globally across more than 80 countries and territories, the Foundation partners with over 250 community organizations worldwide. The Foundation has received recognition for its strategic approach to corporate philanthropy, and in 2022, Foundation President Brandee McHale received the Association of Corporate Citizenship Professionals Trailblazer Purpose Award.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Global Innovation Challenge ($25 million annually)

  • Awards: $500,000 per organization over two years
  • 50 organizations selected annually
  • Recent focus areas: Food security (2023), homelessness (2024), youth employability (2025)
  • Application: Open RFP with registration and application deadlines typically in early spring

Community Progress Makers ($50 million per cohort)

  • Awards: $1 million per organization over three years (unrestricted funding)
  • 50 organizations selected per cohort
  • Focus: Economic opportunity in U.S. cities (Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, San Francisco Bay Area, Washington D.C.)
  • Application: Open RFP announced periodically (most recent in 2023)
  • Additional benefit: Access to learning community and technical assistance from national experts

Community Finance Innovation Fund ($25-50 million initiatives)

  • Supports Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs)
  • Focus: Building assets and wealth for low-income and diverse communities
  • Application: Request for Ideas (RFI) process

Pathways to Progress

  • Awards: $100,000 - $300,000 (can be larger)
  • Focus: Youth workforce development for ages 16-24
  • Builds entrepreneurial mindset, leadership, financial, and workplace skills
  • Total investment: $300+ million globally since 2014

Priority Areas

  1. Youth Economic Opportunities: Workforce readiness, job skills training, summer employment programs, entrepreneurship education for low-income youth ages 15-24
  2. Financial Inclusion: Financial health and wellness programs, financial literacy, expanding access to financial services
  3. Community Development: Affordable housing and access, economic development in low-income communities and communities of color
  4. Environmental Sustainability: Climate-related community initiatives
  5. Disaster Response: Emergency relief and recovery efforts
  6. Agriculture & Food Security: Global food security initiatives

What They Don't Fund

  • Political or lobbying activities
  • Organizations using fiscal sponsors (ineligible for most programs)
  • Organizations without at least one year of externally audited financial statements
  • Programs outside Citi's geographic footprint
  • Unsolicited proposals (only accepts applications through formal RFP processes)

Governance and Leadership

President: Brandee McHale

  • Head of Community Investing and Development at Citi
  • Quoted: "We really want to look at communities as a whole because our mission at the Citi Foundation is to promote economic opportunity and progress."
  • Philosophy: "It's not philanthropy versus market-based solutions – you need both"
  • Approach to partners: "As funders and investors, we can listen to their needs, learn about their ideas, and support their work. It's all about humility and trust."

Vice President: Kenya Bryant (also serves on Philanthropy New York's Board of Directors)

Leadership Structure: The Foundation's leadership is integrated with Citi's Community Investing and Development division, with key positions including:

  • Secretary (Director of Transactions and Data Management)
  • Chief Operating Officer (Head of Programs)
  • Treasurer (Head of Operations and Business Management)

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Citi Foundation primarily provides funding through open Requests for Proposals (RFP), using what they call the "challenge model" rather than an invitation-only approach. The Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals and will not review unsolicited materials.

RFP Process:

  1. Monitor the Foundation's website at https://www.citigroup.com/global/foundation/apply-for-funding for RFP announcements
  2. Each RFP is accompanied by detailed information on goals, selection criteria, and application deadlines
  3. RFPs are typically announced annually for major programs
  4. Applications are submitted through online portals specific to each RFP

Current Status: Check the website regularly for upcoming RFP opportunities, as open calls vary by program

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Must be a registered nonprofit entity under local law (e.g., 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public charity in the U.S.)
  • Must have at least one year of externally audited financial statements
  • Must submit most recent externally audited financial statements covering part of calendar year 2023 or subsequent year
  • Program must impact one or more geographies where Citi has a presence
  • Organizations using fiscal sponsors are typically ineligible
  • Only one application per organization per RFP

Decision Timeline

Varies by Program:

  • Global Innovation Challenge: Typically registration deadline in early March, application deadline mid-March, recipients announced within 2-3 months
  • Community Progress Makers: RFP announcement to award typically spans 4-6 months
  • Most programs announce recipients within 3-6 months of RFP closing

Notification Methods: Recipients are announced via press release and direct contact; announcements are posted on the Foundation's website

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, based on program structure:

  • Global Innovation Challenge: 50 awards from global applicant pool (highly competitive)
  • Community Progress Makers: 50 awards per cohort, typically from hundreds of applicants in six U.S. cities
  • The Foundation describes selecting organizations with "demonstrated success," indicating a competitive process favoring established nonprofits

Reapplication Policy

The Foundation does not publish specific reapplication policies. Given the cyclical nature of RFPs and focus on different themes each year, unsuccessful applicants are not prohibited from reapplying to future RFPs. Organizations are encouraged to monitor for new RFP opportunities that align with their mission.

Application Success Factors

Based on Foundation leadership statements and program design:

  1. Demonstrated Track Record: The Foundation explicitly seeks organizations with "demonstrated success." Include concrete evidence of program outcomes, externally audited financials, and organizational stability.

  2. Alignment with Economic Opportunity: President Brandee McHale emphasizes: "We really want to look at communities as a whole because our mission at the Citi Foundation is to promote economic opportunity and progress." Frame your work in terms of economic progress, not just service delivery.

  3. Innovation and Scalability: The Foundation's "Global Innovation Challenge" and "Community Finance Innovation Fund" names signal interest in innovative approaches. Highlight what makes your approach different and how it could grow or be replicated.

  4. Low-Income Community Impact: Every program emphasizes impact on low-income communities and communities of color. Be explicit about who benefits and how you measure economic outcomes for these populations.

  5. Systems-Level Thinking: Recent programs focus on "building economically vibrant cities" and "reimagining approaches." Show how your work addresses root causes, not just symptoms.

  6. Partnership and Collaboration: Community Progress Makers recipients gain access to learning communities. The Foundation values organizations that collaborate and share best practices. Highlight existing partnerships and willingness to engage in peer learning.

  7. Geographic Presence: For U.S. programs, priority cities are Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, San Francisco Bay Area, and Washington D.C. International programs target specific countries where Citi operates. Ensure your program location aligns with Foundation geography.

  8. Focus on Youth (15-24): Multiple programs target this age group specifically. If your work serves youth, emphasize workforce readiness, financial literacy, and pathways to employment.

  9. Unrestricted vs. Program Funding: Community Progress Makers offers unrestricted funding, indicating trust in nonprofit leadership. In applications, demonstrate strong governance and strategic planning to build funder confidence in organizational decision-making.

  10. Financial Health and Inclusion: Use language around "financial inclusion," "financial health," "asset building," and "wealth creation" rather than just "financial literacy" or "banking access."

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • RFP-Only Funding Model: Never submit unsolicited proposals. Success requires vigilant monitoring of the Foundation website for RFP announcements and rapid response when opportunities arise.

  • Large, Strategic Grants: The Foundation makes fewer, larger grants ($500,000 - $1 million+) focused on major initiatives. Position your organization for transformational funding, not small project grants.

  • Economic Opportunity Lens: Frame all work in terms of economic outcomes—job creation, wage increases, asset building, financial stability—not just social services or community support.

  • Demonstrated Success Required: With requirements for audited financials and emphasis on proven organizations, this funder is not appropriate for startups or emerging nonprofits. Target this funder once you have 3+ years of audited financials and measurable outcomes.

  • Geographic Targeting: For U.S. programs, be located in or serve one of the six priority cities. For international programs, confirm your country is in Citi's operational footprint across 80+ countries.

  • Competitive Landscape: With 50 awards from global/national applicant pools, competition is intense. Applications require significant time investment and should only be pursued if alignment is strong.

  • Collaborative Approach: President McHale's emphasis on "humility and trust" and "listening to community needs" suggests the Foundation values applicant voice. Be authentic about community needs and your approach; avoid overselling or overpromising.

References

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