The Moody's Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $3 million+ in partnership grants (2024)
• Success Rate: Not disclosed (invitation-only)
• Decision Time: Periodic RFP cycles
• Grant Range: $25,000 - $100,000 (typical)
• Geographic Focus: Global, with NYC local programs

Contact Details

Website: https://communityimpact.moodys.io/

Email: communityimpact@moodys.com

Phone: Not publicly listed

Address: 7 World Trade Center, 250 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10007

Overview

Established in 2002 by Moody's Corporation, The Moody's Foundation is the corporate philanthropy arm of the global credit ratings and financial research company. The Foundation directs corporate social investing aligned with strategic focus areas to contribute to more inclusive and prosperous communities worldwide. Over the past five years, the Foundation has awarded more than $12.5 million to strategic partners globally. In 2024, it contributed over $3 million in partnership grants and $500,000 in matched employee donations, alongside 14,500 volunteer hours from Moody's employees. The Foundation operates with a board of senior Moody's Corporation leaders and has received recognition including the CECP 2008 Excellence Award for its Moody's Mega Math Challenge program and NYC Service's 2019 Partnership Impact Award for its work with Girls Inc. of NYC.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Strategic Partnership Grants: $25,000 - $100,000 (multi-year partnerships via periodic RFPs)
• Community Giving Fund: $300,000 strategically disbursed (launched 2023)
• Employee Matching Gifts: 1:1 matching (2:1 for select campaigns), up to $5,000 annual cap per employee

Priority Areas

1. Empowering Small Businesses

• Focus on underestimated entrepreneurs in emerging markets
• Financial inclusion and business growth initiatives
• Recent partners: Women's World Banking, WEConnect International, Village Capital, Nest

2. Supporting Ecosystem Restoration in Emerging Markets

• Building resilience for communities vulnerable to ecological degradation
• Recent partners: World Wildlife Fund, Endangered Wildlife Trust, Earthwatch

3. NYC-Based Local Programs

• Education (especially mathematics, economics, finance)
• Youth development and health services
• Arts, culture, and civic development

What They Don't Fund

The Foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funding. Only organizations invited through the eligibility quiz and RFP process are considered.

Governance and Leadership

The Foundation is governed by a board of senior leaders from across Moody's Corporation, overseeing social investing aligned with strategic focus areas. A Foundation Advisory Board guides strategy and priorities. The Foundation's mission states: "The Moody's Foundation builds on the strengths of Moody's core values, employees and businesses to drive improvements to communities throughout the world," believing that "empowering inclusion and resilience fuels a more prosperous future."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder operates an invitation-only application process:

1. Eligibility Quiz: Organizations must first complete an online eligibility quiz at the Foundation website
2. Invitation Code: Organizations whose missions align receive invitation codes
3. Request for Proposal: Periodic RFPs issued for strategic partners
4. Partnership Selection: Board reviews and selects multi-year partners

Requirements: 501(c)(3) status or equivalent, mission alignment with strategic focus areas, demonstrated impact capacity

Decision Timeline

• Periodic RFP cycles (not fixed annual schedule)
• Most recent RFP completed early 2024
• Multi-year partnerships typically established

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed. Highly selective process with limited number of strategic partners selected per RFP cycle. 2024 included 4 new partners plus expanded existing partnerships.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations may retake eligibility quiz for future RFP cycles. No traditional reapplication for declined proposals.

Application Success Factors

• Strategic Alignment Critical: Must align with empowering small businesses OR ecosystem restoration in emerging markets
• Geographic Focus on Emerging Markets: Demonstrate work in developing economies and vulnerable communities globally
• Evidence-Based Impact: Show measurable outcomes and data-driven approaches - Moody's values analytics
• Multi-Year Partnership Potential: Position for sustained collaboration and growth capacity
• Employee Engagement Opportunities: Highlight potential for volunteering, mentorship, pro bono services
• Leverage Corporate Expertise: Organizations benefiting from financial analysis, risk assessment, economics expertise preferred
• Recent Successful Examples: World Wildlife Fund (ecosystem), Nest (artisan entrepreneurs), Women's World Banking (financial inclusion)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Invitation-only process - Must pass eligibility quiz and receive invitation code; monitor website for RFP announcements
• Two primary focus areas only - Must align with empowering small businesses OR ecosystem restoration in emerging markets
• Think global and emerging markets - Strategic partnerships focus internationally, not just NYC
• Multi-year partnership mindset - Position as long-term strategic partner, not one-time grant recipient
• Employee engagement is valued - Highlight volunteer, board service, and pro bono opportunities
• Data-driven impact essential - Demonstrate measurable outcomes and analytical program evaluation

References

• Moody's Foundation official page. Accessed February 25, 2026. https://communityimpact.moodys.io/
• Moody's Corporation - Community Impact - Foundation. Accessed February 25, 2026. https://www.moodys.com/web/en/us/about-us/communityimpact/foundation.html
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Moodys Foundation (EIN 13-4200757). Accessed February 25, 2026. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/134200757
• Inside Philanthropy - Moody's Foundation profile. Accessed February 25, 2026. https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/m-grants/moodys-foundation
• Moody's Corporation Press Release: "Moody's Announces 2024 Nonprofit Partners." Accessed February 25, 2026. https://ir.moodys.com/press-releases/news-details/2024/Moodys-Announces-2024-Nonprofit-Partners/default.aspx
• Moody's Corporation Press Release: "Moody's Seeking Nonprofit Partners Aligned with Community Impact Strategy" (2023). Accessed February 25, 2026. https://ir.moodys.com/press-releases/news-details/2023/Moodys-Seeking-Nonprofit-Partners-Aligned-with-Community-Impact-Strategy/default.aspx
• Philanthropy New York - The Moody's Foundation member profile. Accessed February 25, 2026. https://philanthropynewyork.org/redhen/org/1362
• Candid Foundation Directory Online - The Moodys Foundation. Accessed February 25, 2026. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=MOOD019
• Earthwatch - Moody's Foundation Partnership Profile. Accessed February 25, 2026. https://earthwatch.org/partnerships/our-partners/moodys-foundation
• W!SE - "The Moody's Foundation Supports W!SE Programs at High School of Economics & Finance." Accessed February 25, 2026. https://www.wise-ny.org/blog/the-moodys-foundation-supports-wse-programs-at-high-school-of-economics-finance/
• CSRWire - "Moody's and Girls Inc. of NYC Named as Recipients of NYC Service's 2019 Partnership Impact Award." Accessed February 25, 2026. https://www.csrwire.com/press_releases/45568-moody-s-and-girls-inc-of-nyc-named-as-recipients-of-nyc-service-s-2019-partnership-impact-award