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Howard G. Buffett Foundation

Annual Giving
$474.7M
Grant Range
$5K - $38.1M

Howard G. Buffett Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $474.7 million (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable - invitation only
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $38+ million
  • Geographic Focus: International (Africa, Central America, South America, Ukraine) and domestic (Illinois, U.S. law enforcement)

Contact Details

Address: Decatur, Illinois

Website: thehowardgbuffettfoundation.org

Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals. Use the contact page for general inquiries only.

Overview

Founded in 1999 by Howard G. Buffett, eldest son of Warren Buffett, the Howard G. Buffett Foundation has grown into a major philanthropic force with $395.6 million in assets and $474.7 million in charitable disbursements in 2024. The foundation focuses on three core areas: food security (approximately 50% of grantmaking), conflict mitigation (54.7% of 2017 grants), and combating human trafficking (launched 2021). The foundation takes a hands-on, research-driven approach to grantmaking, working closely with organizations in planning and execution. Warren Buffett has pledged annual contributions of $100-150 million in Berkshire Hathaway stock, with a notable $750 million donation to family charities in November 2022. The foundation has announced plans to spend down its assets by 2045. Since 2022, the foundation has deployed over $500 million to Ukraine, representing one of its largest geographic commitments.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates three main funding streams:

Food Security & Agriculture (~50% of grantmaking): Emphasizes conservation-based farming practices, sustainable agriculture, and support for smallholder farmers in least developed countries. Grant amounts range from $5,000 to tens of millions. Water security was integrated into this program area in 2015.

Conflict Mitigation (54.7% of 2017 grants): Addresses violence as a barrier to prosperity through economic development and citizen security initiatives. Largest 2017 grant was $38.1 million to APC-Colombia for locating and removing landmines. Programs include supporting law enforcement capabilities and addressing root causes of violence.

Human Trafficking Prevention (launched 2021): Supports law enforcement and victim services, particularly targeting forced labor in agriculture across multiple U.S. states.

Additional Areas: Wildlife conservation (cheetah and mountain gorilla protection), addiction programs, and cultural preservation (e.g., $10 million Rosa Parks archive acquisition in 2014).

Priority Areas

  • Smallholder farmers in countries with limited functioning governments
  • Regions prone to conflict and areas with highly vulnerable populations
  • Conservation-based farming practices and soil fertility improvement ("Brown Revolution" initiative)
  • Water security in agricultural contexts
  • Demining and post-conflict recovery
  • Drug trafficking prevention and border security
  • Law enforcement capacity building
  • Agricultural technology research for African soil conditions (through Sequoia Farm Foundation)

Geographic Focus: Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Rwanda, Ukraine, Ethiopia, Yemen, and select U.S. states (particularly Illinois)

What They Don't Fund

  • General operating support
  • Unsolicited proposals from organizations outside their proactive research process
  • Organizations without demonstrated track record in the foundation's focus areas
  • Projects outside their three core program areas (food security, conflict mitigation, human trafficking)

Governance and Leadership

Chairman & CEO: Howard G. Buffett (receives no compensation)

President: Ann Kelly Bolten ($632,388 compensation in 2024)

The foundation maintains a lean management structure with eight other named officers and directors beyond the key executives listed above.

Howard G. Buffett's Perspective: On the Rosa Parks archive acquisition, Buffett stated, "I'm only trying to do one thing: preserve what's there for the public's benefit," demonstrating the foundation's commitment to preserving important assets for public good beyond its core program areas.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals. The Howard G. Buffett Foundation takes a proactive approach to grantmaking, conducting its own research to identify potential grantees. Organizations interested in funding should use the foundation's contact page for general inquiries only, but should not expect this to lead to funding opportunities.

The foundation requires:

  • Direct connection to Howard Buffett or foundation leadership
  • Demonstrated track record within the foundation's specific focus areas
  • Alignment with the foundation's strategic priorities in food security, conflict mitigation, or human trafficking prevention

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. The foundation works closely with organizations in planning and execution, suggesting an extended engagement process for selected partners.

Success Rates

Not applicable. The foundation identifies and invites organizations to apply rather than reviewing open applications, making traditional success rate metrics irrelevant.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable due to invitation-only model.

Application Success Factors

Given the invitation-only nature of the foundation's grantmaking, the following factors appear critical for organizations that do receive invitations:

Hands-On Collaboration: The foundation emphasizes working closely with grantees in planning and execution phases. Organizations must be prepared for active foundation involvement in program design and implementation.

Geographic Alignment: Focus on foundation's priority countries: Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Rwanda, and Ukraine for international work; Illinois and other states for domestic law enforcement and human trafficking prevention.

Track Record in Conflict-Affected Areas: The foundation prioritizes "regions prone to conflict and areas with highly vulnerable populations and limited functioning governments," suggesting preference for organizations with demonstrated capability in challenging operating environments.

Scale and Sustainability: The foundation makes both small grants ($5,000) and extremely large commitments ($38+ million), with most larger grants representing ongoing collaborations. This suggests preference for organizations that can scale impact and sustain long-term partnerships.

Innovative Approaches: The foundation's support for agricultural technology research (Sequoia Farm Foundation) and partnership with Monsanto on water-efficient maize indicates interest in innovative, evidence-based solutions to systemic problems.

Alignment with Spend-Down Timeline: With plans to spend down assets by 2045, the foundation may prioritize organizations that can deploy resources effectively and demonstrate measurable impact within defined timeframes.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application Process: Do not invest time in unsolicited proposals—the foundation does not accept them. Focus instead on building reputation and track record in the foundation's priority areas.

  • Massive Scale: With nearly $500 million in annual giving and individual grants ranging from $5,000 to $38+ million, this is one of the largest private foundations focused on international development and conflict mitigation.

  • Three Clear Focus Areas: Food security, conflict mitigation, and human trafficking prevention—work outside these areas is unlikely to receive funding regardless of merit.

  • Hands-On Partnership Model: The foundation expects close collaboration in planning and execution. Organizations must be prepared for active foundation involvement, not just check-writing.

  • Conflict-Affected Regions Prioritized: The foundation's $500+ million commitment to Ukraine since 2022 and focus on areas with "limited functioning governments" demonstrates willingness to work in challenging environments where other funders may hesitate.

  • Warren Buffett Connection: Annual contributions of $100-150 million from Warren Buffett provide substantial, ongoing financial resources, making this foundation a significant long-term player in its focus areas.

  • Spend-Down Timeline: The foundation's plan to spend down assets by 2045 may create increasing grant opportunities in coming years as it accelerates disbursements.

References

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