← Back to US Funders Directory

Wallace Global Fund II

Annual Giving
$17.2M
Grant Range
$10K - $0.5M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $17,198,000 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available (invitation-only model)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $10,000 - $500,000
  • Geographic Focus: Global and national (U.S. and international)

Contact Details

Address: 2000 S St NW, Washington, DC 20009-1110
Phone: 202-452-1530
Website: https://wgf.org/
Email: General inquiries can be sent to aabdikarim@wgf.org

Key Leadership Contact: Messages to Executive Director Robby Rodriguez can be sent to aabdikarim@wgf.org

Overview

Founded in 1996 when the Wallace Genetic Foundation split into three separate entities, Wallace Global Fund II carries forward the legacy of Henry A. Wallace, the 33rd Vice President of the United States under Franklin D. Roosevelt. With approximately $72 million in assets, the foundation distributed $17.2 million through 208 grants in 2023. Wallace Global Fund's mission is to promote an informed and engaged citizenry to fight injustice and protect the diversity of nature and natural systems upon which all life depends. The foundation is distinguished by its integrated approach, using grants, investments, and advocacy voice in service of its mission. Wallace Global Fund was a pioneer in fossil fuel divestment, beginning this process in 2010 and launching the broader Divest-Invest Philanthropy movement in 2014. As a signatory of Philanthropy's Promise, Wallace commits to allocating the majority of its grantmaking to marginalized communities and at least 25% to social justice strategies. The foundation received recognition for establishing the Henry A. Wallace Award in 2017, which includes $250,000 prizes to movements demonstrating extraordinary courage against oppressive corporate and political power.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Wallace Global Fund supports more than 300 movement partners annually, providing both one-year and multi-year grants:

  • Median Grant: $63,000
  • Grant Range: $10,000 - $500,000 (with most grants between $50,000-$100,000)
  • Funding Types: Both core operating support and project-specific support available
  • Application Method: Invitation only—does not accept unsolicited proposals

Priority Areas

Wallace Global Fund operates through four core strategic program areas under their strategic plan called "the Great Adventure":

Democracy and Disinformation
Supports movements that protect and expand democratic systems, combat voter suppression, and fight disinformation threatening democratic processes. Recent democracy grantees include When We All Vote, Fair Elections Center, Center for Popular Democracy, Alliance for Justice ($225,000), and Brennan Center for Justice ($315,000).

Climate and Energy Justice
Advances transformative solutions to reverse global climate change, with emphasis on energy access and just transition. The foundation has invested more than 15% of its portfolio in climate solutions. Notable grantees include GreenFaith (multiple grants totaling $550,000), and the Sunrise Movement (early backer with over $1 million committed).

Corporate Accountability
Challenges outsized corporate power and holds corporations accountable for their impacts on environment, democracy, and human rights. Supports innovative advocates finding creative ways to shift economic power toward progressive social and environmental change. Recent grants have supported the Business and Human Rights Resource Centre and the B Team.

Women's Rights and Gender Justice
Supports women's movements responding to intersecting global crises and contributing to solutions including expanding energy access and agroecological approaches.

Cross-Cutting Priorities

  • Advancing systemic change
  • Supporting social movements and movement building
  • Intersectional approaches addressing multiple issues
  • Preference for organizations that are global or national in scope, or can leverage local/regional initiatives to achieve broader impact

What They Don't Fund

  • Purchase of land
  • Capital construction
  • Profit-making businesses
  • Debt reduction
  • Endowment campaigns
  • Fundraising drives/events
  • Lobbying efforts (as defined by IRS)
  • Scholarships or tuition assistance
  • Other forms of personal financial aid

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Robby Rodriguez, Executive Director (began February 1, 2024)
Originally from Pico Rivera, California, Robby started his career as a community organizer in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and has worked for thirteen years as a grantmaker and philanthropic advisor supporting social movements. He succeeded Ellen Dorsey, who led the foundation for 16 years.

Allison Barlow, Deputy Director
Former Director of Democracy and Media, elevated to Deputy Director during the 2024 leadership transition.

Ellen Dorsey, Former Executive Director (2008-2024)
During her tenure, Dorsey championed fossil fuel divestment and integrated grantmaking. She stated: "We fund progressive social movements and systemic change work both globally and in the U.S. We believe building people power is the necessary ingredient to challenging entrenched economic and political interests."

Board Leadership

H. Scott Wallace, Board Co-Chair
Grandson of Henry A. Wallace and attorney since 1978, specializing in criminal law, constitutional law, and public policy. Former Counsel to the US Senate Judiciary Committee and founding partner of the Democracy Alliance.

Scott Fitzmorris, Board Co-Chair
Has served on the board for more than two decades, also serving on the Investment Committee.

Key Staff

  • Tina Kroll-Guerch
  • Amal Abdikarim
  • Catherine Cameron

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Wallace Global Fund does not accept unsolicited proposals or grant applications. The foundation identifies and reaches out to potential grantees through its own research, networks, and understanding of social movements working in their four priority areas.

According to the foundation's stated policy: "WGF does not accept unsolicited grant proposals or inquiries."

How Grants Are Awarded

Wallace Global Fund actively identifies organizations and movements aligned with their strategic priorities through:

  • Monitoring social movements and advocacy campaigns in their focus areas
  • Partnerships and referrals from existing grantees
  • Relationships with other funders and philanthropic networks
  • Research on organizations demonstrating innovation and impact in their priority areas
  • Board and staff discretion based on strategic alignment

The foundation supports organizations that are 501(c)(3) nonprofits, legal non-U.S. equivalents, or can demonstrate charitable intent.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed due to invitation-only model.

Success Rates

Not publicly available. In 2023, the foundation made 208 grants to organizations across their priority areas.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable—foundation operates on invitation-only basis.

Application Success Factors

While Wallace Global Fund does not accept unsolicited applications, understanding what the foundation values can help organizations position themselves within relevant networks where Wallace staff and board members may become aware of their work:

Movement Building and People Power
Ellen Dorsey emphasized: "We fund progressive social movements and systemic change work both globally and in the U.S. We believe building people power is the necessary ingredient to challenging entrenched economic and political interests." Wallace seeks organizations building grassroots power and mobilizing communities.

Systemic Change Approach
The foundation prioritizes work that addresses root causes rather than symptoms. Their strategic plan "the Great Adventure" emphasizes "advancing systemic change" as a cross-cutting priority.

Intersectional Strategies
Dorsey noted "there's not nearly enough work, or enough funding supporting intersectional movement building, which is essential." Organizations addressing multiple interconnected issues (e.g., climate justice + racial justice + economic justice) align with Wallace's priorities.

Scale and Leverage
Wallace supports "nonprofit organizations and social movements that are global or national in scope, or can leverage a local scope to achieve a broader national or global impact."

Mission-Investment Alignment
Dorsey declared: "It is time for philanthropy to tear down the wall between grants and investments. We cannot invest in the corporations and business practices fueling the social and environmental problems we ask our grantees to solve." Organizations demonstrating alignment between their programmatic work and operational practices resonate with Wallace values.

Courage and Innovation
The Henry A. Wallace Award recognizes "movements that demonstrate extraordinary courage against oppressive governmental and corporate power." Wallace values bold, innovative strategies that challenge entrenched interests.

Examples of Funded Work

  • Sunrise Movement: Youth-led climate activism advancing the Green New Deal (early backer, over $1 million committed including $250,000 Henry A. Wallace Award)
  • Standing Rock Sioux Tribe: Defending sacred land and water against Dakota Access Pipeline (inaugural Henry A. Wallace Award: $1.25 million)
  • Poor People's Campaign: Moral revival movement addressing poverty and systemic injustice (2020 Henry A. Wallace Award: $250,000)
  • GreenFaith: Energy access work through SHINE initiative ($550,000 in 2023)
  • Institute for Policy Studies: Henry Wallace Initiative ($300,000 in 2023)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Wallace Global Fund does not accept unsolicited applications—they identify and invite potential grantees through their own networks and research
  • Focus on movement building and systemic change rather than service delivery or narrow programmatic work
  • Intersectional approaches addressing multiple interconnected crises are strongly preferred
  • National or global scale is important, though local/regional work with potential for broader impact is considered
  • Both core operating and project-specific support are available, showing flexibility in funding structure
  • Multi-year grants are available, demonstrating commitment to long-term partnerships (208 grants made in 2023, supporting 300+ movement partners)
  • Pioneer in mission-aligned investing—first foundation to divest from fossil fuels (2010) and launched Divest-Invest Philanthropy movement
  • Signatory of Philanthropy's Promise—commits majority of funding to marginalized communities and 25%+ to advocacy, organizing, and civic engagement
  • Values transparency and accountability—former Executive Director Dorsey advocated for "radical transparency" in philanthropy
  • Exceeds minimum payout requirements—consistently exceeds the required 5% minimum, demonstrating strong commitment to getting resources to movements

References

← Back to US Funders Directory