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Fundacao Calouste Gulbenkian

Annual Giving
$131.1M
Grant Range
$2K - $0.6M
Decision Time
3mo

Fundacao Calouste Gulbenkian (US Filing Entity)

Quick Stats

  • Total Assets: $3.64 billion (2019)
  • Annual Charitable Disbursements: $131.1 million (2019)
  • EIN: 98-6001597
  • Foundation Type: 501(c)(3) Foreign Private Foundation
  • Geographic Focus: Portugal, UK, France, Portuguese-speaking Africa, Armenian Communities (worldwide including US)
  • Application Method: No public US application process; primarily invitation-only or through Armenian Communities programs
  • US Tax Deductibility: Donations are NOT tax deductible

Contact Details

Headquarters (Portugal):

  • Address: Av. de Berna, 45A, 1067-001 Lisboa, Portugal
  • Website: https://gulbenkian.pt/en/
  • General Inquiries: Available through website contact form

UK Branch:

Armenian Communities Department:

Overview

The Fundacao Calouste Gulbenkian is a Portuguese private foundation of public utility established in 1956 according to the last will and testament of Calouste Sarkis Gulbenkian, an Armenian oil magnate and philanthropist. With total assets exceeding $3.6 billion and annual charitable disbursements of over $131 million, it is one of the world's largest private foundations. The foundation operates primarily from Lisbon, with delegations in London and Paris, supporting initiatives in art, charity, science, and education.

The foundation files US tax returns (Form 990-PF) because it makes international grants, including to some US-based institutions and individuals, primarily through its Armenian Communities Department programs. The foundation's current strategic priorities (2023-2027) emphasize equity and sustainability, with specific focus areas including Access to Culture, Access to Care, Access to Education, Climate and Ocean, Democracy and Civil Society, Armenian Communities, and Partnerships with Africa.

The foundation operates as a "courageous, participatory and diverse Foundation, which includes beneficiaries in the design of its initiatives and support." It does not maintain a US office or US-specific application process for general grant seekers.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Armenian Communities Project Grants

  • Open to individuals and organizations worldwide (including US)
  • Funding amount: Not specified publicly; proposals evaluated on merit
  • Priority areas: Western Armenian Language, Cultural Creativity Support in Armenian, Research and Critical Engagement in Armenia
  • Application deadlines: Rolling, evaluated in May, September, and January
  • Currency: US applicants submit budgets in USD

Armenian Studies Scholarships

  • For Master's, PhD students, and postdoctoral researchers
  • Maximum amount for short-term grants: $5,000
  • Deadline: May 15 annually
  • Open to students at US institutions studying Armenian subjects

UK Branch Grants (for UK organizations only)

  • Grant range: £2,200 - £600,000
  • Total distributed: £16.6 million across 388 grants (2012-2025)
  • Focus areas: Arts, social justice, civic engagement, climate change

Portugal-Based Programs

  • Various open calls and programs primarily for Portuguese organizations
  • Examples: Research Scholarships on Portuguese Culture, Active Citizens Fund
  • Generally not accessible to US-based organizations unless working in Portugal

Priority Areas

Global Priorities (2023-2027):

  1. Access to Care, Culture, and Education - Supporting vulnerable and underserved communities
  2. Climate and Biodiversity - Environmental sustainability initiatives
  3. Democracy and Civil Society - Strengthening democratic culture and civil society
  4. Armenian Communities - Preserving Armenian language, culture, and supporting diaspora worldwide
  5. Partnerships with Africa - Supporting Portuguese-speaking African countries
  6. Promotion of Science - Research and scientific advancement

Armenian Communities Department Specific Priorities:

  • Promoting Western Armenian language and culture in diaspora
  • Supporting Armenian Studies research at universities
  • Building civil society and democratic culture in Armenia
  • Cultural creativity and heritage preservation

What They Don't Fund

While specific exclusions aren't comprehensively documented, the foundation:

  • Does not accept unsolicited general funding requests for non-Armenian programs from US organizations
  • Does not support projects outside their strategic priority areas
  • Does not allow the same or similar projects to be submitted more than once in a given year (Armenian programs)
  • Donations to the foundation are not tax-deductible for US donors

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

Non-Executive Members:

  • Pedro Norton (President, 2023-2028)
  • Graça Andresen Guimarães (2023-2028)
  • Jorge Vasconcelos (2022-2027)
  • Isabel Capeloa Gil (2023-2028) - Rector of Catholic University of Portugal and President of the International Federation of Catholic Universities
  • Marika Hedin - CEO of Riksbankens Jubileumsfond

Executive Director:

  • Cristina Casalinho (assumed position February 1, 2024)

Investment Committee

  • Jorge Vasconcelos (President, 2023-2025)
  • Ana Rivero (2023-2025)
  • Olivier Rouget (2023-2025)
  • Reza Moghadam (2023-2025)
  • Sarah Fromson (2023-2025)

Strategic Vision

The foundation describes its approach: "The Foundation has positioned itself as an agent for change, developing knowledge and testing solutions for critical problems facing humanity, focusing on the future by anticipating key issues determining knowledge structures and technology's impact on society, while prioritizing the most vulnerable who need the Foundation's support."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

For US Organizations/Individuals Interested in Armenian-Related Projects:

The only publicly accessible pathway for US applicants is through the Armenian Communities Department programs:

  1. Create a MyGulbenkian account at https://gulbenkian.pt/
  2. Review "Requirements, Criteria and Conditions" and "Application Guidelines" documents
  3. Submit online application in English, Armenian, French, or Portuguese
  4. Include mandatory budget in USD for US-based applicants
  5. Applications accepted year-round

Important Limitations:

  • Projects must be related to Armenian themes and issues
  • Must fall within the Department's three priority areas (Western Armenian Language, Cultural Creativity, Research in Armenia)
  • Same project cannot be submitted more than once per year

For General Grant Seeking:

The foundation does not have a public US application process for non-Armenian projects. The main foundation and UK branch work through:

  • Proactive identification of partners through research, consultation, and events
  • Invitation-only proposals
  • Occasional open calls (published on their website for specific programs)
  • Co-development of proposals with pre-identified partners

US organizations interested in non-Armenian programs should:

  1. Send a brief introductory email describing how their work aligns with foundation strategy
  2. Do NOT submit full proposals unless invited
  3. Monitor the website for occasional open calls

Decision Timeline

Armenian Communities Programs:

  • Applications evaluated three times per year: May, September, and January
  • Specific decision timeframes not publicly disclosed
  • Applicants notified via MyGulbenkian account system

UK Branch and Main Foundation:

  • Timeline varies by program
  • Rigorous due diligence process for all grants
  • Decision timeframes not standardized due to co-development approach

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available. However, given the foundation's:

  • Large endowment ($3.64 billion)
  • Substantial annual disbursements ($131 million)
  • Proactive, invitation-based approach for most programs
  • Limited public application pathways for US organizations

Success rates for unsolicited approaches are likely very low, except through the Armenian Communities programs where applications are actively encouraged.

Reapplication Policy

Armenian Communities Programs:

  • Clear restriction: "The same or similar projects cannot be submitted more than once during any given year"
  • No information provided about reapplying after rejection in subsequent years
  • Appears to allow reapplication in different evaluation cycles within the same year if not previously submitted

Other Programs:

  • No formal reapplication policy disclosed
  • Given invitation-only nature, traditional reapplication doesn't apply

Application Success Factors

For Armenian Communities Applicants (Primary US Pathway)

Foundation-Specific Priorities:

  1. Western Armenian Language Focus - The foundation places particular emphasis on Western Armenian language preservation and promotion in diaspora communities
  2. Impact on Armenian World - Projects must demonstrate "positive impact on the Armenian world, be it in Armenia or in the Diaspora"
  3. Alignment with Three Priority Areas - Ensure your project clearly fits within: (a) Western Armenian Language, (b) Cultural Creativity Support in Armenian, or (c) Research and Critical Engagement in Armenia

Application Requirements:

  • Budget is Mandatory - Must submit project budget (your own format acceptable)
  • Language Options - Can submit in English, Armenian, French, or Portuguese - choose the language that best presents your project
  • Currency - US applicants must use USD for budgets
  • Registration Required - Must have MyGulbenkian account before applying

Strategic Guidance:

  • The foundation values projects that contribute to democratic culture, civil society, and intellectual creativity
  • Academic support for Armenian Studies is a consistent funding area - leverage institutional partnerships
  • Research projects should focus on contemporary Armenian subjects from social science perspectives
  • Cultural projects should emphasize creativity and heritage preservation

For General Inquiries (Limited Success Probability)

The Foundation's Stated Approach: "The Foundation proactively identifies potential partners through research, consultation and events, and when a project aligns with their priorities, they co-develop proposals and define measures of success together."

Key Characteristics They Value:

  • Innovation - "New projects must be Innovative"
  • International Scope - Cross-border or international impact
  • Independence - Autonomous organizations
  • Participatory - Involving beneficiaries in design of initiatives

UK Branch Specific Guidance: "To maximise our impact, we focus our resources and activities where there is the greatest need and where we are best able to make a difference."

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Armenian Connection is Essential - For US organizations, the primary accessible funding pathway is through Armenian Communities programs. Unless your project relates to Armenian themes, language, culture, or diaspora, funding from this foundation is unlikely.

  2. No General US Application Process - This is a Portuguese foundation that happens to file US tax returns due to international grant-making. There is no US office or US-specific application portal for general projects.

  3. Proactive, Not Reactive - The foundation's UK branch and main operations explicitly state they do not accept unsolicited proposals. They identify partners proactively. Sending unsolicited full proposals wastes both parties' time.

  4. Substantial Resources - With $3.64 billion in assets and $131 million in annual disbursements, this is a major philanthropic player - but primarily in Portugal, UK, France, and Armenian communities.

  5. Three Annual Review Cycles - Armenian Communities applications are reviewed in May, September, and January. Strategic timing of submissions may improve chances.

  6. Co-Development Model - For those who do get on their radar, the foundation emphasizes working together to develop proposals rather than just evaluating submitted applications.

  7. Strategic Alignment is Critical - Whether through Armenian programs or general inquiries, demonstrate clear alignment with their 2023-2027 strategic priorities: equity, sustainability, access to care/culture/education, climate, democracy, Armenian communities, or Africa partnerships.

References

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