FAQs
Applicants
How do I apply for funding? Should I send in a proposal?
The starting point in the RBF funding process is the grant inquiry, also known as a letter of inquiry (LOI). Applicants can access the Fund's online grant inquiry here. If you are unable to access the grant inquiry, please contact Grants Management at grantsmgmt@rbf.org. The RBF will accept inquiries by mail or fax; however, please note that it will take longer to process these requests than those submitted online.
Upon review of the grant inquiry, RBF staff may invite applicants whose work is in line with the Fund's funding priorities to submit a full proposal. Please do not submit a full proposal unless invited to do so.
Does the RBF fund individuals?
The Fund does not make grants to individuals.
Does the Fund support non-U.S. organizations?
Yes, the Fund supports activities both in the United States and abroad. While many of the grants the Fund awards have global reach, funding outside of the United States is largely focused in the RBF’s two international Pivotal Places: Southern China and the Western Balkans.
Does the Fund have deadlines for the submissions of requests for funding?
With the exception of the RBF Pivotal Place: New York City's annual request for proposals in the areas of creative process and capacity building, the Fund accepts applications on a rolling basis.
Grants are primarily awarded at the Fund's three annual board meetings (March, June, and November). Grants of up to $100,000 may be awarded throughout the year depending on budget capacity.
Does the RBF have a formal application form?
The online grant inquiry is the recommended starting point for applicants to initiate the application process. The online grant inquiry asks applicants to provide information that the Fund uses to determine whether there is a match between a proposed project and the current grantmaking focus of the RBF.
If you are unable to access the online application, or feel more comfortable submitting an application by mail or fax, see the appropriate guidelines for drafting a grant inquiry.
How do I return to an online letter of inquiry that I started but did not complete?
To return to an online grant inquiry that you started and saved with the intention of finishing later, click here for the Account Login page. Once you log in, you will be taken to your account, where you can access the application that you started.
How long will it take for you to respond to my inquiry?
Every request for funding is reviewed by staff for fit within the RBF's program guidelines and funding priorities. Applicants will typically receive a response to their inquiry within 90 days.
Where does the RBF focus its grantmaking in the Western Balkans and Southern China?
In the Western Balkans, the RBF's grantmaking is primarily focused in Serbia, Montenegro, and Kosovo.
The Fund's geographic area of interest in China encompasses the nine provinces of the Pan Pearl River Delta—Guangdong, Guangxi, Hunan, Yunnan, Sichuan, Guizhou, Fujian, Hainan, and Jiangxi—and, to a lesser extent, Hong Kong and Macau.
Does the RBF have a particular funding focus?
Yes. The RBF's support is directed in three main areas—Democratic Practice (U.S. and Global), Peacebuilding, and Sustainable Development. Funding in the three RBF Pivotal Places—New York City, Southern China, and Western Balkans—is targeted along these lines as well. Grants awarded correspond to the stated goals and strategies of each program.
Is there a limit to the amount of money I can ask for?
No; please note, however, that in 2010 the average grant size was just under $83,045
How many grants are awarded each year?
This figure varies from year to year depending on the overall budget available for grantmaking and the size of grants awarded. In 2010, 274 grants were awarded.
Who should I contact about the Fellowships for Aspiring Teachers of Color program?
Effective January 2009, the Rockefeller Brothers Fund transferred the Fellowship program to the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation. Woodrow Wilson has assumed full responsibility for the Fellowship program. Email the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation for more information.
Am I eligible to apply for a Charles E. Culpeper Arts & Culture grant?
Organizations based within the five boroughs of New York City that are registered as charitable organizations, or projects of sponsoring organizations with 501(c)(3) tax status, may apply. For capacity-building grants, we support organizations with annual operating budgets between $200,000 and $4 million. Capital campaigns and festivals are generally not supported through this program.
How can I apply for a Charles E. Culpeper Arts & Culture Grant?
Arts and culture grant seekers must submit proposals through the arts and culture online application. Please review the updated guidelines and procedures for the Charles E. Culpeper Arts & Culture Grants.
What is the average size and duration of your grants?
In 2010, the average grant was $83,045 for a year and a half of activity; however, grants greatly varied in size, typically ranging from $1,500 to $300,000, and in length from six months to three years.
Does the Fund provide general operating support to organizations?
Yes. The RBF believes that an organization's ability to make ends meet is critical to its ability to carry out its mission.
Close-Up
The World Resources Institute is helping to improve relations between the United States and China, so that the two countries can collaborate on developing energy and climate policies. Globally, WRI works to empower nongovernmental and civil society organizations to advance the discussion on climate finance for developing countries, through rigorous research and analysis.