Frequently Asked Questions
The Rockefeller Family Fund (RFF) provides support for advocacy efforts within its program areas that are action-oriented and likely to yield tangible public policy results
- How do I apply?
- What are your deadlines?
- What are your program areas?
- How do I know which program area my project fits into?
- Do you fund individuals?
- Who is eligible for a grant?
- What organizations are NOT eligible?
- Are there any geographic restrictions for grants?
- When are grants made?
- How are grants decided?
- What is the size of the grants awarded?
- How long is a grant cycle?
- Are there any discretionary funds available?
Applicants should submit a letter of inquiry (LOI) using our online application system. Click here for instructions on how to submit an LOI.
Online letters of inquiry may be submitted at any time.
The RFF has four program areas: Citizen Participation and Government Accountability, Economic Justice for Women, the Environment, and Institutional Responsiveness. The guidelines for these program areas appear on their specific pages, along with lists of recent grants made in each area.
How do I know which program area my project fits into?
This is an in-house determination staff will make. If there is programmatic overlap, our staff will decide which program area is most appropriate.
No. The Rockefeller Family Fund does not offer scholarships, fellowships, tuition assistance, internships, student loans, or any other form of personal financial aid.
The Rockefeller Family Fund supports tax-exempt organizations engaged in activities of national significance within its program areas. Thus, the Fund does not ordinarily consider projects which pertain to a single community, except in the rare instance where a project is unique, strategically placed to advance a national issue, or is likely to serve as a national model.
What organizations are NOT eligible?
The RFF does not make grants for direct service providers, or for social services or human services programs, and we do not fund local or community-specific projects. We do not fund film or video projects. We do not fund profit-making businesses, construction or restoration projects, or projects to reduce an organization's debt. Also, grants are rarely made to organizations which traditionally enjoy popular support, such as museums, hospitals, or endowed institutions.
Are there any geographic restrictions for grants?
With limited exception, the Rockefeller Family Fund does not make grants to international programs or domestic programs dealing with international issues. Grants are only made to nonprofit organizations within the United States, in any state.
We have three funding meetings a year: March, June and November. We don't publicize the meeting dates.
The staff makes recommendations to the board at the funding meetings. The board of trustees, or the executive committee acting on their behalf, make all grant decisions.
What is the size of the grants awarded?
Grants are usually in the $25,000 to $30,000 range.
Most grants are made for one year, although we make a limited number of multi-year grants for projects we think necessitate long-term funding. Grants are normally made to the same organization for no more than two years at a time, and except in extraordinary cases, are not given for more than three or four consecutive years.
Are there any discretionary funds available?
No, there are no discretionary funds, and the director does not have any emergency funds available. All grants must go through the board of trustees at a funding meeting.