The Rockefeller Brothers Fund (RBF) works to promote social change that contributes to a more just, sustainable, and peaceful world. Respect for cultural diversity and ecological integrity are characteristic of the Fund’s activities.
Grant making in RBF is organized around themes and pivotal places:
- The themes are Sustainable Development; Democratic Practice; and Peace and Security.
- The pivotal places are Western Balkans; Central America, and Southern China.
Grant Programs for Agriculture, Energy, Environment, Natural Resources
1 — Sustainable Development(theme). This program promotes policy and action that respond to climate change, with emphasis on the USA. It aims to promote an understanding of climate change and support for actions to address the threat; support implementation to build clean energy economies; support reduced reliance on carbon-intensive energy sources; and support targeted efforts to advance international progress on climate change.
About Sustainable Development
2 — Southern China (pivotal place). Grant making promotes the links between environment (e.g., mitigating pollution) and human health; sustainable approaches to meet the region’s energy needs and address climate change; and community leadership in support of sustainable development.
About Southern China
3 — Western Balkans (pivotal place). The program supports efforts toward strengthening democratic practice, advancing reconciliation and durable peace, enabling sustainable development, and promoting a European future for the region.
About Western Balkans
3 — Central America (pivotal place). The program supports sustainable development and climate change initiatives, especially regarding soil resilience and water security.
About Central America
Most grant recipients in Sustainable Development are nonprofit educational and civil society organizations in the USA. Grant recipients for projects in Southern China, the Western Balkans, and Central America are a mix of national and international organizations.
Grants generally range from US$30 thousand to US$300 thousand — with exceptions — for periods of one to three years.
APPLICATION (for 1-2-3-4 preceding): Grant seekers should study the overview of RBF’s grant-making process. They should also review the guidelines of the program to which they intend to apply, together with past grants in the relevant program area.
Applicants complete an online grant inquiry form. The form asks for detailed information regarding the specific grant request.
After its review of the grant inquiry, RBF may invite selected applicants to submit full proposals.
About how to apply
Geographical Distribution of Grant Activities in Developing Countries
East Asia: China
Eastern Europe and Russia: Kosovo, Montenegro, Serbia
Latin America and the Caribbean: El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras
Note: In Sustainable Development, RBF makes many grants that are worldwide in their geographical dimension (i.e., not specific to region or country).
The Rockefeller Brothers Fund was established in 1940 as a vehicle through which the five sons and daughter of John D. Rockefeller Jr., could share advice and research on charitable activities, and combine some of their philanthropies to better effect. Note: The Terra Viva Grants Directory presents a separate profile of the Rockefeller Foundation.
RBF has a grants database that can be searched by program, grant amount, year awarded, and keywords.
The Fund posts annual highlights and statistical reviews.
Contact information is available for RBF’s offices in New York.
September 2021