Grantmaker Investors in Community Development

The Bank of America Charitable Foundation provides grant funding for nonprofits specifically focused on advancing economic mobility. They also operate an extensive program of arts and sports sponsorships designed to support the economic, social and cultural life of the communities where they operate. The foundation operates through multiple giving mechanisms including direct grants, the Bank of America Charitable Foundation Matching Gifts program, and Volunteer Grants program. Their mission centers on supporting economic opportunity while fostering community development through strategic partnerships with nonprofits and cultural organizations. As part of one of the largest financial institutions in the United States, the Bank of America Charitable Foundation plays a significant role in the philanthropic ecosystem by leveraging corporate resources to address economic inequality. Their comprehensive approach combining direct funding, employee engagement through matching gifts, and community sponsorships creates multiple pathways for impact in the communities they serve.

Community DevelopmentImpact FinanceUnited States

Barr Foundation

Foundation, Grantmaker

The Barr Foundation is a Boston-based philanthropic organization focused on advancing climate solutions, arts and creativity, and educational opportunity. Founded by Amos Hostetter Jr. and Barbara Hostetter, the foundation supports nonprofits and initiatives that drive systemic change and strengthen communities, particularly in the Boston region. Through long-term partnerships and flexible funding, Barr Foundation backs organizations working on climate resilience, clean energy transition, public education, and cultural vibrancy. Its approach emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and scaling solutions that can deliver lasting impact.

Arts, Culture & MediaClimate TechCommunity DevelopmentMassachusetts, United States

Beneficial State BankNew

Bank, CDFI, Debt Finance, Grantmaker

Beneficial State Bank is an FDIC-insured, state-chartered community development financial institution (CDFI) headquartered in Oakland, California, with branches in California, Oregon, and Washington. Kat Taylor and Tom Steyer founded it in 2007 as a triple-bottom-line community bank and donated the capital to Beneficial State Foundation, a nonprofit that is now the majority owner of the bank’s capital. That ownership is the lock: the institution is meant to stay governed in the public interest rather than recapitalize through a conventional holding-company sale. Causeartist indexes it in the funders directory as a CDFI bank and debt provider, not as a venture fund. The product is credit: deposits become loans for affordable housing, nonprofits, small businesses, and environmental projects on the West Coast. CDFI rules require at least 60% of financing to low- and moderate-income or underserved communities; the bank reported that 100% of its 2025 loan portfolio upheld that community-development mandate. It will not lend to fossil fuels, private prisons, or weapons manufacturing, industries it calls “contra mission.” It has been a Certified B Corporation since 2012 (B Lab directory; the bank’s certifications page also cites 2013), is Fossil Free Certified, belongs to the Global Alliance for Banking on Values, and describes itself as the only unionized community bank in the U.S. As of year-end 2025 it reported $1.98 billion in assets, $1.67 billion in deposits, $1.47 billion in outstanding loans, and 15.4% net loan growth. Those figures are company-reported from the 2025 Impact Report, not an independent audit.

Built EnvironmentCommunity DevelopmentImpact FinanceCalifornia, United States

Bloomberg Philanthropies

Foundation, Grantmaker, Corporate

Bloomberg Philanthropies is the philanthropic organization of Michael Bloomberg, focused on improving lives at scale across the globe. The foundation works across more than 150 countries, supporting initiatives in public health, climate, education, government innovation, and the arts. Its approach combines data-driven decision-making with deep partnerships across governments, nonprofits, and institutions. Bloomberg Philanthropies is known for backing large-scale, measurable programs that aim to deliver systemic change and improve outcomes for millions of people worldwide.

Built EnvironmentClimate TechCommunity DevelopmentNew York, United States

Coefficient Giving

Foundation, Grantmaker

Coefficient Giving is a philanthropic funder and advisor that partners with leading donors to multiply their impact. Formerly Open Philanthropy, the organization has directed over $5 billion in grants since 2014, including more than $1 billion in 2025 alone, and works with donors such as Good Ventures and other major philanthropists to identify and fund high-impact giving opportunities. Coefficient operates dedicated funds spanning global health and wellbeing, biosecurity and pandemic preparedness, farm animal welfare, global growth, AI safety, science and global health R&D, air quality, and other strategic cause areas.

AI & TechnologyCommunity DevelopmentEducationCalifornia, United States

Fool Community Foundation

Foundation, Grantmaker

The Fool Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that helps Americans living paycheck-to-paycheck move from financial stress to financial freedom. Born out of The Motley Fool community and based in Alexandria, Virginia, the foundation builds and scales solutions that help people save, grow financial knowledge, and strengthen resilience through life's challenges, advancing a mission of financial freedom for all.

Community DevelopmentEducationImpact FinanceVirginia, United States

Ford Foundation

Foundation, Grantmaker

Ford Foundation is one of the world’s largest philanthropic foundations, focused on advancing social justice, reducing inequality, strengthening democratic values, and expanding human dignity globally. Founded in 1936, the foundation supports nonprofits, movements, institutions, artists, researchers, and community leaders working to address systemic social, political, and economic challenges. The Ford Foundation operates across multiple regions worldwide and funds initiatives spanning democracy, racial justice, economic inclusion, technology and society, gender equity, arts and culture, journalism, and human rights.

AI & TechnologyArts, Culture & MediaClean EnergyNew York, United States

Good Ventures

Foundation, Grantmaker

Good Ventures is a private philanthropic foundation founded by Cari Tuna and Dustin Moskovitz with a mission to help humanity thrive. The foundation supports organizations, researchers, and initiatives working to accelerate human progress, reduce suffering, expand opportunity, and mitigate major risks to a flourishing future. Good Ventures selects causes using three primary criteria: importance, neglectedness, and tractability. Its giving spans global health and development, scientific research, economic opportunity, pandemic preparedness, emerging technology risks, and other areas where additional philanthropic capital may produce significant impact. The foundation works closely with external research and grantmaking partners, particularly Coefficient Giving and GiveWell, rather than maintaining a large internal grantmaking team.

AI & TechnologyCommunity DevelopmentHealth & Wellness

Kapor Foundation

Foundation, Grantmaker

Kapor Foundation is a social impact foundation working at the intersection of racial justice and technology. The organization focuses on building a more equitable technology ecosystem by expanding access to computer science education, diversifying entrepreneurship and venture capital, advancing equitable technology policy, and supporting inclusive innovation. Through research, grantmaking, fellowships, policy advocacy, and ecosystem development, the Kapor Foundation supports initiatives designed to increase economic opportunity and representation for Black, Latine, and Native communities across the technology sector.

AI & TechnologyCommunity DevelopmentImpact FinanceCalifornia, United States

Lego Foundation

Foundation, Grantmaker, Corporate, Fellowship

LEGO Foundation is an independent Danish corporate foundation dedicated to ensuring every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. Established in 1986, the foundation supports initiatives that strengthen childhood through education, play, creativity, wellbeing, and child development. The LEGO Foundation works globally with educators, researchers, nonprofits, governments, and communities to improve learning opportunities for children, particularly those facing barriers related to poverty, disability, conflict, displacement, or unequal access to education. In addition to grantmaking, the foundation deploys impact investments that help scale innovative solutions supporting children and families.

Community DevelopmentEducationDenmark

Longview Philanthropy

Foundation, Grantmaker

Longview Philanthropy is a philanthropic advisory and grantmaking organization that helps major donors maximize the long-term impact of their giving. Through research, donor education, grant recommendations, and specialized funding vehicles, Longview supports philanthropy focused on addressing global catastrophic risks and safeguarding humanity’s future. The organization works with philanthropists, researchers, policymakers, and institutions to identify high-impact funding opportunities in areas such as artificial intelligence governance, biosecurity, pandemic preparedness, nuclear risk reduction, and other challenges with significant long-term consequences for society.

AI & TechnologyCommunity DevelopmentHealth & WellnessUnited Kingdom

Lowe’s Foundation

Foundation, Grantmaker, Corporate

Lowe’s Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Lowe's Companies, Inc. focused on strengthening America’s skilled trades workforce. Founded in 1957, the foundation supports workforce development, career training, technical education, and community-based programs that prepare individuals for high-demand careers in construction, electrical work, HVAC, plumbing, appliance repair, and related trades. Through its flagship Gable Grants Program, the foundation is investing $250 million to help train 250,000 skilled trades professionals by 2035, addressing one of the largest workforce shortages facing the U.S. economy.

Community DevelopmentEducation

MacArthur Foundation

Foundation, Grantmaker

The MacArthur Foundation is a private philanthropic foundation focused on advancing a more just, sustainable, and peaceful world through grantmaking, impact investments, fellowships, and institutional support. The foundation funds creative individuals, nonprofit organizations, research institutions, and mission-driven initiatives working across climate solutions, democracy, journalism, criminal justice reform, technology and society, global security, and community development. Known globally for the MacArthur Fellows Program, often referred to as the “Genius Grants,” the foundation combines long-term systems thinking with bold investments designed to address complex social and environmental challenges.

AI & TechnologyArts, Culture & MediaClimate TechIllinois, United States

Mars Impact Fund

Corporate, Grantmaker, Impact Fund

The Mars Impact Fund is Mars, Incorporated’s enterprise philanthropic vehicle, launched in February 2026 and based with the company in McLean, Virginia. It sits alongside brand foundations (PEDIGREE Foundation, Banfield Foundation, BluePearl Cares, VCA Charities, Royal Canin Foundation, Mars Snacking Foundation) rather than replacing them. The Fund’s job is long-term, invitation-only grants with NGOs, academic partners and development organizations in places Mars already sources, sells or employs people. Three pillars organize the portfolio: sourcing-community resilience (farm livelihoods, women’s economic power, child nutrition and WASH), scientist pipelines in food, agriculture, nutrition and pet care, and companion-animal wellbeing (preventive care, spay/neuter, last-mile veterinary access). A fourth operational role is disaster response when communities around Mars operations are hit—illustrated by a $1M World Central Kitchen grant after the 2026 Venezuela earthquakes. Capital is corporate philanthropy, not a return-seeking impact vehicle: $85 million allocated for 2025–2027, then at least $50 million a year from 2028. The Fund does not accept unsolicited applications; Michelle Grogg is executive director.

Community DevelopmentEducationHealth & WellnessVirginia, United States

Moonshot Platform

Accelerator, Grantmaker

Moonshot Platform is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit leadership accelerator and global community supporting young changemakers closest to the world’s most urgent challenges. Through its two-year Moonshot Journey, the organization provides grants, mentorship, scholarships, capacity building, peer community, and access to global networks that help emerging leaders scale social and environmental impact. Founded by Yemi A.D., Moonshot Platform supports young innovators building projects, nonprofits, startups, and community initiatives across climate, education, health, economic opportunity, technology, and social justice. Its programs include the Moonshot Awards, Moonshot Camp, Moonshot Summit, Impact Labs, and mentor pathways.

AI & TechnologyArts, Culture & MediaClimate TechVirginia, United States

NextLadder Ventures

Impact Fund, Venture Capital, Grantmaker

NextLadder Ventures is a time-bound initiative investing in transformative navigation technology (NavTech) so more Americans can reclaim their path to progress. Backed by Ballmer Group, Gates Foundation, John Overdeck, Stand Together, and Valhalla Foundation, NextLadder blends philanthropic and market capital to expand access to people-centered, tech-enabled solutions that help families overcome barriers to economic mobility. Over the next 15 years, the venture aims to empower millions of Americans to reach their potential by 2040.

AI & TechnologyCommunity DevelopmentEducationUnited States

One Acre Fund

Grantmaker, Foundation

One Acre Fund is a nonprofit agricultural service provider that supplies smallholder farmers across Sub-Saharan Africa with quality seed, fertilizer, financing, training, and last-mile delivery. Rather than one-time charity, the organization invests in farmers to help them grow more food and earn more income on the same plot of land — creating pathways out of hunger and poverty while strengthening rural economies.

Community DevelopmentImpact FinanceSustainable Food & AgricultureKenya

Rockefeller Foundation

Foundation, Grantmaker

The Rockefeller Foundation is one of the world’s largest and most influential philanthropic organizations, focused on advancing human well-being through large-scale investments in energy access, food systems, health, economic opportunity, climate resilience, and emerging technologies. Founded in 1913, the foundation partners with governments, nonprofits, corporations, and local communities to tackle systemic global challenges through innovative finance, data, and technology-driven solutions. The foundation is known for making ambitious “big bets” aimed at improving the lives of hundreds of millions of people worldwide, particularly in underserved and economically vulnerable communities.

AI & TechnologyClean EnergyClimate TechNew York, United States

Smart Family Fund

Grantmaker

The Smart Family Fund is a family-led philanthropic fund focused on supporting early-stage nonprofits and social entrepreneurs tackling meaningful social challenges. The fund provides first-time grants, mentorship, and strategic guidance to organizations that show strong potential for scalable impact but may not yet have the traction or data required to secure larger institutional funding. By acting as an early believer in emerging nonprofit leaders, the Smart Family Fund helps organizations validate programs, strengthen operations, and prepare for long-term growth and larger philanthropic partnerships.

Community DevelopmentEducationSocial EnterpriseIllinois, United States

The David and Lucile Packard Foundation

Grantmaker, Foundation

The David and Lucile Packard Foundation is a private philanthropic foundation focused on advancing social equity, environmental sustainability, reproductive health, scientific innovation, and resilient communities. Established in 1964 by David and Lucile Packard, the foundation supports nonprofits, institutions, researchers, movements, and mission-driven initiatives working to create enduring solutions for people and the planet. The foundation operates across interconnected program areas including climate, oceans, democracy, reproductive health, racial justice, children and families, scientific research, and mission investing.

Community DevelopmentEducationEnvironment & ConservationCalifornia, United States

William T. Grant Foundation

Foundation, Grantmaker

William T. Grant Foundation is a philanthropic foundation dedicated to supporting research that improves the lives of young people in the United States. The foundation funds rigorous studies focused on reducing inequality in youth outcomes and improving the use of research evidence in public policy, education, social services, and youth-serving systems. Through research grants, scholar programs, institutional partnerships, and capacity-building initiatives, the foundation helps generate evidence that can inform policies and practices affecting young people ages 5 to 25.

Community DevelopmentEducationSocial Enterprise