Private Foundations

The bulk of funding resources described in this resource guide are from federal and state programs. This section provides additional information on smart growth funding sources within the private foundation arena.

There are over 57,000 foundations, corporate givers, and grantmaking public charities in the United States that offer more than 246,000 grants and maintain over 1,900 grantmaker web sites. Some are national in scope and others focus on a single topic within a single geographic areas. They are too numerous to list within this resource guide.

However, the Funders Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities is an active resource and focal point for foundations, nonprofit organizations and other partners working to solve the environmental, social, and economic problems created by suburban sprawl and urban disinvestment. While their purpose is to assist grantmakers understand the issues and opportunities associated with smart growth and not to facilitate connections between grantmakers and grantseekers, their web site offers a searchable database of approximately 52 private foundations that support various elements of smart growth, including, but not limited to: infill, development, infrastructure investments, land use planning, brownfield redevelopment, historic preservation, habitat protection, environmental education, supporting neighborhoods, transportation, and promoting regional collaboration.

The purpose of the Foundation Center is to facilitate connections between grantmakers and grantseekers and offers a variety of resources and tools to accomplish this goal. Their mission is to support and improve institutional philanthropy by promoting public understanding of the field and helping grantseekers succeed. To achieve their mission, they: (1) collect, organize, and communicate information on U.S. philanthropy; (2) conduct and facilitate research on trends in the field; (3) provide education and training on the grantseeking process; and (4) Ensure public access to information and services through their web, print and electronic publications, five library/learning centers, and a national network of cooperating collections. Founded in 1956, the Center is the nation's leading authority on institutional philanthropy and is dedicated to serving grantseekers, grantmakers, researchers, policymakers, the media, and the general public.

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