OVERVIEW: The AMB Foundation’s grantmaking revolves around global health, K-12 education, civic issues and indigenous equity, as well as global economic development and help for indigenous populations in developing countries, with an emphasis on South America.
IP TAKE: AMB is a small, yet approachable funder. Grantseekers should definitely not stray too far from the foundation’s priorities to gain this funder’s attention. The foundation does not operate a website or have formal staff and keeps a low public profile; however, its taxes reveal an emphasis on smaller organizations, often based in California, Oregon, or Colorado, even though the foundation conducts nation-wide funding.
Though it’s low key, AMB is an accessible funder that welcomes contact and unsolicited proposals. However, to increase your chances, call the foundation to see if your work aligns with theirs before sending a proposal.
PROFILE: Established in the late 1990s, the AMB Foundation (not to be confused with Amy Marie Bosman Foundation, or the Australia-based AMB Foundation) is a small organization that supports a variety of global development projects around the world. While the foundation does not specify geographic limitations, it seems to prioritize South America in its giving. Topics of grantmaking include health, education, economic development and help for indigenous populations in developing countries, with an emphasis on South America.
Grants for Global Development and Global Health
AMB's tax documents reveal its tendency to fund healthcare and poverty alleviation organizations operating in developing countries around the world. Comparatively few education and economic development grants are awarded each year. In the past, it has supported Concern America in its global poverty alleviation work, and Honduras Good Works for its efforts to provide basic medical care.
Grants for Civic Engagement and Indigenous Equity
The AMB Foundation’s grants centered on civic issues do not have a stated strategy; however, according to patterns culled from its taxes, AMB tends to fund work related to civic engagement only across the United States, often in the areas of Indigenous rights and equity. Past grantees in this space include Friendship Bridge, Solidarity Bridge, Indian Land Tenure, Solid Rock, First Nations Devel Institute, and American Indian Science and Engineering Society, among others. AMB tends to fund the most grants through this focus area. AMB also conducts grants to Indigenous equity causes through its higher education grantmaking, as noted below.
Grants for K-12 and Higher Education
AMB prefers to take a broad approach to its education funding, which it spreads across the K-12 and Higher ed space. Since it doesn’t have a website or public presence, it’s unclear what it looks for in its education grantees, but call the foundation to see if your education project aligns with their vision. Past education grantees include the Rutgers University Foundation, Language Conservancy, Catching the Dream, Fairfield University and the American Indian College Fund, amongst others.
Important Grant Details:
Its grants are modest, typically ranging from $1,500 to $20,000. Recent tax filings reflect that AMB tends to favor smaller and grassroots organizations.
AMB accepts unsolicited grant applications that should be submitted in standardized grant form. Applications must be received by November 15 and sent to the attention of Anne J. Wells at the address provided below. Grantseekers should note that submissions must be sent to the Illinois address listed below and not the foundation’s main address.
PEOPLE:
Search for staff contact info and bios in PeopleFinder (paid subscribers only).
CONTACT:
AMB Foundationc/o Marie Sloan
P.O. Box 710040
Herndon, Virginia 20171
(847) 251-6946
GRANT APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS
AMB Foundation
Attn: Anne J. Wells
8010 Arbor Lane
Northfield, Illinois 60093-3355
(847) 784-9446