Bauman Foundation
/OVERVIEW: The Bauman Foundation is dedicated to promoting and preserving democratic values and institutions, currently prioritizing economic justice, government accountability and civic engagement.
IP TAKE: This funder does not name clear funding priorities or accept unsolicited applications. Its grants database suggests that this funder is moving from direct support to working with intermediary philanthropic organizations. It’s a tough funder to crack with a crowded giving space; it prefers to award previous grantees for multiple cycles.
PROFILE: The Bauman Foundation was established in 1982 by New York businessman Lionel R. Bauman, and received the endowment of his full estate upon his death in 1987. The foundation is dedicated to preserving the “values of a true democratic society.” It generally provides general operating support rather than project specific support, and it values collaboration and policy advocacy. Its current funding priorities are economic justice, government and corporate accountability and civic engagement. This foundation has a sparse site, but a detailed grants database.
Grants for Civic Engagement and Democracy
Bauman’s civic engagement grantmaking primarily centers around “efforts to promote an open, responsive government” and “non-partisan civic engagement in the political process.” Its grants for government and corporate accountability support “efforts to promote an open, responsive government.” Past grantees include Center for Popular Democracy, Center for American Progress, and Center for Progressive Reform.
Grants for Work and Opportunity
Bauman’s economic justice grantmaking primarily centers around “federal tax policy and income inequality.” It generally provides general operating support rather than project-specific funding, and prioritizes “advocacy that encourages systematic changes rather than those that merely ameliorate symptoms.” Past grantees include American Rights at Work Education Fund, Center for Economic and Policy Research, Economic Policy Institute.
Important Grant Details:
According to its website, the Bauman Foundation awards $6 million in grants annually. Grants generally range from $1,000 to $50,000. The Bauman Foundation’s values center around long-term support, active collaboration with other organizations, and support for policy change rather than “brick-and-mortar projects, research, or direct services.”
The Bauman Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals. General inquiries may be made through the foundation’s contact page.
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