Name of Foundation: William T. Grant Foundation
Location: New York City
Contact info: http://www.wtgrantfoundation.org/ Phone: (212) 308-9332
Coverage Area: United States
Subject Area: Social Science Research, Education, Youth Development
Assets: $277 million (2011)
Last Year Total Giving: $11 million (2011)
In a nutshell:
William T. Grant was the founder of the W. T. Grant Co. 25 Cent Stores, a chain of dime stores. Grant saw instant success with his business and quickly founded the foundation in 1936 to address issues affecting young people, with an emphasis on social science research. The foundation implemented the longest longitudinal study of human development ever conducted, the “Grant Study of Adult Development,” conducted at Harvard University, which continues to this day. The study examines the mental and physical well-being of 70 adults who began as subjects during their sophomore year at Harvard in 1938.
The foundation continues to focus on issues that its founder prioritized. The Foundation currently funds high-quality empirical research, with the ultimate aim of improving the lives of youth ages 8 to 25 in the United States. Their Current Research Interests are understanding and improving social settings such as families, schools, peer groups, and organizations, and studying how these social settings affect youth.
To a more limited extent, the Foundation supports capacity-building, communication, and advocacy activities.
Major Programs:
Research Grants
Fellowships
Service Improvement Grants
How to Apply:
All applications must be submitted via the online application system. Required forms and instructions are available under the specific section for each grant program. Most programs require a Letter of Interest (LOI), full proposals are submitted by invitation only .
For more information on the grantmaking process and specific program requirements, click here.
News and Grant Activity:
Distinguished Fellows Grant, 20132014 Scholars