The Foundation's goal is to assist individuals in becoming successful, self-sustaining, contributing citizens. The Foundation is interested in programs that break down any barrier that prevents a person from continuing to grow and learn.
Areas of interest include education, medical and scientific research; community, health and social services and, to a lesser degree, the arts and humanities.
Education is the primary focus of the Foundation. The Foundation believes that equity and opportunity are best addressed through quality public education and supports programs that work toward solutions for the myriad of existing problems in Los Angeles area schools. The Foundation is not wedded to any single reform model, but supports programs that seek to successfully educate children and youth in grades K-12. Areas of particular interest include, but are not limited to, charter schools, teacher professional development, and college access. These education reform grants can be made directly to the schools or to nonprofit organizations working in the field. In addition to the work in the public schools system, the Foundation provides some grants to independent secondary schools for student financial assistance.
The Foundation does make grants for medical and scientific research, but these are initiated by the Foundation. Unsolicited applications are not accepted.
The Foundation is committed to improving the quality of life in the local community. The Foundation supports programs that encourage all individuals to reach their fullest potential. The best chance a young person has to reach that goal is to stay in school and inside a functioning family. To that end, the Foundation supports programs that include, but are not limited to, education and family support services, health services, leadership, and character development. The Foundation considers programs that address poverty issues and assist the economically disadvantaged with the intent to promote social mobility. Programs aimed at solutions to or the prevention of these problems are favored. Although the Foundation recognizes the importance of Community, Health, and Social Services, it is not the Foundation's primary funding focus.
Although it is not the emphasis of the Foundation, grants are made for the arts and humanities and are made primarily for outreach and education programs.
Special Projects: The Foundation may initiate grants for projects of interest to the Board which are related to the mission of the Foundation but which fall outside its established areas of interest or geographic limitations. The emphasis upon individual categories might vary in any given year and exceptions to these guidelines may occur at the discretion of the Foundation.
Examples of previously awarded grants through the Joseph Drown Foundation can be found at: http://www.jdrown.org/sample/index.html.
The Foundation does not provide funds to individuals, endowments, capital campaigns or building funds. The Foundation does not underwrite annual meetings, conferences or special events, nor does it fund religious programs or purchase tickets to fundraising events.