Rockefeller Brothers Fund Inc.

The Rockefeller Brothers Fund (RBF) operates at the intersection of social justice, sustainability, and peace, with a grantmaking philosophy rooted in the concept of "philanthropy for an interdependent world." Unlike the larger Rockefeller Foundation (a separate entity), RBF was established in 1940 by the five sons of John D. Rockefeller Jr. and maintains a more nimble, advocacy-oriented approach. The Fund organizes its work through three thematic programs (Democratic Practice, Sustainable Development, Peacebuilding) and three "Pivotal Place" programs (China, Western Balkans, Central America) where it believes concentrated investment can catalyze outsized impact. RBF was a pioneer in mission-aligned investing, making a high-profile commitment to divest from fossil fuels in 2014 — a move that has since been validated by independent review as not compromising financial returns. The Fund also operates the Pocantico Center on the historic Rockefeller estate, hosting conferences and artist residencies. While RBF technically accepts unsolicited applications through its online portal, it funds fewer than 1% of them, making relationship-building and program alignment essential.

RBF awarded approximately $62 million in grants in 2024 from an asset base of $1.4 billion. Individual grants typically range from $30,000 to $300,000, making RBF a mid-size funder relative to other Rockefeller family entities. The Fund's grantmaking is concentrated in its seven programs, with Sustainable Development and Peacebuilding being the largest portfolios. The Culpeper Arts & Culture program focuses specifically on New York City organizations and is notable as the only program that regularly accepts and funds unsolicited proposals through an annual call. Grants are generally awarded for 1-2 year periods. The Fund's approach emphasizes strategic grantmaking — supporting organizations that can influence policy, shift public narratives, or build movements rather than deliver direct services. RBF is known for funding advocacy and organizing work that other funders may consider too politically sensitive, particularly in areas like climate policy and democratic reform.

The Rockefeller Brothers Fund occupies a unique niche among family-legacy and social-change foundations.

RBF is distinguished by its "Pivotal Place" model, concentrating resources in specific geographies where it believes strategic investment can tip the balance. While smaller than many peers, RBF punches above its weight through this focused approach and its willingness to fund advocacy and policy work.

In 2024-2025, RBF continued its leadership in mission-aligned investing, with a 2025 independent review confirming that its 2014 fossil fuel divestment commitment (reducing portfolio exposure to an estimated 0.2% by September 2025) had not compromised financial returns. The Fund awarded $62 million in grants in 2024 across its seven programs. The Sustainable Development program continued advancing climate solutions through clean energy advocacy and international climate policy work. The Peacebuilding program maintained active grantmaking in the Western Balkans and Central America. The David Rockefeller Creative Arts Center at the Pocantico estate, which transformed the historic 1908 Orangerie into a public arts venue, has been completing its development phase. The Pocantico Center hosted conferences and artist residencies, serving as both a community resource and a convening space for RBF-related programming. The Culpeper Arts & Culture program continued its annual call for proposals supporting New York City arts organizations.

1. Check program alignment before applying. Review the RBF grants search database (rbf.org/grants-search) to see recent grants in your area. If your work does not clearly fit Democratic Practice, Sustainable Development, Peacebuilding, or Culpeper Arts & Culture, do not apply.

2. Be realistic about success rates. Less than 1% of unsolicited applications are funded. Your best chance is through the Culpeper Arts & Culture annual call for proposals or by being identified by RBF program staff through your work in the field.

3. Frame your work as systems change. RBF favors advocacy, policy change, movement building, and narrative shifting over direct service delivery. Demonstrate how your project will create leverage — changing laws, shifting public opinion, or building coalitions that outlast the grant period.

4. Use the online portal correctly. Applications must be submitted through rbf-portal.givingdata.com. Create an account, respond thoroughly to all questions, and do not submit by mail, email, or fax. Allow 3 months for review.

5. Consider the Pivotal Place programs. If your work is in Central America, China, or the Western Balkans, you may have a stronger case for alignment with RBF priorities. These programs are designed for concentrated impact in specific geographies.

6. Leverage the Pocantico Center. If you are an RBF grantee or working on RBF-related issues, the Pocantico Center offers convening space and artist residencies. This can be valuable for building deeper relationships with the Fund.