About Howard G Buffett Foundation
The Howard G. Buffett Foundation's recorded giving here is extremely concentrated — two large entries totaling $755,268,769 — indicating a preference for very large, strategic disbursements rather than many small grants. The provided data contains no grantee names or NTEE codes beyond a generic “GRANTS” entry and an attached PDF reference, so specific programmatic priorities and beneficiary types are not discernible from this file alone. Because of the scale and concentration, the foundation most likely makes targeted, high-dollar commitments (single projects, program endowments, or multi-year initiatives); prospective applicants should request the referenced grant documentation to confirm fit. Location data lists Decatur, IL, but no geographic or thematic detail is provided in the grants shown.
Who They Fund
not specified in provided file; beneficiary populations unknownsee attached grant documentation for recipient/beneficiary details
Giving Approach
Very large, highly concentrated grants (two entries totaling $755M) — likely strategic, high-dollar commitments rather than many small awards
Funding Style
high-dollar strategic grantsconcentrated/limited-number awardstargeted single-project or program endowmentsmulti-year/long-term commitments
About Howard G Buffett Foundation
The Howard G Buffett Foundation’s recorded giving in this file is dominated by two exceptionally large grants, one in 2024 for $458,103,720 and one in 2023 for $297,165,049, both listed simply as “Grants” in Decatur, IL. That concentration points to a funder that uses very large, strategic disbursements rather than a broad spread of small awards. The structured program descriptions show why those commitments matter: the foundation supports food security, combating human trafficking in the United States, public safety work in U.S. communities, and conflict mitigation in regions affected by violence or instability. Across those areas, the common thread is targeted, high-stakes problem solving rather than general philanthropic support. The data also indicates that every recorded recipient in this file is in the United States, which aligns with the U.S.-based programs and local grant activity reflected in the recent grants table. With only two entries shown, the record suggests a highly concentrated grantmaking pattern centered on large-scale initiatives.
What Howard G Buffett Foundation Funds
Food security is one of the foundation’s clearest program areas. The program description points to support for smallholder farmers in the developing world, including agricultural resource development and management, research, conservation-based production practices, water resource management, and education. Another defined area is combating human trafficking in the United States, where the foundation supports law enforcement, prosecutors, and victim service providers in targeted communities to disrupt traffickers and dismantle networks. A third area is public safety in U.S. communities, including partnerships with local sheriffs’ offices, policing improvements and training, and support for volunteer rural fire departments. The foundation also funds conflict mitigation, with emphasis on economic development, good governance, strong institutions, and citizen security in conflict-affected regions, especially in Latin America and Africa.
How Howard G Buffett Foundation Gives
The grant-size distribution is extremely high and tightly clustered: p25 is $337,399,717, median is $377,634,384, and p75 is $417,869,052. The recent record shows only two grants, both in the hundreds of millions, which indicates a very concentrated pattern rather than frequent small awards. The foundation is classified as a regular funder, does not fund individuals, and does not make program-related investments. The file also shows no evidence of a public unsolicited application process; the active programs listed all note that they do not accept unsolicited requests.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$755.3M
Total Assets
$419.6M
Total Revenue
$377.6M
Total Expenses
$503.8M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $337.4M and $417.9M, with a median of $377.6M.
25th Percentile
$337.4M
Median
$377.6M
75th Percentile
$417.9M
Geographic Reach
Local1 state funded
About 100% of grants go to recipients in IL.
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
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