Discover 14,465 grantmaking foundations funding higher education programs, with combined annual giving of $48.1B. The median grant size for higher education is $10K.
Foundations
14,465
Total Annual Giving
$48.1B
Total Assets Under Management
$1.4T
Median Grant Size
$10K
States with Funders
56
Total Grants on Record
305,762
Live programs funding higher education that your nonprofit can apply to now.
From Council of Independent Colleges
Who can apply: Organizational members of NetVUE (organizations that support groups of institutions).
From Southern Alleghenies Planning and Development
Who can apply: Eligible organizations include units of local government, local development districts, institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations. Projects must develop and/or upgrade publicly owned roads into major job centers within the Appalachian Region.
From Aj and Sigismunda Palumbo Charitable Trust
Who can apply: Organizations must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt and not a private foundation under 509(a)(3). Submit IRS determination letter, financial statements, current year budget, board list, and completed application form. Operational/indirect costs are not funded.
Who can apply: Applicants must have a Walmart Spark Good account, be verified by Deed, and serve the same service area as the facility from which funding is requested. Eligible applicants include current 501(c)(3) public charities, government entities, schools with an NCES number or 501(c)(3) status, and faith-based organizations whose proposed projects benefit the community at large. Organizations may receive only one grant per facility per fiscal year and may have a maximum of 25 pending or approved applications.
From Historic Preservation Education Foundation
Who can apply: The proposal must be submitted by a degree- or certificate-granting historic preservation program within a post-secondary institution. Community colleges and trade schools are especially encouraged. The project may be part of an established curriculum, a special course, or an internship; student training must be a primary objective. The project must be completed in accordance with HABS Standards and Guidelines, identify qualified instructors and team members, include a realistic budget, and be implemented by September 1, 2026 unless another schedule is approved by HPEF. University fees and maintenance costs may not exceed 15 percent of the award. Preference is given to projects involving sites from the 1950s–1980s, nonprofit-owned or operated sites, clear uses for documentation materials, and social justice and inclusion efforts.
Who can apply: French departments and programs in U.S. colleges and universities seeking to increase enrollment and implement mid- to long-term innovative changes may apply.
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| Foundation | Location | Annual Giving | Total Assets | Median Grant | NTEE | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY | BALTIMORE, MD | $594.1M | $25.3B | $120K | B430 | National |
| President and Fellows of Harvard College | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $273.3M | $79.9B | $86K | B500 | National |
| UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA | LOS ANGELES, CA | $249.4M | $17B | $22K | B430 | National |
| THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK | NEW YORK, NY | $208.3M | $26B | $69K | B430 | National |
| AUGUSTA UNIVERSITY RESEARCH INSTITUTE INC | AUGUSTA, GA | $187.9M | $29.5M | $84.4M | B500 | Local |
| Emory University | Atlanta, GA | $183.7M | $24.9B | $75K | B430 | National |
| Yale University | New Haven, CT | $168.2M | $58.9B | $110K | B430 | National |
| Cornell University | ITHACA, NY | $126.7M | $19.8B | $88K | B430 | National |
| WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY | SAINT LOUIS, MO | $120.7M | $22.3B | $54K | B430 | National |
| THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE LELAND STANFORD JUNIOR UNIVERSITY | REDWOOD CITY, CA | $112.1M | $68.7B | $50K | B430 | National |
BALTIMORE, MD
$594.1M
$25.3B
$120K
CAMBRIDGE, MA
$273.3M
$79.9B
$86K
LOS ANGELES, CA
$249.4M
$17B
$22K
NEW YORK, NY
$208.3M
$26B
$69K
AUGUSTA, GA
$187.9M
$29.5M
$84.4M
SAINT LOUIS, MO
$120.7M
$22.3B
$54K
REDWOOD CITY, CA
$112.1M
$68.7B
$50K
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Top 15 states by foundation count
| State | Foundations | Total Annual Giving | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 1,292 | $4.8B | View all in New York | |
| Texas | 1,257 | $2.8B | View all in Texas | |
| California | 1,051 | $3.5B | View all in California | |
| Florida | 1,006 | $2B | View all in Florida | |
| Pennsylvania | 938 | $1B | View all in Pennsylvania | |
| Illinois | 870 | $2.7B | View all in Illinois | |
| Missouri | 644 | $811.5M | View all in Missouri | |
| Ohio | 613 | $702.6M | View all in Ohio | |
| Wisconsin | 425 | $520.4M | View all in Wisconsin | |
| Massachusetts | 396 | $1.3B | View all in Massachusetts | |
| Michigan | 395 | $425.8M | View all in Michigan | |
| New Jersey | 394 | $345.4M | View all in New Jersey | |
| North Carolina | 337 | $1.7B | View all in North Carolina | |
| Virginia | 323 | $743.6M | View all in Virginia | |
| Delaware | 311 | $252.7M | View all in Delaware |
$6B in annual giving
$5.3B in annual giving
$10.5B in annual giving
$4.2B in annual giving
$182.4M in annual giving
$1.3B in annual giving
$222M in annual giving
$20.5B in annual giving
Median Grant Size
$10K
New Grantee Rate
37%
Accept Unsolicited Proposals
68%
Most Recent Filing Year
2026
The typical Higher Education foundation awards grants of $10K. Approximately 37% of Higher Education foundations actively fund new organizations, and 68% accept unsolicited proposals.
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