Grant Resources

We make grants through our core program areas and signature Presidential Initiatives, including Imagining Freedom, our grantmaking in Puerto Rico, and The Monuments Project.

Quick links

Grant Resources

Grant application process Managing a grant Grantmaking policies Search the database

Our four grantmaking areas

In an abstract illustration, a figure stands before a large canvas with a circle. The illustration evokes a person standing in a gallery or other space and viewing a work of art before them.

Arts and Culture

Art and artists are essential to human connection.

Learn more

An abstract illustration of a bird flying in the sky with clouds. The bird is made of folded, lined paper in an Origami style.

Higher Learning

Knowledge is produced everywhere.

Learn more

An abstract illustration in which two human figures stand together in embrace in a deserted landscape space with hills or mountains visible in the background. A sun is in the sky.

Humanities in Place

How and where we tell our stories matters.

Learn more

An abstract image of a series of 18 door frames with open doors float. A line evoking a string connects then doors, and is tied on door knobs, wrapped around door frames, and other features.

Public Knowledge

Knowledge should be accessible to all.

Learn more

Presidential Initiatives

An illustration of a person's head with a tree growing out of it.

Presidential Initiatives

The arts and humanities can move us closer to justice, lifting up historically underserved and overlooked communities.

About the initiatives

How and what we fund

The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation actively works with our grantee partners and we are deeply immersed in the fields in which we invest. Our grants are designed to activate the spirit of learning through the creation and sharing of bold new ideas and the inspiration felt in art, expression, spaces, and scholarship.

Mellon makes most of its grants to organizations in the United States that have been determined by the IRS to be section 501(c)(3) charities, as well as organizations outside the United States that are equivalent to US public charities. As a rule, the Foundation does not fund tuition, K-12 education and programming, fundraising events, or provide direct unrestricted funding for individuals. The Foundation makes grants designated for charitable and/or educational purposes and grant applications and other communications should always be in alignment with those purposes.

Our staff seek out and get to know innovative organizations, scholars, and creators before inviting them to submit a proposal for funding. Most Mellon grants are made through these invitations. Occasionally, we issue open calls for proposals. Sign up for our emails to be notified when we issue an open call or share information about other funding opportunities.

Grants at a glance

$549M

Awarded in 2023

Grantmaking across all areas supports ideas and organizations that contribute to a more connected, creative, and just society.

See grantmaking areas

504

Grantees in 2023

Mellon actively works with our grantee partners, and we are deeply immersed in the fields in which we invest.

See a list of recipients

4

Grantmaking areas

The Foundation makes grants in four core program areas—Higher Learning, Public Knowledge, Arts and Culture, and Humanities in Place—and through its signature Presidential Initiatives.

Learn how we do this

1

Mission

We make grants to actively unlock the power in the arts and humanities that helps connect us all.

Understand our mission

Since 1969, Mellon has awarded more than 19,000 grants.

Search the database

Frequently asked questions

: Mellon only accepts proposals by invitation.

Once you have been invited to submit a proposal, you should do so via our Grants Portal. View more information on our grant application process.

If you have any questions about using the Grants Portal, please contact Foundation staff at fluxxusers@mellon.org
: Yes, we occasionally issue open calls for proposals, which will be posted on our website and social media channels. You may also sign up our emails to be notified when one of our programs issues an open call.
: With the exception of open calls for concepts or proposals, Mellon invites and accepts grant proposals on a rolling basis. Open calls for proposals generally have a set application deadline, which will be included in the announcement and application guidelines.

Most invited proposals go through some revision before they are finalized. Mellon staff will work with you throughout the process. Once a proposal is finalized, it will be recommended for approval by our Trustees or Officers.
: The timeline for proposals varies by program and type of grant. Most proposals go through several rounds before they are finalized. For more information on proposal timelines, please speak with program staff if you are invited to submit a proposal.
: Mellon uses an online Grants Portal, powered by the Fluxx database, for proposals, reports, and other grants management.

If you have been invited to submit a proposal, you or someone in your organization should receive an email with login instructions for the Grants Portal. Your username and password are unique and exclusive to you; please do not share login information or attempt to change your account to a different user. See the Grants Portal Terms of Use for further information.

If you have any questions about using the Grants Portal, please contact Foundation staff at fluxxusers@mellon.org.
: If you have any questions about using the Grants Portal, please contact Foundation staff at fluxxusers@mellon.org.
: Mellon’s current grantmaking areas include Arts and Culture, Higher Learning, Humanities in Place, and Public Knowledge. View information about each of these grantmaking areas and their aligned strategies.

Our Presidential Initiatives support impact-oriented responses to complex challenges and offer funding for work that exemplifies Mellon’s strategic direction and vision. View guidelines for Presidential Initiatives.
: We make most of our grants to or through organizations in the United States that have been determined by the IRS to be section 501(c)(3) public charities. Mellon also makes grants to charitable organizations outside the United States that have 501(c)(3) status or that are equivalent to US public charities. Our staff will work with a prospective international grantee to determine whether or not an organization can meet the equivalency standard.

Additionally, Mellon may exercise expenditure responsibility to make restricted grants to organizations that are not 501(c)(3) public charities, including for-profit organizations and organizations outside the US without a charitable equivalency determination.  See our Grantmaking Policies for more information.

Mellon does not make direct grants to individuals.
: Mellon encourages collaboration and many of our grants involve work undertaken by collaborating institutions. In such cases, we typically award grant funds to a single grantee, who is responsible for reporting on the activities and expenditures of the collaboration.
: Mellon does not provide direct support to individuals. However, we support a number of partner organizations that provide fellowships and regranting to individuals. Visit our grantmaking areas to find out if fellowships or regranting opportunities are available.
: Mellon does not provide support for fundraising events.