For Grant Seekers

Get to know Mellon—who we support, why we make grants, and when we’re open for proposals.

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Funding Inquiries
Humanities in Place
Funding Inquiries for Mellon’s Humanities in Place Program Area
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis
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Our 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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) public charities, as well as organizations outside the United States that are equivalent to US public charities. 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.  

Our charitable mission at a glance

$555M

Awarded in 2024

We invest in grantees whose tireless work fosters critical thinking, curiosity, and appreciation of our shared culture and history.

See grantmaking areas 

699

Grantees in 2024

We partner with nonprofits, organizations, and individuals across the nation, multiplying their impact through crucial funding.

Meet all our recipients 

4

Grantmaking areas

We support grantees through four grantmaking areas: Higher Learning, Public Learning, Arts and Culture, and Humanities in Place, and signature Presidential Initiatives.

Learn about each area 

1

Mission

We make grants to support organizations and ideas that contribute to a more connected, creative, and understanding world.

Understand our mission 

Since 1969, Mellon has awarded more than 20,000 grants.

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