The W. M. Keck Foundation

 
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    CFDA#

    None     		 

    Funder Type

    Private Foundation

    IT Classification

    B - Readily funds technology as part of an award

    Authority

    W. M. Keck Foundation

    Summary

    The W. M. Keck Foundation strives to fund endeavors that are distinctive and novel in their approach. It encourages projects that are high-risk with the potential for transformative impact. "High-risk" comprises a number of factors, including questions that push the edge of the field, present unconventional approaches to intractable problems, or challenge the prevailing paradigm. The Foundation supports outstanding science, engineering and medical research, undergraduate education; and in Southern California, arts and culture, education, health and community service projects that will have a significant impact in addressing complex issues and problems.


    Research Program

    Supporting pioneering discoveries in science, engineering and medical research has been the foundation mandate from the beginning. Research program supports projects in two areas 1) Medical Research and 2) Science and Engineering, that are distinctive and novel in their approach, question the prevailing paradigm, or have the potential to break open new territory in their field.


    Southern California Program

    The Southern California Program seeks to promote the education and healthy development of children and youth, strengthen families and enhance the lives of people in the greater Los Angeles area through its support of organizations that provide arts and cultural enrichment, civic and community services, early childhood and pre-collegiate education, and health care. Special emphasis is placed on projects that focus on children and youth from low income families and special needs populations.


    Special Projects

    From time to time the Keck Foundation invites major grants that have the potential for high impact on a field or a region. Special projects are exclusively initiated by the Foundation's Board of Directors.

     

    History of Funding

    Annual impact reports and other information on previous grantees can be viewed: https://www.wmkeck.org/our-focus-overview/

    Additional Information

    The Foundation does not make grants to institutions outside of the United States or to Individuals.

    • Research Program Program priorities: Funding is awarded to universities and institutions nationwide for projects in research that:
      • Focus on important and emerging areas of research
      • Have the potential to develop breakthrough technologies, instrumentation or methodologies
      • Are innovative, distinctive and interdisciplinary
      • Demonstrate a high level of risk due to unconventional approaches, or by challenging the prevailing paradigm
      • Have the potential for transformative impact, such as the founding of a new field of research, the enabling of observations not previously possible, or the altered perception of a previously intractable problem
      • Does not focus on clinical or translational research, treatment trials or research for the sole purpose of drug development
      • Fall outside the mission of public funding agencies
      • Demonstrate that private philanthropy generally, and the W. M. Keck Foundation in particular, is essential to the project's success
    • Not eligible for funding:
      • General operating expenses, endowments or deficit reduction
      • General and federated campaigns, including fundraising events, dinners or mass mailings
      • Grants to individuals
      • Conference or seminar sponsorship
      • Book publication and film or theater productions
      • Public policy research
      • Institutions that are located outside the United States
      • Institutions that do not have a tax-exempt ruling from the federal government and (if located in California) the State of California, or if a government unit, do not have a signed Declaration of Status
      • Institutions that do not have at least three consecutive full, certified, audited financial statements
      • Conduit” organizations, unified funds or organizations that use grant funds from donors to support other organizations or individuals
      • Institutions that are subsidiaries or affiliates of larger entities that do not have a separate board of directors and independent audited financial statements
    • Southern California Program Program Priorities:
      • Preference is given to exemplary institutions and organizations with a history of achievement and effective management, and whose financial condition is strong, as demonstrated by their current audited financial statements prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. Projects must address significant issues or problems in the areas of arts and culture, civic and community service, early childhood, health care, or pre-collegiate education. Only projects serving communities in Los Angeles County will be considered.
      • In addition, projects must meet one or more of the following criteria:
        • Are innovative and distinctive
        • Have the potential to create a significant and long-lasting impact for the target population, organization, region and/or field
        • Focus on children who are from low-income families
        • Benefit special needs populations, including those with developmental disabilities or delays, those in or transitioning from the foster care system and homeless families
        • Have strong institutional support, excellent leadership and can demonstrate thorough planning
        • Demonstrate that other funding sources are utilized to the fullest extent possible and that private philanthropy generally, and the W. M. Keck Foundation in particular, is essential to the project's success
    • Not eligible for funding:
      • General operating expenses, endowments or deficit reduction
      • General and federated campaigns, including fundraising events, dinners or mass mailings
      • Conduit” organizations, unified funds, or organizations using grant funds from donors to support other organizations or individuals
      • Grants to individuals
      • Conference or seminar sponsorship
      • Book publication and film or theater productions
      • Public policy research
      • Projects to be undertaken outside Los Angeles County
      • Requests over $1 million

    Contacts

    Research Staff

    Research Staff
    550 South Hope Street
    Los Angeles, CA 90071
    (213) 680-3833

    Undergraduate Education Staff

    Undergraduate Education Staff
    550 South Hope Street
    Los Angeles, CA 90071
    (213) 680-3833

    Southern California Staff

    Southern California Staff
    550 South Hope Street
    Los Angeles, CA 90071
    (213) 680-3833
     

  • Eligibility Details

    Research Program: ?Research universities, medical colleges and major private independent scientific and medical research institutes are eligible to apply to the Research Program.


    Southern California Program: Nonprofit organizations, including colleges and universities, pursuing relevant projects in Los Angeles County are eligible.


    All organizations must be:

    • Exempt from federal taxation as defined by Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and be designated as:
      • a public charity as defined by Section 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2) or 170(b) of the Internal Revenue Code; or
      • exempt operating foundation as defined by Section 4940(d)(2).
      • For clarification, no grants will be made to private foundations (other than exempt operating foundations) or 509(a)(3) organizations.
    • If the institution is located in the State of California, the organization must also be exempt from California State Franchise or Income Tax under Section 23701(d) of the Revenue and Taxation Code.

    Deadline Details

    Applications are accepted twice a year. Pre-applications are to be submitted by May 15 and November 15, annually. The Foundation will notify those applicants that are invited to submit a Phase II proposal.

    Award Details

    Award amounts vary based on scope and size of projects. Cost sharing is not required. 

    • Research Program: Award amounts vary. Grants range from $500,000 to $5,000,000. Average grant size is $2,000,000.
    • Southern California Program: Award amounts vary. Grants range from $100,000 to $1,000,000. Average grant size is $500,000.

    Related Webcasts Use the links below to view the recorded playback of these webcasts


    • Funding Classroom Technology to Empower Students and Teachers - Sponsored by Panasonic - Playback Available
    • Maximizing Technology-friendly Workforce Development Grants - Sponsored by Panasonic - Playback Available
    • Funding Data-driven Workforce Development Projects - Sponsored by NetApp - Playback Available

 

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