Hearst Foundations' Mission

The Hearst Foundations identify and fund outstanding nonprofits to ensure that people of all backgrounds in the United States have the opportunity to build healthy, productive and inspiring lives.

Hearst Foundations' Goals

The Foundations seek to achieve their mission by funding approaches that result in:

• Improved health and quality of life
• Access to high quality educational options to promote increased academic achievement
• Arts and sciences serving as a cornerstone of society
• Sustainable employment and productive career paths for adults
• Stabilizing and supporting families

Funding Priorities

The Hearst Foundations support well-established nonprofit organizations that address significant issues within their major areas of interests – culture, education, health and social service – and that primarily serve large demographic and/or geographic constituencies. In each area of funding, the Foundations seek to identify those organizations achieving truly differentiated results relative to other organizations making similar efforts for similar populations. The Foundations also look for evidence of sustainability beyond their support.

Culture

The Hearst Foundations fund cultural institutions that offer meaningful programs in the arts and sciences, prioritizing those which enable engagement by young people and create a lasting and measurable impact. The Foundations also fund select programs nurturing and developing artistic talent.

Types of Support: Program, capital and, on a limited basis, general and endowment support

Education

The Hearst Foundations fund educational institutions demonstrating uncommon success in preparing students to thrive in a global society. The Foundations’ focus is largely on higher education, but they also fund innovative models of early childhood and K-12 education, as well as professional development.

Types of Support: Program, scholarship, capital and, on a limited basis, general and endowment support

Health

The Hearst Foundations assist leading regional hospitals, medical centers and specialized medical institutions providing access to high-quality healthcare for low-income populations. In response to the shortage of healthcare professionals necessary to meet the country’s evolving needs, the Foundations also fund programs designed to enhance skills and increase the number of practitioners and educators across roles in healthcare. Because the Foundations seek to use their funds to create a broad and enduring impact on the nation’s health, support for medical research and the development of young investigators is also considered.

Types of Support: Program, capital and, on a limited basis, endowment support

Social Service

The Hearst Foundations fund direct-service organizations that tackle the roots of chronic poverty by applying effective solutions to the most challenging social and economic problems. The Foundations prioritize supporting programs that have proven successful in facilitating economic independence and in strengthening families. Preference is also given to programs with the potential to scale productive practices in order to reach more people in need.

Types of Support: Program, capital and general support

Walmart’s more than 2 million associates are residents, neighbors, friends and family in thousands of communities around the globe. Walmart works to strengthen these communities through both retail business and community giving, and we support and invest in communities through local giving. The following programs have open application processes with specific deadlines for eligibility and consideration.

Local Community Grants

Each year, our U.S. stores and clubs award local cash grants ranging from $250 to $5,000. These local grants are designed to address the unique needs of the communities where we operate. They include a variety of organizations, such as animal shelters, elder services and community clean-up projects.

Areas of Funding

• There are eight (8) areas of funding for which an organization can apply. Please review the areas listed below to ensure your organization’s goals fall within one of these areas.
• Community and Economic Development: Improving local communities for the benefit of low-income individuals and families in the local service area
• Diversity and Inclusion: Fostering the building of relationships and understanding among diverse groups in the local service area
• Education: Providing afterschool enrichment, tutoring or vocational training for low-income individuals and families in the local service area
• Environmental Sustainability: Preventing waste, increasing recycling, or supporting other programs that work to improve the environment in the local service area
• Health and Human Service: Providing medical screening, treatment, social services, or shelters for low-income individuals and families in the local service area
• Hunger Relief and Healthy Eating: Providing Federal or charitable meals/snacks for low-income individuals and families in the local service area
• Public Safety: Supporting public safety programs through training programs or equipment in the local service area
• Quality of Life: Improving access to recreation, arts or cultural experiences for low-income individuals and families in the local service area

Oklahoma Center for Adult Stem Cell Research (OCASCR) Grants Program

In 2010, the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) established OCASCR to promote research in the emerging field of adult stem cell biology in Oklahoma. Since then, adult stem cell research has flourished in our state, and Oklahoma universities, research foundations, and biotechnology companies are now fortunate to employee many world-recognized investigators who conduct research in this area. In 2019, OCASCR expanded its focus to include research in regenerative medicine—a field that is closely related to adult stem cell biology and that strives to restore the normal functions of cells, tissues, and organs that have been damaged by disease. OCASCR joins TSET in acknowledging that smoking- and obesity-related diseases are particularly deadly in Oklahoma and is therefore keen on promoting regenerative medicine research that is relevant to these diseases. The overall goal of OCASCR is to help adult stem cell and regenerative medicine research thrive in Oklahoma and to serve as a trusted resource for public information on these topics.

Education and Travel Grant

Requests can be made for support to attend educational opportunities regarding stem cells and/or regenerative medicine, participate in courses, or train in other laboratories. Support will also be considered for “mini-sabbaticals” to learn stem cell and regenerative medicine-related technology.

OCASCR will provide funding for scientists to attend training/meetings. Some awards have been used to attend a scientific meeting, while others have been used to pay for travel and lodging while working with a scientist in another city. We want to facilitate the acquisition of knowledge for Oklahoma scientists. When you write your proposal, tell us explicitly about the training opportunity you are seeking and how it will facilitate your work with adult stem cells and/or regenerative medicine. In addition, please explain how you will share the information gained with others. As detailed above, all awardees must be regular faculty members

Oklahoma Center for Adult Stem Cell Research (OCASCR) Grants Program

In 2010, the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) established OCASCR to promote research in the emerging field of adult stem cell biology in Oklahoma. Since then, adult stem cell research has flourished in our state, and Oklahoma universities, research foundations, and biotechnology companies are now fortunate to employee many world-recognized investigators who conduct research in this area. In 2019, OCASCR expanded its focus to include research in regenerative medicine—a field that is closely related to adult stem cell biology and that strives to restore the normal functions of cells, tissues, and organs that have been damaged by disease. OCASCR joins TSET in acknowledging that smoking- and obesity-related diseases are particularly deadly in Oklahoma and is therefore keen on promoting regenerative medicine research that is relevant to these diseases. The overall goal of OCASCR is to help adult stem cell and regenerative medicine research thrive in Oklahoma and to serve as a trusted resource for public information on these topics.

Enabling Technology Grant

Investigators with current OCASCR funding or federal funding for stem cell and/or regenerative medicine research may apply for help in obtaining enabling technology, such as commercially available animal models, monoclonal antibody preparation, or genetic assays. The enabling technology should have the potential to make the investigator’s stem cell and/or regenerative medicine research more competitive for subsequent or additional federal funding.

Oklahoma Center for Adult Stem Cell Research (OCASCR) Grants Program

In 2010, the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) established OCASCR to promote research in the emerging field of adult stem cell biology in Oklahoma. Since then, adult stem cell research has flourished in our state, and Oklahoma universities, research foundations, and biotechnology companies are now fortunate to employee many world-recognized investigators who conduct research in this area. In 2019, OCASCR expanded its focus to include research in regenerative medicine—a field that is closely related to adult stem cell biology and that strives to restore the normal functions of cells, tissues, and organs that have been damaged by disease. OCASCR joins TSET in acknowledging that smoking- and obesity-related diseases are particularly deadly in Oklahoma and is therefore keen on promoting regenerative medicine research that is relevant to these diseases. The overall goal of OCASCR is to help adult stem cell and regenerative medicine research thrive in Oklahoma and to serve as a trusted resource for public information on these topics.

Other Grant

OCASCR is aware that there may be other valuable ways to support adult stem cell and regenerative medicine research, and inquiries are welcome. For example, partial salary support might be requested for personnel in core facilities that are heavily used by OCASCR grantees. A successful proposal would have to document need and show how this funding mechanism would be uniquely valuable.

Oklahoma Center for Adult Stem Cell Research (OCASCR) Grants Program

In 2010, the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) established OCASCR to promote research in the emerging field of adult stem cell biology in Oklahoma. Since then, adult stem cell research has flourished in our state, and Oklahoma universities, research foundations, and biotechnology companies are now fortunate to employee many world-recognized investigators who conduct research in this area. In 2019, OCASCR expanded its focus to include research in regenerative medicine—a field that is closely related to adult stem cell biology and that strives to restore the normal functions of cells, tissues, and organs that have been damaged by disease. OCASCR joins TSET in acknowledging that smoking- and obesity-related diseases are particularly deadly in Oklahoma and is therefore keen on promoting regenerative medicine research that is relevant to these diseases. The overall goal of OCASCR is to help adult stem cell and regenerative medicine research thrive in Oklahoma and to serve as a trusted resource for public information on these topics.

Research Grant

Research Grants should be focused on adult stem cells and/or regenerative medicine. For applications focused on adult human stem cells, OCASCR defines adult human stem cells as those obtained from umbilical cord blood or other adult samples. For applications focused on regenerative medicine, those projects related to diseases caused by smoking or obesity (i.e. cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, etc.) will be prioritized, since OCASCR funding comes from the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET), which is dedicated to reducing these leading causes of death in Oklahoma. Studies involving experimental animals and model systems will be considered. Reprogramming of adult cells for use in tissue regeneration and stem cell-based reconstruction are of interest, as are studies devoted to a better understanding of tissue-specific stem cells, development, and regeneration. These are not inclusive examples, and exciting advances are possible in many areas of adult stem cell and regenerative medicine research.

Funding

There is no formal limit, but a maximum of $150,000 is recommended. The average research grant awarded over the last 3 years has been about $130,000. 

Oklahoma Center for Adult Stem Cell Research (OCASCR) Grants Program

In 2010, the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) established OCASCR to promote research in the emerging field of adult stem cell biology in Oklahoma. Since then, adult stem cell research has flourished in our state, and Oklahoma universities, research foundations, and biotechnology companies are now fortunate to employee many world-recognized investigators who conduct research in this area. In 2019, OCASCR expanded its focus to include research in regenerative medicine—a field that is closely related to adult stem cell biology and that strives to restore the normal functions of cells, tissues, and organs that have been damaged by disease. OCASCR joins TSET in acknowledging that smoking- and obesity-related diseases are particularly deadly in Oklahoma and is therefore keen on promoting regenerative medicine research that is relevant to these diseases. The overall goal of OCASCR is to help adult stem cell and regenerative medicine research thrive in Oklahoma and to serve as a trusted resource for public information on these topics.

Shared Equipment Grant

Requests for shared equipment should include a manufacturer’s quote and information about users. The instrumentation should be part of a core facility and available to investigators in other institutions. The budget should only include the cost of the equipment. It is assumed that personnel or supply costs will be absorbed by the institution or charged to users.

Funding

The average equipment grant awarded over the last 3 years has been about $150,000. The smallest equipment grant awarded was $27,000, and the largest was $450,000.

Requests for small equipment (<$10,000) can be included in a Research Grant budget, provided the equipment is critical for the proposed research. OCASCR also awards Shared Equipment Grants, which facilitate purchase of equipment that becomes available to all Oklahoma scientists via the virtual OCASCR Core Facility—regardless of whether the equipment is housed in an individual lab or in an institutional core facility. A list of such equipment is maintained on our website. Large equipment purchased through this Shared Equipment Grant mechanism (>$50,000) is often complemented with matching funds. 

NOTE: Pre proposal deadline above is the deadline for publishing your GiveSmartOKC profile and the LOI deadline is for email requests to apply.

Opportunities for Children

Grants are awarded to charitable organizations that provide direct services for children from birth to age 14 and offer access to opportunities.

Funding Areas

Eligible programs include:

Preschool children: Programming/services that are focused on building school readiness.

• Examples: early education programs, early literacy programs, and/or family engagement programming.

Foster children: Programming/services that support foster children.

• Examples: housing, mental health, mentoring, basic needs, resource centers, education, therapy, life/job skills, recreational/social/cultural opportunities, and re-unification programs.

Underserved children: Programming/services that provide recreational, social, and cultural activities for children who would otherwise not have the opportunity to participate due to socioeconomic or geographic barriers, developmental disabilities (physical and/or intellectual), or chronic health conditions. 

Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation Grant

The Foundation will consider requests to support museums, cultural and performing arts programs; schools and hospitals; educational, skills-training and other programs for youth, seniors, and persons with disabilities; environmental and wildlife protection activities; and other community-based organizations and programs.