Booth Ferris Foundation: Higher Education Grant Program

The Booth Ferris Foundation's Higher Education Grant Program offers crucial capacity-building support to eligible higher education institutions in New York State, requiring an annual budget exceeding $1 million. Established in 1957, the Foundation has contributed over $425 million to various charitable causes. This program focuses on enhancing institutional effectiveness and sustainability, ensuring that organizations can thrive and serve their communities effectively. Note that the Foundation does not fund requests from individual schools or certain types of support.

NOTE: Requests for conversations prior to proposal submission will be considered on a case-by-case basis between October 15 and November 15. Staff will follow-up for additional interviews, as needed, during the proposal review period.
The Booth Ferris Foundation was established in 1957 under the wills of Willis H. Booth and his wife, Chancie Ferris Booth. Since that time, over $425 million has been contributed from the Foundation to worthy organizations for a variety of charitable purposes.
Funding Interest: Higher Education
The Higher Education Program of the Booth Ferris Foundation provides capacity building support for institutions of higher education in the State of New York. Organizations must maintain an annual budget over $1 million.

Eligibility

Grants are made to charitable organizations that are exempt from federal taxes under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and that are not classified as private foundations.Restrictions:Maintain an annual budget over $1 million.A minimum of three years must elapse between grant awards.Type of Support:capacity building.

Ineligibility

The following requests will not be considered:Requests from or on behalf of individual schools or private and/or independent schools, Endowment funds, or Requests for general support.No grants are made to individuals, private foundations or for loans.The Foundation generally will not fund:Ongoing general operating support or program costs; projects restricted to an organization’s membership; benefit events, galas or similar fundraising activities; scholarships, fellowships, unrestricted endowments, individual research efforts; grant requests exceeding the organization’s total budget. Organizations whose primary work is conducted outside of the U.S., to individuals, to federated campaigns, or to work with specific diseases.