Category Archives: Democracy

John Templeton Foundation

The John Templeton Foundation supports projects from around the world in 6 funding areas:

  1. Individual Freedom & Free Markets
  2. Character Virtue Development
  3. Life Sciences
  4. Mathematical and Physical Sciences
  5. Public Engagement
  6. Religion, Science, and Society

Online Funding Inquiries are due by August 16, 2024. If invited to submit, full proposals will be due January 17, 2025. Selected proposals may be due earlier. Grants are often for up to three years, but never more than five.

Eligibility

This grant is open to charitable entities from anywhere in the world. Individuals and for-profit businesses doing charitable work in line with the Foundation’s goals may qualify, but this is rare.

Funding Limitations

Grant funds may not be used for:

  • General operating support
  • Construction, renovations, or capital campaigns
  • Direct service
  • Scholarships
  • Disaster relief

Funding Areas

Individual Freedom & Free Markets

This funding area supports education, research, and outreach projects focused on individual freedom, free markets, and entrepreneurship.

Character Virtue Development

This funding area focuses on moral virtues such as humility, gratitude, curiosity, diligence, and honesty.

Life Sciences

This funding area supports research projects that seek to answer questions such as, What is life? How did it originate? What are its limits? to help us better understand our place in nature.

Mathematical and Physical Sciences

This funding area supports research on the fundamental concepts of physical reality. Projects that ask, What is the nature of the universe? How are physical systems more than the sum of their parts? and How do these various ideas come together?

Public Engagement

This funding area supports projects that spark conversations about how people can live lives of meaning and purpose. This may include content creation and campus programming.

Religion, Science, and Society

This funding area supports projects that engage with the interplay of spiritual and scientific questions.

Encouraging Citizen Involvement

The Herb Block Foundation defends basic freedoms, combats, discrimination, and improves the lives of underprivileged Americans. The Encouraging Citizen Involvement grant supports projects that promote democratic governance through citizen involvement.

Letters of Inquiry are due by June 4, 2024. If invited to apply, full proposals will be due August 6, 2024. Awards are $5,000 – $25,000. Submissions may focus on citizen education and increasing voter participation.

Eligibility

This grant is open to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations.

Funding Limitations

Grant funds may not be used for:

  • Capital campaigns
  • Endowments
  • Lobbying
  • Campaigns for specific candidates or legislation
  • Religious purposes

No more than 10% of grant funds may be spent on indirect costs, excluding general operating support.