Branscomb Family Foundation
/OVERVIEW: The Branscomb Family Foundation supports education, health, science research, civic participation, and community development.
IP TAKE: This is not a transparent or approachable funder. Its website is a single minimalist page without detailed information about its grantmaking, which both limits information and also suggests the foundation prefers a proactive approach.
It also gives the priority to organizations, places, and causes that have a personal connection to the family. Grants are small, but the foundation does review unsolicited requests for funding, so it is somewhat accessible, but you’re going to have to network deeply with family members in order to stand out here as giving tends to follow individual interests rather than a measured approach to philanthropy.
PROFILE: Established in 1986, the Branscomb Family Foundation (BFF) is a private family foundation based in La Jolla, California. The founders are the late Anne Wells Branscomb and Lewis M. Branscomb. Ann Wells Branscomb specialized in the law of cyberspace, while Lewis Branscomb is a physicist who has worked in the field of science and innovation policy. Connie Mullin Branscomb, Lewis Branscomb’s current wife, is also involved with the foundation and active with music, political and civic affairs. The foundation works "to promote and fund charitable, religious, scientific, literary and educational endeavors within the United States of America." BFF projects include scholarships at Harvard University, a garden terrace at a Colorado library, a mansion with gardens in Georgia and a staff lounge in the Concord Free Library. BFF awards grants to other educational and charitable organizations on a selective basis. Foundation interests are education, health, science research, civic participation, and community development.
Grants for Education
The Branscomb Foundation does not have clearly defined funding areas, but both the foundation’s website and tax records indicate that education is the primary concern for grantmaking. Giving here follows the family’s personal affiliations rather than a built out theory on education giving. Past grantees in this space include the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University, A E T Library Endowment, Duke University, and Inward Bound Mindfulness Education. The foundation also supported the renovation of the 1835 Governor’s Mansion in Milledgeville, GA, where Anne Wells Branscomb grew up.
Grants for Community Development, Democracy and Civic Engagement
The foundation’s giving for community development appears to prioritize funding for job training and libraries. In the past, it has supported economic development and job training groups, including Compassion Institute and Community Initiatives. Branscomb also donated to the Wilkenson Public Library in Telluride, Colorado to establish the Anne Wells Branscomb Garden Terrace, and to the Concord Free Library, where the staff lounge has been named after Anne.
The foundation also supports local civic engagement organizations and has given to the Verified Voting Foundation, Coalition for Good Governance, and Backbone Campaign in the past.
Grants for Public Health, Mental Health, and Science Research
As with its other areas of grantmaking, the foundation does not have a formal program; however, tax records indicate that it has a history of supporting health organizations, specifically mental health groups, and science research into healthcare. Its health and healthcare grantees include National Academy of Sciences and Union of Concerned Scientists, and its mental health grantees includes Compassion Institute.
Important Grant Details:
Branscomb Family Foundation grants generally range from $500 to $10,000. The most common amount is $1,000. The foundation reviews unsolicited requests for funding, but it is unlikely that these projects will be funded.
For more information about the Branscomb Foundation and the types of groups and projects it supports, contact one of the staff members at one of the email addresses listed on the webpage.
PEOPLE:
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