Dropbox Foundation
/OVERVIEW: The Dropbox Foundation broadly supports human rights in all of its philanthropic efforts. Funded fields include LGBTQ+ initiatives, global and community development, environmental causes, climate change, homelessness and basic services.
IP TAKE: Still in its infancy, this funder is still working to find its legs, especially since the coronavirus pandemic put the brakes on its momentum. Nevertheless, this is a foundation for grantseekers to keep an eye on as it fine-tunes its giving strategy in the coming years.
It is not currently accessible and does not accept unsolicited proposals, so interested groups will need to find some other way to get on the foundation’s radar. Network with previous grantees.
PROFILE: Established in 2018, the Dropbox Foundation is a separate legal entity from the file hosting company, Dropbox, Inc. It was created by Dropbox co-founders Drew Houston and Arash Ferdowsi and seeks to “support organizations fighting for equality opportunity, basic freedoms, and fundamental necessities for people around the world.” The foundation works to achieve its mission in two ways: skills-based volunteering and flexible, unrestricted grants for up to three years. It does not appear to have delineated grantmaking programs so much as broad funding interests that further its mission.
Grants for Security and Human Rights
While the Dropbox Foundation does not have a grantmaking program dedicated to human rights, the issue is at the heart of all the foundation does and each of its grants touches on this issue in some way. Some of the organizations the foundation has partnered with include Allies Against Slavery, which uses “the power of technology, data, and partnerships to combat human trafficking and protect freedom and dignity,” and the Human Rights Law Centre, an Australia-based organization that works to hold the Australian government accountable and advocates for legal action and policy solutions to combat inequality and injustice. The foundation has also supported Physicians for Human Rights, a group that uses science, law, and “the uniquely credible voices of medical professionals” to document and shed light on violations of human rights across the globe; Raheem, which works for accountability and reform in law enforcement in the United States; WITNESS, which uses video and other technology to protect human rights and document violations; and War Child UK, which seeks to protect children living in conflict zones.
Grants for Global Development
In the global development space, the Dropbox Foundation has supported organizations like GOAL, which “delivers a wide range of humanitarian and development programs, with a focus on systems, partnerships, and building resilience for the world’s poorest and most vulnerable communities.”
Grants for Environment, Climate Change and Clean Energy
Climate change and environmental justice are not stated focus areas of the foundation, but it has made broad grants in this space. Previous grantees include Environmental Justice Foundation, which partners with grassroots organizations to protect and preserve aquatic and land-based ecosystems and to document environmental injustice across the globe.
Grants for LGBTQ+
The foundation does not have a specific program focused on LGBTQ+ issues; however, it does broadly make grants in this area. The most prominent organization to receive this support is BeLonG To Youth Services, which focuses on promoting diversity and equality for LGBTQIA youth in Ireland.
Grants for Housing and Homelessness, Community Development
In the homelessness and community development space, the Dropbox Foundation has supported Larkin Street Youth Services, an organization that seeks to provide young people (from 12 to 24) with housing, education and job training to help them get off the street and find stable housing. Previous grantees also include The Mockingbird Society, which “creates, supports, and advocates for racially equitable, healthy environments that develop young people at risk of or experiencing foster care or homelessness.”
Important Grant Details:
According to its website, the Dropbox Foundation does not currently accept unsolicited proposals or requests for funding. It selects partner organizations based on the grantee’s “commitment to human rights, potential for long-term impact, and opportunities for deep partnership.” Interested grantseekers can sign up for email updates using the online form.
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