Moody's Foundation
/OVERVIEW: The Moody’s Foundation supports organizations and programs that focus on economic opportunity and global development, environment and sustainability, and youth development and education.
IP TAKE: This is an approachable funder with very narrow focus areas. Grantseekers will need to look over Moody’s website carefully to make sure their issue aligns with the foundation’s funding priorities and eligibility requirements before contacting them with general questions, since this is not an accessible foundation. It researches what to fund rather than accept unsolicited proposals.
PROFILE: The Moody’s Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the credit ratings and financial and economic research company, Moody’s. Established in 2002, the foundation seeks to support programs “that contribute to stronger communities — and a brighter future — for people around the world.” Moody’s makes grants to organizations whose work falls within one of two focus areas: Supporting Ecosystem Restoration and Empowering Small Businesses.
Grants for Global Development, Work and Economic Opportunity
Moody’s Empowering Small Businesses program works to “empower underestimated entrepreneurs to grow their small businesses and uplift their local communities.” It operates according to the principle that supporting underserved communities helps “fuel economic inclusion and job growth and help[s] markets work better for more people.” Past initiatives funded through this program have had a global reach. Its Reshape Tomorrow financial inclusion initiative helped people in 35 countries develop “the tools, skills and knowledge they need to make better decisions and grow their small businesses.” The Smart Duka initiative supports small businesses in Kenya, and “has helped 1,025 Nairobi shop owners, more than half of whom are women, get the support and training they need to start and maintain sustainable business models and generate profit to support their families.” The Pathways to Prosperity initiative “was created in partnership with the Foundation for Small Business Development (FFSBD), the philanthropic arm of America’s Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs),” and works to “deliver the resources and training that entrepreneurs need to overcome the challenges of growing a small business.” Past grantees include CareerTrackers Indigenous Interns Program, ISM University of Management and Economics, and Friends of Women’s World Banking — India.
Grants for Environment
The foundation’s Supporting Ecosystem Restoration focus area works to advance “sustainability in [its] operations, global value chain, business offerings and communities.” Moody’s reports according to the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures’ recommendations, and is a partner in the Say on Climate campaign, “which seeks to implement sustainable business practices around the globe by advocating for corporate climate action plans.” Past grantees include World Wide Fund for Nature Australia, Habitat for Humanity — Hong Kong, Trees for Life, and Echoing Green.
Grants for Arts and Culture
While arts and culture is not a stated funding priority for the foundation, Moody’s does have a history of supporting arts organizations, particularly museums. Examples of past grantees include the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Whitney Museum of American Art.
Important Grant Details:
Awards typically range from $25,000 to $100,000. Moody’s invites grantseekers to take its Eligibility Quiz to determine funding eligibility. Organizations whose mission aligns with Moody’s focus areas and business priorities will be sent an invitation code to submit a letter of interest. It can take the foundation up to four weeks to review LOIs.
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funding. Additionally, Moody’s does not fund organizations which do not have US IRS 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status or local country equivalent; individuals; religious organizations; political candidates or lobbying organizations; private foundations; or o organizations whose sole purpose is advocacy. Look over the foundation’s website for further restrictions on grantmaking.
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