Henry E. Niles Foundation
/OVERVIEW: Henry E. Niles Foundation primarily supports projects that address education, economic self-sufficiency, access to healthcare, public health and sanitation.
IP TAKE: This foundation funds organizations with pilot projects or those that test innovative program approaches to domestic global development challenges. While its grantmaking reflects some measured risk, it does not necessarily want to be an organization’s sole financial supporter. This funder tends to favor a politically conservative philosophy to philanthropy, and faith-based organizations may have an advantage in seeking funding. This is an accessible funder for conservative outfits only.
PROFILE: In 1952, Henry E. Niles took a leave of absence from his post at the Baltimore Life Insurance Company to serve as the deputy director of the United States Technical Cooperation Mission to India. While abroad, he advanced the mission’s efforts to provide economic and technical assistance around the country. The Henry E. Niles Foundation mission is to “help in the nurturing and uplifting of people in need.” Its main priorities are education, economic self-sufficiency, access to healthcare, public health and sanitation.
Grants for Education
The Henry E. Niles Foundation’s Education grantmaking broadly supports primary, secondary, and higher education opportunities for “motivated individuals who are unable to obtain the benefits of quality education without assistance.” It funds educational organizations that aid physically disadvantaged students, as well as groups that aim to advance literacy and access to quality education for underserved communities. Past grantees include Helen Keller International, Big Picture Philadelphia, Teaching Matters, Teach for America, and the University of Pennsylvania.
Grants for Work and Opportunity
The Henry E. Niles Foundation’s grantmaking for Economic Self-Sufficiency broadly supports efforts to promote economic opportunity through programs like mentoring, entrepreneurship, job training, and micro-credit initiatives. Past grantees include Innovations for Poverty Action, Family Centers, Cathedral Soup Kitchen, Forge City Works, and Junior Achievement.
Grants for Public Health
The Henry E. Niles Foundation’s grants for Health & Independence broadly support access to quality healthcare for vulnerable populations such as the elderly, disabled, or economically disadvantaged. It also funds public health initiatives centering around hunger, hygiene, and sanitation. Grantees include The Bowery Mission, Episcopal Relief and Development Fund, AmeriCares, WaterAid America, Greenwich Emergency Services, and the Salvation Army.
Grants for Global Development
While the majority of the foundation’s grantmaking is focused on the northeastern United States, it makes occasional grants to support international efforts in its areas of interest. In the past, the foundation has supported early childhood development and education programs in developing countries, as well as hygiene, sanitation, and health initiatives. Past grantees include Water for People, Concern Worldwide, Church World Service, and Surgical Eye Expeditions International.
Important Grant Details:
The foundation supports small and large organizations alike; however, larger organizations enjoy the wealth of larger grants. Most grants range from about $5,000 to $50,000, but on occasion, Niles awards grants of up to $100,000 in “unique situations” or for programs capable of significant impact in one or more of the foundation’s areas of grantmaking interest.
Applications are accepted throughout the year and are reviewed by the board in the order in which they are received. The board meets 10 times a year to review grant applications and make funding decisions.
PEOPLE:
Search for staff contact info and bios in PeopleFinder (paid subscribers only.)
LINKS:
