Overview & History
Across the arts, climate, and justice system transformation ecosystems – and the civic engagement needed to advance social change therein – we invest in bold ideas and novel approaches to drive progress.
Photo credit: Ayana Ayo
We meet our grantee partners where they are, with open minds and a collaborative spirit.
Our efforts are guided by the following principles:
Grantmaking in Context
Grantmaking isn’t about picking winners–it’s about seeing the big picture. To maximize impact and sustainability, we identify gaps in the philanthropy and social sector ecosystem and deploy our resources accordingly across the program areas
Setting the Vibe
We aim to engage in a collaborative rhythm when we work in concert with grantee partners and our peers in philanthropy. We listen first, keep an open mind, and share our learning and experiences freely so we can collectively reimagine process and possibilities.
Caring for People
We care for the people who do the work – not just the work they do. We must invest in those who choose a life of service, ensuring they have the skills, support, and opportunity for rest necessary to advance our shared goals for good.
Across these reference points and beyond, we seek to use all the resources at our disposal towards advancing the Fund’s mission.
This includes prioritizing mission-aligned investments. Our investment portfolio is driven by science-backed targets for climate change mitigation, and we are taking meaningful steps to move the portfolio toward net zero to maximize our contribution to the decarbonization of the real economy. We are also members of the Net Zero Asset Owners Alliance. Learn more about the Fund’s climate-related investment targets to be achieved by 2030.
Our History
The David Rockefeller Fund was established in 1989 by David Rockefeller and his wife Peggy to carry out their annual charitable giving, originally focused in communities where they lived and spent considerable time.
In 2001, David and Peggy expanded the Fund and invited their children and grandchildren and their spouses to take a more active role in the Fund with the goal of continuing and expanding the family’s philanthropic tradition. The Fund’s work provides a learning environment where family members can engage in meaningful dialogue and grantmaking around shared topics of interest and how to live a life of service.
Photo credit: Chase Manhattan Bank Photo Studio (provided by Rockefeller Archive Center)