Foundations are active in nearly all fields and disciplines; however, a few areas have consistently received greater support than others. The Foundation Center documents funding trends by analyzing fields of interest-as well as types of recipient organizations-based on breakdowns that closely follow the National Taxonomy of Exempt Entities (NTEE).
- In 2006 health surpassed education by share of grant dollars received for the first time on record.
- Health received 23 percent of grant dollars followed by education (22.5 percent) and human services (13.8 percent).
- Human services received the largest share of number of grants, followed by education and arts and culture.
- Between 2005 and 2006, international affairs, development, peace, the social sciences, and helath showed largest percentage gains in grant dollars.
View chart on Grants by Major Subject Categories, 2006 (PDF)
- Based on type of recipient organization, educational institutions accounted for over one-third of grant dollars in 2006; these grants spanned a wide range of disciplines and subjects (e.g., health and international affairs).
View chart on Major Field-Specific Recipient Types, 2006 (PDF)
Foundation giving priorities differ substantially from those of individuals. Foundations favor educational institutions and human service agencies, while individuals provide the majority of their funding to religious congregations.
