In keeping with the broad purpose in their charter documents, the Foundations have chosen to spread their grant program widely. Most grants are made in New York City, reflecting its vibrant not-for-profit sector, continuing needs, and the staff ’s and trustees’ “local knowledge.” In addition, The Bodman Foundation makes some grants in northern New Jersey in recognition of its donors’ ties to that state. Over 90% of grants fall into six program categories:

• Arts and Culture: Cultural institutions are one of New York City’s critical resources. They attract visitors from around the world, fueling much of its tourism. They are also major employers and are a reason so many talented people choose to live here. The arts were important to both Miss Achelis and the Bodmans, and the Foundations have continued to fund in this area, generally by supporting the City’s “cultural gems.”
• Education: The failure of inner-city public education is a national tragedy with consequences, not only for the children left behind, but also for the rest of society. The Foundations have long believed that two strategies for improvement are accountability and competition. Therefore, we have funded charter schools, school-choice voucher programs, scholarships to parochial schools, and studies and books which examine the role of competition in K-12 educational reform.
• Employment: Chronic unemployment is a harsh, demoralizing burden. The welfare reforms of the mid-1990s increased the need for effective job training and placement programs. Such programs are also crucial for those recently released from prison. The Foundations are particularly interested in supporting programs aimed at placement in private sector rather than public sector jobs, and those which foster entrepreneurship. Innovative vocational and trade-skill proposals for ex-offenders, disconnected youth, and high school drop-outs with an emphasis on job placement are welcomed.
• Health: It is difficult for grantmakers, as small as our Foundations, to make a significant impact in a field as large as healthcare. Hence, the focus of our grants has been on the health needs of children and on basic biomedical research, where we believe that a small grant at a pivotal time in a researcher’s career can make a disproportionate impact. In recent years, the Foundations have also supported the work of experts on healthcare reform at universities and public policy institutes, as this is a field in need of fresh ideas. These include tax credits, innovations in insurance, and health savings accounts.
• Public Policy: Our funding in this category covers a broad range of issues including: health, marriage, race, philanthropy, environment, welfare reform, faith-based programs, and vouchers and charter schools (listed under Education)
• Youth and Families: The disparate needs of New York City’s disadvantaged youth and families are served by hundreds, if not thousands, of charitable institutions, ranging from established settlement houses to small neighborhood organizations. In addition to education, recreation, and traditional mentoring, the Foundations have a special interest in programs that prevent criminality, father absence, family disintegration, and pre-marital sexual activity among teenagers. We are particularly interested in funding smaller, neighborhood-based organizations that have not yet attracted broad philanthropic funding and choose to rely on private rather than governmental support.