We are accepting applications from new applicants as well as present partners at this time

Our Pillars

J. Walton Bissell is the author of the three pillars of our work.  Our giving is focused on:

1. Supporting communities under threat
2. Elevating the arts
3. Investing in people with disabilities

Our Attention & Contributions - August 2026 Update

Following a period of considerable reflection, we have chosen to refine how we make funding decisions. Our approach now takes deeper consideration of our partners' orientation within the communities they reach. We arrived here by studying our shared history. 

Our study surfaced 5 markers that have characterized our partners' stories and informed our decisions.  We have adopted them as our guideposts.

Successful applicants will manifest at least 4 of these 5 key markers:

1. Core work that confronts the root causes of systemic inequities and effects change
2. Leaders who are uniquely close to the issues the organization's work centers
3. Organizations that have designed access and spaces that communicate belonging to all members of the community
4. Staff and volunteers who bear the consequences of their organization's stand
5. Budgets that depict small and community-based size

The application form will ask you to speak directly to these markers.

See the .pdf below for more details.

Upcoming Application Deadline

August 31,  with a grace period through Friday, September 4

                    Decision-making about applications will occur by December 10

TO APPLY, CLICK HERE