Funding Guidelines

In 1982, Michael and Lowell Milken established the Milken Family Foundation (MFF). Its purpose is to discover inventive ways of helping people help themselves and those around them to lead productive and satisfying lives. Developing human potential through education and protecting human well-being through the channels of medicine are the chief means by which the Foundation pursues this aim.

A generation of experience confirms the Foundation's belief that its resources of ideas and funding have their greatest impact through programs that it initiates and carries out and in which the founders and board members are actively involved; also, by working with other foundations and associations of the Milken families, including the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching, the Milken Institute, the Lowell Milken Family Foundation, and the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

Chief among the many ways these initiatives advance the Foundation's goals are:

• By recognizing and stimulating outstanding achievement in education and medicine by means of major financial awards and professional development opportunities; and
• By researching and implementing programs to improve the quality of teaching and education available to students; and
• By supporting the research that is essential to solving many of society's worst problems.

At present, most of the funding by the Milken Family Foundation is directed toward Foundation initiatives. Because of the impact and growth of these programs, the Foundation anticipates that this percentage will continue to grow. Applicants are therefore asked to bear in mind that available Foundation funding can accommodate only a small fraction of the many worthwhile proposals received.

• The following funding guidelines are provided to assist grant applicants:
• Grants are made to publicly supported organizations that are exempt from federal income tax under section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue code. The Foundation does not provide grants to individuals;
• Grant recipients must have the financial potential to sustain the program for which funding is sought following the period of Foundation support;
Preventive programs with long-range goals receive the closest consideration.

Applicants should submit a brief written statement that includes:

• Description of project, goals, procedure and personnel;
• Brief background of organization, including number of years in operation, other areas of activity, applicant's qualifications for support, annual operating budget, and previous and current sources of funding.
• A letter of exemption from the Internal Revenue Service.

The written statement should not exceed three pages, however applicants may include supporting printed material. Requests are considered throughout the year. If your grant is approved you will be notified. Applicants whose grants have not been approved by December 31 may wish to submit a proposal for consideration in the following year. There is no need to contact the Foundation since you will be notified if any further information is required.

Applications should be directed to:

Richard Sandler, Executive Vice President
Milken Family Foundation
1250 Fourth Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401-1353
E-mail: admin@mff.org