ECMC Foundation Grants & Investments

The ECMC Foundation is a national, private foundation committed to closing gaps in postsecondary education completion by 2040. Their mission is to increase social and economic mobility for underserved students through systemic reforms in higher education. The Foundation supports projects that aim to significantly improve persistence and completion rates among students from historically underserved backgrounds, especially in undergraduate postsecondary programs. Funding is available for nonprofit organizations registered as 501(c)(3) or 509(a)(1, 2, or 3), government entities, and postsecondary institutions or their affiliated foundations. ECMC Foundation prioritizes reform-oriented, evidence-based initiatives that align with one or more of its three strategic priorities and contribute to its North Star goal. While funding is open to all U.S. states, including Puerto Rico and sovereign tribes, proposals must be based within the U.S. and serve domestic students. The grant application process begins with the submission of a Letter of Inquiry (LOI), which is accepted year-round on a rolling basis through the ECMC Foundation’s online portal. Applicants must provide detailed information including organization and project specifics, budget, timeline, intended outcomes, and how the project advances systemic change. Projects must be time-bound and outcome-focused; general operating support and capital campaigns are not funded. Indirect costs may not exceed 10% of direct costs. Projects that primarily serve K-12 or graduate students, involve scholarships, or lack scale and systemic impact are generally not eligible. Successful applications clearly describe how they will affect policies, practices, or systems and result in measurable improvements for underserved learners. ECMC Foundation also requires all funded research to be open access, ensuring that findings are freely available to educators, policymakers, and other stakeholders. This policy aims to foster transparency and facilitate the broader adoption of effective practices. Applicants may contact Bryan Fahrbach, Associate Program Officer, at bfahrbach@ecmc.org with any questions. The application does not have a set open or close date and remains available throughout the year. Formal proposals are by invitation only, following review of submitted LOIs, and the overall process from initial inquiry to final approval may span several months.

Align with North Star goal, specify systemic impact and outcomes, provide clear budget, avoid general operations or K-12, demonstrate collaboration and dissemination