Governance & Democracy Initiative

The John Randolph Haynes and Dora Haynes Foundation, established in 1926, is Los Angeles’ oldest private foundation and a leading supporter of university-based research for regional policy and governance improvement. Rooted in a mission to promote public welfare, the Foundation funds projects that provide data-driven insights and foster collaboration between researchers, policymakers, and affected communities. In 2023, the Foundation launched its Governance & Democracy Grantmaking Initiative, a program designed to support research that enhances political participation and strengthens the performance of government institutions in the Los Angeles region. The Governance & Democracy Initiative aims to identify and address persistent structural challenges in the public sector through rigorous research and implementation. This initiative funds two types of grants: Planning Grants and Research-to-Action Grants. Planning Grants are awarded for up to one year with a maximum funding of $100,000, intended for project development, team formation, community outreach, and research design refinement. Research-to-Action Grants can be up to $250,000 per year for one to two years, with potential renewal for a third year. These grants target projects that are implementation-ready and focused on actionable solutions to regional governance or democratic deficits. To apply, applicants must first submit a Letter of Interest (LOI) through the Foundation's online portal using the access code “democracy.” LOIs are accepted on a quarterly basis, with the remaining deadlines for 2025 being July 15 and October 13. All LOIs must indicate the grant type being sought—either Planning or Research-to-Action—and be no more than two pages in 12-point font on organizational letterhead. Selected LOIs will receive an invitation to submit a full proposal through the Foundation’s portal. Full proposals are accepted and reviewed on a rolling quarterly basis. Reporting requirements include an annual progress report for multi-year grants and a final report due within 60 days of project completion. Proposals must focus on the five-county Los Angeles region, which includes Los Angeles, Ventura, San Bernardino, Riverside, and Orange counties. Eligible projects should engage community stakeholders, policymakers, and researchers in identifying a specific governance or democracy-related challenge. They must outline a feasible research methodology, demonstrate collaborative partnerships, define success metrics, and provide a plan for leveraging Foundation funds with other resources. Applicants are expected to write in clear and accessible language and propose projects with measurable public impact. Eligibility is generally limited to public and private universities or university-affiliated centers conducting research aligned with the Foundation’s mission. The Foundation emphasizes projects that are inclusive, equity-centered, and designed with input from those most affected by the issue at hand. Projects should emphasize collaborative and actionable research, uphold standards of transparency, and offer the potential to influence policy or practice. While the Foundation’s funding is limited, its support is intended to catalyze larger impact through broader partnerships and policy change. For inquiries, applicants are encouraged to contact Raphael J. Sonenshein, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Haynes Foundation. The Foundation’s office is located at 888 West Sixth Street, Suite 1150, Los Angeles, CA 90017-2737. The primary email for communication is info@haynesfoundation.org. Application forms and submission details are available at www.haynesfoundation.org. All reporting, submissions, and grant management are handled through the Foundation's online portal.

Write in accessible language; engage stakeholders; define success metrics.