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LANNAN FOUNDATION

Lannan Foundation

Contact information:

13 Read Street 

Santa Fe, NM 87501-2628
Phone: 505-986-8160
Fax: 505-986-8195

Website: http://www.lannan.org/

Type of foundation: Independent

Types of grants: Project, operating, awards, fellowships.

Description: The Foundation funds projects that support exceptional contemporary artists and writers, as well as inspired Native activists in rural indigenous communities. The Foundation sees globalization as a threat to "all cultures and ecosystems" and seeks out projects that encourage freedom of inquiry, imagination and expression. The Foundation makes grants in New Mexico and nationally. Giving priorities are:

  • Art, especially support for contemporary artists, fostering serious discussion of contemporary art and bringing new and sometimes experimental works of art to a wide audience. Within this area, the Foundation supports exhibitions, scholarly publications, residency programs and special projects.
  • Literature, focusing on growing public appreciation, understanding and support for contemporary literature and supporting the publication and dissemination of works translated into English. Grants mainly support nonprofit publishers, literary centers and organizations that bring innovative writers, poets and thinkers to a wider audience.
  • Indigenous Communities, focusing on projects that support Native Americans' efforts to renew their communities through their own institutions and traditions. Grants go to rural indigenous projects that are consistent with traditional values in the areas of education, Native cultures, the revival and preservation of languages, legal rights and environmental protection.
  • Cultural Freedom, focusing on special cultural projects and ideas that promote and protect cultural freedom, diversity and creativity.

The Foundation's website includes an Audio Archive, containing audio files from its popular Readings & Conversations series of public events. All of the Readings & Conversations programs are rebroadcast on public radio station KSFR. The Archives also include selections from the award-winning literary radio program Bookworm with Michael Silverblatt, which has received support from the Foundation for several years.

Sample grants:

  • $375,000 to Democracy Now Productions in general support, technical assistance and support for internships (2008).
  • $300,000 to The Nation Institute for investigative reporting (2008).
  • $200,000 to KCRW Foundation in general support for Bookworm (2007).
  • $200,000 to Nizi Puh Wah Sin (Montana) for a language immersion school (2007).
  • $160,000 to The Nation Institute for fellowships (2008).
  • $55,000 to Northern New Mexico Radio Foundation for KSFR programs (2008).
  • $30,000 to the Institute for Social and Cultural Change (Massachusetts) to digitize its radio archives (2007).
  • $500 to From the Top (2008). 

Fit for public broadcasting: The Foundation supports public media that advance Foundation goals related to literature/art and cultural freedom. This Foundation may also possibly be a prospect for Native American stations and producers.

Eligibility: Grants are awarded to nonprofit organizations only. Awards and fellowships are given to individuals only. Candidates for awards and fellowships are selected by an anonymous nomination process and approved by the Board of Directors.  

Deadline: None

How to apply: After reviewing the guidelines, applicants should contact the relevant Foundation Program Officer (see staff directory). They should then contact the Foundation to discuss their proposed project with the Program Officer. If the project is of interest, the Foundation will invite a letter of inquiry (which cannot be submitted via fax or email).

Giving range: $500 – 1,500,000 

Assets: $185,274,738 (2008)

Total giving: $10,999,081 (2008)