The Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation (MRBF) is a non-profit organization helping people and places move out of poverty and achieve greater social and economic justice. Based out of Winston-Salem, MRBF works across the state of North Carolina and the Southeast.

General About the Organization/Mission

MRBF works with and supports organizations and people that strive to work across racial, ethnic, economic, and political differences to create nurturing communities, create innovation, and encourage respect and fairness. MRBF believes in transforming low-wealth communities by assisting individuals in social and economic growth that can be sustained independently. However, there are barriers to this type of growth and change that require altering historic patterns and structural obstacles. By valuing and supporting the power of individuals, especially youth and young adults, MRBF believes people can overcome social barriers that prevent opportunity. Acknowledging and working across differences is necessary to strengthen democracy in these communities and expand economic opportunity.

 MRBF believes that people and places can be moved out of poverty with the right combination of mental and emotional support and resources. Ownership of assets and a well-connected network are linked to opportunity. Providing mental and emotional support, people are more equipped to believe in themselves and make good choices. The organizations MRBF works with help provide support, grow connections, and offer leadership skills and trainings. MRBF is always looking for new partners, who share their beliefs and values, in addition to respecting the pre-existing relationships, impacts, and originality of people and organizations already working toward a shared goal.

 In addition to supporting organizations through grant making, MRBF has dedicated their financial investments to mirror their organization’s values and mission. Their investment policy ensures that all financial investments will be directed toward environmental, social, and governance factors, such as labor rights, climate impact, natural resource use, supply chain management, corporate governance, and community impact. 

Basic Info

Issues of Focus

• Support and build partnerships between low-wealth communities and individuals from the public, private, and non-profit sector to increase economic and social justice. The grantmaking process allows organizations with a history of assisting low-income people and communities increase their assets and transform economic conditions.
• Small scale, grassroots efforts and organizations and large-scale, statewide and regional organizations can create a difference and expand the networks of low-wealth communities.
• Supporting young people – youth and young adults – to gain leadership skills and take on leadership roles.

History of Organization

Programs and Projects 

Beyond sharing the success stories of organizations and people working to help move people and places out of poverty and providing an online video archive, MRBF's biggest project is their grant program.

 A non-profit organization can qualify for a MRBF grant as long as they are located in the Southeast and do not plan on using the grant money for direct services, capital improvements, satellite operations outside of the Southeast, or to individuals. Applicants that are based out of Central Appalachia, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and the Gulf Coast are given priority. Organizations with a history of working in low-income communities and individuals, to build up assets and transform the economy are targeted candidates.  Strong candidates demonstrate a shared belief in the power individuals have to improve their own lives and their communities as well as the ability to work through differences to establish long-lasting partnerships and collaborations to achieve greater economic and social justice. Organizations of all sizes and capacity are encouraged to apply.

 MRBF looks for seven key characteristics in grant proposals:

• Does the applicant have a clear and promising strategy?
• Does the proposal have the potential to grow or expand; what is the scale of the proposal?
• Does the applicant display the capacity to build on new relationships with non-profit, public, and private sector partners to create long-lasting impact? What networks, alliances, and resources are already involved?
• Does the applicant have a trustworthy and pre-existing relationship with low-wealth people and their communities? What sorts of connections to low-wealth people exist?
• Is the applicant willing and able to bridge differences and work across racial, ethnic, economic, and/or political lines?
• Does the proposal include a long-term view or goal?
• Does the proposal demonstrate a need for urgency and a call to action? Does the applicant believe in slowly but surely knocking down barriers? Can the applicant provide a strategic and opportunistic proposal?

 MRBF offers four types of grants: general operating support, project support, “glue” support for networks of grassroots and partner organizations, and organizational development support, including efforts to bring young adults into the organization.

The size and period of funding varies, depending on the applicant’s scale of impact, need, capabilities, and potential opportunities. Most grants start out offering one year of funding, with continued funding offered in two-year increments. Grassroots organizations, emerging networks, or new projects that are likely to grow are eligible for grants ranging from $20,000 - $50,000. Larger organizations or organizations and networks with a history of reliability can expect grants in the $50,000 - $200,000 range. It should be noted that funding is rarely granted to exceed 30% of a project or organizational budget.

 Every organization, project or network that is granted funding must demonstrate success and impact over time in helping move people and places out of poverty. If an organization, project or network is funded for multiple years, it is expected that they:

• Form strategic partnerships between grassroots groups in low-income communities with larger institutions to achieve greater impact
• Influence the change of at least one local or state policy or system related to MRBF’s mission
• Involve all constituents, including youth, in decision-making processes
• Work across differences of race, ethnicity, economics, political, and other identities with respect and understanding
• Effectively and efficiently utilize public, private and non-profit resources
• Increase the organization’s, project’s or network’s internal capacity for the continuation of long-lasting impact. 

Partners and Frequent Collaborators

For complete list of grantees, click here .

Program-related Investments (PRIs): Organizations with a past history or current relationship with MRBF are eligible for Program-Related Investments. PRIs provide an opportunity for MRBF to invest in promising and trustworthy organizations for the advancement of economic development in low-wealth communities.

Future Developments for This Wiki