As the grant and philanthropy landscapes continue to evolve, higher education institutions are increasingly turning to major foundations for mission-aligned support that extends beyond the constraints of federal funding. Giants like Strada Education Foundation, Mellon Foundation, and Heising-Simons Foundation are leading the charge with bold investments in career services, equity-focused humanities, and public-interest science and technology.

Career Pathways Gain Traction

In January, Strada Education Foundation awarded eight universities up to $300,000 each under its Innovation in Career Services initiative. The program aims to design, implement, and evaluate scalable, student-centered services that align education with workforce outcomes. Among the recipients were Morgan State University and the University of Central Florida (UCF).

“A diploma is a starting line for greater things. We want students to leave UCF with the tools and confidence to find success on the job market,” says the grant’s principal investigator, Assistant Vice Provost Kimberly Schneider, on UCF’s website, who oversees career planning and academic engagement. “This grant represents an opportunity to expand our impact and improve the reach of existing platforms.”

Mellon’s Equity-Focused Humanities Initiatives

This year, Mellon doubled down on its commitment to the humanities, equity, and institutional strength.

In January 2025, the foundation awarded more than $14 million across 30 colleges and universities for projects exploring Cultures of U.S. Democracy, Environmental Justice Studies, and Social Justice and Disciplinary Knowledge. The funded programs are focused on embedding humanistic inquiry into pressing civic and environmental concerns.

“These grants demonstrate our belief in the public value of the humanities in a moment of democratic uncertainty,” says Phillip Brian Harper, program director for Higher Learning at Mellon.

In April, Mellon responded to widespread federal funding cuts by allocating $15 million in emergency funds to sustain programming across all 56 state and jurisdictional humanities councils that participate in the Federation of State Humanities Councils—a non-profit dedicated to making humanities programming available throughout the U.S.

Science, Early Learning, and AI at Heising-Simons

Heising-Simons Foundation continues to offer support in two key educational areas: early learning and public-interest science.

Through its Education program, Heising-Simons funds initiatives promoting joyful, affirming learning environments from birth through third grade, particularly for underrepresented children.

Meanwhile, its Science portfolio launched a 2025 Open Call for Science Events and Gatherings, offering $20,000 to $80,000 per grant (with a total pool of $400,000). These funds support community-facing convenings and events that build networks and public engagement in the sciences.

“We’re deeply invested in making scientific knowledge more inclusive and accessible,” a foundation statement read.

Public Interest AI: A Growing Priority

Foundations like the Heising-Simons and Omidyar Networks are showing increased interest in public interest AI, funding research that emphasizes societal benefits, responsible innovation, and ethical frameworks.

Institutions have begun responding by launching AI ethics courses, public policy collaborations, and interdisciplinary research hubs dedicated to exploring the social implications of emerging technologies.

“A diploma is a starting line for greater things. We want students to leave UCF with the tools and confidence to find success on the job market. This grant represents an opportunity to expand our impact and improve the reach of existing platforms.”
— UCF Assistant Vice Provost Kimberly Schneider

The Bigger Picture: Philanthropic Trends

Even as education remains a top priority, foundations are applying sharper focus and stronger accountability to their grantmaking. Collective giving continues to grow, and funders are pushing for measurable impact, cross-sector collaboration, and community input.

With fewer restrictions than federal grants and a closer alignment to values like equity, public good, and innovation, these private funds present valuable opportunities if institutions know how to meet the moment.

Aligning for Success: What Campuses Can Do

To maximize philanthropic support in 2025, higher education leaders should:

• Map programs to funder priorities (e.g., workforce pathways, humanities and justice, public-interest AI)
• Integrate interdisciplinary work that blends policy, technology, and community impact
• Track active RFPs and open calls
• Build institutional infrastructure for applying, measuring, and reporting on grant outcomes

As foundation priorities continue to evolve, institutions that stay nimble, mission-aligned, and ready to partner will find themselves not just funded but truly empowered.