How has funding for type of support changed over time?
In 2009, share of grant dollars and number of grants for general support reached record highs.
In 2009, funding for general or unrestricted support totaled $4.8 billion, while its share of grant dollars increased slightly to 21.7 percent. By share of number of grants, operating support rose to 25.8 percent in 2009, compared to 24.6 percent in 2008.
Capital support—including funding for building and renovation, equipment, technology, and endowments—declined to 13.5 percent of grant dollars in 2009, down from 15.8 percent in 2008 and 16.5 percent in 2007.
Program support—which includes funding for activities ranging from program development to seed money, to conferences, to curriculum development—continued to account for the largest share of grant dollars (just over 50 percent of total foundation giving in 2009).
Arts and culture, public affairs/society benefit, and human services received larger shares of general or operating support in 2009.
