Private Higher Education
Supports projects at private U.S. colleges advancing undergraduate liberal arts, student outcomes, faculty leadership, and civil discourse through evidence-based initiatives.
Funder: The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations
Due Dates: August 27, 2026 (Letter of Inquiry) | November 13, 2026 (Full Proposal, by invitation)
Funding Amounts: Typical grants range from $25,000 to $300,000; larger and multi-year requests considered.
Summary: Supports private U.S. colleges and universities advancing undergraduate liberal arts education, student outcomes, faculty leadership, and civil discourse.
Key Information: Only open to U.S.-based 501(c)(3) private colleges/universities and consortia; no capital projects or endowments funded.
Description
This grant program supports private colleges and universities in the United States that prioritize undergraduate education and emphasize the liberal arts. The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations (AVDF) fund projects aimed at improving student outcomes, enhancing faculty leadership, advocating for the value of the liberal arts, and promoting civil discourse on campus. Grants may support evidence-based curricular or extracurricular initiatives that foster respectful dialogue across differences, expand opportunities for liberal arts engagement, and educate broader audiences about the benefits of the liberal arts. AVDF is especially interested in projects that integrate proven resources and methods for dialogue, civil discourse, and liberal arts advocacy.
