THE FOUNDATION
The mission of the Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation (MRBF) is to help people and places move out of poverty and achieve greater social and economic justice. Founded in 1953, MRBF now makes grants to organizations in 11 states in the Southeastern United States. The Foundation believes in democracy, opportunity, and the power of partnerships and follows the lead of local experts who know what their communities need to thrive.
MRBF is a family foundation deeply committed to fostering racial equity, power building, and social justice. Its mission is rooted in advancing civil rights, promoting voting rights, eradicating poverty, and dismantling systemic oppression and bias in all its forms. MRBF believes in the power of collective action and strategic partnerships to create meaningful change in our communities.
MRBF supports collaborative, multi-strategy, place-based (Southern-specific) work focused on democracy and civic engagement, economic opportunity, and supportive policies and institutions. MRBF believes sustained, general-support grants are critical to helping organizations remain nimble and effective. In addition to grantmaking, the Foundation makes mission-aligned strategic investments.
MRBF is led by CEO Flozell Daniels Jr., with a 13-member board of directors that provides oversight and strategic guidance to the CEO and organization. It has 15 staff members and nearly $200 million in assets.