During fiscal year 1995-96, the Foundation made program payments of more than $252 million, the highest amount in the organization's 66-year history. While this is a substantial sum, we know the demand will always exceed the Foundation's ability to support new projects. Therefore, we continue to focus our grantmaking strategically on areas where we can effect the greatest positive social change.
Our key program areas include: health; food systems and rural development; youth and education, and higher education; and philanthropy and volunteerism. But as recognized in the year's annual report theme of capitalizing on diversity, we also support cross-cutting themes that represent special areas of need and opportunity. These include leadership; information systems/technology; and family, neighborhood, and community development.