WHO WE ARE
THE HAYNES FOUNDATION has been a force for change in the Los Angeles Region (comprised of the counties of Los Angeles, Ventura, San Bernardino, Riverside, and Orange) for over nine decades. The Foundation’s founders, Dr. John Randolph Haynes and Dora Haynes were passionate advocates of involved citizenship who believed that through social science research, the Foundation not only could identify critical social and political problems in Los Angeles but also offer solutions to them. The Foundation awards major research grants on governance and democracy in the Los Angeles region, archival grants, doctoral dissertation fellowships, and faculty fellowships.
MAJOR RESEARCH GRANTS
GOVERNANCE AND DEMOCRACY IN THE LOS ANGELES REGION
Our initiative on Governance and Democracy funds high-quality planning and research grants that:
- Add significantly to knowledge and understanding of governance and democracy issues in the Los Angeles region (Los Angeles, Ventura, San Bernardino, Riverside, and Orange counties).
- Help influence policies and practices.
- Offer promise of helping to improve the lives of people and our communities.
We expect researchers to seek opportunities to collaborate with community-based organizations and/or policymakers. We are open to all fields of study and disciplines that address governance and democracy in the Los Angeles region.
SPECIAL FOUNDATION FOCUS: County Governance Reform
The Foundation particularly invites proposals focused on Los Angeles County governance reform, as well as county governance reform across the broader LA region. Applicants can view the full RFP, including suggested topics, here.
Planning grants are made for up to one year for up to $100,000.
Research-to-action grants can be made for up to two years, with a third-year renewable that may be considered. The grant maximum is $250,000 per year. Depending on the nature of the research-to-action project, consideration may be given to a larger award.
NEW!! The Haynes Foundation considers grant applications from public and private universities, university centers, and nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, including academic partnerships, whose work aligns with the Foundation’s mission and priority areas.
APPLICATION PROCESS AND SUBMISSION DEADLINES
The application process for our initiative on Governance and Democracy varies by grant type:
NEW!! For planning grants, applicants submit a short proposal consisting of framed questions to propose the planning effort and how it aligns with the Foundation’s priorities.
The gateway for research-to-action grants is a short Letter of Interest (LOI). The Foundation will select from among the LOIs those that will be invited to submit a full proposal.
All submissions are reviewed in accordance with the Foundation’s published deadlines and considered quarterly as part of its regular grantmaking cycle.
SUBMISSION DEADLINES
NEW!! Governance and Democracy LOI and Full Proposal submission deadlines for the remainder of 2026 are as follows:
- Tuesday, April 7
- Tuesday, June 30
- Tuesday, October 6
All applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on the submission deadline.
Governance and Democracy Overview and Guidelines
WE CONTINUE TO FUND OUR ANNUAL PROGRAMS:
Faculty Fellowships
The Foundation annually awards a limited number of $16,000 fellowships to faculty at universities and four-year colleges in the L.A. region. These competitive awards support innovative research that tackles critical economic, social, and political challenges facing Los Angeles.
ACCESS CODE: Faculty
Application Closed
Ph.D. Fellowships
Each year, the Foundation awards $26,000 Haynes Lindley Doctoral Dissertation Fellowships to Ph.D. candidates at universities in the L.A. region. Named in memory of former Foundation President and Trustee Haynes Lindley, these fellowships support doctoral students with approved dissertation proposals working under faculty advisement.
Application Deadline:
March 31, 2026
ACCESS CODE: Doctoral
Archival Grants
The Foundation dedicates a portion of its annual budget to support archival and cataloging projects of importance to Los Angeles. Awards prioritize collections with strong relevance to Southern California and public policy, especially those that are fragile or rare.
Application Deadline:
June 30, 2026
ACCESS CODE: Archival
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
GOT A QUESTION?
We have been collecting your questions since our new grants program went online on November 20, 2023. We present here our first FAQ based on a number of the questions we received on our info line, and in a webinar on December 12. Hope you find this helpful! Having launched our new Major Grants Research program on Governance & Democracy in L.A., maintaining our other three grant programs, and instituting our new online application system, we are in learning mode. Our work is continuing to evolve, and we have appreciated your continued patience as we provide the best answers we can to your important questions and comments. (Some answers are still a work in progress on our end.)
To view a recording of our past “How to Apply” webinar, CLICK HERE.
Keep the questions and comments coming! info@haynesfoundation.org.
The John Randolph Haynes and Dora Haynes Foundation
888 West Sixth Street, Suite 1150
Los Angeles, California 90017-2737
