The Foundation's philanthropic work addresses problems and issues in the United States and abroad, with much of the overseas activity taking place in the less developed countries. Grants are made primarily within six broad categories: Urban Poverty, Rural Poverty and Resources, Human Rights and Social Justice, Governance and Public Policy, Education and Culture, and International Affairs. The Foundation also uses a limited portion of its capital funds to make program-related investments in enterprises that advance philanthropic purposes.

Reviews of the Foundation's 1984 program activities are presented in the following pages. They are accompanied by a list of grants and projects, which includes both 1984 approvals and payments on current and prior-year actions. Approvals by program are summarized in the table below: