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.

The Foundation's 1985 program activities are reviewed in the following pages. The text is accompanied by a list of grants and projects, which includes both 1985 approvals and payments on current and prior-year actions. Approvals by program are summarized below: