The F. M. Kirby Foundation seeks to manage and utilize its resources, inherited over multiple generations of the Kirby family, to make thoughtful and prudent philanthropic commitments. It aims to invest in opportunities that foster self-reliance or otherwise create strong, healthy communities through sustained funding relationships. Its interest lies largely within geographic areas significant to five generations of the family, often supporting organizations associated with family members.
The F. M. Kirby Foundation focuses on strengthening communities and fostering self-reliance through selective grant-making to highly vetted partners. Grants are awarded in areas of particular interest to the Kirby family, with successful applicants typically having pre-existing connections to the foundation or its directors. The foundation donates within eight major program areas: Arts, Culture, & Humanities; Education; Environment & Animals; Health; Human Services; Public Affairs & Society Benefit; Religion; and Mutual Membership Benefit, each supporting a variety of causes from cultural development and land conservation to health research and community services.