The charter of the Corporation ("CCNY") provides that all funds are to be used to promote "the advancement and diffusion of knowledge and understanding." Grants must be broadly education in nature, but need not be limited to the formal educational systems or institutions. CCNY makes it a policy to select a few areas in which to concentrate its grants over a period of years. Only proposals presented in CCNY's format will be considered for funding. Grantseekers who would like to approach CCNY with a preliminary request for funding are encouraged to submit a letter of inquiry. CCNY's letters of inquiry can be found on its grants portal: https://carnegie.fluxx.io. If the project described in the letter fits CCNY's guidelines, the sender will be contacted and asked to submit a proposal in CCNY's format. A request to submit a proposal is not an indication of an intention or commitment to award a grant.

CCNY currently operates grant programs in four broad areas; Education, International Peace and Security, International Development, and Strengthening U.S. Democracy. CCNY does not make grants for construction, maintenance of facilities or endowments, and does not make program-related investments. CCNY does not generally make grants to individuals or to local or regional community service organizations. CCNY usually considers only projects that have the potential for national or international impact. Questions can be addressed to Nicole How Buggs, Chief Administrative Officer and Corporate Secretary