The Skillman Foundation awards several types of grants. Its main grantmaking is made to nonprofit organizations with federal tax-exempt status (501C3) that implement programs in the Foundation’s three program areas: Good Schools, Good Neighborhoods and Good Opportunities.

The Foundation offers a limited number of President’s Discretionary grants. These are grants up to $40,000, approved by the Foundation’s President and CEO, and awarded primarily for fundraising events, conferences, task forces, policy briefings, press conferences, public release of data or short-term ad hoc purposes that further the Foundation’s primary work. These grants are highly competitive.

The Foundation makes a limited number of scholarship grants to graduated high school students of the Foundation’s Skillman Scholars program, who are enrolled in college or university.

The Foundation also makes matching gifts to nonprofit tax-exempt organizations on a two-to-one ratio, to support the charitable giving of its Staff and active and retired Trustees.