Twenty-First Century Foundation (New York, N.Y.)

The Twenty-First Century Foundation established in 1971 by economist Robert S. Browne and administered entirely by African Americans, awards small grants to African-American organizations in the areas of education and economic development. Initially funded by Carol Bernstein Ferry, the Foundation distributed more than two hundred grants totalling greater than $1.2 million from 1971-1992. Included among the funded projects are tutorial programs, leadership workshops, and technical training courses.

In addition to its grant making functions, the Foundation also administered two other program elements: investments and the Clarence L. Holte Prize. In the 1970s the Program Related Investments made investments in black commercial businesses which absorbed about 25% of the capital fund. The Holte Prize was created and endowed by bibliophile Clarence L. Holte. It was awarded biennially between 1977 and 1983 by the Foundation in recognition of significant contributions made by living writers to the cultural heritage of Africa and the African diaspora as disseminated through published writings in the humanities.