Quixote Foundation wants to see free people in fair societies on a healthy planet.
The Foundation operated for 20 years and spent its whole endowment, wrapping up administrative details in 2017.
By spending everything, we put the next phase of our work into everyone’s hands. This new kind of perpetuity exists outside any one organization. Each person who shares our mission is a living, ongoing “Quixote Foundation.”
We hope you’ll enjoy browsing our story and find inspiration for your own work toward a free, fair and healthy world.
Tiltings
Art Today, Freedom Forever
Six thank you grants for individual artists and arts organizations whose work shifts perspectives on reproductive freedom and rights.
Four scary things about spending everything
By design, Quixote Foundation’s endowment is almost gone. Read about some fears we’ve faced and why we’re still stoked, not spooked, about spending everything.
Thanking native american leaders in reproductive rights
Three Native and indigenous community organizations working for reproductive freedom.
White history, black futures
Watch our animated video and find out how "family history" can leave crucial points of context in the margins.
Gathering the family for reproductive justice
Social issues don’t exist in isolation and their solutions can’t be developed there either.
We’re almost done. So... let’s begin
We act as if racism is about uneven floors or glass ceilings. Meanwhile, the roof is on fire.
Ferguson: Amplify the message, don't steal the microphone
In response to the shooting of Michael Brown, white folks are saying "There, but for the grace of color, go I." They're all true stories, but why make the narrative about us?
Bright spots in reproductive rights and justice
Why freedom-loving women and men will ultimately crush the (Hobby) Lobbyists
Haiku hijinks - more Net Neutrality fun
Brilliant action plan / Net Neutrality haikus / Flood the FCC
Net Neutrality: Very serious fun
Why is everyone so excited about Net Neutrality - the only two words that promise more boredom in the English language than "Featuring Sting?" Because the Internet isn't broken and big telecom companies want to break it.
What's the future of voting in the U.S.?
Like a convention for the "smartest kids in the room," election officials, security experts, technology vendors and advocates are discussing technologies for voting and voter registration.
The gift that doesn't keep giving—or asking
Our experiment in giving grants without creating obligation.
Please help us spread election protection info
Election Day resources and a year-round network protecting every vote.
It's time to send some "thank you notes"
Our appreciation, in the form of surprise grants, for groups working toward reproductive freedom.
Foundations hold money for the 1%. How can we stand with the 99%?
Foundations inherit outsized wealth and power. Would we give up this system to create the world we say we want?
Won't you be ours?
Quixote Foundation is in love with you and the spectacular world we share. Here’s how we plan to stay true.
$15 million questions
People ask how we "decided against perpetuity." We didn’t—we chose a perpetual impact instead of a perpetual organization.
What's up with spending everything while we are here?
Find out why Quixote Foundation will spend all of its money between now and 2017.
A different kind of climate change, in memory of Walter, John and Ed
We will miss these three leaders, who built and tilted at windmills.
The chocolate we promised you
Equity, speed limits, risk-taking, and investing for good: four chocolate-winning anniversary vows.
Look out! Here comes a swarm of voters...
Inspired by National Geographic, we look at three critical elements U.S. democracy needs to produce "swarm intelligence."
Delivering the vote
How can you help get out the vote? The answer might arrive with pepperoni and extra cheese.
To grow a strong movement, feed its leaders well
How do we expect to grow a movement if that movement’s leaders are starved out of public interest careers just when they’re hitting their stride?
Don't stop celebrating now, carry on with the holidays
Holidays motivate people to act on their values. We’ve noticed these folks doing that 365 days a year.
Put Your Mouth Where Your Money Is
Five ways foundations can use their voices to make the most of every grant.
Websites
A Minifesto
A world in which silos are for cows and Team Quixote goes Full Tilt (in addition to the usual foundation info).
Symposium & Celebration
Two unforgettable days and nights of inQuiry, laughter and thought-provoking fun.
Everything you need to know
...plus action-packed good times, thoughts from our muse and a family history of quirky.
Spending Everything While We Are Here
How Quixote Foundation decided to spend up, where the money was headed and what others had to say about the decision.
Ten-Year Anniversary
Quixote Foundation renews its vows with nonprofit groups and other collaborators, and invites the QF community to make vows of its own.
Looking back, waaaay back
The first Quixote Foundation website, made by "loving hands at home."
Celebrating & Speechifying
Symposium & Celebration
See how this spectacular community explored ideas, shared appreciation and celebrated our launch beyond Quixote Foundation into a free, fair & healthy world.
Legacy Lab & Mixology
Quixote Foundation colleagues, family & friends topped off two days of intense collaboration by celebrating ten years with Media Democracy Fund, Election Verification and Quixote Foundation’s "Chief Mixologist."
Spend Up Celebration
Friends of QF jumped all in and helped us pull the ripcord on spending everything.
Videos
A Tour Of The Quniverse
Come fly with us for new perspectives.
Quixote Foundation — The First 5 Billion Years
For a moment five billion years ago, there was such a thing as a "free lunch." Find out how Quixote Foundation got here from there.
Albums & Artifacts
Team Q
The who, what and where: highlights from 20 years of teamwork and travel.
Idealisms
Quixote Foundation applauds practicing idealism in all its forms.
The Adventures of "Don"
Some people say Don Quixote was just a crazy windmill-tilter. He’s our muse, and we know better.
This Is Not a Game
Invite the decision-makers sitting around your table to play. What will they do to move us forward? What behaviors will send us backwards?
(5.3MB PDF)
Full Tilt cards
Earn cards as rewards while playing This Is Not a Game—or just keep them handy for inspiration.
(144KB PDF)
Free Fair & Healthy components
Not-so-secret ingredients for a free, fair & healthy world. Mix these ingredients and add some of your own.
(5.6MB PDF)
Color your Quniverse
Because Crayons.
(5.2MB PDF)
Cover your table
If the kids (and certain friends) are going to scribble on the tablecloth anyway, why not make it more fun?
(20.5MB PDF)
Thought for food
Ten-foot-tall musings about hospitality.
(1.1MB PDF)
Ten-Year Anniversary Report & Postcards
Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue...and something for you (customizable postcards).
(1.2MB PDF)
The Free Fair & Healthy World Wide Web
How would you make connections for a better world?
(444KB PDF)
Grants
Grants 1997–2017
This listing is searchable, so knock yourselves out!