The Foundation has identified several broad categories in which needs are known to exist:

• education
• financial aid for students
• public libraries
• health care
• arts and culture
• public affairs and community development
• social services
• agriculture and natural resources

The foundation's directors look for projects that:

• increase citizens' commitment to meet community needs;
• eliminate duplication of services and encourage cooperations;
• develop self-reliance or eliminate dependency;
• address new and emerging needs or incorporate new approaches to meeting recognized needs;
• address themselves to prevention as well as to treatment;
• are models that have a strong possibility for replication, or have demonstrated significant success elsewhere;
• increase the managerial and financial capabilities of non-profit organizations and public agencies;
• develop, disseminate, or follow up on seed research concerning the region and its people.