Privat foundations assists small business owners to start and expand their businesses by helping them get loans and grants.Though all over the world it is widely known, how the federal government helps in case of need to the citizens, many have no representation about system of private charity (philanthrophy). And meanwhile many founders of the charitable organizations have been awarded by the Nobel Prize.
Ford Foundation support individuals ( grants for individuals and scholarships ), programs related to health, small business, education, economic development and community. NM Warburg foundation provides small business grants, it also support of individuals and familys ( scholarships, women programs, housing program, personal grants ) NM Warburg is famous not only as a financier and philanthropist but also as a philosopher. Bill Gates-great philanthropist, but makes global grants focused on libraries, global health and global education. Lilly, Soros, Nobel and W.K. Kellogg Foundation makes global grants focused on peace, population, arts, global health and education.

Interesting note thanks for the background on the funding, I never heard of some of the organizations you mentioned

Private foundations are certainly one way to go but some of them take more of an interest in your business than you would want I would consider a SBA loan first - the only thing your government is interested is your taxes

I never heard of NMWarburg I wonder how many loans they offer each year?

When I was looking for information on grants for small business, I checked out The Most Up-to-Date Grant Information

You can get small business grant listings when you subscribe to their newsletter which is free. It was very helpful. You might want to look into that.