At a Glance: The United Nations Foundation

History: Established in January by Ted Turner, vice-chairman of Time Warner, who last fall pledged to give up to $1-billion over 10 years to support the United Nations.

Purpose: To help support the United Nations in achieving the goals of its charter, and to promote greater public understanding of the promise of international cooperation.

Areas of support: Strengthening and overhauling the United Nations while also helping some of the world’s neediest people by improving children’s health and the social and economic status of women, stabilizing the world’s population and climate, and protecting the environment.

Assets: Mr. Turner has committed to spend up to $100-million a year to support the foundation for a decade. The foundation, a public charity, must also raise some $10-million a year from other sources.

Grants: In its initial round of grant making, the foundation last month awarded 22 grants for a total commitment of $22.2-million.

Key officials: Ted Turner, chairman; Timothy E. Wirth, president.

Application procedures: Only U.N. programs and agencies are eligible to receive grants — although some agencies may invite participation from non-governmental organizations. After applications are reviewed by U.N. staff members, the Secretary-General forwards his recommendations to the foundation’s board, which makes the final determination. A handful of grants to private charities — particularly the United Nations Association-U.S.A. — will be made through the foundation’s sister organization, the Better World Fund.

Address: 1301 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 700, Washington 20036; (202) 887-9040.