The Allen Foundation appears focused on youth empowerment through place-based, hands-on programming, demonstrated by a single large investment in an urban youth farm. Their giving emphasizes practical leadership and life-skill development for young people, using urban agriculture as a vehicle for empowerment and community engagement. The foundation’s activity is highly targeted rather than broadly distributed.
A defining feature of Allen Foundation’s recent giving is its support for practical food-and-nutrition work that serves children and communities directly. One of the largest recent awards went to Acta Non Verba Urban Youth Farm in Oakland for youth empowerment, while another major grant supported The Bridge Food Center in Midland for expansion. Those awards sit alongside a pattern of funding that links nutrition, food access, and hands-on learning rather than stand-alone charity. The foundation’s recent grants also include support for food rescue, school greenhouse work, and community nutrition education, suggesting an interest in programs that can be experienced locally and measured in use. The foundation appears to back both service delivery and capacity building. In some cases that means a facility or program expansion; in others it means research tied to human nutrition or applied education. Grants to universities, hospitals, food programs, and youth organizations show a mix of delivery settings, but the common thread is human nutrition and practical community benefit. Allen Foundation’s current activity also shows repeated support for Michigan-based organizations, while still funding organizations elsewhere in the United States.
Allen Foundation gives across several nutrition-centered themes. In food access work, it supported Food Rescue in Traverse City with $100,000 for low-income fruits and vegetable access, and Nemcsa Food Programs in Alpena with $82,000 for food program expansion. In school and youth settings, Traverse Area Public Schools received $67,000 for a greenhouse project, and Northwest Education Services received $51,074 for a sustainability farm-to-school effort. Maternal and infant nutrition also appears in the recent record. Ascension St John Foundation in Dallas received $79,988 for improving breastfeeding outcomes, while Boston Children’s Hospital received $100,000 for research on iron transport in the placenta. The foundation also funds nutrition education and applied culinary work, including University of Pennsylvania’s $60,000 grant for advancing culinary medicine and Interlochen Center for the Arts’ $55,000 grant for gardening nutrition education.
Allen Foundation’s typical grant size is $15,000 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $50,000 at the 75th percentile, with some awards well above that range. The grant record shows both one-time support and repeat awards to the same organizations across multiple years, including several university and program recipients. It operates as a regular funder, not a donor-advised fund, and accepts unsolicited applications. The foundation’s grant programs are competitive and generally organized around human nutrition, education, training, research, and hunger relief; some are described as accepting applications twice per year, and one academic research program uses the Allen Foundation grant portal.
$1.8M
$28M
$1.5M
$2M
Most grants fall between $15K and $50K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$15K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$50K
Top 5 recipient countries by grant volume for Allen Foundation.
| Rank | Country | Grants | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United StatesDomestic | 172 | $6.3M | 94.0% |
| 2 | Australia | 6 |
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Highly concentrated: a single large grant (one-time or lead grant) to a program-focused nonprofit rather than many small or diversified awards.
Notable grantees: ACTA NON VERBA URBAN YOUTH FARM
Most grants land in the United States, with a smaller set going to Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Asia. Michigan is the top state by grant count, and 43% of grants go to recipients in the foundation’s headquarters state. Recent Michigan recipients include Midland, Traverse City, Alpena, East Lansing, Interlochen, and Hersey. Outside Michigan, grants have gone to Boston, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Dallas, Oakland, and San Marcos, showing a national reach with a strong in-state concentration.
The foundation funds human nutrition projects in health, education, training, and research. Recent awards also show support for hunger relief, nutrition education, food access, school garden and greenhouse work, breastfeeding outcomes, and culinary medicine.
Yes. The foundation’s listed grant programs accept unsolicited applications, and the academic research program notes that applicants apply through the Allen Foundation grant portal.
Its typical grant size is $15,000 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $50,000 at the 75th percentile. Recent awards include larger grants such as $150,000 to Acta Non Verba Urban Youth Farm and $128,246 to the University of Minnesota.
Michigan is the top state by grant count, and 43% of grants go to recipients in Michigan. Recent Michigan recipients include organizations in Midland, Traverse City, Alpena, East Lansing, Interlochen, and Hersey.
Yes. Its recent record includes research grants to universities and hospitals, along with direct-service grants for food rescue, food program expansion, youth farming, and school-based garden or greenhouse projects.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
| $245K |
3.3% |
| 3 | United Kingdom | 3 | $93K | 1.6% |
| 4 | Austria | 1 | $109K | 0.6% |
| 5 | Canada | 1 | $10K | 0.6% |
Recipient country reflects the grantee's headquarters per IRS 990-PF and Schedule F filings, not the program's implementation country.
Current and upcoming funding from Allen Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Projects that primarily benefit human nutrition in education, training, or research. Applicant organizations should consult the Giving Guidelines and take the preliminary quiz.
Deadline: The foundation is accepting applications twice per year; specific upcoming deadlines are not listed on the application page.
Who can apply: Projects that primarily benefit human nutrition; organizations should review the Giving Guidelines and take the preliminary quiz to confirm eligibility.
Deadline: The foundation is accepting applications twice per year; specific upcoming deadlines are not listed on the application page.
Who can apply: Projects must primarily benefit human nutrition in the areas of health, education, training, and research. Applicants should review the foundation's How To Apply guidance for details.
Deadline: Applications accepted twice per year (see https://allenfoundation.org/about/#deadlines for specific cycle dates).
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BOSTON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL | BOSTON, MA | $200,000 | 2026 | RESEARCH |
| FOOD RESCUE | TRAVERSE CITY, MI | $100,000 | 2026 | ACCESS TO FRUITS AND VEG FOR LOW INCOME |
| HIDDEN HARVEST | SAGINAW, MI | $100,000 | 2026 | HUNGER SOLUTN CTR EXPANSION |
| BRIGHAM & WOMENS HOSPITAL | BOSTON, MA | $99,718 | 2026 | RESEARCH |
| THE BRIDGE FOOD CENTER | MIDLAND, MI | $75,000 | 2026 | BACK UP POWER FOR FOOD CTR |
| UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA | GAINESVILLE, FL | $62,470 | 2026 | RESEARCH |
| NMC EXTEDED EDUCATION & TRAINING | TRAVERSE CITY, MI | $60,000 | 2026 | COMM NUTRITION EDUCATN |
| GRAND TRAVERSE AREA CHILDREN'S GARDENT | TRAVERSE CITY, MI | $60,000 | 2026 | BLOOM WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED |
| UNITED WAY OF MIDLAND COUNTY | MIDLAND, MI | $54,000 | 2026 | KITCHEN EXPANSION REGROW TOGETHER |
| NORTHWEST EDUCATION SERVICES | TRAVERSE CITY, MI | $51,074 | 2026 | FARM TO SCHOOL PROGRAM |
| INTERLOCHEN CENTER FOR THE ARTS | INTERLOCHEN, MI | $50,000 | 2026 | BLASTER CHILLER FOR CAFETERIA |
| MICROBINE HLTH RESEARCH INSTITUTE | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $50,000 | 2026 | RESEARCH |
| STARFISH FAMILY SERVICES INC | INKSTER, MI | $50,000 | 2026 | NUTRITION SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES |
| AGAPE COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION | MIDLAND, MI | $47,210 | 2026 | ACT HANDS HEAL SELF SUSTAINABILITY |
| MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY | EAST LANSING, MI | $43,196 | 2026 | YOUTH ED DETROIT PARTNERSHIP FOR FOOD, LEARNING, INNOVATION |
| SR SERVICES MIDLAND CO COUNCIL ON AGING | MIDLAND, MI | $40,000 | 2026 | SR DINING CTR KITCHEN UPDATES |
| LUNDQUIST INST UCLA MED CENTER | TORRANCE, CA | $40,000 | 2026 | RESEARCH |
| WEST MIDLAND FAMILY CENTER | MIDLAND, MI | $40,000 | 2026 | EARLY CHILDHOOD NUTRITION |
| SEEDS ECOLOGY AND EDUCATION CTRS | TRAVERSE CITY, MI | $39,690 | 2026 | SCHOOL FOOD WASTE PROJECT |
| SEED PROGRAMS INTERNATIONAL | ASHEVILLE, NC | $38,870 | 2026 | FOOD SECURITY FOR REFUGEE WOMEN IN UGANDA |
| INLAND SEAS EDUCATION CENTER | SUTTONS BAY, MI | $38,000 | 2026 | ED YOUTH NUTRITIOUS MEALS |
| GROUNDWORK CTR FOR RESILIANT COMMS | TRAVERSE CITY, MI | $37,500 | 2026 | CULINARY ED AND COMM ENGMT |
| GREATER FLINT HEALTH COALITION INC | FLINT, MI | $36,420 | 2026 | COOKIING WITH KIDS |
| PHEONIX COMMUNITY FARM | MIDLAND, MI | $30,000 | 2026 | ADDING MECHANIZTN FOR EFFICENCY |
| SUSTAINABLE LIBERIA | DECATUR, GA | $30,000 | 2026 | DRIP IRRIGATION SYSTEM |
| ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH | HEMLOCK, MI | $30,000 | 2026 | GODS HELPING HANDS |
| GRAND TRAVERSE REGIONAL LAND CONSERVANCY | TRAVERSE CITY, MI | $25,000 | 2026 | COMM GARDEN IRRIGATION |
| THE INGA FOUNDATION | EVINGTON, VA | $25,000 | 2026 | FROM ABANDON TO ABUNDANT |
| USANA FOUNDATION | WEST VALLEY CITY, UT | $25,000 | 2026 | SUSTAINABLE GARDENDS |
| FRIENDS OF INTERLOCHEN PUBLIC LIBRARY | INTERLOCHEN, MI | $20,000 | 2026 | HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAM |
| CULTIVATE FOOD RESCUE | SOUTH BEND, IN | $20,000 | 2026 | FOOD RESCUE PROGRAM |
| FEED YOUR SOUL WITH COMM RESOURCES | COPEMISH, MI | $20,000 | 2026 | UNRESTIRCTED FOR PROGRAMS |
| SABA GROCERS INITIATIVE | OAKLAND, CA | $20,000 | 2026 | INITIATIVE FOR FOOD ACCESS |
| HEARTH TO HEARTH MINISTRIES | LAKE ANN, MI | $18,300 | 2026 | HOPE FOR CHILDREN FARM ENHANCMT |
| THE MICHIGAN HOSPITALITY FOUNDATION | LANSING, MI | $15,000 | 2026 | FOOD FOR VICTIMS OF ICE STORM |
| CRAWFORD CO COMM CHRISTIAN HELP CENTER | GRAYLING, MI | $11,500 | 2026 | DAIRY ITEMS FOR CLIENTS |
| GATEWAY FAMILY & URGENT CARE | MIDLAND, MI | $10,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED FOR PROGRAMS |
| SANDERS SECOND CHANCE HAVEN | SHERWOOD, AR | $10,000 | 2026 | WOMENS HEALTHY LIFE PROJECT |
| THE ARC OF MIDLAND | MIDLAND, MI | $10,000 | 2026 | THRIVE ON THURSDAY COMM FD PROGRAM |
| BENZIE SENIOR RESOURCES | HONOR, MI | $7,500 | 2026 | SENIOR NUTRITION |
| WESTWOODS PTO | TRAVERSE CITY, MI | $5,000 | 2026 | FLEX FARM |
| GLADWIN COMM SERVICES CORP | GLADWIN, MI | $5,000 | 2026 | SR EMERGENCY FOOD PROGRAM |
| CROSSROADS CENTER FOR CHILDREN | PRINCETOWN, NY | $3,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED FOR PROGRAMS |
| ACTA NON VERBA URBAN YOUTH FARM | OAKLAND, CA | $150,000 | 2025 | YOUTH EMPOWERMT |
| THE BRIDGE FOOD CENTER | MIDLAND, MI | $127,928 | 2025 | EXPANSION PROJECT |
| BRIGHAM & WOMENS HOSPITAL | BOSTON, MA | $100,000 | 2025 | RESEARCH |
| FOOD RESCUE | TRAVERSE CITY, MI | $100,000 | 2025 | LOW INCOME FRUITS AND VEG ACCESS |
| BOTANICAL GARDENT SOC OF NW MI | TRAVERSE CITY, MI | $75,000 | 2025 | CHILDRENS NUTRITIONAL HEALTH |
| TRAVERSE AREA PUBLIC SCHOOLS | TRAVERSE CITY, MI | $67,000 | 2025 | HS GREENHOUSE PROJECT |
| EAGLE VILLAGE | HERSEY, MI | $61,000 | 2025 | REVOVATION ED AND SAFETY |
BOSTON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
$200,000RESEARCH
FOOD RESCUE
$100,000ACCESS TO FRUITS AND VEG FOR LOW INCOME
BRIGHAM & WOMENS HOSPITAL
$99,718RESEARCH
THE BRIDGE FOOD CENTER
$75,000BACK UP POWER FOR FOOD CTR
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
$62,470RESEARCH
NMC EXTEDED EDUCATION & TRAINING
$60,000COMM NUTRITION EDUCATN
GRAND TRAVERSE AREA CHILDREN'S GARDENT
$60,000BLOOM WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED
NORTHWEST EDUCATION SERVICES
$51,074FARM TO SCHOOL PROGRAM
MICROBINE HLTH RESEARCH INSTITUTE
$50,000RESEARCH
AGAPE COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION
$47,210ACT HANDS HEAL SELF SUSTAINABILITY
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
$43,196YOUTH ED DETROIT PARTNERSHIP FOR FOOD, LEARNING, INNOVATION
SR SERVICES MIDLAND CO COUNCIL ON AGING
$40,000SR DINING CTR KITCHEN UPDATES
LUNDQUIST INST UCLA MED CENTER
$40,000RESEARCH
SEEDS ECOLOGY AND EDUCATION CTRS
$39,690SCHOOL FOOD WASTE PROJECT
INLAND SEAS EDUCATION CENTER
$38,000ED YOUTH NUTRITIOUS MEALS
GROUNDWORK CTR FOR RESILIANT COMMS
$37,500CULINARY ED AND COMM ENGMT
PHEONIX COMMUNITY FARM
$30,000ADDING MECHANIZTN FOR EFFICENCY
SUSTAINABLE LIBERIA
$30,000DRIP IRRIGATION SYSTEM
ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH
$30,000GODS HELPING HANDS
THE INGA FOUNDATION
$25,000FROM ABANDON TO ABUNDANT
USANA FOUNDATION
$25,000SUSTAINABLE GARDENDS
FRIENDS OF INTERLOCHEN PUBLIC LIBRARY
$20,000HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAM
FEED YOUR SOUL WITH COMM RESOURCES
$20,000UNRESTIRCTED FOR PROGRAMS
SABA GROCERS INITIATIVE
$20,000INITIATIVE FOR FOOD ACCESS
HEARTH TO HEARTH MINISTRIES
$18,300HOPE FOR CHILDREN FARM ENHANCMT
THE MICHIGAN HOSPITALITY FOUNDATION
$15,000FOOD FOR VICTIMS OF ICE STORM
CRAWFORD CO COMM CHRISTIAN HELP CENTER
$11,500DAIRY ITEMS FOR CLIENTS
GATEWAY FAMILY & URGENT CARE
$10,000UNRESTRICTED FOR PROGRAMS
SANDERS SECOND CHANCE HAVEN
$10,000WOMENS HEALTHY LIFE PROJECT
BENZIE SENIOR RESOURCES
$7,500SENIOR NUTRITION
WESTWOODS PTO
$5,000FLEX FARM
GLADWIN COMM SERVICES CORP
$5,000SR EMERGENCY FOOD PROGRAM
CROSSROADS CENTER FOR CHILDREN
$3,000UNRESTRICTED FOR PROGRAMS
ACTA NON VERBA URBAN YOUTH FARM
$150,000YOUTH EMPOWERMT
THE BRIDGE FOOD CENTER
$127,928EXPANSION PROJECT
BRIGHAM & WOMENS HOSPITAL
$100,000RESEARCH
FOOD RESCUE
$100,000LOW INCOME FRUITS AND VEG ACCESS
BOTANICAL GARDENT SOC OF NW MI
$75,000CHILDRENS NUTRITIONAL HEALTH
TRAVERSE AREA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
$67,000HS GREENHOUSE PROJECT
