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.
$1.6M
$28.4M
$2.7M
$1.8M
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 | 129 | $4.6M | 92.1% |
| 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.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
| $245K |
4.3% |
| 3 | United Kingdom | 3 | $93K | 2.1% |
| 4 | Austria | 1 | $109K | 0.7% |
| 5 | Canada | 1 | $10K | 0.7% |
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; 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 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 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND | ST LUCIA | $54,459 | 2025 | RESEARCH |
| NORTHWEST EDUCATION SERVICES | TRAVERSE CITY, MI | $51,074 | 2025 | SUSTANBLTY FARM TO SCHOOL |
| MICROBINE HLTH RESEARCH INSTITUTE | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $50,000 | 2025 | RESEARCH |
| BOTANICAL GARDEN SOCIETY OF NW MI | TRAVERSE CITY, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | PROMOTE HLTHYY FOODS |
| WEST MIDLAND FAMILY CENTER | MIDLAND, MI | $40,000 | 2025 | EARLY CHILDHOOD NUTRTN |
| LUNDQUIST INST UCLA MED CENTER | TORRANCE, CA | $40,000 | 2025 | RESEARCH |
| INLAND SEAS EDUCATION CENTER | SUTTONS BAY, MI | $38,000 | 2025 | YOUTH EDUCTN HLTHY MEALS |
| HUNTSVILLE HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | HUNTSVILLE, AL | $36,000 | 2025 | COMM NUTRTN PROGRAM |
| INTERLOCHEN CENTER FOR THE ARTS | INTERLOCHEN, MI | $35,000 | 2025 | GRDNG NUTRTN EDCTN |
| ABUNDANT HARVEST COMM GARDEN OUTREACH | COLORADO SPRINGS, CO | $32,500 | 2025 | AQUACULTURE |
| HEARTH TO HEARTH MINISTRIES | LAKE ANN, MI | $32,343 | 2025 | FARM AND EDUCATION |
| UNIVERISTY OF CHESTER | CHESTER | $31,047 | 2025 | RESEARCH |
| MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY | MACQUARIE PARK SW | $30,550 | 2025 | NUTRIBOOST RESRCH |
| SUSTAINABLE LIBERIA | DECATUR, GA | $30,000 | 2025 | DRIP IRRIGTN SYSTEM |
| MORE HEALTH INC | TAMPA, FL | $30,000 | 2025 | NUTRITION EDUCATION |
| ROSCOMMON CO FOOD PANTRY | HOUGHTON LAKE, MI | $26,000 | 2025 | PROJECT HOPE |
| MIL MILAGROS INC | SOMERVILLE, MA | $25,000 | 2025 | REDUCE MALNUTRN |
| YWCA KALAMAZOO | KALAMAZOO, MI | $25,000 | 2025 | FARM EARLY CHILDHD EDCTN |
| THE SOCIETY OF ST ANDREW | JACKSON, MS | $25,000 | 2025 | FEEDING HUNGRY |
| FRIENDS GRAND TRAVERSE CONS DIST | TRAVERSE CITY, MI | $20,000 | 2025 | INCUBATOR FARM PROG |
| SON OF A SAINT | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $20,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| FRIENDS OF INTERLOCHEN PUBLIC LIBRARY | INTERLOCHEN, MI | $20,000 | 2025 | HEALTH WELLNESS |
| TEXAS A&M AGRILIFE RESEARCH | COLLEGE STATION, TX | $17,340 | 2025 | RESEARCH |
| BASIC NEEDS INC OF SOUTH WASHINGTON CO | ST PAUL, MN | $17,000 | 2025 | FREE FOOD MRKT |
| MPC RESCUE | KALEVA, MI | $15,000 | 2025 | HUNGER RELIEF PINES PROJ |
| ELK RAPIDS SCHOOLS | ELK RAPIDS, MI | $15,000 | 2025 | ELEM HOOP HOUSE |
| INTERFAITH ALLIANCE CORPORATION | SHELBY, NC | $10,000 | 2025 | FOOD EDUCATION |
| ISHI ODAMTTEN FOUNDATION | DEWITT, MI | $10,000 | 2025 | HELP HOMELESS SHELTERS |
| BEMORE CARING INC | GLEN BURNIE, MD | $10,000 | 2025 | EMERGENCY WKEND BAGS |
| THE ARC OF MIDLAND | MIDLAND, MI | $10,000 | 2025 | THRIVE PROGRAM FOOD DIST |
| FLOW FOUNDATION INC | MATTESON, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | MEALS TO HEAL |
| CHRISTIAN DIRECTION INC | MONTRAL | $10,000 | 2025 | LOCAL FOOD SECURITY |
| BENZIE SENIOR RESOURCES | HONOR, MI | $7,500 | 2025 | SENIOR NUTRITION |
| CRAWFORD CO COMM CHRISTIAN HELP CENTER | GRAYLING, MI | $7,200 | 2025 | MOBILE FOOD TRUCKS |
| ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH | HEMLOCK, MI | $7,000 | 2025 | GODS HELPING HANDS |
| LEE COUNTY DIABETES COALITION | BEATTYVILLE, KY | $5,000 | 2025 | IMPG NUTRITIONAL CHOICES |
| WESTWOODS PTO | TRAVERSE CITY, MI | $5,000 | 2025 | FLEX FARM |
| RONALD MCDONALD CHARITIES OF AUGUSTA | AUGUSTA, GA | $4,000 | 2025 | FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES |
| UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $128,246 | 2024 | RESEARCH |
| THE BRIDGE FOOD CENTER | MIDLAND, MI | $127,928 | 2024 | FOOD CTR EXPANSION |
| BRIGHAM & WOMENS HOSPITAL | BOSTON, MA | $100,000 | 2024 | RESEARCH |
| REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $90,000 | 2024 | RESEARCH |
| MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY | EAST LANSING, MI | $86,530 | 2024 | GROWING HEALTHY EATERS |
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
EAGLE VILLAGE
$61,000REVOVATION ED AND SAFETY
UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND
$54,459RESEARCH
NORTHWEST EDUCATION SERVICES
$51,074SUSTANBLTY FARM TO SCHOOL
MICROBINE HLTH RESEARCH INSTITUTE
$50,000RESEARCH
BOTANICAL GARDEN SOCIETY OF NW MI
$50,000PROMOTE HLTHYY FOODS
WEST MIDLAND FAMILY CENTER
$40,000EARLY CHILDHOOD NUTRTN
LUNDQUIST INST UCLA MED CENTER
$40,000RESEARCH
INLAND SEAS EDUCATION CENTER
$38,000YOUTH EDUCTN HLTHY MEALS
HUNTSVILLE HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
$36,000COMM NUTRTN PROGRAM
INTERLOCHEN CENTER FOR THE ARTS
$35,000GRDNG NUTRTN EDCTN
ABUNDANT HARVEST COMM GARDEN OUTREACH
$32,500AQUACULTURE
HEARTH TO HEARTH MINISTRIES
$32,343FARM AND EDUCATION
UNIVERISTY OF CHESTER
$31,047RESEARCH
MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY
$30,550NUTRIBOOST RESRCH
SUSTAINABLE LIBERIA
$30,000DRIP IRRIGTN SYSTEM
MORE HEALTH INC
$30,000NUTRITION EDUCATION
ROSCOMMON CO FOOD PANTRY
$26,000PROJECT HOPE
MIL MILAGROS INC
$25,000REDUCE MALNUTRN
YWCA KALAMAZOO
$25,000FARM EARLY CHILDHD EDCTN
THE SOCIETY OF ST ANDREW
$25,000FEEDING HUNGRY
FRIENDS GRAND TRAVERSE CONS DIST
$20,000INCUBATOR FARM PROG
SON OF A SAINT
$20,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
FRIENDS OF INTERLOCHEN PUBLIC LIBRARY
$20,000HEALTH WELLNESS
TEXAS A&M AGRILIFE RESEARCH
$17,340RESEARCH
BASIC NEEDS INC OF SOUTH WASHINGTON CO
$17,000FREE FOOD MRKT
MPC RESCUE
$15,000HUNGER RELIEF PINES PROJ
ELK RAPIDS SCHOOLS
$15,000ELEM HOOP HOUSE
INTERFAITH ALLIANCE CORPORATION
$10,000FOOD EDUCATION
ISHI ODAMTTEN FOUNDATION
$10,000HELP HOMELESS SHELTERS
BEMORE CARING INC
$10,000EMERGENCY WKEND BAGS
THE ARC OF MIDLAND
$10,000THRIVE PROGRAM FOOD DIST
FLOW FOUNDATION INC
$10,000MEALS TO HEAL
CHRISTIAN DIRECTION INC
$10,000LOCAL FOOD SECURITY
BENZIE SENIOR RESOURCES
$7,500SENIOR NUTRITION
CRAWFORD CO COMM CHRISTIAN HELP CENTER
$7,200MOBILE FOOD TRUCKS
ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH
$7,000GODS HELPING HANDS
LEE COUNTY DIABETES COALITION
$5,000IMPG NUTRITIONAL CHOICES
WESTWOODS PTO
$5,000FLEX FARM
RONALD MCDONALD CHARITIES OF AUGUSTA
$4,000FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
$128,246RESEARCH
THE BRIDGE FOOD CENTER
$127,928FOOD CTR EXPANSION
BRIGHAM & WOMENS HOSPITAL
$100,000RESEARCH
REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
$90,000RESEARCH
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
$86,530GROWING HEALTHY EATERS
