The Julia Child Foundation concentrates on advancing food culture, culinary education, and sustainable food systems by funding a small number of mission-aligned organizations. Their grants support hands-on food education in schools, Indigenous and traditional food-system work, and larger cultural or research initiatives that elevate the future of food. Awards are sizable relative to the overall programbudget and target organizations with national reach or model programs.
The Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and the Culinary Arts stands out for pairing food-history and culinary-scholarship support with a recurring $50,000 award-linked grant to a food-related nonprofit chosen by the recipient. That structure sits alongside a wider portfolio of smaller awards for culinary research, internships, professional development, and food literacy. Recent grants show the foundation backing institutions and programs that shape food culture from multiple angles: Smithsonian food-history work in Washington, DC; scholarship and writing programs at Boston University; and culinary training support at the Culinary Institute of America. Its giving also reaches hands-on school food education, Indigenous food-systems work, and food-media fellowships. The foundation’s grants are generally program-oriented, with many awards supporting specific projects, scholarships, or operating needs tied to food education and cultural documentation. Across the recent list, it favors organizations with national reach or those that can serve as models for culinary education, scholarship, and food culture programming. The grant record suggests a funder that connects Julia Child’s legacy to institutions preserving food history and to practitioners building the next generation of food writers, educators, and culinary professionals.
Food history and cultural documentation are central to the foundation’s work. It gave $25,000 to Smithsonian Institution to support NMAH’s Food History Project, and another $20,000 to Oxford American Literary Project Inc for award-winning writing and multimedia content about foodscapes and food culture of the South. A separate $12,500 grant to Culinary Historians of New York supported the CHNY Scholar’s Grant Program and a first cookbook incorporating culinary culture and history. Education and training are another clear theme. Boston University received $15,000 for the Julia Child Student Writing Awards, while the Culinary Institute of America received $15,000 for scholarships for the college’s students and $15,000 in 2025 for the Julia Child Foundation Scholarship. The foundation also supported Heritage Radio Network Inc with $15,000 for a research and radio fellowship, a fellow-driven show, and internship and food-writing fellowship work.
$259K
$8.3M
$1.1M
$783K
Most grants fall between $7K and $15K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$7K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$15K
About 18% of grants go to recipients in NY.
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A concentrated giving approach: few (4) mid-size grants of roughly equal amounts (~$45–$50k) to a mix of established national institutions and mission-driven nonprofits rather than many small gifts; emphasis on program/general operating support for model programs.
Notable grantees: The Edible Schoolyard Project, North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems, Smithsonian Institution, Edward Charles Foundation
Typical grants cluster in a narrow midrange: p25 is $7,000, median is $10,000, and p75 is $15,000. That points to a program built around modest-to-mid-sized awards, with a smaller number of larger grants at $25,000, $45,000, and $50,000. The recent record shows repeat support to several recipients across multiple years, including Smithsonian Institution, Boston University, Culinary Institute of America, Oxford American Literary Project Inc, Les Dames d’Escoffier International, and Culinary Historians of New York. The foundation is a regular funder rather than a DAF, and it funds individuals as well as organizations through scholarships and award-linked support. One active program accepts unsolicited inquiries, while another scholarship-and-internships track is limited to invited or administered channels.
Giving is national, and every recent grant in the provided sample went to a U.S. recipient. New York appears most often by grant count, with repeated awards to New York City organizations such as Heritage Radio Network Inc and Culinary Historians of New York, as well as Hyde Park’s Culinary Institute of America. California recipients include Berkeley’s The Edible Schoolyard Project, Beverly Hills’ Edward Charles Foundation, and Los Angeles’ University of Southern California. Other destinations include Washington, DC, Boston, Austin, Little Rock, Louisville, Minneapolis, Salina, Providence, and Boulder.
The foundation supports culinary history research, scholarships for professional culinary training, internships in food writing, professional development, and food literacy programs. Recent grants also show support for school garden education, Indigenous food systems work, food journalism, and food history initiatives at major cultural institutions.
Typical awards cluster at $7,000 at the 25th percentile, $10,000 at the median, and $15,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent grant list also includes larger awards at $25,000, $45,000, and $50,000.
Yes. Several organizations appear more than once in the recent grant list, including Smithsonian Institution, Boston University, Culinary Institute of America, Oxford American Literary Project Inc, Les Dames d’Escoffier International, and Culinary Historians of New York. That pattern suggests ongoing relationships rather than one-time awards only.
Yes for some programs. The General Grants Program and General Grants for Culinary Research, Scholarships, Internships, Professional Development and Food Literacy both accept unsolicited inquiries. The Scholarships & Internships Grants track is different and does not accept unsolicited submissions.
The foundation funds both organizations and individuals. Recent organizational grantees include Smithsonian Institution, The Edible Schoolyard Project, and Heritage Radio Network Inc, while its program structure also includes scholarships and internships for students, emerging writers, and culinary professionals.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and the Culinary Arts that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Only organizations designated as nonprofit by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service are eligible. The Foundation does not make grants to individuals.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Edible Schoolyard Project | Berkeley, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | For general operating budget & support the Rhinebeck Central School District for nascent garden project. |
| SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2025 | to support NMAH's Food History Project |
| The Land Institute | Salina, KS | $15,000 | 2025 | in support of the Feast for the Future- The Promise of Perennials event to build awareness for perennial, diverse agriculture |
| HERITAGE RADIO NETWORK INC | NEW YORK, NY | $15,000 | 2025 | To support the Research and Radio Fellowship and for the launch of an HRN-fellow driven show, "From the HRN Pantry" as tools for community connectivity and education |
| OXFORD AMERICAN LITERARY PROJECT INC | LITTLE ROCK, AR | $15,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| LES DAMES D'ESCOFFIER INTERNATIONAL | LOUISVILLE, KY | $15,000 | 2025 | to support the 2024 LDEI Legacy Awards Program TO provide targeted mentorship opportunities for women working in the food, beverage and hospitality industries |
| CULINARY INSTITUTE OF AMERICA | HYDE PARK, NY | $15,000 | 2025 | in support of the Julia Child Foundation Scholarship |
| BOSTON UNIVERSITY | BOSTON, MA | $15,000 | 2025 | To support the Julia Child Student Writing Awards |
| UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA | LOS ANGELES, CA | $13,750 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| CULINARY HISTORIANS OF NEW YORK | NEW YORK, NY | $12,500 | 2025 | to support the IACP Julia Child First Book Award |
| KCRW Foundation Inc | Santa Monica, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | in support of the Food Journalism Fellowship to inspire and support an emerging journalist through professional development training and community-building |
| NEW YORK CITY COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY FOUNDATION INC | BROOKLYN, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | IN SUPPORT OF THE CITY TECH HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT |
| CAREERS CULINARY ARTS PROGRAM | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| JOHNSON & WALES UNIVERSITY | PROVIDENCE, RI | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| COMMON THREADS | AUSTIN, TX | $7,500 | 2025 | To support programs in Austin and Los Angeles youth and families in hands-on cooking and nutrition education |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF THE OXFORD SYMPOSIUM ON FOOD & | NEW YORK, NY | $7,500 | 2025 | to subsidize student attendance at the 2024 Oxford Symposium on Food and Cookery, to expand and encourage the worldwide culinary cultural community by cultivating the next generation of food scholars |
| Santa Barbara Agriculture & Farm Education Foundat | Summerland, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | To support monthly farm food donation to medically struggling cancer and MS patients |
| University of North Texas Foundation Inc | DENTON, TX | $5,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| SPOONS ACROSS AMERICA | NEW YORK, NY | $3,000 | 2025 | To support the Food Exploration Project's twelve-session curriculum that helps children explore taste and food exploration, providing vital knowledge about the foods |
| NORTH AMERICAN TRADITIONAL INDIGENOUS FOOD SYSTEMS | Minneapolis, MN | $50,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED |
| EDWARD CHARLES FOUNDATION | BEVERLY HILLS, CA | $50,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED |
| SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2024 | IN SUPPORT OF THE 25 AT 25: FOOD FUND FOR THE FUTURE INITIATIVE |
| BOSTON UNIVERSITY | BOSTON, MA | $16,500 | 2024 | IN SUPPORT OF THE JULIA CHILD STUDENT WRITING AWARDS |
| COMMON THREADS | AUSTIN, TX | $15,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT THE AUSTIN PROGRAMMING |
| CULINARY INSTITUTE OF AMERICA | HYDE PARK, NY | $15,000 | 2024 | IN SUPPORT OF SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THE COLLEGE'S STUDENTS |
| OXFORD AMERICAN LITERARY PROJECT INC | LITTLE ROCK, AR | $15,000 | 2024 | IN SUPPORT OF AWARD-WINNING WRITING AND MULTIMEDIA CONTENT ABOUT FOODSCAPES AND FOOD CULTURE OF THE SOUTH |
| LES DAMES D'ESCOFFIER INTERNATIONAL | LOUISVILLE, KY | $15,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED |
| HERITAGE RADIO NETWORK INC | NEW YORK, NY | $15,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT THE HERITAGE RADIO NETWORK ON THE NEW SHOW DEVELOPMENT, INTERNSHIP PROGRAM & NEW FOOD WRITING FELLOWSHIP |
| CULINARY HISTORIANS OF NEW YORK | NEW YORK, NY | $12,500 | 2024 | IN SUPPORT OF THE CHNY'S SCHOLAR'S GRANT PROGRAM & FIRST COOKBOOK THAT INCORPORATES CULINARY CULTURE AND HISTORY |
| CAREERS CULINARY ARTS PROGRAM | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT SUMMER JOB TRAINING PROGRAMS |
| FILM INDEPENDENT | LOS ANGELES, CA | $10,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED |
| JOHNSON & WALES UNIVERSITY | PROVIDENCE, RI | $10,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT STUDENTS THROUGH THE JULIA CHILD FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP FUND |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF THE OXFORD SYMPOSIUM ON FOOD & | NEW YORK, NY | $7,500 | 2024 | IN SUPPORT OF THE STUDENT ATTENDANCE AT THE OXFORD SYMPOSIUM |
| NEW YORK CITY COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY FOUNDATION INC | BROOKLYN, NY | $7,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED |
| SPOONS ACROSS AMERICA | NEW YORK, NY | $6,000 | 2024 | IN SUPPORT OF SPOONS ACROSS AMERICA'S CULINARY EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS |
| THE CHRYSLER MUSEUM OF ART | NORFOLK, VA | $5,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED |
| UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS (UNT) | DENTON, TX | $5,000 | 2024 | TO FUND THE 2023 JULIA CHILD FOUNDATION FOR GASTROMY AND CULINARY ARTS FELLOWSHIP |
| UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA | LOS ANGELES, CA | $3,750 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED |
| AVID CENTER | SAN DIEGO, CA | $700 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED |
| SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION | WASHINGTON, DC | $45,000 | 2023 | IN SUPPORT OF the 25 at 25: Food Fund for the Future initiative |
| OXFORD AMERICAN LITERARY PROJECT INC | LITTLE ROCK, AR | $20,000 | 2023 | IN SUPPORT OF AWARD-WINNING WRITING AND MULTIMEDIA CONTENT ABOUT FOODSCAPES AND FOOD CULTURE OF THE SOUTH |
| BOSTON UNIVERSITY | BOSTON, MA | $18,500 | 2023 | IN SUPPORT OF THE JULIA CHILD STUDENT WRITING AWARDS |
| CULINARY INSTITUTE OF AMERICA | HYDE PARK, NY | $15,000 | 2023 | IN SUPPORT OF SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THE COLLEGE'S STUDENTS |
| HERITAGE RADIO NETWORK INC | NEW YORK, NY | $15,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT THE HERITAGE RADIO NETWORK ON THE NEW SHOW DEVELOPMENT, INTERNSHIP PROGRAM & NEW FOOD WRITING FELLOWSHIP |
| COMMON THREADS | AUSTIN, TX | $15,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT THE AUSTIN PROGRAMMING |
| CULINARY HISTORIANS OF NEW YORK | NEW YORK, NY | $12,500 | 2023 | IN SUPPORT OF THE CHNY'S SCHOLAR'S GRANT PROGRAM & FIRST COOKBOOK THAT INCORPORATES CULINARY CULTURE AND HISTORY |
| Les Dames d'Escoffier International | LOUISVILLE, KY | $12,000 | 2023 | UNRESTRICTED |
| WA SUNG COMMUNITY SERVICE FUND | Oakland, CA | $10,000 | 2023 | UNRESTRICTED |
| CAREERS THROUGH CULINARY ARTS PROGRAM | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT SUMMER JOB TRAINING PROGRAMS |
| JOHNSON & WALES UNIVERSITY | PROVIDENCE, RI | $10,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT STUDENTS THROUGH THE JULIA CHILD FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP FUND |
For general operating budget & support the Rhinebeck Central School District for nascent garden project.
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
$25,000to support NMAH's Food History Project
in support of the Feast for the Future- The Promise of Perennials event to build awareness for perennial, diverse agriculture
HERITAGE RADIO NETWORK INC
$15,000To support the Research and Radio Fellowship and for the launch of an HRN-fellow driven show, "From the HRN Pantry" as tools for community connectivity and education
OXFORD AMERICAN LITERARY PROJECT INC
$15,000UNRESTRICTED
LES DAMES D'ESCOFFIER INTERNATIONAL
$15,000to support the 2024 LDEI Legacy Awards Program TO provide targeted mentorship opportunities for women working in the food, beverage and hospitality industries
CULINARY INSTITUTE OF AMERICA
$15,000in support of the Julia Child Foundation Scholarship
BOSTON UNIVERSITY
$15,000To support the Julia Child Student Writing Awards
CULINARY HISTORIANS OF NEW YORK
$12,500to support the IACP Julia Child First Book Award
in support of the Food Journalism Fellowship to inspire and support an emerging journalist through professional development training and community-building
IN SUPPORT OF THE CITY TECH HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT
JOHNSON & WALES UNIVERSITY
$10,000UNRESTRICTED
To support programs in Austin and Los Angeles youth and families in hands-on cooking and nutrition education
AMERICAN FRIENDS OF THE OXFORD SYMPOSIUM ON FOOD &
$7,500to subsidize student attendance at the 2024 Oxford Symposium on Food and Cookery, to expand and encourage the worldwide culinary cultural community by cultivating the next generation of food scholars
Santa Barbara Agriculture & Farm Education Foundat
$5,000To support monthly farm food donation to medically struggling cancer and MS patients
SPOONS ACROSS AMERICA
$3,000To support the Food Exploration Project's twelve-session curriculum that helps children explore taste and food exploration, providing vital knowledge about the foods
IN SUPPORT OF THE 25 AT 25: FOOD FUND FOR THE FUTURE INITIATIVE
BOSTON UNIVERSITY
$16,500IN SUPPORT OF THE JULIA CHILD STUDENT WRITING AWARDS
CULINARY INSTITUTE OF AMERICA
$15,000IN SUPPORT OF SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THE COLLEGE'S STUDENTS
OXFORD AMERICAN LITERARY PROJECT INC
$15,000IN SUPPORT OF AWARD-WINNING WRITING AND MULTIMEDIA CONTENT ABOUT FOODSCAPES AND FOOD CULTURE OF THE SOUTH
LES DAMES D'ESCOFFIER INTERNATIONAL
$15,000UNRESTRICTED
HERITAGE RADIO NETWORK INC
$15,000TO SUPPORT THE HERITAGE RADIO NETWORK ON THE NEW SHOW DEVELOPMENT, INTERNSHIP PROGRAM & NEW FOOD WRITING FELLOWSHIP
CULINARY HISTORIANS OF NEW YORK
$12,500IN SUPPORT OF THE CHNY'S SCHOLAR'S GRANT PROGRAM & FIRST COOKBOOK THAT INCORPORATES CULINARY CULTURE AND HISTORY
CAREERS CULINARY ARTS PROGRAM
$10,000TO SUPPORT SUMMER JOB TRAINING PROGRAMS
JOHNSON & WALES UNIVERSITY
$10,000TO SUPPORT STUDENTS THROUGH THE JULIA CHILD FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP FUND
AMERICAN FRIENDS OF THE OXFORD SYMPOSIUM ON FOOD &
$7,500IN SUPPORT OF THE STUDENT ATTENDANCE AT THE OXFORD SYMPOSIUM
SPOONS ACROSS AMERICA
$6,000IN SUPPORT OF SPOONS ACROSS AMERICA'S CULINARY EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS (UNT)
$5,000TO FUND THE 2023 JULIA CHILD FOUNDATION FOR GASTROMY AND CULINARY ARTS FELLOWSHIP
AVID CENTER
$700UNRESTRICTED
IN SUPPORT OF the 25 at 25: Food Fund for the Future initiative
OXFORD AMERICAN LITERARY PROJECT INC
$20,000IN SUPPORT OF AWARD-WINNING WRITING AND MULTIMEDIA CONTENT ABOUT FOODSCAPES AND FOOD CULTURE OF THE SOUTH
BOSTON UNIVERSITY
$18,500IN SUPPORT OF THE JULIA CHILD STUDENT WRITING AWARDS
CULINARY INSTITUTE OF AMERICA
$15,000IN SUPPORT OF SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THE COLLEGE'S STUDENTS
HERITAGE RADIO NETWORK INC
$15,000TO SUPPORT THE HERITAGE RADIO NETWORK ON THE NEW SHOW DEVELOPMENT, INTERNSHIP PROGRAM & NEW FOOD WRITING FELLOWSHIP
CULINARY HISTORIANS OF NEW YORK
$12,500IN SUPPORT OF THE CHNY'S SCHOLAR'S GRANT PROGRAM & FIRST COOKBOOK THAT INCORPORATES CULINARY CULTURE AND HISTORY
Les Dames d'Escoffier International
$12,000UNRESTRICTED
WA SUNG COMMUNITY SERVICE FUND
$10,000UNRESTRICTED
JOHNSON & WALES UNIVERSITY
$10,000TO SUPPORT STUDENTS THROUGH THE JULIA CHILD FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP FUND