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The Nathan Cummings Foundation

Annual Giving
$17.0M
Grant Range
$50K - $0.3M
Decision Time
3mo

The Nathan Cummings Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $17 million (2024 budget)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed (competitive process)
  • Decision Time: 12 weeks
  • Grant Range: $50,000 - $250,000+ (most grants $50,000-$250,000)
  • Geographic Focus: United States (with emphasis on U.S. South) and Israel-Palestine

Contact Details

Website: www.nathancummings.org Email: contact@nathancummings.org Phone: 212-787-7300 Address: New York, NY Grant Portal: foundationConnect system (requires registration) General Inquiries: gadmin@nathancummings.org Fellowship Inquiries: Fellowship@nathancummings.org

Overview

Founded in 1949 by Nathan Cummings, founder of Consolidated Foods (later Sara Lee Corporation), The Nathan Cummings Foundation (NCF) is a multi-generational family foundation rooted in the Jewish tradition of social justice. With assets of approximately $470.8 million and an annual grantmaking budget of about $17 million, NCF has committed to advancing racial, economic, and environmental justice (REEJ) through an integrated approach that deploys the totality of its assets—people, relationships, knowledge, voice, and money. In 2018, NCF made a groundbreaking commitment to align 100% of its endowment with its mission, becoming one of the largest foundations to do so. As of July 2024, 90% of the foundation's portfolio was impact-aligned. Led by President and CEO Rey Ramsey and Board Chair Jaimie Mayer (the first fourth-generation Cummings family member to lead the board), NCF distributes approximately 283 grants annually (2023 data) and operates with a strategic focus on systems change rather than direct services. The foundation's work spans the U.S. (with particular emphasis on the U.S. South) and Israel-Palestine, supporting organizations that address interconnected challenges of racial, economic, and environmental injustice.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Venture Grants

  • Amount: Up to $100,000 for one year
  • Purpose: Short-term support to expedite backing for social entrepreneurs with breakthrough, emerging, and innovative solutions
  • Application: Rolling basis through Letter of Inquiry (LOI) portal

Advancement Grants

  • Amount: Up to $250,000 annually for up to two years
  • Purpose: Two-year support for project-based work and/or scaling organizations and promising solutions
  • Application: Rolling basis through Letter of Inquiry (LOI) portal

Enterprise Grants

  • Amount: $250,000+ annually for more than two years
  • Purpose: Multi-year, unrestricted funding to partners with deep alignment across REEJ focus areas
  • Application: Invitation-only

Program-Related Investments (PRIs)

  • Commitment: $22 million over five years (5% of endowment)
  • Structure: Low-interest loans and other forms of low-cost financing
  • Requirements: Must not be used to influence legislation or participate in political campaigns
  • Application: Separate PRI Letter of Inquiry through portal

NCF Fellowship Program

  • Amount: Up to $150,000 per individual ($100,000 initial + $50,000 upon successful completion)
  • Recipients: 3 individuals per cohort
  • Purpose: Support innovative projects addressing climate change or inequality
  • Term: 12 months initial with potential extension
  • Requirements: Three fellowship residency weeks required (New York residency not required)

Priority Areas

NCF organizes its work around three interconnected focus areas that together form REEJ (Racial, Economic, and Environmental Justice):

Racial Justice

  • Dismantling white supremacy and structural racism
  • Black liberation and empowerment
  • Black Jewish voices and perspectives
  • Indigenous rights and sovereignty
  • Intersectional approaches to justice

Economic Justice

  • Workers' rights and economic security
  • Wealth-building opportunities for marginalized communities
  • Inclusive participation in the green economy
  • Challenging corporate power and extractive economic models
  • Shifting from extractive to regenerative economic models

Environmental Justice

  • Climate crisis solutions led by frontline communities
  • Just transition to inclusive clean economy
  • Holding polluters accountable (financial and legal accountability)
  • Mitigating environmental harms impacting BIPOC and low-income communities
  • Climate adaptation, mitigation, and resilience with economic inclusion

Corporate Accountability

  • Increasing corporate transparency and democratic systems
  • Leveraging investor power to hold asset managers and corporations accountable
  • Challenging deeply entrenched political and corporate interests
  • Private equity accountability

Place-Based Initiatives

U.S. South

  • Learning, collaboration, and proximity in Southern communities
  • Supporting grassroots organizing and systems change work

Israel-Palestine

  • Work across Israel (within 1967 borders), West Bank, and Gaza
  • Target communities: Palestinians in Gaza and West Bank, Ethiopian Jews, Mizrahim, Bedouins, Russian Jews, Haredim, Palestinian Israelis
  • Democracy and human rights support

2025 Specific Priorities

  • Work that measurably increases jobs, investments, and wealth-building opportunities in the Green Energy Transition for marginalized communities
  • Increased capital to support frontline community-led solutions
  • Models of economic inclusion in climate adaptation, mitigation, or resilience

What They Don't Fund

  • Direct services: Social or direct service projects not part of a larger advocacy strategy (e.g., cash transfers, work development programs, food and education services, housing assistance)
  • Fundraising events: Sponsorships, panel requests, or galas
  • Legislative lobbying: PRIs cannot be used to influence legislation or participate in political campaigns
  • Stand-alone programs: Service provision without systemic change components

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

President and CEO: Rey Ramsey

  • Social justice entrepreneur with 30+ years of experience across nonprofit, public, and private sectors
  • Also serves as Independent Trustee and Investment Committee member
  • Known for bold thinking and challenging the status quo
  • Key philosophy: "Justice is not illegal, and advocacy for ideas and reforms to elevate the human condition and spirit are protected by the U.S. Constitution"

Previous Presidents:

  • Sharon Alpert (2015-2020): First female leader, oversaw transition to mission-aligned investing
  • Guided foundation's commitment to increased payout and 100% impact investing

Board of Trustees

Board Chair: Jaimie Mayer

  • Great-granddaughter of founder Nathan Cummings
  • Granddaughter of first board chair, Beatrice "Buddy" Cummings Mayer
  • First fourth-generation Cummings family member to lead the board
  • Served on board for 18 years before becoming chair
  • Career as theatre and film producer; works with young philanthropists (20s-30s)

Board Members (partial list from available information):

  • Jarrett Barrios (Independent Trustee)
  • Gabriella Morris (Independent Trustee)
  • Rey Ramsey (ex-officio as President and CEO)

Leadership Philosophy

On Justice and Impact: "It's impossible to drive impact in this world, unless you have a lens that reminds you of the importance of justice" - Rey Ramsey

On Possibility: "You've got to overcome the pervasive disbelief that certain things are not possible" - Rey Ramsey

On Living Boldly: "I believe that everybody is born into the world as an artist… but the trick of life is that you get one canvas" - Rey Ramsey encourages choosing "broad strokes with bright colors" over "tepid shades of gray"

On Transparency: Greater transparency drives greater impact, reflected in NCF's commitment to sharing their investment approach and results publicly

From Previous Leadership: Sharon Alpert described Rey Ramsey as "a bold thinker and a collaborator who is known for breakthrough ideas that challenge the status quo"

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

IMPORTANT: NCF's Letters of Inquiry (LOI) portals are closed until October 2025 for assessment and reflection.

When Portal Reopens:

  1. Review Prerequisites:

    • Visit nathancummings.org to review FAQs and REEJ focus areas
    • Ensure alignment with racial, economic, and/or environmental justice goals
    • Review preview LOI forms (available for both Grants LOI and PRI LOI)

  2. Registration:

    • Complete registration process to access NCF Applicant Portal
    • Portal uses foundationConnect system (works best with Google Chrome)

  3. Submit Letter of Inquiry:

    • Complete appropriate LOI form (Grant or PRI)
    • Proposals aligning with REEJ and place-based initiatives (especially U.S. South) are encouraged
    • Cannot edit information after submission

  4. Contact for Questions:

    • Content-related questions: Contact portfolio lead and copy gadmin@nathancummings.org
    • Technical assistance: Available through portal

Decision Timeline

  • Initial Review: 12 weeks from submission
  • Notification: All applicants notified whether application selected for further consideration
  • Rolling Decisions: LOIs reviewed and decided on rolling basis
  • Note: Some funding decisions may take longer than 12 weeks

Success Rates

  • Specific rates: Not publicly disclosed
  • Competition level: Foundation describes this as "a competitive process" with "limited resources"
  • 2023 Volume: 283 awards made
  • 2022 Volume: 292 awards made
  • 2021 Volume: 312 awards made

The foundation typically receives significantly more applications than it can fund, making strong alignment with REEJ priorities essential.

Reapplication Policy

No specific restrictions mentioned on reapplications. Organizations whose LOIs are not selected may reapply in future cycles, though alignment with evolving priorities should be carefully considered.

Application Success Factors

Foundation's Direct Guidance

Alignment is Non-Negotiable Both grant and PRI proposals must align with NCF's interconnected goals of racial, economic, and/or environmental justice (REEJ). Proposals that align and intersect with REEJ and place-based initiatives (particularly the U.S. South) are especially encouraged.

Systems Change Over Services NCF prioritizes systemic change work through advocacy strategies rather than direct service provision. Applications should demonstrate how the work addresses root causes and structural barriers.

Intersectionality Matters The foundation seeks work that addresses the interconnections between racial, economic, and environmental justice, recognizing these issues cannot be solved in isolation.

Examples of Funded Projects (2024)

Economic Justice + Racial Justice:

  • Black Girl Ventures Foundation: $100,000 over 12 months to fund and scale tech-enabled revenue-generating businesses under $1 million founded by Black/Brown women
  • Bend the Arc: $800,000 over 24 months for Jewish social justice power-building work to build a just and equitable U.S. free from white supremacy

Environmental Justice + Economic Justice:

  • Green America: $200,000 over 24 months for Regenerative Agriculture Program, working with farmers and companies to transition to regenerative practices
  • Soul Fire Farm Institute: $100,000 over 12 months for Afro-Indigenous centered community farm dedicated to uprooting racism and seeding sovereignty in the food system

Racial Justice + Intersectionality:

  • Black Jewish Liberation Collective: $50,000 over 12 months to hire first staff to amplify Black Jewish voices working toward liberation and dismantling white supremacy

These examples demonstrate NCF's preference for:

  • Clear connection to REEJ framework
  • Organizations led by communities most impacted
  • Innovative approaches with scaling potential
  • Intersectional analysis
  • Work addressing both immediate needs and systemic change

Language and Terminology

Successful applications incorporate NCF's language authentically:

  • Racial, economic, and environmental justice (REEJ)
  • Systems change and structural transformation
  • Frontline communities and community-led solutions
  • Just transition and inclusive economy
  • Corporate and political accountability
  • Regenerative economics
  • Totality of assets approach
  • Intersectional approaches

Strategic Tips

Demonstrate Intersectionality Show how your work connects at least two of the three REEJ pillars. The foundation explicitly seeks interconnected approaches.

Show Community Leadership Prioritize organizations led by and accountable to the communities most impacted by injustice.

Think Beyond Direct Services Frame work in terms of advocacy, organizing, policy change, and systems transformation rather than service delivery alone.

Connect to Place If working in the U.S. South or Israel-Palestine, explicitly articulate this and why your place-based approach matters.

Articulate Theory of Change Clearly explain how your work addresses root causes and contributes to structural change, not just symptoms.

Be Specific About Impact For 2025 priorities, quantify how work will increase jobs, investments, wealth-building, or capital flows to marginalized communities.

Leverage Investment Approach Recognize that NCF may also be able to support work through PRIs, not just grants. Consider whether your organization could benefit from low-cost financing.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Wait for the portal to reopen in October 2025: NCF has paused applications for strategic assessment. Use this time to deepen alignment with REEJ priorities and study their recent grantees and impact reports.

  2. Master the REEJ framework: Success requires demonstrating interconnected understanding of racial, economic, and environmental justice. Don't just check boxes—show authentic intersectional analysis and how your work addresses structural barriers across multiple dimensions.

  3. Systems change is the bottom line: NCF will not fund direct services unless they're part of a larger advocacy strategy. Frame your work in terms of root causes, power dynamics, structural transformation, and policy/systems change rather than symptom management or service delivery.

  4. Lead with community power: NCF prioritizes organizations led by and accountable to the communities most impacted by injustice. If this describes your organization, make it central to your narrative. If not, clearly articulate how you center affected communities in decision-making and leadership.

  5. Consider multiple funding vehicles: NCF offers grants at multiple levels (Venture, Advancement, Enterprise) and PRIs. Consider whether low-cost financing might accelerate your work, and be strategic about which funding type to pursue based on your organizational stage and needs.

  6. Geographic alignment matters: If you work in the U.S. South or Israel-Palestine, emphasize this explicitly as these are priority geographies. Demonstrate deep understanding of place-based dynamics and community context.

  7. Study their boldness and apply it: Rey Ramsey's leadership philosophy emphasizes "broad strokes with bright colors" and overcoming "pervasive disbelief that certain things are not possible." NCF seeks breakthrough approaches and innovative solutions, not incremental tweaks to the status quo. Match their ambition with yours.

References

  1. Nathan Cummings Foundation Official Website - Home: https://nathancummings.org/ (Accessed November 2024)

  2. Nathan Cummings Foundation - What We Fund: https://nathancummings.org/apply-for-funding/what-we-fund/ (Accessed November 2024)

  3. Nathan Cummings Foundation - Our Funding: https://nathancummings.org/apply-for-funding/ (Accessed November 2024)

  4. Nathan Cummings Foundation - Funding FAQs: https://nathancummings.org/apply-for-funding/grant-faqs/ (Accessed November 2024)

  5. Nathan Cummings Foundation - Our Focus: https://nathancummings.org/our-focus/ (Accessed November 2024)

  6. Nathan Cummings Foundation - Our Partners: https://nathancummings.org/our-partners/ (Accessed November 2024)

  7. Nathan Cummings Foundation - Israel-Palestine: https://nathancummings.org/israel/ (Accessed November 2024)

  8. Nathan Cummings Foundation - Our People: https://nathancummings.org/our-people/ (Accessed November 2024)

  9. Nathan Cummings Foundation - Our Board: https://nathancummings.org/our-people/board/ (Accessed November 2024)

  10. Nathan Cummings Foundation - Rey Ramsey Profile: https://nathancummings.org/team-member/rey-ramsey-2/ (Accessed November 2024)

  11. Nathan Cummings Foundation - Our Investments: https://nathancummings.org/our-investments/ (Accessed November 2024)

  12. Nathan Cummings Foundation - Inside Our "Totality of Assets" Approach: https://nathancummings.org/inside-our-totality-of-assets-approach/ (Accessed November 2024)

  13. Nathan Cummings Foundation - 2023 Impact Report: https://nathancummings.org/our-2023-impact-report/ (Accessed November 2024)

  14. Nathan Cummings Foundation - 2024 Impact Report: https://nathancummings.org/2024-impact-report/ (Accessed November 2024)

  15. Nathan Cummings Foundation - Fellowship FAQs: https://nathancummings.org/our-fellows/faqs/ (Accessed November 2024)

  16. Nathan Cummings Foundation - Fellowship Guidelines: https://nathancummings.org/our-fellows/fellowship-guidelines/ (Accessed November 2024)

  17. Nathan Cummings Foundation - Jaimie Mayer Named Board Chair: https://nathancummings.org/jaimie-mayer-named-board-chair-of-the-nathan-cummings-foundations-board-of-trustees/ (Accessed November 2024)

  18. Nathan Cummings Foundation - Sharon Alpert Joins NCF as President and CEO: https://nathancummings.org/sharon-alpert-joins-ncf-as-president-and-ceo/ (Accessed November 2024)

  19. Nathan Cummings Foundation - Our Legacy: https://nathancummings.org/our-legacy/ (Accessed November 2024)

  20. Inside Philanthropy - Nathan Cummings Foundation: https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/grants-c/nathan-cummings-foundation (Accessed November 2024)

  21. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - The Nathan Cummings Foundation Inc: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/237093201 (Accessed November 2024)

  22. Mission Investors Exchange - Nathan Cummings Foundation's Mission-Aligned Investing Journey: https://missioninvestors.org/resources/nathan-cummings-foundations-mission-aligned-investing-journey (Accessed November 2024)

  23. ImpactAlpha - Rey Ramsey on deploying 100% of foundation assets: https://impactalpha.com/the-reconstruction-rey-ramsey-on-deploying-100-of-foundation-assets-toward-positive-impact-and-racial-equity/ (Accessed November 2024)

  24. Wikipedia - Nathan Cummings Foundation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nathan_Cummings_Foundation (Accessed November 2024)

  25. Wikipedia - Nathan Cummings: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nathan_Cummings (Accessed November 2024)

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