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Van Sloun Foundation

Annual Giving
$0.9M
Grant Range
$0K - $0.2M

Van Sloun Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $882,700 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not publicly available
  • Grant Range: $250 - $170,000
  • Typical Grant Size: $40,000 or less
  • Number of Grants: 72 awards (2023)
  • Geographic Focus: Massachusetts and Minnesota

Contact Details

Mailing Address for Letters of Inquiry: Joseph Van Sloun 3527 Jidana Lane Minnetonka, MN 55345

Foundation Address: P.O. Box 576 Marion, MA 02738-0010

Note: The foundation maintains a low profile and does not have a website or public phone/email contact information.

Overview

The Van Sloun Foundation was established in 1992 by the late Neil Van Sloun, who owned a successful plant nursery in Westport, Massachusetts, and served as president of both the New England Nursery Association and the Massachusetts Nursery and Landscape Association. The foundation is now led by Van Sloun's nephew, Joseph Van Sloun, and is based in Marion, Massachusetts. In 2023, the foundation distributed $882,700 across 72 grants to organizations working in education, environmental and animal conservation, health, and human services. The foundation maintains a low profile without a website or formal program announcements, but accepts unsolicited letters of inquiry. Massachusetts and Minnesota serve as the geographic priorities for the foundation's grantmaking activities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates a single grant program with flexible funding amounts:

  • General Grantmaking: $250 - $170,000 (majority of grants are $40,000 or less)
  • Application method: Letter of inquiry submitted via mail on a rolling basis

Priority Areas

Education Education is the foundation's largest area of giving. At the K-12 level, the foundation focuses on:

  • Private schools
  • Charter schools
  • Special education institutions

Massachusetts education grantees include:

  • Perkins School for the Blind
  • Friends Academy in North Dartmouth
  • Our Sisters School in New Bedford

The foundation also supports colleges and universities, with education funding primarily used for scholarships.

Conservation and Animals The foundation supports environmental organizations and animal welfare causes. Massachusetts conservation grantees include:

  • Massachusetts Audubon Society
  • Animal Rescue League of Fall River
  • New England Aquarium
  • National Marine Life Center in Buzzards Bay

Other conservation grantees include:

  • America's VetDogs
  • Ducks Unlimited
  • Minnesota's Great River Greening
  • Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife in Sanibel, Florida

Health and Human Services Health and human services grantees include:

  • Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital
  • Family Service of Rhode Island
  • Open Arms of Minnesota
  • Care Ring of Charlotte (helps uninsured people access medical care)

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not publicly list specific exclusions, but their documented grantmaking history suggests they focus on established organizations in their priority areas within Massachusetts and Minnesota.

Governance and Leadership

Joseph Van Sloun - Current leader of the foundation and nephew of founder Neil Van Sloun. Based in Minnetonka, Minnesota, he reviews letters of inquiry and makes funding decisions.

Everett M. Davis - Serves as Trustee for the foundation.

The foundation maintains a private, low-profile approach to its operations and does not publish detailed information about its board composition or decision-making processes.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Van Sloun Foundation accepts unsolicited letters of inquiry via mail. There is no online application portal or formal application form.

Submission address: Joseph Van Sloun 3527 Jidana Lane Minnetonka, MN 55345

Grantseekers should submit a letter of inquiry describing their organization, project, and funding request. The foundation operates on a rolling basis without fixed deadlines.

Decision Timeline

The foundation does not publish information about typical decision timeframes or notification methods. Given the foundation's low-profile approach and modest staff capacity, applicants should anticipate extended decision periods.

Success Rates

With 72 grants awarded in 2023 and annual giving of $882,700, the foundation actively supports multiple organizations. However, specific information about the number of applications received or success rates is not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation does not publish information about reapplication policies or waiting periods for unsuccessful applicants.

Application Success Factors

Geographic Connection is Critical The foundation has clear geographic priorities in Massachusetts and Minnesota. Organizations based in these states, particularly in areas connected to the founder's history (Marion, MA area and Minnesota), appear to have the strongest chance of success.

Alignment with Founder's Interests Neil Van Sloun's background in the plant nursery business and leadership in horticultural associations suggests a personal connection to environmental and conservation causes. Projects that connect to these interests—particularly those involving environmental conservation, animals, and outdoor education—may resonate with the foundation's values.

Established Organizations Preferred Review of the foundation's grantees suggests they support established, recognized organizations rather than start-ups or experimental programs. Organizations like Massachusetts Audubon Society, New England Aquarium, and Brigham and Women's Hospital demonstrate the foundation's preference for stable institutions with proven track records.

Education Focus on Access and Special Populations The foundation's support for Perkins School for the Blind, special education programs, and scholarship funding indicates an interest in expanding educational access, particularly for underserved or special needs populations.

Modest Proposals May Fare Better With the majority of grants at $40,000 or less, organizations should consider requesting amounts in this range rather than approaching the high end of the foundation's giving range ($170,000), which appears to be reserved for exceptional cases.

Personal Connection Through Minnesota Address The fact that Joseph Van Sloun reviews applications from Minnesota (rather than the Marion, MA foundation address) suggests that Minnesota-based organizations may have additional access or connection to the foundation's leadership.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic focus is essential - Ensure your organization is based in or primarily serves Massachusetts or Minnesota; out-of-state applications face significant barriers
  • Keep requests modest - Target the $10,000-$40,000 range where the majority of grants are awarded rather than requesting exceptional amounts
  • Emphasize organizational stability - Highlight your organization's track record, established programs, and proven outcomes rather than experimental or start-up initiatives
  • Connect to founder's legacy - If applicable, draw connections between your work and environmental conservation, horticultural education, or expanding access to education for special populations
  • Mail your letter to Minnesota - Submit letters of inquiry to Joseph Van Sloun's Minnesota address rather than the Marion, MA foundation office
  • Be patient and persistent - Without a website, formal programs, or published timelines, the foundation operates at its own pace; maintain appropriate follow-up without being aggressive
  • Consider the "special education" angle - Projects that expand access to education for students with disabilities or special needs align with documented funding priorities

References

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