The John A. Hartford Foundation - Funder Overview

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $23.9 million (2023)
Total Assets: ~$711 million endowment (2021)
Grant Range: $100,000 - $3,000,000
Average Grant Size: ~$100,000
Geographic Focus: National (United States)
Application Process: Invitation only
Total Grants Awarded Since 1982: Over $737 million

Contact Details

Website: johnahartford.org

Address: 55 East 59th Street, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10022-1713

Phone: 212-832-7788

General Inquiries: Contact page available at johnahartford.org/contact

For Current/Prospective Grantees: Questions can be directed to your assigned program officer

Overview

The John A. Hartford Foundation was established in 1929 by John A. Hartford and his brother George L. Hartford, former chief executives of the Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company (A&P). The Foundation's mission is to improve the care of older adults in the United States. With an endowment of approximately $711 million (as of 2021) and annual giving of $23.9 million (2023), the Foundation has awarded more than $737 million in grants since 1982. The Foundation takes a strategic, focused approach to grantmaking, concentrating exclusively on three priority areas: Age-Friendly Health Systems, Family Caregiving, and Serious Illness & End-of-Life Care. Under the leadership of former president Terry Fulmer, PhD, RN, FAAN (who stepped down in September 2025 after 10 years), the Foundation catalyzed the Age-Friendly Health Systems movement, which has spread to over 5,000 hospitals, practices, nursing homes, and other care settings nationwide. The Foundation emphasizes evidence-based practices and typically funds major players in the field with the potential to effect significant and widespread change in elder care.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foundation focuses on three strategic priority areas:

1. Age-Friendly Health Systems

Focus: Creating healthcare systems that meet the needs of aging populations through the 4Ms Framework (What Matters, Medication, Mentation, Mobility)
Grant Range: $100,000 - $3,000,000+
Notable Grantees: American Hospital Association, Institute for Healthcare Improvement, American Society of Consultant Pharmacists, CVS MinuteClinics
Recent Example: Case Western Reserve University received funding to help 1,100+ CVS MinuteClinics achieve Age-Friendly Health Systems recognition

2. Family Caregiving

Focus: Supporting those who care for older adults through innovative models, policies, and practical resources
Grant Range: $200,000 - $2,000,000
Notable Grantees: National Alliance for Caregiving, Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging, Diverse Elders Coalition
Recent Example: National Alliance for Caregiving received $1.8 million over three years for the Act On RAISE Family Caregiving Advocacy Campaign

3. Serious Illness and End-of-Life Care

Focus: Improving care that aligns with the goals and preferences of older adults during serious illness and end of life
Grant Range: $100,000 - $2,000,000+
Focus on: Decision-making support, palliative care integration, advance care planning

4. Communications & Special Projects

Addresses related initiatives including public health, philanthropy sector engagement, and leadership development

Priority Areas

Evidence-based comprehensive dementia care programs
Medication management for older adults (deprescribing, age-friendly medication protocols)
Public health systems integration with age-friendly principles
Direct care worker and family caregiver policy support
Health equity for diverse aging populations
Home-based primary care models
Leadership development in geriatrics and aging care
Research and policy development (majority of grants support this over direct services)

What They Don't Fund

Grants to individuals
Organizations without 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status (except state colleges and universities)
Private foundations within the meaning of IRS section 107(c)(1)
Direct service delivery to individuals (focus is on research, policy, and systems change)
Projects outside the three core priority areas
International programs (U.S. focus only)

Governance and Leadership

Current Leadership

Rani E. Snyder, MPA — Acting President
Ms. Snyder leads the Foundation during its leadership transition and oversees strategic grantmaking.

Eva Cheng, CPA — Vice President, Finance & CFO

Marcus Escobedo, MPA — Vice President, Communications and Senior Program Officer

Senior Program Officers

Scott Bane, JD, MPA
Jane Carmody, DNP, MBA, RN, FAAN
Leslie J. Pelton, MPA
Amy Berman, RN, LHD (hon), FAAN (currently on leave)

Program Officers

JiHo Chang, MPH, MHA — Program Officer and Senior Technology Advisor
Nancy Wexler, DBH, MPH — Program Officer

Board of Trustees

Board Chair: John R. Mach, Jr., MD (elected 2022)

Board Members:

Elizabeth A. Palmer (Co-Vice Chair)
Earl A. Samson, III (Co-Vice Chair)
John H. Allen
Charles M. Farkas
Ginna Baik (Amazon Senior Living Alexa Smart Properties leader)
Phyllis D. Meadows, PhD, MSN, RN (Senior Fellow, Detroit Program, The Kresge Foundation)
Nirav R. Shah
Margaret L. Wolff (former Chair 2015-2022)
Tripler Pell, MD, MSc, CCFP
Liam Donohue

Leadership Philosophy

John Hartford's guiding principle, which continues to inform the Foundation's approach: "It is necessary to carve from the whole vast spectrum of human needs one small band that the heart and mind together tell you is the area in which you can make your best contribution."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The John A. Hartford Foundation makes grants by invitation only.

The Foundation proactively identifies potential grantees that align with its strategic priorities. Organizations cannot submit unsolicited applications directly to the Foundation. Grants are typically awarded to:

Major academic institutions and medical centers
National professional associations in healthcare and aging
Organizations with proven capacity to effect widespread change in elder care
Partners with the potential to advance evidence-based practices at scale

Eligibility:

U.S. organizations with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
State colleges and universities
Must NOT be private foundations within the meaning of IRS section 107(c)(1)

Getting on Their Radar

The Foundation staff actively monitors the aging and healthcare fields to identify potential partners. Organizations working in the Foundation's priority areas can increase visibility by:

Engaging with Foundation-Supported Initiatives:

Participating in the Age-Friendly Health Systems initiative through the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (over 5,647 organizations recognized as of December 2025)
Contributing to evidence generation around the 4Ms Framework (What Matters, Medication, Mentation, Mobility)
Engaging with Foundation grantees on collaborative projects

Building Field Presence:

Publishing research in geriatrics and aging care journals
Presenting at national conferences focused on aging and healthcare quality
Demonstrating capacity for large-scale systems change and evidence dissemination
Partnering with recognized leaders in the field

Contacting Program Officers:

Organizations with relevant work may reach out to program officers (contact information available on the Foundation's website)
Be prepared to demonstrate alignment with one of the three priority areas and capacity for significant impact

Strategic Positioning:

The Foundation favors "major players in the field, with the potential to effect significant and wide-spread change in elder care"
Focus on research, policy development, and systems change rather than direct services
Demonstrate ability to scale evidence-based interventions nationally

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. Given the invitation-only nature and strategic grantmaking approach, timelines vary based on the Foundation's initiatives and Board of Trustees meeting schedule.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable due to invitation-only grantmaking process.

Application Success Factors

Since the Foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, success depends on strategic positioning and alignment with Foundation priorities rather than application quality. Key factors include:

Strategic Alignment:

Work must clearly fit within one of the three priority areas: Age-Friendly Health Systems, Family Caregiving, or Serious Illness & End-of-Life Care
Projects should advance the 4Ms Framework or evidence-based models with proven effectiveness
Demonstrate potential for widespread impact and systems-level change

Evidence-Based Approach:

Foundation strongly emphasizes evidence-based practices and research
Recent grants focus on spreading proven interventions rather than piloting new, untested approaches
Projects should build on existing evidence or generate rigorous new evidence

Scale and Impact Potential:

Foundation seeks "major players in the field" with capacity for significant reach
Recent examples include national initiatives reaching 1,100+ CVS clinics and partnerships with major associations (American Hospital Association, American Geriatrics Society)
Ability to influence policy, practice, or systems at scale is critical

Organizational Capacity:

Track record in aging and healthcare quality improvement
Established partnerships with key stakeholders
Capacity to execute complex, multi-year initiatives
Financial stability and strong governance

Examples of Funded Work:

Education Development Center and UCLA partnership ($2.6 million over three years) for comprehensive dementia care programs
Trust for America's Health ($2.8 million for 3 years) for Age-Friendly Public Health Systems initiative
American Society of Consultant Pharmacists ($1.8 million) for medication management support
National Alliance for Caregiving ($1.8 million) for family caregiving advocacy campaign

Philosophical Alignment:

Understanding of the Foundation's focused approach: concentrate resources on "one small band" where maximum contribution is possible
Commitment to improving care quality, independence, and dignity for older adults
Recognition that the Foundation prioritizes research and policy over direct services

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Invitation-Only Process: You cannot submit an unsolicited application. Focus on building visibility in the aging and healthcare quality field and engaging with Foundation-supported initiatives like Age-Friendly Health Systems.
Think Big and Evidence-Based: The Foundation funds major initiatives ($100,000 - $3,000,000+) with potential for widespread, systems-level change. Small, local projects are unlikely to attract attention.
Align with the 4Ms Framework: Deep understanding of What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility is essential for Age-Friendly Health Systems work. This framework is central to the Foundation's strategy.
Research and Policy Focus: The majority of grants support research and policy development rather than direct services. Your organization should have capacity for knowledge generation and dissemination.
National Scale Required: Recent grantees include national associations, major academic medical centers, and organizations with reach across multiple states. Local or regional organizations should consider national partnership strategies.
Multi-Year Commitments: Recent grants typically span 2-3 years with substantial funding ($200,000 - $2,800,000 range is common). Be prepared for complex, sustained initiatives.
Engage Program Officers: If your organization has significant work in the Foundation's priority areas, reaching out to program officers may be worthwhile. However, understand that relationship building is a long-term investment, not a path to immediate funding.

References

Accessed: December 2025