Ada Howe Kent Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,000,000 (2023)
• Success Rate: N/A (No public application process)
• Decision Time: N/A (Trustee discretion)
• Grant Range: Individual grants typically $10,000 - $50,000 based on historical data
• Geographic Focus: National (with emphasis on New York/Northeast)

Contact Details

• Website: None
• Phone: Not publicly available
• Email: Not publicly available
• EIN: 136066978
• Address: Hazlet, NJ

Overview

The Ada Howe Kent Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in 1962 and named after American artist and philanthropist Ada Howe Kent (1858-1942). With assets of approximately $14.2 million and annual giving of $1 million, the foundation operates as a traditional private foundation making grants at trustee discretion. The foundation has been a longtime benefactor of Cornell University and focuses its philanthropy on higher education, religious organizations engaged in comparative religion studies, and social service organizations. Led by Henry Renard (Cornell '54, MBA '55) and his wife Sabine Schwarz Renard, the foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications and operates through trustee-identified giving priorities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs but makes discretionary grants in three main areas:

• Higher Education Support: Variable amounts (Focus on student support programs, particularly for veterans)
• Religious Organizations: Variable amounts (Supporting practical work and comparative religion study)
• Social Services: Variable amounts (General social service organizations)

Priority Areas

• Higher education institutions, particularly Cornell University
• Student veteran support programs
• Alumni career development and coaching services
• Religious organizations engaged in interfaith dialogue and comparative religion
• Social service organizations addressing community needs

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, based on their giving patterns, the foundation does not appear to fund:

• Individual requests
• For-profit ventures
• Political organizations
• International programs outside the U.S.

Governance and Leadership

Board Leadership:

• Henry Renard - Officer and Board Member. Cornell alumnus ('54, MBA '55), Executive Vice President with CI Inverness Private Wealth in New York
• Sabine Schwarz Renard - Officer and Board Member

The Renards divide their time between Sherman, Connecticut and New York City. Henry Renard has been instrumental in directing the foundation's support to Cornell University programs, including establishing the Ada Howe Kent Grant for Student Veteran Support and expanding alumni career coaching services at the SC Johnson College of Business.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. Grants are awarded at the discretion of the foundation's trustees based on their identified priorities and existing relationships. Organizations cannot submit unsolicited proposals or applications.

Getting on Their Radar

Based on the foundation's giving patterns and leadership involvement:

• The foundation has a strong connection to Cornell University through board member Henry Renard ('54, MBA '55), who actively participates in Cornell alumni activities and events
• Henry Renard serves as Executive Vice President with CI Inverness Private Wealth in New York, suggesting potential networking opportunities through financial services industry events in the NYC area
• The foundation's consistent support for Cornell's SC Johnson College of Business and veteran programs indicates they may be receptive to introductions through Cornell's development office

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made at trustee discretion throughout the year

Success Rates

Not applicable - no public application process

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process

Application Success Factors

Since the Ada Howe Kent Foundation operates through trustee discretion rather than open applications, organizations seeking support should focus on:

• Cornell University connections: The foundation has demonstrated strong loyalty to Cornell, particularly programs at the SC Johnson College of Business. Organizations with Cornell affiliations or partnerships may have better access
• Veteran support focus: The foundation's establishment of the Ada Howe Kent Grant for Student Veteran Support shows specific interest in veteran-related programs
• Comparative religion and interfaith work: Given their stated interest in religious organizations doing comparative religion work, organizations in this space may align with foundation priorities
• Geographic proximity: With leadership based in New York City and Connecticut, organizations in the Northeast region may have better opportunities for relationship building
• Professional networks: Connections through CI Inverness Private Wealth or New York financial services circles could provide introduction opportunities

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is a trustee-discretion foundation with no public application process - traditional grant proposals will not be accepted
• Strong Cornell University connection through board member Henry Renard ('54, MBA '55) provides the clearest pathway to consideration
• Focus areas are consistent: higher education (especially veteran support), comparative religion, and social services
• With $1 million in annual giving from a $14.2 million asset base, the foundation has substantial capacity for grants
• Relationship building through professional networks (particularly NYC financial services) or Cornell connections is essential
• The foundation maintains a low public profile with no website or public contact information
• Historical giving shows commitment to multi-year support for aligned organizations

References

• Cause IQ: Ada Howe Kent Foundation Profile. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/ada-howe-kent-foundation,136066978/ (Accessed February 2024)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: Form 990-PF filings for Ada Howe Kent Foundation. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/136066978 (Accessed February 2024)
• GuideStar: Ada Howe Kent Foundation Profile (EIN: 13-6066978). https://www.guidestar.org/profile/13-6066978 (Accessed February 2024)
• Cornell Business Hub: "Foundation gift from Henry Renard '54, MBA '55 expands alumni career coaching" (February 10, 2023). https://business.cornell.edu/hub/2023/02/10/foundation-gift-from-henry-renard-54-mba-55-expands-alumni-career-coaching/
• Cornell Military Community: Student Support Programs. https://military.cornell.edu/students/ (Accessed February 2024)
• Candid Foundation Directory: Ada Howe Kent Foundation Grantmaker Profile. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=KENT001 (Accessed February 2024)
• Wikipedia: Ada Howe Kent. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ada_Howe_Kent (Accessed February 2024)