Ajana Foundation Tr

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,630,000 (2024)
• Success Rate: N/A (invitation-only)
• Decision Time: N/A (trustee discretion)
• Grant Range: $25,000 - $180,000
• Geographic Focus: Massachusetts (primary), International (Bhutan)

Contact Details

• Website: None (no public website)
• Phone: 800-839-1754 (via Foundation Source)
• Email: Not available
• Address: 2 Liberty Square, Suite 500, Boston, MA 02109
• Note: Does not accept unsolicited applications

Overview

The Ajana Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2002 with tax-exempt status granted the same year. With assets of approximately $33.5 million as of 2024, the foundation distributes around $1.6 million annually through 15-20 grants. Operating as the philanthropic vehicle of the Hoch family, the foundation focuses on sustainable agriculture, food systems, education, and international development with a particular emphasis on Bhutan. The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis and does not maintain a public website or accept unsolicited grant applications. All grants are made at the discretion of the family trustees to preselected organizations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not have formal grant programs. All grants are discretionary:

• Typical grants: $25,000 - $180,000 (median $100,000)
• Distribution method: Invitation-only, trustee discretion
• No public application process

Priority Areas

• Sustainable agriculture and food systems
• Urban farming and food access initiatives
• Education, particularly agricultural education and youth programs
• International development (specifically Bhutan)
• Environmental conservation
• Community health initiatives

What They Don't Fund

As an invitation-only funder, the foundation does not publicly list exclusions. They only fund preselected charitable organizations.

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees:

• Daphne Hoch Cunningham - Former owner/director of Hoch Sculpture International; National Council member of World Wildlife Fund; Associates of The Asia Society and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
• Roland E. Hoch - Co-sponsor of Hoch Cunningham Environmental Lectures at Tufts University
• Steven G. Hoch - Engaged with Bhutan-related causes
• Alix M. Laager - Trustee

The foundation is administered through Foundation Source and maintains no full-time staff.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Ajana Foundation explicitly states they only make contributions to preselected charitable organizations and do not accept unsolicited requests for funds. All grants are awarded at trustee discretion to organizations already known to the foundation.

Getting on Their Radar

Based on the foundation's giving patterns and trustee affiliations, organizations may become known to the foundation through:

• The Hoch Cunningham Environmental Lectures at Tufts University Environmental Studies Program
• Boston-area sustainable agriculture networks, particularly organizations working with Boston Area Gleaners or Urban Farming Institute
• World Wildlife Fund conservation initiatives
• Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution affiliations
• Bhutan Foundation connections for international development work
• The Foundation Source administrative network

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made at trustee discretion without a formal application process.

Success Rates

Not applicable - invitation-only funding.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process.

Application Success Factors

Since the foundation operates by invitation only, traditional application success factors don't apply. However, recent grant recipients share these characteristics:

• Strong focus on sustainable agriculture and food systems in Massachusetts
• Demonstrated community impact in food access and equity
• Educational components, particularly youth programming
• Organizations like Boston Area Gleaners ($130,000) focus on rescuing surplus farm crops for people in need
• Urban Farming Institute of Boston ($130,000) combines youth programming with agricultural education
• Tufts University's New Entry Sustainable Farming Project ($130,000) provides training for new farmers
• Several recipients have connections to the family's established interests in environmental conservation and Bhutan

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Do not attempt to apply - this foundation does not accept unsolicited applications
• The foundation makes approximately 15-20 grants annually totaling $1.6 million
• Focus areas are highly specific: sustainable agriculture, food systems, and Bhutan-related initiatives
• Strong Massachusetts presence with most grants going to Boston-area organizations
• The Hoch family has deep connections to Tufts University, WWF, and environmental conservation
• Organizations in their interest areas should focus on visibility within these specific networks rather than direct outreach
• Foundation uses Foundation Source for administration, suggesting professional management despite no public presence

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Ajana Foundation Tr (EIN 137299038). Accessed February 5, 2026
• Cause IQ - The Ajana Foundation Profile. Accessed February 5, 2026
• Instrumentl 990 Report - Ajana Foundation. Accessed February 5, 2026
• Charity Navigator - Ajana Foundation Tr Profile. Accessed February 5, 2026
• GuideStar Profile - Ajana Foundation Tr. Accessed February 5, 2026
• Grantmakers.io - Ajana Foundation Tr Profile. Accessed February 5, 2026
• Bhutan Foundation - Our Team (Daphne Hoch Cunningham). Accessed February 5, 2026
• Tufts University - Hoch Cunningham Environmental Lectures. Accessed February 5, 2026