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Tenacre Foundation

Annual Giving
$95.7M
Grant Range
$1K - $14.6M

Tenacre Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $95,689,319 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
  • Decision Time: Not applicable
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $14,599,785
  • Median Grant: $70,632
  • Geographic Focus: National (United States)
  • Total Assets: $375,650,707

Contact Details

Website: https://www.tenacre.org
Location: Princeton, NJ

Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. No public contact information is available for grant inquiries.

Overview

Tenacre Foundation, established as a nonprofit in 1935, is an operating foundation based on 100 acres in Princeton, New Jersey. With total assets of approximately $376 million, the foundation distributed over $95 million in grants in 2023 across 108 awards. The foundation's primary exempt purpose is providing interrelated Christian Science ministries, with the principal ministry being Christian Science nursing services. However, the foundation has expanded its grantmaking significantly to include secular education reform initiatives. Recent grantmaking shows a dual focus: supporting Christian Science organizations and nursing ministries while also making substantial investments in educational equity through organizations like Teach For All and KIPP. The foundation operates as a pre-selected grantmaker, making strategic investments in organizations aligned with their mission.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not have formal grant programs with public application processes. All grants are made to pre-selected organizations at the discretion of the trustees.

Christian Science Ministries

  • National Fund for Christian Science Nursing: $13.4 million (2023)
  • Various Christian Science organizations supporting nursing, education, and community services
  • Support for Christian Science camps and residency programs

Education Reform

  • Teach For All: $6.6 million (2023)
  • KIPP Team and Family Schools: $3.25 million (2023)
  • SBP (New Orleans): $1.7 million (2023)
  • Various education and community development initiatives

Grant amounts range from $1,000 to over $14 million, with a median grant of $70,632.

Priority Areas

Core Focus:

  • Christian Science nursing services and education
  • Christian Science community infrastructure and support
  • Educational equity and reform initiatives
  • Teacher training and development programs
  • Community development in underserved areas

Program Funding:

  • Christian Science Nursing Services: $15.2 million in charitable activities
  • School of Christian Science Nursing: $2.5 million
  • Christian Science Camps and Residencies: $1.3 million combined

What They Don't Fund

This information is not publicly documented, but given their pre-selected approach and specific focus areas, the foundation does not consider unsolicited applications from organizations outside their established relationships.

Governance and Leadership

Leadership Team:

  • Emily Smith - Chair
  • Brian Stock - President/CEO
  • Catheryn Murdoch - CFO/Treasurer

The foundation maintains a professional staff of 19 employees. The foundation became an exempt operating foundation, indicating it directly operates charitable programs in addition to making grants.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process.

The Tenacre Foundation explicitly states that it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds." All grants are made at the discretion of the trustees to organizations with which the foundation has existing relationships or strategic alignment.

Grants are awarded through:

  • Pre-existing relationships with recipient organizations
  • Strategic initiatives identified by foundation leadership
  • Board and trustee discretion based on mission alignment

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made on a discretionary basis throughout the year to pre-selected organizations.

Success Rates

Not applicable for unsolicited applications, as none are accepted.

In 2023, the foundation made 108 awards totaling over $95 million. In 2022, they made 153 awards, and in 2021, 218 awards, showing varying numbers of recipients based on strategic priorities each year.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications.

Application Success Factors

Since the Tenacre Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, there is no standard application process. However, organizations that receive funding from Tenacre share these characteristics:

For Christian Science Organizations:

  • Direct alignment with Christian Science ministry and healing principles
  • Focus on nursing services, education, or community support for Christian Scientists
  • Established presence in the Christian Science community

For Secular Education Organizations:

  • Strong focus on educational equity and access for underserved communities
  • Proven track records in education reform and measurable outcomes
  • National or significant regional scope of impact
  • Alignment with teacher development and school improvement initiatives

Grant Patterns:

  • The foundation makes both large strategic grants (multi-million dollar investments) and smaller program support grants
  • Major institutional grants are focused on established national organizations
  • The foundation appears to maintain ongoing relationships with key grantees, suggesting multi-year support strategies

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application Process: The Tenacre Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications and only makes grants to pre-selected organizations
  • Dual Focus Areas: The foundation supports both Christian Science ministries (particularly nursing services) and secular education reform initiatives focused on equity
  • Significant Capacity: With nearly $100 million in annual giving, the foundation has substantial resources but directs them through pre-existing relationships
  • Range of Support: While capable of multi-million dollar investments (median $70,632, maximum over $14 million), the foundation also makes smaller grants starting at $1,000
  • Strategic Grantmaking: Grant patterns suggest long-term relationships with major recipients rather than one-time awards
  • Education Reform Priority: Recent funding shows significant investment in organizations like Teach For All, KIPP, and community development organizations, indicating a strategic commitment to educational equity alongside their core Christian Science mission
  • Not Feasible for Cold Outreach: Organizations seeking funding should not attempt to apply; this foundation operates entirely through trustee-directed grantmaking

References

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