Orchard Farm Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $2,008,025 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
• Decision Time: Not applicable (trustee discretion)
• Grant Range: $10,000 - $25,000 (typical)
• Geographic Focus: Northeast US, primarily Connecticut

Contact Details

• Website: Not available
• Phone: Not available
• Email: Not available
• Mailing Address: 505 South Flagler Dr. No. 155, West Palm Beach, FL 33405

Overview

The Orchard Farm Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in 1999 with total assets of $24.2 million as of 2024. The foundation distributes approximately $2 million annually to preselected charitable organizations, focusing on children and youth services, arts and culture, health associations, human services, and environmental conservation. Led by Kenneth G. Tropin, founder and chairman of Graham Capital Management and current Chair of the Robin Hood Foundation board, the foundation operates exclusively through trustee discretion without accepting unsolicited applications. The foundation has strong ties to Connecticut, particularly the Stamford/Rowayton area, where Tropin's hedge fund is headquartered, while maintaining its registered address in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation awards grants through trustee discretion only:

• Typical grants: $10,000 - $25,000 per organization
• Larger strategic grants to select partners like Robin Hood Foundation
• No formal application process - all grants to preselected organizations

Priority Areas

• Children and youth services
• Arts and culture organizations
• Health associations and medical research
• Human services and antipoverty programs
• Environmental conservation
• Education initiatives
• Support for economically disadvantaged individuals
• Food aid and family services
• Homeless shelters and housing support

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications from any organizations, regardless of sector or mission alignment.

Governance and Leadership

Trustees (all serving without compensation):

• Kenneth G. Tropin - Founder/Primary Trustee, Chairman and Founder of Graham Capital Management, Chair of Robin Hood Foundation Board of Directors (as of February 2025)
• Nicholas J. Tropin - Trustee
• Kelly T. Whitridge - Trustee

Kenneth Tropin has been a longtime supporter of Robin Hood Foundation for over 30 years and previously served on their board for approximately 7 years, chairing their development committee before becoming Board Chair in 2025.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Orchard Farm Foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. All grants are awarded at the discretion of the trustees.

Getting on Their Radar

Based on the foundation's giving patterns, organizations may increase visibility through:

• Connecticut connections: The foundation strongly supports organizations in the Stamford/Rowayton area where Kenneth Tropin's hedge fund is headquartered
• Robin Hood Foundation network: Kenneth Tropin chairs Robin Hood's board, making organizations in their poverty-fighting network more visible
• Long-term relationships: The foundation values sustained partnerships, as evidenced by their support of Pacific House since 2004
• Major fundraising events: The foundation has supported organizations through sponsorship of significant galas and fundraising events
• Board connections: Organizations where trustees have personal involvement (such as Dartmouth College, where Tropin is a parent and supporter) receive priority consideration

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants awarded at trustee discretion throughout the year

Success Rates

Not applicable - invitation only funding

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process

Application Success Factors

Since the Orchard Farm Foundation operates by invitation only, traditional application strategies don't apply. However, based on their giving patterns:

• The foundation strongly favors organizations with established track records in their priority sectors
• Connecticut-based organizations, particularly those serving the Stamford/Rowayton area, receive consistent support
• Organizations addressing poverty and economic disadvantage align with trustee Kenneth Tropin's role as Chair of Robin Hood Foundation
• Multi-year relationships are valued, as shown by sustained support for organizations like Pacific House
• The foundation supports both large established institutions (Memorial Sloan Kettering, American Red Cross) and smaller local organizations (Rowayton School PTA, Kids in Crisis)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is an invitation-only funder with no public application process - do not submit unsolicited proposals
• Focus on building visibility through Connecticut connections, particularly in the Stamford/Rowayton area
• Consider connections through the Robin Hood Foundation network given Kenneth Tropin's leadership role
• The foundation values long-term partnerships over one-time grants
• Annual giving of approximately $2 million is distributed across multiple organizations
• Typical grants range from $10,000 to $25,000, though larger strategic grants are made to select partners
• Geographic focus is primarily Northeast US, especially Connecticut, with some funding in Florida, New York, and California

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021-2024): https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/223626152 (Accessed February 2026)
• Grantmakers.io - Foundation Profile: https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/223626152-orchard-farm-foundation/ (Accessed February 2026)
• Candid Foundation Directory: https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=ORCH005 (Accessed February 2026)
• Robin Hood Foundation News Release - Kenneth Tropin Appointment as Board Chair (February 2025): https://robinhood.org/news/dina-powell-mccormick-passes-board-chair-baton-to-kenneth-tropin/
• Pacific House - Orchard Farm Foundation Support Documentation: https://www.pacifichouse.org/fall-2022-fundraising-celebration (Accessed February 2026)
• Cause IQ - Organizational Classification: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/the-orchard-farm-foundation,223626152/ (Accessed February 2026)