A.D. Henderson Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $3,087,408 (2023)
• Total Assets: $48.8 million (2020)
• Decision Time: Quarterly board meetings; start conversation 2-4 months ahead
• Grant Range: $15,000 - $100,000 (may be higher or lower depending on impact)
• Geographic Focus: Broward County, FL and Vermont only

Contact Details

Main Office (Florida):

• Address: 515 East Las Olas Boulevard, Suite 930, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
• Phone: (954) 764-2819
• Website: www.hendersonfdn.org

Program Directors:

• Monica Menahem (Broward County, FL inquiries): monica@hendersonfdn.org, ext. 2
• Eddie Gale (Vermont inquiries): eddie@hendersonfdn.org, (802) 888-1188

Pre-Application Contact: Organizations MUST contact a Program Director PRIOR to formal submission to discuss their program/project idea.

Overview

Founded in 1959 by Alexander D. Henderson Jr. and his wife Lucy, the A.D. Henderson Foundation became fully endowed upon Lucy's death in 1991 to continue their legacy of improving education and support systems for children. Alexander Henderson was Vice President and Director of Avon Products (formerly California Perfume Company). The foundation has grown to over $48 million in assets and distributes approximately $3 million annually in grants. The foundation focuses exclusively on early learning for children ages birth to eight in Broward County, Florida and Vermont, with an additional emphasis in Vermont on capacity building for the nonprofit sector, particularly in mentoring and early learning programs. The foundation takes a systems-level approach, supporting direct services, program capacity, and advocacy to ensure all children reach their full potential.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Florida Program (Broward County only):

• High quality early care and education for children ages 0-5
• Programs that enable families with young children to thrive
• Grants range: $15,000 - $100,000 depending on impact
• Application method: Contact Program Director 2-4 months before funding needed; quarterly board review

Vermont Program (Statewide):

• High quality early care and education for children ages 0-5
• Capacity building for the nonprofit sector
• Focus on mentoring and early learning programs
• Grants range: $15,000 - $100,000 depending on impact
• Application method: Contact Program Director 2-4 months before funding needed; quarterly board review

Priority Areas

The foundation has three main goals:

1. Early Childhood Development: Support programming so young children are positioned for success
2. Program Capacity: Improve the capacity of early care and education programs to serve young children effectively
3. Systems Change: Engage in systems-level advocacy and change to strengthen early childhood programs and enable families with young children to thrive

Examples of supported work:

• Common Good Vermont (capacity building for Vermont nonprofits)
• Make Way for Kids Vermont initiative (child care center development)
• Youth mentoring mental health pilot programs
• Early care and education facilities serving infants, toddlers, and preschoolers

What They Don't Fund

Geographic Restrictions:

• ONLY Broward County, FL and Vermont - no exceptions
• No funding outside these two areas

Organizational Requirements:

• Must be public entity or IRS 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization
• Cannot be classified as a private foundation
• Must not discriminate in hiring or service provision based on race, age, sex, national origin, religion, disabilities, ancestry, marital status, or sexual orientation

Focus Restrictions:

• Programs outside early learning for children ages 0-8
• In Florida: No capacity building grants (only direct early childhood services)
• Outside Vermont and Broward County geographic areas

Governance and Leadership

Program Staff:

• Monica Menahem, Program Director (Florida/Broward County)
• Eddie Gale, Program Director (Vermont)
• Karen Pfeiffer, Operations Manager & Secretary

The foundation operates with a Board of Trustees that meets quarterly to review grant recommendations from Program Directors. The foundation manages its assets independently as a family foundation established by Alexander D. and Lucy E. Henderson.

The Henderson legacy extends beyond the foundation through the A.D. Henderson University School at Florida Atlantic University, established in 1968 with a $1.3 million gift from Lucy Henderson in honor of her late husband.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

CRITICAL FIRST STEP: Applicants MUST contact the appropriate Program Director BEFORE submitting a formal proposal.

1. Initial Contact (2-4 months before funding needed):

   • Contact Monica Menahem for Broward County projects: monica@hendersonfdn.org, (954) 764-2819 ext. 2
   • Contact Eddie Gale for Vermont projects: eddie@hendersonfdn.org, (802) 888-1188
   • Discuss your program/project idea with the Program Director

2. Written Request Requirements:

   • Name and address of organization
   • Amount and duration for funds requested
   • Description of the project or program
   • Type of charitable organization
   • Copy of IRS approval of tax-exempt status

3. Quarterly Review:

   • Program Directors meet quarterly with Board of Trustees
   • Directors recommend proposals for board consideration
   • Applicants contacted regarding board decision and next steps

Decision Timeline

• Planning horizon: Begin conversation 2-4 months ahead of when funding is needed
• Review cycle: Quarterly board meetings
• Notification: Applicants contacted following board decision with next steps

Success Rates

In 2023, the foundation made 36 awards totaling $3,087,408. Similar numbers in prior years (37 awards in 2022, 36 awards in 2021). Specific application-to-award ratios are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly stated. Contact the appropriate Program Director to discuss timing for reapplication if previously unsuccessful.

Application Success Factors

Pre-Submission Relationship Building: The foundation requires initial contact with Program Directors before formal submission. This is not optional - it's a critical step that allows staff to assess fit, provide guidance, and potentially save time on proposals outside their focus areas.

Geographic Alignment is Non-Negotiable: Only Broward County, FL and Vermont are eligible. No exceptions, regardless of project quality.

Systems-Level Thinking: The foundation focuses on three levels: direct programming, program capacity, and systems change. Articulate how your project fits within this framework and contributes to broader early childhood infrastructure.

Vermont-Specific Opportunities: Vermont applicants have dual pathways - early childhood programming OR nonprofit capacity building (particularly related to mentoring and early learning). The foundation has a track record of supporting Vermont's nonprofit infrastructure, including the merger of Common Good Vermont with Marlboro College's Center for New Leadership.

Evidence of Impact: Eddie Gale, Vermont Program Director, emphasizes helping Vermont's nonprofit sector "be as effective and efficient as possible." Demonstrate clear outcomes and sustainability.

Age Focus: While some materials reference "birth to eight," the core focus for both states is children ages 0-5. Programs serving children up to age 8 may be considered, but the sweet spot is infant through preschool services.

Direct Service vs. Capacity: Florida grants focus on direct early care and education services for children 0-5. Vermont grants can include both direct services AND capacity building for nonprofits in the early learning/mentoring space.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Mandatory pre-application consultation: Call the Program Director 2-4 months before you need funding - this is required, not suggested
• Geography is absolute: Only Broward County, FL or Vermont - no flexibility on this restriction
• Two distinct programs: Florida focuses solely on direct early childhood services; Vermont includes nonprofit capacity building
• Relationship-driven process: With quarterly reviews and required pre-consultation, this is a relationship-based funder, not a competitive open application
• Medium-sized grants: Sweet spot appears to be $15,000-$100,000, with flexibility based on project impact
• Systems change perspective: Foundation thinks beyond individual programs to broader early childhood infrastructure and advocacy
• Established relationships: Track record shows multi-year support for initiatives like Common Good Vermont and Make Way for Kids

References

• A.D. Henderson Foundation official website: www.hendersonfdn.org (Accessed January 2026)
• Early Childhood Funders Collaborative member profile: https://ecfunders.org/member/the-a-d-henderson-foundation/ (Accessed January 2026)
• Cause IQ organizational profile: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/a-d-henderson-foundation,237047045/ (Accessed January 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, EIN 23-7047045: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/237047045 (Accessed January 2026)
• Common Good Vermont - About Us: https://commongoodvt.org/about-us/ (Accessed January 2026)
• Wikipedia entry for Alexander D. Henderson Jr.: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_D._Henderson_Jr. (Accessed January 2026)
• Form 990 filings through GuideStar and ProPublica (2020-2023 data)