Patricia Kind Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $3-4 million
• Success Rate: ~18-20% (175 grants from ~900 applications annually)
• Decision Time: 6-8 weeks
• Grant Range: $10,000 - $25,000 per year
• Geographic Focus: Philadelphia region (5 counties in PA)

Contact Details

• Website: pkindfamilyfoundation.org
• Phone: 215-836-9536
• Email: info@pkindfamilyfoundation.org
• Executive Director: Lauren Stebbins - lstebbins@pkindfamilyfoundation.org
• Managing Trustee: Valerie Kind-Rubin - valeriekr@pkindfamilyfoundation.org

Overview

Founded in 1996 from the estates of Hedwig and Arnold Louis van Ameringen, the Patricia Kind Family Foundation has distributed over $63.4 million through 4,100+ grants. With assets of approximately $22.7 million and annual giving of $3-4 million, the foundation focuses on supporting small to medium-sized nonprofits (budgets under $1 million) serving communities struggling with racial and economic injustices in the Philadelphia region. The foundation operates with a hands-on approach, conducting site visits for all potential grantees and emphasizing multi-year general operating support. In 2024, they awarded 175 grants totaling approximately $3.6 million. The foundation recently welcomed Lauren Stebbins as their first non-family Executive Director in July 2025, marking a new chapter while maintaining their family-led governance structure.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• General Operating Support: $10,000-$25,000 per year for 1-3 years (typically 3-year commitments) - application via online portal with three annual deadlines
• Program Funding: $5,000-$25,000 for specific programs - application via online portal with three annual deadlines
• Capacity Building Grants: $2,500-$7,500 for organizational development (available to current BIPOC-led grantees with budgets under $1 million) - invitation only

Priority Areas

• Physical and mental health care services
• Food security and nutrition programs
• Shelter and housing services
• Education and youth development
• Human services addressing poverty
• Organizations led by people with lived experience
• BIPOC-led organizations
• Direct service providers deeply embedded in their communities

What They Don't Fund

• Direct support to individuals (scholarships/fellowships)
• Endowments
• Capital projects
• Organizations with budgets over $1 million
• Programs outside the Philadelphia region (Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties)

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership:

• Lauren Stebbins, Executive Director (first non-family ED, started July 2025)
• Regina Bosca, Grants Manager (25+ years with foundation)
• Jordan Muse, Philanthropic Partnerships Coordinator

Board of Trustees (Family-led):

• Valerie Kind-Rubin, Managing Trustee
• Kenwyn Kindfuller
• Christina Kind
• Zac Kind
• Tess Patricia Kind

The foundation maintains a multi-generational family governance structure while bringing in professional management. According to their strategic planning process, they gathered input from over 500 partners and community members to shape their current approach prioritizing equity and community-embedded work.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are accepted online only through pkindfamilyfoundation.org. The foundation operates three application cycles annually:

• January 15 deadline (Board meets in January)
• May 1 deadline (Board meets in April)
• September 15 deadline (Board meets in August)

Requirements:

• Must be 501(c)(3) or have fiscal agent with letter outlining relationship
• Operating budget must be under $1 million (excluding in-kind)
• Program must have operated for at least one year with historical data
• Must serve Philadelphia region (5 counties)

Decision Timeline

• Applications reviewed after each deadline
• All applicants contacted during review process
• Site visits conducted for all programs selected for possible funding
• Decisions communicated within 6-8 weeks after deadline
• Initial notification about grant status within 2-5 weeks after deadline

Success Rates

The foundation awards approximately 175 grants annually from an estimated 900+ applications, yielding a success rate of approximately 18-20%. In 2024, they distributed $3.6 million across 175 awards.

Reapplication Policy

• Current grantees must take one application cycle off after submitting their final report before reapplying
• Organizations denied funding must take one application cycle off before reapplying
• This policy ensures broader access to funding opportunities

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's stated priorities and recent strategic planning:

• Organizations deeply embedded in communities they serve - The foundation specifically looks for groups with authentic community relationships
• Leadership with lived experience - Priority given to organizations led by people who have experienced the challenges they're addressing
• Multi-year commitment readiness - The foundation prefers 3-year general operating support relationships
• Willingness to host site visits - Trustees want to see programs "in action" during their review process
• Focus on direct service - The foundation's primary emphasis remains on organizations providing immediate, practical support
• Budget under $1 million - Smaller organizations are prioritized as they often have fewer funding options
• BIPOC leadership - The foundation actively prioritizes organizations led by people of color, with special capacity building support available
• Clear demonstration of impact - At least one year of program operation with historical data is required

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Apply for general operating support - The foundation prefers multi-year general operating commitments over project-specific funding
• Emphasize community embeddedness - Highlight deep, authentic relationships with the populations you serve
• Prepare for site visits - All potential grantees receive visits; be ready to show your work in action
• Highlight lived experience in leadership - The foundation prioritizes organizations led by people with proximity to the issues
• Keep requests within $10,000-$25,000 annually - This is their typical grant range for organizations your size
• Plan application timing carefully - With only three cycles annually and required gaps after denial, timing is crucial
• Focus on direct service impact - While they support capacity building and advocacy, direct service remains their primary focus

References

• Patricia Kind Family Foundation Official Website (pkindfamilyfoundation.org) - Accessed February 2026
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer Form 990-PF filings for 2023-2024 (projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/237839035) - Accessed February 2026
• Foundation Directory Online/Candid Profile (fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=KIND016) - Accessed February 2026
• GuideStar Profile (guidestar.org/profile/23-7839035) - Accessed February 2026
• Philanthropy Network Greater Philadelphia Strategic Plan Updates (philanthropynetwork.org/redhen/org/35) - Accessed February 2026
• Inside Philanthropy Grant-making Profile (insidephilanthropy.com) - Accessed February 2026
• Instrumentl 990 Report Analysis (instrumentl.com/990-report/patricia-kind-family-foundation) - Accessed February 2026