Greater Impact Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Not publicly disclosed
• Success Rate: Not available (invitation-only)
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
• Geographic Focus: International - developing countries in Africa, Latin America, and Asia

Contact Details

• Website: greaterimpactfoundation.org
• Email: ken@greaterimpactfoundation.org
• Phone: 631-367-9715 (Foundation office) / 860-463-3481 (Ken Lewis, Executive Director)
• Address: c/o Marvin Adler CPA, 24 Louis Dr, Melville, NY 11747

Overview

The Greater Impact Foundation is a private independent foundation established in 2007 that focuses on poverty eradication through strategic support of social enterprises. The foundation employs a "hands up" versus "hand out" philosophy, funding both for-profit and nonprofit social impact enterprises that have moved beyond the startup phase. Operating internationally with a "borderless" approach, the foundation works primarily in developing countries including Rwanda, Uganda, Ghana, Nicaragua, India, Kenya, El Salvador, Haiti, Colombia, Dominican Republic, and Guatemala. Led by Executive Director Ken Lewis, who brings corporate experience from Disney, Timex, and Stanley Tool to the nonprofit sector, the foundation seeks organizations that can demonstrate measurable traction, scalability, and a path to sustainability without ongoing outside support.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not have publicly advertised grant programs with specific amounts. Funding appears to be determined on a case-by-case basis through invitation or relationship development.

Priority Areas

• For-profit social enterprises that are past startup phase with demonstrated traction and scalability
• Nonprofit social enterprises enabling constituents to achieve sustainable livelihood independence
• Micro-infrastructure enterprises providing essential services in developing regions
• Proprietary consumer products organizations with social impact missions
• Market linkage enterprises with robust sales and distribution models
• Women's employment initiatives - special emphasis on enterprises employing women
• Poverty alleviation programs with measurable, sustainable impact

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation does not fund:

• Startup phase organizations (must be "stage two and beyond")
• Projects requiring ongoing outside intervention
• Organizations unable to demonstrate measurable impact and scalability
• Programs that create dependency rather than self-sufficiency

Governance and Leadership

Executive Director: Ken Lewis - Former corporate executive (Disney, Timex, Stanley Tool) who transitioned to nonprofit work, actively researches and visits potential partner organizations internationally. As stated in foundation materials: "Ken searches for talented social impact leaders of for-profit as well as non-profit organizations" who align with the foundation's mission.

The foundation maintains a small, private structure typical of family foundations, with full board composition not publicly disclosed but available in Form 990-PF filings.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Grants appear to be awarded through invitation only or based on relationships developed through the Executive Director's active research and field visits to potential partners.

Getting on Their Radar

Based on available information about THIS funder:

• Ken Lewis actively conducts research and field visits to identify potential partners, particularly in developing countries where the foundation focuses its work
• The foundation has documented partnerships with organizations like KickStart International (Kenya/Uganda) and All Across Africa, suggesting they discover organizations through sector networks in international development
• Direct outreach to Ken Lewis at ken@greaterimpactfoundation.org may be appropriate for organizations that clearly meet their criteria
• The foundation values site visits and due diligence meetings as part of their evaluation process
• Ken Lewis's LinkedIn presence and published article "What makes a great partner for the Greater Impact Foundation?" indicates openness to professional networking

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed

Success Rates

Not available - invitation-only model

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable due to invitation-only structure

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's stated philosophy and documented partnerships:

• Demonstrate "stage two and beyond" status: The foundation explicitly seeks organizations past the startup phase with proven traction
• Show measurable poverty impact: Use specific metrics and data to demonstrate how your work lifts people out of poverty
• Emphasize sustainability: The foundation values enterprises that "eventually won't need outside financial support to thrive"
• Highlight scalability: Show how your model can expand impact without proportional increases in outside funding
• Women's employment: If applicable, emphasize how your enterprise employs women, as this receives special consideration
• "Hands up" approach: Frame your work in terms of enabling self-sufficiency rather than creating dependency
• International reach: Organizations working in the foundation's target countries (Rwanda, Uganda, Ghana, Nicaragua, India, Kenya, El Salvador, Haiti, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Guatemala) may have an advantage

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is an invitation-only funder requiring relationship building through direct outreach to Executive Director Ken Lewis
• Focus must be on poverty eradication through sustainable, scalable social enterprises
• Organizations must be beyond startup phase with demonstrated traction and measurable impact
• Both for-profit and nonprofit social enterprises are eligible if they enable self-sufficiency
• International work in developing countries aligns with foundation priorities
• Enterprises employing women receive special consideration
• Success requires demonstrating a clear path to sustainability without ongoing outside support

References

• Greater Impact Foundation Official Website: greaterimpactfoundation.org (Accessed February 2024)
• Greater Impact Foundation About Page: greaterimpactfoundation.org/home-1 (Accessed February 2024)
• Greater Impact Foundation Contact Page: greaterimpactfoundation.org/contact (Accessed February 2024)
• Greater Impact Foundation Enterprise Partnerships: greaterimpactfoundation.org/enterprises (Accessed February 2024)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Greater Impact Foundation: projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/261431577 (Form 990-PF filings 2022-2024)
• GuideStar Profile: guidestar.org/profile/26-1431577 (Accessed February 2024)
• Charity Navigator: charitynavigator.org/ein/261431577 (Accessed February 2024)
• Cause IQ: causeiq.com/organizations/greater-impact-foundation,261431577/ (Accessed February 2024)
• Candid Foundation Directory: fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=TRAN332 (Accessed February 2024)
• Ken Lewis LinkedIn Profile: linkedin.com/in/ken-lewis-4662a2/ (Accessed February 2024)