Foundation For Agricultural Integrity

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $399,229 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed (invitation-only grantmaking)
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: Varies (grants range from smaller amounts to $399,229)
• Geographic Focus: National, with emphasis on regenerative agriculture research
• Total Assets: $57.8 million (2024)
• Type: Private Independent Foundation
• Application Process: Does not accept unsolicited applications

Contact Details

Foundation For Agricultural Integrity 357 County Route 12 Hudson, NY 12534-4532

Phone: (518) 821-2923

Email: Contact through Hudson Carbon at INFO@HUDSONCARBON.COM

Related Website: www.hudsoncarbon.org (Hudson Carbon - the foundation's research arm)

Note: This is a private foundation that only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations.

Overview

The Foundation For Agricultural Integrity was established in 2010 as a private independent foundation under the leadership of Abby Rockefeller, daughter of banker David Rockefeller and a prominent ecologist and environmental activist. With total assets of $57.8 million as of 2024 and annual giving of approximately $399,229 in 2023, the foundation operates as a research institute studying the carbon storage potential of soil managed with regenerative agricultural practices that are both profitable and improve ecological health and function.

The foundation is closely connected to Hudson Carbon, a research initiative co-founded by Abby Rockefeller and Ben Dobson in 2016 (originally established in 2014), which serves as a "living laboratory for regenerative organic agriculture" on Rockefeller's properties in New York's Hudson Valley. The foundation also operates Churchtown Dairy, a working biodynamic farm established in 2012 that serves as a beacon for sustainable agriculture and regenerative communities. The foundation's grantmaking activity has varied over recent years, with 10 grants made in 2021, 6 in 2022, and 1 in 2023, reflecting a selective and strategic approach to funding aligned with its mission of advancing regenerative agriculture research.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with open application processes. Instead, it makes strategic grants to preselected organizations aligned with its mission. Known grant recipients include:

• Hudson Carbon Research Foundation: Received the largest grant in 2023 ($399,229)
• Marine Biological Laboratory: Supported for research aligned with agricultural and ecological studies

Grant amounts vary significantly based on project scope and alignment with foundation priorities.

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses on:

• Regenerative Agriculture Research: Studies on carbon storage potential in soil through regenerative farming practices
• Soil Health and Carbon Sequestration: Research quantifying how organic regenerative techniques can sequester atmospheric carbon dioxide into stable soil humus
• Biodynamic Farming: Support for working farms that demonstrate sustainable agricultural practices
• Agroecology: Scientific research bridging ecology and economics in agricultural systems
• Regional Food Systems: Projects that strengthen connections between sustainable agriculture and local food networks
• Sustainable Sanitation: Research on composting and agricultural waste management

What They Don't Fund

As a private foundation with preselected grantees:

• Does not accept unsolicited applications or proposals
• Does not fund organizations outside its predetermined focus on regenerative agriculture research
• Does not provide general operating support to organizations not already in its network
• Not focused on traditional agricultural development or conventional farming practices

Governance and Leadership

Key Leadership

Abby Rockefeller - President Abigail Rockefeller (born 1943) is an American ecologist, feminist, and environmental activist. The eldest daughter of David Rockefeller and Margaret "Peggy" McGrath, she has dedicated her career to advancing sustainable agriculture and sanitation technologies. She serves as president of Clivus Multrum, Inc., a composting toilet company she established, and has been a vocal critic of the agricultural reuse of sewage sludge due to toxic contaminants. As president of the Foundation For Agricultural Integrity, she has directed grants exceeding $186,000 to research institutes focused on regenerative agriculture and sustainable farming methods.

Clarissa Allen - Secretary/Treasurer (as noted in ProPublica filings)

Donald Mills - Vice President (as noted in ProPublica filings)

Operational Approach

The foundation maintains a small staff of 5 employees and operates with minimal overhead, focusing resources on direct grantmaking and research activities. Leadership serves in governance roles, with no significant direct compensation reported for officers, reflecting the family foundation structure.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process.

The Foundation For Agricultural Integrity explicitly states that it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds." This is common for small private family foundations that identify and invite grant recipients rather than accepting competitive applications.

Organizations are selected based on their alignment with the foundation's research priorities in regenerative agriculture, soil carbon sequestration, and sustainable farming practices. Grant decisions are made at the discretion of the foundation's trustees.

Getting on Their Radar

While there is no public application process, organizations working in regenerative agriculture research may increase their visibility to the foundation through:

• Connection to Hudson Carbon: Hudson Carbon serves as the foundation's research arm and maintains active relationships in the regenerative agriculture community. Organizations conducting complementary research or participating in Hudson Carbon's research networks may come to the foundation's attention.

• Leadership in Regenerative Agriculture: The foundation supports organizations at the forefront of regenerative agriculture science, particularly those quantifying carbon sequestration benefits and ecological outcomes of regenerative practices.

• Academic and Research Institutions: The foundation has supported institutions like the Marine Biological Laboratory, suggesting interest in established research organizations with expertise in ecology, soil science, and agricultural systems.

• Regional Connections: Given the foundation's base in Hudson, NY, and operation of Churchtown Dairy, organizations working in the Hudson Valley or northeastern regional food systems may have natural connection points.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. As a private foundation with preselected grantees, decisions are made internally by trustees on their own schedule.

Success Rates

Success rates for unsolicited applications: Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Grant activity has decreased in recent years (from 10 grants in 2021 to 1 grant in 2023), suggesting highly selective grantmaking focused on core priorities.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable, as the foundation does not accept applications.

Application Success Factors

Given the foundation's invitation-only approach, "success" is determined by alignment with the foundation's core mission and existing relationships rather than application quality. However, organizations that might be considered as future grantees would likely demonstrate:

• Research Excellence: The foundation supports rigorous scientific research on regenerative agriculture, soil carbon sequestration, and agroecology. Organizations must demonstrate strong research capabilities and methodological rigor.

• Alignment with Foundation Philosophy: Abby Rockefeller's leadership emphasizes regenerative practices that are "profitable and improve health and function." Projects must demonstrate economic viability alongside ecological benefits, reflecting the foundation's belief in systems where "ecology and economics of agricultural systems are in harmony."

• Connection to Hudson Carbon's Research Agenda: The largest grant in 2023 went to the Hudson Carbon Research Foundation, indicating the foundation prioritizes research that complements or extends Hudson Carbon's work on soil carbon storage, regenerative organic agriculture, and regional food systems.

• Institutional Credibility: Support for established institutions like the Marine Biological Laboratory suggests the foundation values partnerships with recognized research organizations that bring scientific expertise and infrastructure.

• Focus on Quantifiable Outcomes: The foundation's mission specifically mentions studying "carbon storage potential" and practices that "improve health and function," indicating interest in research that produces measurable, quantifiable results.

• Holistic Systems Approach: Hudson Carbon's philosophy emphasizes connections between "soil, plant, animal, and human health" and building "strong regional food systems," suggesting the foundation values research that examines agricultural systems holistically rather than in isolation.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. No Open Application Process: This foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Organizations cannot apply directly for funding, and cold outreach is unlikely to be productive.

2. Research-Focused Grantmaking: With $57.8 million in assets but only $399,229 in grants in 2023, the foundation is highly selective, focusing on strategic research partnerships rather than broad grantmaking.

3. Hudson Carbon Connection: The foundation's largest grant went to Hudson Carbon Research Foundation, highlighting the integrated relationship between the foundation's grantmaking and Hudson Carbon's research agenda in regenerative agriculture.

4. Regenerative Agriculture Expertise Required: The foundation's mission centers on "carbon storage potential of soil managed with regenerative agricultural practices." Organizations must demonstrate deep expertise in regenerative agriculture, soil science, and carbon sequestration research.

5. Small Family Foundation Structure: With Abby Rockefeller as president and a small staff, this operates as a family foundation with personal involvement in grantmaking decisions. Relationships and mission alignment matter more than formal application processes.

6. Long-Term Commitment to Regenerative Agriculture: Through Churchtown Dairy (operating since 2012) and Hudson Carbon (founded 2014-2016), the foundation demonstrates sustained commitment to regenerative agriculture as a research priority, suggesting they seek long-term research partnerships rather than one-off projects.

7. Focus on Practical Research: The emphasis on practices that are "profitable and improve health and function" indicates interest in research with practical applications for working farms, not just theoretical studies.

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: Foundation For Agricultural Integrity (EIN 27-1175639). Accessed February 4, 2026. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/271175639

• Cause IQ: The Foundation for Agricultural Integrity profile. Accessed February 4, 2026. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/foundation-for-agricultural-integrity,271175639/

• Grantmakers.io: Foundation For Agricultural Integrity profile. Accessed February 4, 2026. https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/271175639-foundation-for-agricultural-integrity/

• Hudson Carbon: About. Accessed February 4, 2026. https://www.hudsoncarbon.org/about

• Grokipedia: Abby Rockefeller (ecologist). Accessed February 4, 2026. https://grokipedia.com/page/Abby_Rockefeller_(ecologist)

• Edible Hudson Valley: "Churchtown Dairy, A Castle for Cows" (2022). Accessed February 4, 2026. https://ediblehudsonvalley.com/2022/churchtown-dairy-a-castle-for-cows/

• Times Union: "Rockefeller farm in Hudson cultivates sustainability through classes and events." Accessed February 4, 2026. https://www.timesunion.com/hudsonvalley/makers/article/Rockefeller-farm-in-Hudson-cultivates-16491145.php

• Rural Intelligence: "Churchtown Dairy: A New Breed Of Agriculture And Architecture." Accessed February 4, 2026. https://www.ruralintelligence.com/churchtown_dairy_v2/

• OpenGovUS: Foundation for Agricultural Integrity entity information. Accessed February 4, 2026. https://opengovus.com/sam-entity/C8CNVCJSAXW9