Farvue Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $5,215,000 (2023)
• Total Assets: $91.7M (2024)
• Decision Time: Typically 60 days
• Grant Range: $10,000 - $600,000
• Median Grant: $50,000
• Geographic Focus: National (United States)
• Application Status: Currently closed to new applicants

Contact Details

Website: www.farvuefoundation.org
Phone: 202-966-2932
Address: 4910 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Suite 217, Washington, DC 20016

Key Leadership:

• President: Joan Douglas Murray (serves without compensation)
• Co-Executive Directors: Carolyn Sand and Patricia Lee

Overview

The Farvue Foundation is a small family foundation established in 2010 by Joan D. Murray, former president of the Wallace Genetic Foundation. Named after Henry Wallace's farm, the foundation continues the environmental legacy of Henry A. Wallace, who founded Pioneer Hi-Bred Corn Company and served as Vice President under Franklin Delano Roosevelt. With assets totaling $91.7 million and annual giving of approximately $5.2 million, the foundation supports organizations working to preserve earth's natural resources, find solutions to global climate change, and improve the well-being of people and animals. In 2023, the foundation made 49 grants ranging from $10,000 to $600,000, with a median grant of $50,000. The foundation funds initiatives across the United States, including major urban centers and smaller communities in states such as California, Colorado, Texas, New York, and Illinois.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Farvue Foundation operates a single grant program with flexible funding amounts based on applicant history and organizational budget:

• First-Time Applicants: $10,000 - $25,000 (for new organizations)
• Established Grantees: Up to $600,000 (for organizations funded for multiple years with larger budgets)
• Application Method: Rolling basis (hard copy proposals required)

Priority Areas

The foundation's mission focuses on three interconnected areas:

1. Environmental Protection and Climate Change: Organizations working to preserve earth's natural resources and develop solutions to global climate change
2. Animal Welfare: Initiatives ensuring the well-being of animals
3. Humanitarian Aid and Nutrition: Programs improving human welfare, particularly in areas of nutrition and hunger relief

What They Don't Fund

The foundation is currently closed to new applicants and no longer accepts proposals from organizations they have not previously funded. They work exclusively with organizations already in their grantee portfolio.

Governance and Leadership

President: Joan Douglas Murray serves as President without compensation. Murray is a descendant of Henry Wallace and previously served as Vice-President/Treasurer of the Wallace Genetic Foundation before establishing the Farvue Foundation in 2010.

Co-Executive Directors:

• Carolyn Sand (compensation: $231,466 in 2024)
• Patricia Lee (compensation: $107,754 in 2024)

The foundation operates as a private family foundation under 501(c)(3) status, maintaining the environmental and social justice legacy of the Wallace family's philanthropic tradition.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

IMPORTANT: The Farvue Foundation is currently closed to new applicants. They no longer accept proposals from organizations they have not previously funded and only make contributions to preselected charitable organizations.

For organizations already in their grantee portfolio, the application process includes:

• Format: Hard copy proposals required (audited financials or 990s may be submitted via link or online version)
• Rolling Deadlines: No fixed deadlines; proposals accepted year-round
• Late-Year Caveat: Grants received after November 1 may not be reviewed until after January 1st

Required Materials:

1. One- or two-page summary of the proposal
2. Full proposal detailing the organization and project
3. Organization budget (and project budget if applicable)
4. Total amount of funding needed for the project (if not requesting general support)
5. Listing of other sources of corporate and foundation grant support (up to 20 sources, detailing amounts secured and requested)
6. Audited financials or Form 990

Letter of Inquiry Option: Organizations may send a letter of inquiry with as much information as necessary to describe the organization, its mission and goals, and the projects for which they seek funding.

Decision Timeline

• Response Time: Typically 60 days after receipt of a complete proposal
• Notification Method: Direct communication from foundation staff
• Funding Frequency: The foundation typically limits funding to one disbursement per year per grantee

Success Rates

In 2023, the foundation awarded 49 grants totaling $5,215,000. In 2022, they made 51 awards. However, specific application-to-award ratios are not publicly available since the foundation only accepts proposals from preselected organizations.

Reapplication Policy

Given that the foundation limits funding to one disbursement per year per grantee, existing grantees may reapply annually. The foundation has shown willingness to fund organizations for multiple years, with larger grants reserved for long-term grantee relationships.

Application Success Factors

For Organizations Already in Their Portfolio:

1. Grant Amount Strategy: "Applicants should consider their organization's total budget and typical grant size when making a request." First-time applicants should request between $10,000-$25,000, while established grantees with larger budgets may request more substantial amounts.

2. Long-Term Relationship Building: The foundation explicitly reserves its larger grants "for organizations which it has funded for a number of years and which have larger budgets," indicating that consistent performance and sustained relationships lead to increased funding over time.

3. Mission Alignment: Strong alignment with the foundation's three core areas—environmental protection/climate change, animal welfare, and humanitarian aid—is essential. The foundation's roots in the Wallace family's environmental legacy suggest particular interest in organizations addressing climate change and natural resource preservation.

4. Budget Transparency: Provide clear information about both organizational and project budgets, along with detailed listings of other funding sources to demonstrate financial sustainability and broad support.

5. Timing Considerations: Submit proposals well before November 1 to ensure review in the current calendar year, as late submissions may be delayed until after January 1.

6. Complete Submissions: Ensure all required materials are included in the initial submission to avoid delays in the 60-day review timeline.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Closed to New Applicants: The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals and only funds preselected organizations already in their portfolio
• Start Small, Grow Over Time: First-time grantees typically receive $10,000-$25,000; larger grants ($50,000+) are reserved for organizations with established funding relationships
• Annual Funding Cycle: The foundation limits funding to one grant per organization per year, so timing and planning are critical
• Hard Copy Required: Unlike many funders, proposals must be submitted in physical format (except for financials which may be linked)
• Rolling Review: No fixed deadlines provide flexibility, but late-year submissions (after November 1) face delays
• 60-Day Timeline: Relatively quick decision-making process compared to many private foundations
• Wallace Legacy: Connection to Henry A. Wallace's environmental and agricultural legacy may inform the foundation's particular interest in climate change, natural resources, and sustainable agriculture initiatives

References

1. Grantmakers.io - Farvue Foundation Inc. Profile, https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/271938940-farvue-foundation-inc/ (accessed January 2026)
2. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Farvue Foundation Inc., https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/271938940 (accessed January 2026)
3. Instrumentl - Farvue Foundation Inc 990 Report, https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/farvue-foundation-inc (accessed January 2026)
4. The Farvue Foundation official website, https://www.farvuefoundation.org (accessed January 2026)
5. Cause IQ - Farvue Foundation, https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/farvue-foundation,271938940/ (accessed January 2026)
6. Charity Navigator - Farvue Foundation Inc. Profile, https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/271938940 (accessed January 2026)
7. Candid Foundation Directory - Farvue Foundation Inc, https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=FARV005 (accessed January 2026)