Morgan Family Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $2-2.8 million
Success Rate: 30-50% (for competitive Social Equity program)
Decision Time: 3 weeks after board meeting
Grant Range: $10,000 - $200,000
Geographic Focus: Primarily St. Cloud, MN and Yellow Springs, OH
Applications Reviewed: 100+ per year

Contact Details

Address: 506 S. High St., Suite B, Yellow Springs, Ohio 45387
Phone: 937-767-9208
Email: info@morganfamilyfdn.org
Website: https://morganfamilyfdn.org

Program Officers:

Jama Mohamed (Social Equity & End of Life programs)
Heather Cusack (Global Warming program)

Overview

The Morgan Family Foundation was established in December 2003 by Lee and Vicki Morgan in Yellow Springs, Ohio, following the recapitalization of their family business, The Antioch Company. Since its founding, the Foundation has awarded over $47 million in grants to charitable organizations. The Foundation seeks "a just society in which all individuals have ample opportunities to thrive" where outcomes are not determined by personal characteristics or group membership. With assets of approximately $49.5 million, the Foundation takes an experimental approach to philanthropy, focusing its current grantmaking on three distinct theme areas, all in Minnesota: advancing social equity in St. Cloud, mitigating global warming, and addressing end-of-life issues. The Foundation maintains a strong commitment to both its Ohio roots and Minnesota communities, reflecting the founders' connections to both states. Consistent with the Quaker heritage of the Morgan family, the board strives for consensus decision-making and views philanthropy as "a journey" for family involvement.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Social Equity (St. Cloud, MN) - Open, competitive application process

Focus areas: Educational disparities, financial mobility, mental health, and bodily autonomy
Grant range: $10,000 - $200,000
Application cycles: Two per year (Winter/Spring and Summer/Fall)
Letters of Inquiry due: January 9 and July 1
Multi-year grants up to three years considered

Global Warming (Minnesota) - Invitation only

Focus: Reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Minnesota
Priority areas: Renewable energy, advocacy, and community engagement
Geographic emphasis: Greater Minnesota regions
Grant range: $10,000 - $200,000

End of Life (Central Minnesota) - Invitation only

Focus: Advance care planning in Minnesota
Goal: Supporting individuals in achieving end-of-life experiences aligned with their personal goals
Process duration: Generally concluded within about four months
Grant range: $10,000 - $200,000

2024 Grants Breakdown by Category

Environment/Animals: 41%
Human Services: 37%
Education: 13%
Health: 4%
Public/Society Benefit: 3%
Arts/Other: 1%

Priority Areas

The Foundation actively funds organizations addressing:

Educational equity and first-generation college student support
Economic mobility and financial stability
Mental health services
Reproductive health and bodily autonomy
Climate action and renewable energy initiatives
Community-based environmental advocacy
Advance care planning and end-of-life support
Refugee and immigrant services
Youth development programs

What They Don't Fund

Grants under $10,000
Individuals
Lobbying activities
Medical research
Organizations without 501(c)(3) status (generally)

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors (8 members)

The board consists of five family members and three unrelated individuals who strive for consensus decision-making.

Family Board Members:

Lee M. Morgan - Co-Founder, President
Victoria A. Morgan - Co-Founder
Asha Morgan Moran - Vice President
Barclay G. Carriar - Treasurer

Staff Leadership:

Lori M. Kuhn - Executive Director
Stephen T. Williams - Chief Financial Officer

Leadership Philosophy

Vicki Morgan: "One of my goals was to build philanthropic habits in the family" and "Giving away money is not easy."

Lee Morgan: "We make sure we have an openness on the board to not give to just the standard causes — we don't want to limit it" and "We ended up with money we hadn't anticipated, so it made sense to put it into a foundation."

The Foundation's approach reflects its philosophy that "Philanthropy is a journey, and the family foundation one way to navigate the trip."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Social Equity Grants (only open competitive process):

Submit Letter of Inquiry (LOI) through GivingData online portal
LOI deadlines: January 9 (Winter/Spring cycle) and July 1 (Summer/Fall cycle)
Foundation staff reviews LOIs within four weeks
Selected applicants invited to submit full application
Site visits may be scheduled if deemed necessary
Board review and decision
Applicants notified within three weeks of board meeting

Note: An invitation to submit a full application does not guarantee a grant.

Global Warming and End of Life Grants: Invitation-only processes. Organizations interested in these programs should contact the respective Program Officers to explore potential partnerships.

Decision Timeline

LOI Review: Within 4 weeks of deadline
Full Application Review: Variable, includes possible site visits
Board Decision Notification: Within 3 weeks of board meeting
End of Life Process: Generally concluded within 4 months from invitation

Success Rates

The Foundation reviews more than 100 competitive applications per year for the Social Equity program, with approximately 30-50% receiving some level of funding between $10,000 and $100,000. The moderate success rate indicates a competitive but accessible process for well-aligned organizations.

Reapplication Policy

The Foundation's website does not specify a waiting period for unsuccessful applicants. Organizations are encouraged to contact program officers for guidance on reapplication.

Application Success Factors

Evaluation Criteria

The Foundation thoroughly vets organizations based on four key questions:

Is the idea really needed? - Demonstrable community need
Is the approach sound? - Evidence-based or innovative methodology
Is the organization capable of carrying out the idea as described? - Organizational capacity and track record
Is the budget realistic? - Financial feasibility and value

Alignment with Foundation Values

Organizations should demonstrate alignment with the Foundation's core mission of creating "a just society in which all individuals have ample opportunities to thrive." The Foundation explicitly seeks to support work where outcomes are not determined by personal characteristics or group membership.

Strategic Considerations

The Foundation takes an "experimental approach to philanthropic giving," suggesting they are open to innovative solutions and willing to support newer or less traditional approaches alongside established organizations.

Recurring Grantees

Organizations that have received multiple grants from the Foundation include:

Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota
Catholic Charities
CentraCare
Planned Parenthood North Central States
Queer Space Collective
Citizens Utility Board
Promise Neighborhood of Central Minnesota

Recent Funded Projects (Examples)

St. Cloud Technical and Community College Foundation: Supporting first-generation college students
Minnesota Marine Art Museum: Associate curator position focused on clean water and climate
Honoring Choices: General operations for advance care planning work
Yellow Springs Community Foundation: Community support initiatives

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Geographic Focus is Critical: Unless applying for Social Equity grants in St. Cloud, MN, most opportunities are invitation-only and Minnesota-focused. Yellow Springs, OH organizations receive limited funding.
Strong Success Rate for Aligned Applicants: With a 30-50% success rate, well-prepared applications addressing clear community needs have a reasonable chance of success.
Demonstrate Organizational Capacity: The Foundation emphasizes thorough vetting of organizational capability. Be prepared to show your track record and capacity to deliver on proposed goals.
Multi-Year Funding Available: The Foundation considers grants up to three years, allowing for sustained program support rather than one-time funding.
Budget Realism Matters: One of the four key evaluation criteria is budget feasibility. Ensure your budget is detailed, realistic, and clearly justified.
Innovation is Valued: The Foundation's "experimental approach" suggests openness to innovative or newer organizations, not just established players.
Consensus Decision-Making: Understanding the board's Quaker-influenced consensus approach may help in framing proposals that build broad support rather than narrow appeal.

References

Morgan Family Foundation. (2025). Official Website. https://morganfamilyfdn.org/ (Accessed January 2026)
Morgan Family Foundation. (2025). Grant Opportunities. https://morganfamilyfdn.org/grants/grant-opportunities/ (Accessed January 2026)
Morgan Family Foundation. (2025). Recent Grants. https://morganfamilyfdn.org/grants/recent-grants/ (Accessed January 2026)
Morgan Family Foundation. (2025). About the Foundation. https://morganfamilyfdn.org/about-the-foundation/ (Accessed January 2026)
Morgan Family Foundation. (2025). Resources. https://morganfamilyfdn.org/resources/ (Accessed January 2026)
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Morgan Family Foundation (EIN: 30-0205024). https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/300205024 (Accessed January 2026)
Grantmakers.io. Morgan Family Foundation Profile. https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/300205024-morgan-family-foundation/ (Accessed January 2026)
Yellow Springs News. (2011). "Family philanthropy benefits Yellow Springs." https://ysnews.com/news/2011/09/family-philanthropy-benefits-ys (Accessed January 2026)