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W.K. Kellogg Foundation

Annual Giving
$262.0M
Grant Range
$1K - $70.0M
Decision Time
3mo

W.K. Kellogg Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $262 million (new grant commitments, FY 2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: 30 days for LOI response; 60 days for final proposal decision (80% of decisions)
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $70,000,000 (majority: $25,000 - $600,000)
  • Geographic Focus: United States (with priority places: Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico, New Orleans), Mexico (Chiapas, Yucatán Peninsula), and Haiti (central and southwest)
  • Total Assets: $9.4 billion (combined with W.K. Kellogg Foundation Trust)

Contact Details

Website: https://www.wkkf.org
Phone: Not publicly listed
Email: Not publicly listed
Application Portal: Fluxx grants management system (accessible through www.wkkf.org/grantseekers)
Languages Supported: English, Spanish, Haitian Creole

Overview

Founded in June 1930 by breakfast cereal pioneer Will Keith Kellogg as the W.K. Kellogg Child Welfare Foundation, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation is one of the largest private philanthropic foundations in the world. With combined assets exceeding $9.4 billion and annual grant distributions of approximately $408 million (FY 2024), WKKF works with communities to create conditions for vulnerable children to realize their full potential in school, work, and life. The foundation distributed 1,763 grants in 2024, with 58% of grants benefiting priority places in Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico, New Orleans, and internationally in Haiti and Mexico. Under the leadership of President and CEO La June Montgomery Tabron—the foundation's first female and first African American chief executive—WKKF has centered racial equity and racial healing as core to its mission. In 2020, the foundation launched the Racial Equity 2030 Challenge, committing $90 million to fuel innovative solutions for building a more racially equitable future, demonstrating its commitment to long-term systemic change.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

WKKF operates with an open, rolling application process year-round with no specific deadlines. The foundation organizes its funding around five integrated focus areas:

  1. Good Food, Strong and Equitable Food Systems: Supporting access to quality nutrition and food system equity

    • Recent example: $200,000 to Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities (Michigan)
    • Recent example: $150,000 to Syracuse-Onondaga Food Systems Alliance (New York)

  2. Good Health and Health Equity: Advancing equitable healthcare access and outcomes

    • Recent example: $200,000 to Public Health Watch Inc (multi-state)

  3. Good Early Care and Education: Investing in quality early childhood development and educational programs

  4. Good Jobs and Family Economic Security: Creating equitable employment opportunities and economic stability for families

    • Recent example: $75,000 to New Mexico Caregivers Coalition

  5. Promise of an Equitable Future: Building toward systemic change for long-term opportunity equity

Application Method: Rolling basis through online Fluxx portal

Priority Areas

  • Racial Equity and Racial Healing: Cross-cutting priority integrated across all funding areas; supporting organizations that develop strategies for creating just and equitable systems, building community power, and changing narratives about racism's role in shaping people's experiences
  • Holistic, Integrated Solutions: Projects that address comprehensive needs of children, families, and communities across interconnected systems (education, health, food, workforce)
  • Community Engagement and Leadership Development: Strengthening civic participation, community-led solutions, and leadership capacity through initiatives like the Community Leadership Network and Global Leadership Network
  • Geographic Priority Places: Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico, New Orleans (U.S.), and Chiapas and Yucatán Peninsula (Mexico), central and southwest Haiti

What They Don't Fund

The foundation explicitly excludes funding for:

  • Grants to individuals
  • Capital investments (buildings, infrastructure, equipment)
  • Political parties or candidates
  • Operational phases of established programs
  • Capital requests
  • Conferences and workshops (unless part of larger program)
  • Films, television, and/or radio programs (standalone)
  • Endowments
  • Development campaigns
  • Research/studies (unless integral part of larger program budget being considered)

Governance and Leadership

President and CEO

La June Montgomery Tabron has served as President and CEO since becoming the foundation's first female and first African American chief executive. She joined WKKF in 1987 and holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from University of Michigan, an MBA from Northwestern University Kellogg Graduate School of Management, and is a Certified Public Accountant. Tabron has been recognized on Fortune's "50 Over 50: Impact" list (2024), named a Groundbreaker at the New York Times Dealbook Summit (2023), and identified as one of "50 Most Powerful Women in U.S. Philanthropy" by Inside Philanthropy (2023).

Executive Leadership Team

  • Donald Williamson: Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer
  • Kahlil Williams: General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
  • Carlos Rangel: Chief Investments Officer
  • Michael Murphy: Chief of Staff
  • Carla Thompson Payton: Chief Strategist & Impact Officer
  • Felicia DeHaney: Vice President for Strategy
  • Miriam Calderón: Vice President for Impact
  • Paul Martinez: Chief Leadership & Human Capital Strategist
  • Lara Das: Vice President for Talent & Human Resources
  • Sarah Yates: Vice President for Information Systems and Technology
  • Alandra Washington: Chief Transformation & Organizational Effectiveness Officer
  • Roshell Rinkins: Vice President for Transformation & Organizational Effectiveness

Board of Trustees

WKKF is governed by a board of trustees that includes the foundation president and CEO. Trustees are elected from diverse backgrounds, professional disciplines, and geographic regions, ensuring Michigan representation. The board meets monthly with dedicated meetings for governance practice strengthening and field site visits. The board provides fiscal and legal oversight through five standing committees: audit, board development, budget, CEO compensation, and finance.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation operates an open application process year-round with no specific grantmaking cycles or deadlines.

Step 1: Register in Fluxx
Applicants must register in the Fluxx grants management system (accessible through www.wkkf.org/grantseekers). Registration is required only once per organization. Instructions are available in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole.

Step 2: Submit Letter of Inquiry (LOI)
Provide a concise description (1,500 characters maximum) of your project that gives the foundation a high-level understanding of your work and funding request. The LOI should briefly describe how your project aligns with WKKF's priorities.

Step 3: Initial Response
WKKF commits to reviewing all applications with "utmost attention" and responding within 30 business days with either an invitation to submit a full proposal or a decline with rationale.

Step 4: Full Proposal (if invited)
Organizations invited to submit a full proposal will receive specific instructions for developing a detailed proposal through the Fluxx system.

Security Note: WKKF warns applicants that "WKKF will never request personal, organizational or financial information via text or SMS."

Decision Timeline

  • LOI Response: Within 30 business days
  • Full Proposal Decision: WKKF commits to making 80% of final funding decisions within 60 business days of receiving a formal online proposal, with rationale provided for declines
  • Total Timeline: Initial review may take up to three months from LOI submission to invitation for full proposal

Success Rates

While specific success rates are not publicly disclosed, the foundation distributed 1,763 grants in 2024 with new grant commitments totaling $262 million. The foundation's commitment to reviewing all applications with "utmost attention" and providing rationale for declines demonstrates a transparent, respectful approach to all applicants.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation does not publicly disclose a specific waiting period for reapplication after an unsuccessful proposal. Given the rolling application process and commitment to transparency, applicants are encouraged to carefully review any feedback provided with decline notifications before reapplying.

Application Success Factors

Based on WKKF's stated priorities and guidance to applicants, the following factors increase likelihood of success:

1. Strong Alignment with Foundation Priorities
"One of the most critical aspects is to ensure that the proposal aligns closely with the foundation's mission and priorities. Applicants should thoroughly research the foundation's current initiatives and funding areas to tailor their proposals accordingly, as this alignment not only increases the chances of approval but also demonstrates an understanding of the foundation's goals."

2. Innovation and New Approaches
Most foundations, including WKKF, prefer to fund "new and exciting things, not more of the same." Applicants should articulate how their project offers innovative approaches rather than replicating existing programs.

3. Holistic, Integrated Solutions
WKKF prioritizes "holistic solutions across integrated systems" rather than siloed approaches. Successful applications demonstrate how projects address children's needs through interconnected ecosystems including education, healthcare, food security, and economic opportunity.

4. Explicit Focus on Racial Equity
Given WKKF's commitment to racial equity and racial healing as cross-cutting priorities, successful applications articulate how projects advance racial equity, build community power, or transform narratives about racism's impact.

5. Clear, Compelling Narrative with Evidence
"Including data and evidence to support claims is crucial, but weaving in personal stories or testimonials can create an emotional connection with reviewers." Applications should balance quantitative data with qualitative storytelling.

6. SMART Objectives
"Applicants should ensure that their objectives are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART), as this clarity will facilitate evaluation later on."

7. Transparency About Challenges
"The foundation encourages applicants to be transparent about their challenges and how they plan to address them." Organizations with published financials and impact reports demonstrate transparency and leadership in their field.

8. Geographic Priority Alignment
Projects serving Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico, New Orleans, or international priority places (Haiti, Mexico) received 58% of grants in 2024, indicating stronger alignment with foundation priorities.

9. Community-Led and Centered Approach
WKKF "intentionally places vulnerable children and their families at the center of everything it does" and seeks organizations that demonstrate community engagement and leadership.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Review priorities thoroughly before applying: WKKF explicitly asks grantseekers to review its priorities prior to submitting an LOI; alignment with the foundation's five focus areas and racial equity commitment is critical
  • Think holistically: Proposals should demonstrate how projects address comprehensive needs across integrated systems (food, health, education, economic security) rather than isolated interventions
  • Emphasize innovation: Frame your project as offering new approaches or solutions rather than "more of the same"
  • Be transparent and evidence-based: Combine data and evidence with personal stories; be honest about challenges and how you'll address them
  • Use SMART objectives: Ensure objectives are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound to demonstrate evaluation readiness
  • Leverage the rolling process: With no deadlines, take time to craft a strong LOI; the 30-day response time provides relatively quick feedback on alignment
  • Expect transparency and respect: WKKF commits to four principles—"transparency, respectfulness, openness and honesty"—and provides rationale for declines, creating opportunity to learn and potentially reapply
  • Consider geographic alignment: While WKKF funds nationally and internationally, 58% of grants benefit priority places (Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico, New Orleans, Haiti, Mexico)

References

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