The Gerber Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $3.8–4.3 million (per 2021–2023 990 filings)
• Success Rate: ~10% (concept paper); 35–50% (full proposal)
• Decision Time: 9–10 months (concept paper to final decision)
• Grant Range: $5,000 – $350,000 (depending on programme)
• Geographic Focus: National (research); West Michigan (community grants)

Contact Details

Address: 4747 W 48th St, Suite 153, Fremont, MI 49412-8119

Phone: (231) 924-3175

Email: tgf@gerberfoundation.org

Website: www.gerberfoundation.org

Online Application Portal: https://gerberfoundation.smartsimple.com

Overview

Established in 1952 by Daniel Gerber, Sr. and Gerber Products Company as the Gerber Baby Foods Fund, The Gerber Foundation became a separately endowed private foundation in 1994 when Gerber Products sold to Sandoz Ltd. With total assets of approximately $96.4 million (per 2023 990-PF filing), the foundation's mission is to enhance the quality of life of infants and young children in nutrition, care, and development, with priority given to projects focused on children from the first year before birth to three years of age. Approximately 70% of the foundation's grantmaking supports applied research on health and nutritional issues affecting infants and young children. The foundation awards 10–15 research grants annually and distributes approximately $3.8–4.3 million in total grants each year.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

Major Research Awards: $20,000 – $350,000

• Maximum $350,000 total (inclusive of indirect costs at 10%)
• Maximum $125,000 per year
• Up to 3-year project length
• For experienced Principal Investigators
• Applications accepted via online portal on a fixed annual deadline

Novice Research Awards: Up to $30,000

• Maximum $30,000 total (inclusive of 10% indirect costs)
• For physicians, PhD candidates, PharmD candidates in residency/fellowship or no more than one year post-training
• Requires mentor and development plan
• Applications accepted via online portal on a fixed annual deadline

West Michigan Youth Grants: $5,000 – $10,000 (occasionally up to $20,000)

• Generally limited to one-year commitments
• Average grant size less than $5,000
• Serves Lake, Muskegon, Newaygo, and Oceana Counties
• Applications accepted via online portal on rolling basis

Merit Scholarships: Competitive merit-based scholarships for select Michigan high schools

Priority Areas

Research Grants:

• Paediatric health research
• Paediatric nutrition
• Environmental hazards affecting infants and young children
• Applied research with practical solutions that can be easily and rapidly implemented
• Projects resulting in new diagnostic tools, treatment regimens, preventative measures, and risk assessment tools
• Research with predictable timeframe to clinical application

West Michigan Grants:

• Health and nutrition programmes
• Dental care
• Early childhood services
• Literacy programmes
• Parent education
• STEAM programmes
• Out-of-school learning programmes
• Collaborative programmes with broad community support

What They Don't Fund

• Projects focused solely on sharing current information with parents or caregivers (educational programmes without new research)
• Applicants who hold or have received a K01 award from the NIH (for novice grants)
• Purely basic science research without near-term clinical application
• Projects primarily benefiting children outside the U.S. (exceptions made with strong justification)
• Projects outside 0–3 age range receive lower priority
• Capital campaigns (rarely considered for West Michigan grants)
• Multiple concept papers per PI in the same cycle

Governance and Leadership

Board President: Fernando Flores-New

Board Vice-President: William L. Bush, MD

Board Treasurer: Stan M. VanderRoest

Board Secretary: Tracy A. Baker

Executive Director: Sara Hohnstein, MSW (joined September 2022)

• BA from Cornerstone University, Masters from Colorado State University
• More than 10 years of experience in grantmaking and social work
• Former NICU parent at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital
• Quoted: "I have sat in the seat of both the grantmaker and the grant applicant... I hope that when people encounter the Gerber Foundation, they find us to be transparent and clear about our focus areas and processes and a helpful resource for their work"
• Quoted: "We will also be listening closely to our partners, evaluating research, and continuously learning. We want to stay at the forefront of paediatric health and nutrition research and proactively engage in our community"

Programme & Office Administrator: Sally Hall, MA

Other Board Members: Randall Dyk, MD; Michael G. Ebert; Leigh Anne Higgins; Raymond Hutchinson, MD; Randy A. Puff; Steven W. Poole; Robert Schumacher, MD; Amy Sapsford; Wendy Taylor

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Research Grants (Major and Novice):

• Two-stage application process: Concept Paper followed by Full Proposal (by invitation only)
• All applications submitted through online SmartSimple portal at https://gerberfoundation.smartsimple.com
• New applicants must register in the system
• Only one concept paper per PI allowed per cycle

West Michigan Grants:

• Apply through online SmartSimple portal
• Applications reviewed on rolling basis

General Requirements:

• Must be tax-exempt organisation under Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3) or governmental entity
• No grants made directly to individuals
• Researcher must be U.S.-based

Decision Timeline

Annual Research Grant Round: The foundation operates a single annual research grant cycle. Applications typically open in autumn of the prior year. Concept papers are due on a fixed annual deadline, typically in the first quarter of the calendar year. Concept paper decisions are issued approximately three months after the deadline. Full proposals (by invitation only) are due approximately five months after the concept paper deadline. Final funding decisions are announced in late autumn.

Total Process: Approximately 9–10 months from concept paper submission to final decision.

Success Rates

• Concept Paper Stage: Approximately 10% of concept paper applicants are invited to submit full proposals
• Full Proposal Stage: 35–50% of invited full proposals receive funding
• Overall: 10–15 research grants awarded annually totalling approximately $2.4–3.5 million

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy documented in available sources. Applicants are encouraged to contact the foundation at tgf@gerberfoundation.org or (231) 924-3175 for guidance on resubmission.

Application Success Factors

Write for Multiple Audiences: The foundation explicitly states that concept papers and proposals are reviewed by both lay and medical professionals. Medical jargon should be limited, and concept papers should be written in lay terms. This dual-audience approach is critical to advancing to the full proposal stage.

Emphasise Practical, Implementable Solutions: The board is "particularly looking for practical solutions that can be easily and rapidly implemented on a broad scale with a predictable time frame to clinical application." The foundation seeks "fresh approaches to solving common, everyday problems or emerging issues."

Focus on Change in Practice: The foundation explicitly states they are "looking for projects that will result in 'new' information, treatments or tools that will result in a change in practice." Research must produce actionable outcomes, not just knowledge dissemination.

Recent Successful Projects Include:

• Study of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) treatment in preterm neonates (University of Wisconsin, $30,000)
• Detection of marijuana metabolites in human milk (UC San Diego)
• Tracheostomy-associated respiratory infections in paediatric patients (Children's Hospital Los Angeles, $350,000)
• Role of zinc in development of preterm infants (Brigham and Women's Hospital)
• Opioid withdrawal in neonatal patients

Demonstrate Best Fit: Selection is based on "the overall quality of the research and a determination of best fit with the Foundation's goals." Clearly articulate alignment with the 0–3 age focus and nutrition/care/development priorities.

Budget Restrictions:

• Indirect costs limited to 10%
• PI and Co-PI time limited to 30%
• Base salary capped at NIH levels
• Ensure budget compliance to avoid automatic disqualification

Seek Guidance: The foundation encourages applicants to "contact the Foundation at any time during the application process for assistance or guidance with their submission." Take advantage of this accessibility.

For West Michigan Grants: Collaborative programmes with broad community support are specifically encouraged. Show partnership and community buy-in.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Two-stage hurdle: Only approximately 10% of concept papers advance to full proposal, but 35–50% of full proposals are funded—invest heavily in a compelling, accessible concept paper that communicates to both medical and lay reviewers
• Applied research focus: The foundation rarely funds educational programmes or purely basic science; emphasise practical clinical applications with predictable implementation timelines
• Age specificity matters: Priority is given to the 0–3 age range (including one year before birth); clearly demonstrate how your project serves this population
• Accessible communication: Write in lay terms for the concept paper and limit medical jargon throughout—the board includes non-medical professionals
• Leverage foundation accessibility: Executive Director Sara Hohnstein emphasises transparency and being a "helpful resource"—contact the foundation for guidance during the application process
• Budget compliance is critical: 10% indirect cost cap, 30% personnel time cap, and NIH salary caps are firm restrictions
• Focus on new knowledge: The foundation seeks "new information, treatments or tools that will result in a change in practice," not projects that share existing knowledge with parents or providers

References

• The Gerber Foundation official website: https://www.gerberfoundation.org (accessed January 2026)
• The Gerber Foundation Research Grants page: https://www.gerberfoundation.org/research-grants/ (accessed January 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Gerber Foundation (EIN 38-6068090): https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/386068090 (accessed January 2026)
• Inside Philanthropy - Gerber Foundation profile: https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant/grants-g/gerber-foundation (accessed January 2026)
• Crain's Grand Rapids Business: "New Gerber Foundation leader 'deeply invested' in advancing research on infants and children": https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/news/nonprofits/new-gerber-foundation-leader-deeply-invested-in-advancing-research-on-infants-and-children/ (accessed January 2026)
• Council of Michigan Foundations: "The Gerber Foundation Hires New Director": https://www.michiganfoundations.org/news/gerber-foundation-hires-new-director (accessed January 2026)
• Instrumentl 990 Report - Gerber Foundation: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/386068090 (accessed January 2026)
• University of Wisconsin Pediatrics: "Grant from Gerber Foundation will support Paige Condit's patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) research": https://www.pediatrics.wisc.edu/grant-from-gerber-foundation-will-support-paige-condits-patent-ductus-arteriosus-pda-research/ (accessed January 2026)
• GuideStar Profile - The Gerber Foundation: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/38-6068090 (accessed January 2026)