← Back to US Funders Directory

Seedlings Foundation

Annual Giving
$20.6M
Grant Range
$2K - $2.3M

Seedlings Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $20,563,020 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $194 million
  • Grant Range: $2,000 - $2,300,000
  • Median Grant: $341,474 (2024)
  • Number of Grants: 79 (2023)
  • Geographic Focus: National, with approximately 50% focused on Connecticut (particularly New Haven and Branford)
  • Application Method: Invitation only - does not accept unsolicited proposals

Contact Details

Phone: 203-481-5740
Location: Branford, Connecticut
Website: https://www.seedlingsct.org/

Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant proposals.

Overview

Established in 2002, the Seedlings Foundation is an independent private foundation with assets of nearly $194 million. The foundation is steered by sisters Karen and Linda Pritzker, daughters of the late Robert Pritzker, who was an heir to the Pritzker family fortune and founder of the Marmon Group. The foundation's mission is to support "programs that nourish the physical and mental health of children and families, and foster an educated and engaged citizenship." While education and civic engagement are the foundation's stated giving areas, grantmaking extends to other fields including journalism, health, and the arts. The foundation maintains a relatively low profile but has significant impact, particularly among smaller and innovative organizations in and around New Haven, Connecticut. In 2020, Karen Pritzker established the Basic Needs Fund through the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, which has distributed more than $1.34 million since its founding to ensure all Greater New Haven area residents have basic material needs.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate distinct named grant programs but provides funding across several key areas:

  • Early Childhood Education: Grants range from small grants to multi-year commitments
  • K-12 Education: Support for public, parochial, and independent schools
  • Higher Education & Research: Educational research at Yale University institutes
  • Journalism & Civic Engagement: Support for local and investigative journalism
  • Basic Needs: Through the Basic Needs Fund established in 2020
  • Consumer Protection: Support for Truth in Advertising (TINA.org)

Grant Range: $2,000 - $2,300,000 (with median around $341,474)

The foundation tends to provide multi-year funding to its grantees, demonstrating a commitment to sustained support.

Priority Areas

Education (Early Childhood through Higher Education):

  • Early childhood programs and literacy initiatives
  • K-12 schools and educational programs
  • Professional development for educators
  • Educational research (particularly at Yale University institutes including the Center for Dyslexia & Creativity, Center for Emotional Intelligence, and Yale Child Study Center)

Civic Engagement & Journalism:

  • Local journalism initiatives
  • Investigative reporting
  • Community foundations
  • Public libraries
  • Consumer protection

Health & Family Support:

  • Physical and mental health programs for children and families
  • Basic needs support (food, shelter, hygiene, safety, communication tools)

Geographic Focus: Approximately 50% of grantmaking goes to Connecticut-based organizations, with particular interest in New Haven and Branford. The remaining funding is distributed nationally.

What They Don't Fund

The foundation operates through invitation only and does not accept unsolicited proposals. Therefore, organizations not already on the foundation's radar or without existing relationships are unlikely to receive funding.

Governance and Leadership

Leadership:

  • Karen Pritzker, President - Documentary film producer and daughter of the late Robert Pritzker. Karen established the Basic Needs Fund in 2020 through the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven.

  • Linda Pritzker (also known as Lama Tsomo) - Buddhist spiritual leader, author, and co-leader of the foundation alongside her sister.

The Pritzker sisters bring distinct perspectives to their philanthropy - Karen through media and storytelling, Linda through mindfulness and spiritual practice - both united in their commitment to supporting education and civic engagement.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process.

The foundation explicitly states that it "does not review or accept unsolicited grant proposals." The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations identified through the trustees' discretion and existing relationships.

Grants are awarded through:

  • Trustee discretion and selection
  • Pre-existing relationships with organizations
  • Foundation-initiated outreach to organizations aligned with their mission

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - the foundation does not operate on a formal application cycle. Grantmaking decisions are made throughout the year by the trustees based on their strategic priorities and relationships.

Success Rates

Not applicable - since the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, there are no public success rate statistics.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation provides grants through invitation only. However, the foundation is noted for providing multi-year funding to grantees, suggesting a preference for sustained relationships with supported organizations.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, understanding what the foundation values can help organizations position themselves strategically:

Organizations Most Likely to Receive Support:

  1. Connecticut Connection: Half of the foundation's grantmaking goes to Connecticut organizations, particularly in New Haven and Branford. Organizations operating in these areas are more likely to be on the foundation's radar.

  2. Innovation and Impact: The foundation is noted for supporting "smaller and innovative organizations," suggesting they value creative approaches and new solutions to social problems.

  3. Education Focus: Organizations working in education from early childhood through higher education, particularly those with:

    • Early childhood literacy programs
    • Professional development for educators
    • Educational research
    • Support for diverse school environments (public, parochial, and independent schools)

  4. Civic Engagement: Organizations focused on:

    • Local and investigative journalism
    • Community foundations
    • Voter engagement and civic participation
    • Consumer protection

  5. Multi-Year Potential: The foundation demonstrates preference for "multi-year funding," indicating they value long-term partnerships rather than one-off projects.

  6. Basic Needs: Organizations addressing fundamental material needs (food, shelter, hygiene, safety, communication tools) that "promote the dignity of people who need financial assistance."

Foundation Initiatives as Indicators:

The foundation's own initiatives provide insight into their values:

  • Seedlings Educators Collaborative: Since 2005, this program has connected educators from public, parochial, and independent schools for professional development in "a stimulating and nurturing environment" - demonstrating commitment to collaborative, cross-sector learning
  • Truth in Advertising (TINA.org): Founded with Seedlings Foundation funding, focused on consumer protection and empowering consumers against false advertising - showing commitment to transparency and accountability
  • Basic Needs Fund: Established in 2020 as an endowed fund to provide permanent resources for basic material needs - indicating long-term, sustainable approach to philanthropy

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application Process: Do not submit unsolicited proposals - the foundation does not accept them. Focus instead on building visibility in Connecticut's philanthropic sector.

  • Connecticut Geographic Priority: Half of all grantmaking stays in Connecticut, with strong focus on New Haven and Branford areas. Organizations in these regions have greater likelihood of foundation awareness.

  • Multi-Year Commitment Model: The foundation prefers sustained relationships and multi-year funding, not one-off grants. This suggests they value deep partnerships.

  • Education + Civic Engagement Core: While they fund health and arts, education and civic engagement are the primary areas. Projects combining these (e.g., media literacy education) may be particularly aligned.

  • Innovation Valued: The foundation is noted for supporting "smaller and innovative organizations," suggesting they're open to creative approaches and willing to take risks on new solutions.

  • Pritzker Family Values: Understanding the Pritzker sisters' backgrounds (documentary filmmaking, Buddhist practice) may offer insight into what resonates - storytelling, mindfulness, dignity, and compassion appear to be implicit values.

  • Community Foundation Partnerships: The foundation established the Basic Needs Fund through the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, suggesting they value strategic philanthropic partnerships and may be more aware of organizations known to community foundations.

References

← Back to US Funders Directory