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Henry P. Kendall Foundation Trust

Annual Giving
$4.0M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.5M

Henry P. Kendall Foundation Trust

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $4.0 million (2023)
  • Total Assets: $96.9 million (2024)
  • Number of Grants: 40 annually
  • Grant Range: $500 - $500,000
  • Median Grant: $50,000
  • Geographic Focus: New England (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT)
  • Application Process: Mixed (invitation-only + competitive prize)
  • Founded: 1957

Contact Details

Address: P.O. Box 52200, Boston, MA 02205-2200

Phone: 617-951-2555

Email:

Website: www.kendall.org

EIN: 04-6029103

Overview

The Henry P. Kendall Foundation Trust was established in 1957 by brothers Henry W. and John P. Kendall as the Norfolk Charitable Trust, later renamed in 1959 to honor their father, industrialist and philanthropist Henry P. Kendall. With assets of $96.9 million and annual giving of approximately $4.0 million, the foundation has evolved its focus over the decades—from environmental conservation in the 1970s, to nuclear non-proliferation in the 1980s, to climate change in 1999. Since 2011, the foundation has concentrated exclusively on creating a resilient and healthy food system in New England that increases the production and consumption of local, sustainably produced food.

In 2025, the foundation launched an ambitious 2030 Action Plan titled "Schools & Students for New England's Food Future," committing $21 million between 2025-2030 to support the goal of producing 30% of New England's food within the region by 2030. The foundation operates as a small family foundation with a strategic, collaborative approach that emphasizes "underwriting worthy, imaginative projects" with focus on "action more than research" and aims to "nourish talent rather than to select projects and pay for solutions."

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through multiple funding mechanisms:

1. New England Food Vision Prize (Open Application)

  • Grant Range: $25,000 - $200,000
  • Duration: Up to 24 months
  • Application Cycle: Two rounds annually (June and October)
  • Focus: Innovative food system projects that increase local and regional food preparation, sourcing, and serving in K-12 cafeterias and higher education dining halls
  • 2024 Awards: 9 grants totaling approximately $1.1 million
  • Since 2018, the Prize has supported 36 teams partnering with 650 schools, reaching 320,000 students

2. School Supply Chain Coordination (Invitation-Only)

  • Supports K-12 districts, colleges, and universities to increase local food procurement
  • Supports food hubs and intermediaries in the school supply chain
  • Institutions identified through recommendations, research, and Institute participation

3. Farm to School & Campus Leadership (Invitation-Only)

  • Supports emerging and existing leaders in the farm to school movement
  • Provides professional development through Farm to School Institutes, workshops, and trainings
  • Targets teachers, school wellness experts, nutrition directors, and campus sustainability coordinators

4. State & Regional Networks (Invitation-Only)

  • Strengthens regional and state organizations that mobilize networks
  • Supports long-term systemic change through regional food vision, leadership development, and policy change

Priority Areas

Core Focus:

  • Increasing local and regional food production and consumption in New England
  • Farm-to-school and farm-to-campus initiatives
  • Regional food supply chain development and coordination
  • Leadership development in sustainable food systems
  • State and regional food system networks
  • Scratch cooking and culturally relevant foods in educational settings
  • Student engagement with local agriculture and food systems

Strategic Themes:

  • Climate change adaptation
  • Strengthening regional supply chains
  • Equity in food access and food system participation
  • Upcycling and food waste reduction
  • Supporting BIPOC farmers and food system workers

Geographic Priorities Within New England:

  • Greater Boston
  • Rhode Island
  • Route 91 corridor (Greenfield, MA to New Haven, CT)
  • All six New England states for Food Vision Prize

What They Don't Fund

Geographic Restrictions:

  • Projects outside the six New England states (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT)
  • Food sourced from outside New England (including Pennsylvania, New York, or other nearby states)

Organizational Restrictions:

  • For-profit businesses as primary applicants (may participate as project partners only)
  • Organizations or projects not aligned with New England food system goals

Budget Restrictions:

  • Indirect costs exceeding 10% of project budget (for Food Vision Prize)

Process Restrictions:

  • Unsolicited applications for most grant programs (except Food Vision Prize)

Governance and Leadership

Staff

Andrew W. Kendall, Executive Director

  • Joined foundation in 2012
  • Previously President of The Trustees of Reservations (12 years)
  • Led development of community farms and gardens network across Massachusetts
  • Graduate of Amherst College and Harvard Business School
  • 2024 Compensation: $536,749

Beth Zschau, Senior Program Officer

  • Joined foundation in 2023
  • Previously National Impact Partnerships Director at FoodCorps (5 years)
  • Master's in Nonprofit Management
  • Focus on food systems and education partnerships
  • Contact: bzschau@kendall.org
  • 2024 Compensation: $194,736

Holly Hannaway, Program Operations Manager

  • Joined foundation in January 2024
  • Over 20 years experience in program development
  • Previously with Massachusetts Environmental Education Society
  • MS in Environmental Studies
  • 2024 Compensation: $73,768

Board of Trustees

  • Andrew W. Kendall
  • John P. Kendall
  • Kenneth F. Meyers
  • Phoebe S. Winder
  • Tore Nelson
  • Amy Longsworth

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

For the New England Food Vision Prize (Open Application):

Eligibility:

  • Schools, nonprofit organizations, government entities, and municipalities
  • Must be based in New England
  • At least one K-12 or higher education institution must be a direct beneficiary and partner
  • Letter of support from educational institution required

Application Process:

  1. Review program information on website
  2. Attend informational webinar (held in April and August)
  3. Submit application during open round (June or October)
  4. Applications reviewed using Food Vision Prize rubric

Application Requirements:

  • Project timeline (up to 24 months)
  • Budget with funding request between $25,000 and $100,000
  • Identification of educational institution partners
  • Letter of support from educational institution
  • Demonstration of project impact, equity, sustainability, and readiness

Evaluation Criteria:

  • Impact: Clear demonstration of how project will support local and regional food purchasing by schools
  • Equity: Prioritization of students and communities with limited access to fresh, regionally produced food
  • Sustainability: Likelihood that Prize funds will support ongoing local and regional purchasing beyond the grant term
  • Readiness: Project partners demonstrate necessary skills, experience, and relationships to execute

Support Resources:

  • Farm to Institution New England team available to answer questions
  • Informational webinars with Q&A sessions

For Invitation-Only Grant Programs:

The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications for most grant programs. However, organizations can connect with the foundation by:

  • Attending regional food system gatherings and events where foundation staff are present
  • Networking through existing grantee relationships
  • Building visibility in the New England food system community
  • Contacting Beth Zschau (bzschau@kendall.org) for collaboration inquiries

The foundation team "attends most regional food system gatherings and events" and is "open to meeting new potential grantees" who seek them out at these gatherings.

Getting on Their Radar (for Invitation-Only Programs)

The foundation takes a proactive approach to identifying potential grantees through:

Networking and Visibility:

  • The foundation staff regularly attends regional food system conferences and gatherings (e.g., New England Food Summit, state Food System Statewide Gatherings)
  • Food Solutions New England events and conferences
  • State-level farm-to-school gatherings
  • New Hampshire Food Alliance events
  • Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Working Group (NESAWG) events

Relationship Building:

  • Participation in Farm to School Institutes (often leads to invitation for leadership grants)
  • Engagement with existing grantees and their networks
  • Collaboration with state and regional food system organizations
  • Demonstrated success with Food Vision Prize projects

Strategic Positioning:

  • Working on initiatives aligned with the 2030 Action Plan goals
  • Leading innovative farm-to-school or farm-to-campus programs
  • Serving as a food hub or supply chain intermediary
  • Mobilizing state or regional food system networks
  • Developing leadership in the food system space

Decision Timeline

For New England Food Vision Prize:

  • Two rounds annually (June and October announcements)
  • Specific timelines vary by year
  • Successful applicants announced publicly on website
  • Funded projects can run up to 24 months

For Invitation-Only Grants:

  • No public timeline available
  • Decision process occurs through proactive identification and direct outreach by foundation staff
  • Grant periods typically 1-2 years

Success Rates

New England Food Vision Prize:

  • Since 2018: 36 teams funded across multiple rounds
  • Specific acceptance rates not publicly disclosed
  • Competition is selective given focused scope and limited funding

Overall Grant Portfolio:

  • Approximately 40 grants awarded annually from $4 million in total giving
  • Average grant: $100,000
  • Median grant: $50,000

Reapplication Policy

Food Vision Prize:

  • Previous applicants may reapply in subsequent rounds
  • Previous winners have successfully received funding for new projects
  • No specific waiting period required between applications

Invitation-Only Programs:

  • Multi-year funding relationships are common
  • Several grantees receive renewed funding for continued work
  • Relationship-based approach allows for ongoing support

Application Success Factors

Critical Alignment Factors

1. Geographic Specificity:

  • All projects MUST be based in and benefit New England (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT)
  • Food MUST be sourced from within the six New England states
  • Projects outside New England or using non-New England food sources will not be considered

2. Educational Institution Partnership:

  • Strong partnership with K-12 schools, school districts, or higher education institutions is essential
  • Letter of support from educational partner is required for Food Vision Prize
  • Schools currently spend $3 billion on food in New England; foundation targets increasing the 6.6% spent on regional products

3. Alignment with 2030 Goals:

  • Foundation's strategic priority: produce 30% of New England's food in region by 2030
  • Reach 30% of New England's schools and students by 2030
  • Projects should demonstrate measurable progress toward these goals

4. Systems-Level Thinking:

  • Foundation looks for projects that create "lasting change" and "systemic impact"
  • Preference for initiatives that strengthen regional coordination and collaboration
  • Support for projects that build infrastructure (processing, distribution, supply chain)

What Makes Applications Stand Out

Innovation and Imagination:

  • Foundation's founding principle: "underwrite worthy, imaginative projects"
  • 2024 winners included upcycled products (broccoli byproducts into college food, grain cereals from local grains)
  • Creative approaches to connecting local seafood to schools (monkfish sliders)
  • New models for prep kitchens and processing facilities

Equity and Access:

  • Foundation prioritizes "students and communities with limited access to fresh, regionally produced food"
  • Several recent grants focused on culturally relevant foods and BIPOC farmers
  • Projects serving food-insecure communities or Title I schools
  • Examples: Maine Immigrant Greens Collaborative, culturally connected cafeterias in Manchester, NH

Demonstrated Readiness:

  • Project partners showing necessary skills, experience, and relationships
  • Clear implementation plans with realistic timelines
  • Strong letters of support from educational partners
  • Track record in farm-to-school or regional food work

Sustainability Beyond Grant Period:

  • Projects should demonstrate how local food purchasing will continue after grant ends
  • Building lasting relationships between farmers and institutions
  • Creating infrastructure or systems that outlive the grant
  • Leadership development component that ensures continuity

Strategic Advice from Foundation Materials

Foundation's Philosophy (from founding principles):

  • They are interested in "action more than research"
  • They aim to "nourish talent rather than to select projects and pay for solutions"
  • This suggests: focus on implementable plans, emphasize the team/leadership, show how you'll build capacity

From 2030 Action Plan:

  • "Educational institutions are pivotal leaders in transforming the regional food system"
  • Position educational partners as leaders, not just beneficiaries
  • Emphasize student engagement and education alongside food sourcing

Support Beyond Funding:

  • Foundation provides "wraparound support through networking and introductions, cohort convenings, and support for specialized consulting"
  • Indicate openness to collaboration and learning from other grantees
  • Show how you'll participate in knowledge-sharing across region

Common Themes Among Recent Winners

2023-2024 Food Vision Prize Winners Analysis:

  • Processing and Value-Added: Multiple grants for processing facilities, prep kitchens, upcycling
  • Supply Chain Coordination: Food hubs, distribution networks, connecting farmers to multiple schools
  • Culturally Relevant Foods: Projects featuring immigrant farmers, culturally connected cafeterias
  • Seafood and Proteins: Recognition that diversifying protein sources beyond produce is important
  • Cross-State Collaboration: Several projects linking farms in one state to schools in another (within New England)
  • Measurable Scale: Most projects serve thousands of students across multiple schools

Red Flags to Avoid

Geographic Missteps:

  • Do not include food from outside New England, even if "nearby"
  • Do not propose projects that primarily benefit non-New England communities

Misalignment with Mission:

  • Projects focused on food access without connection to local/regional sourcing
  • Research projects without clear action/implementation component
  • Individual school gardens without connection to supply chain or institutional procurement

Unsolicited Outreach for Invitation-Only Programs:

  • Foundation "discourages organizations from approaching it to seek funding"
  • Cold emails requesting funding are unlikely to be successful
  • Better strategy: build visibility in regional food system networks

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Geographic Focus is Non-Negotiable: All projects must be 100% focused on New England (the six states), with food sourced from within the region. This is a hard requirement that will disqualify otherwise strong applications.

  2. Educational Partnerships are Essential: Whether applying for the Food Vision Prize or hoping to be invited for other grants, demonstrate strong, genuine partnerships with K-12 or higher education institutions. Schools are seen as "pivotal leaders" in food system transformation.

  3. Think Regionally, Act Locally: The foundation values projects that contribute to regional goals while demonstrating local impact. Show how your work connects to the broader vision of 30% regional food production by 2030.

  4. Innovation Matters: "Worthy, imaginative projects" get funding. Don't just propose standard farm-to-school procurement—show creative approaches to upcycling, processing, cultural relevance, or supply chain innovation.

  5. Equity is a Priority: Projects serving communities with limited access to fresh food and those centering BIPOC farmers and food workers are prioritized. Build this into your project design, not as an afterthought.

  6. For Invitation-Only Programs, Build Visibility: Attend New England food system events where foundation staff are present. Apply for the Food Vision Prize as an entry point. Build relationships with existing grantees. The foundation discovers partners through active participation in the regional food system community.

  7. Demonstrate Sustainability: Show how local food purchasing and relationships will continue after grant funding ends. The foundation is investing in lasting systems change, not one-time projects.

References

Official Foundation Sources

Food Vision Prize Sources

Financial and Legal Documents

Third-Party Analysis

News and Announcements

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