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Adams Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$2.6M
Grant Range
$15K - $0.5M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $2.6-3.3 million
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation-only)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $15,000 - $500,000
  • Geographic Focus: National, with emphasis on New York

Contact Details

Address: 4351 Gulf Shore Blvd N, Apt 14N, Naples, FL 34103

Note: The foundation does not maintain a website and does not accept unsolicited proposals.

Overview

The Adams Family Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in 2013 by Patrick F. Adams, a lawyer, and co-trustee Nannette Hendel. With assets exceeding $57 million and annual grantmaking of $2.6-3.3 million, the foundation maintains a focused approach to philanthropy centered on Catholic religious institutions, human services for vulnerable populations, education, and health, including cancer research. The foundation made 36-43 grants in 2024, with a median grant of approximately $50,000. The foundation operates with exceptional discretion, maintaining no public website and working exclusively with pre-selected charitable organizations. Co-trustee Nannette Hendel brings a personal commitment to combating youth homelessness, inspired by her grandfather's experience of homelessness at age 14 and his subsequent dedication to creating opportunities for underprivileged youth.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through trustee-directed grantmaking with no formal application programs. All grants are designated "for mission support."

  • Grant Range: $15,000 - $500,000
  • Median Grant: $50,000
  • Annual Distribution: Approximately $2.6-3.3 million across 36-43 grants
  • Decision Method: Trustee discretion, invitation-only

Priority Areas

Catholic Religious Institutions: Support for Catholic churches, cathedrals, ministries, and mission organizations

  • Saint Patrick's Cathedral
  • Holy Cross Family Ministries
  • Catholic Medical Mission Board
  • Vincentian International Mission Services

Youth Services and Homelessness: Organizations serving at-risk and homeless youth

  • Covenant House (Nannette Hendel serves on board)

Human Services: Organizations providing direct services to vulnerable populations

  • Our Lady of Victory Homes of Charity
  • Grace Center Foundation

Health: Cancer research, medical missions, and healthcare access

  • Maimonides Medical Center
  • Doctors Without Borders USA

Education: Educational institutions and programs, particularly those with Catholic affiliation

Geographic Focus: While based in Naples, Florida, the foundation's grantmaking is primarily concentrated in New York State, with secondary support in Washington DC, Missouri, Florida, and other U.S. states.

What They Don't Fund

The foundation's explicit restrictions are not publicly documented, but the consistent pattern shows:

  • Organizations without pre-existing relationships with trustees
  • Non-Catholic religious institutions (based on giving patterns)
  • International organizations (with rare exceptions like Doctors Without Borders)

Governance and Leadership

Patrick F. Adams - Trustee

  • Profession: Lawyer
  • Founded the foundation in 2013
  • No compensation taken from the foundation

Nannette Hendel - Co-Trustee and Director of Philanthropy

  • Education: Psychology degree from St. John's University
  • Professional Background: Previously worked in human resources at Dreyfus Service Corporation
  • Board Service:
    • Director at Covenant House International
    • Executive Committee member at Sheen Center for Thought and Culture (alongside Timothy M. Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York)
  • Personal Motivation: Inspired by her grandfather's experience with homelessness at age 14, which drives her commitment to combating youth homelessness
  • Experience: Focus on "raising her family, volunteering, and fundraising for various nonprofit organizations"

Staff: The foundation operates with zero full-time employees, with all grantmaking decisions made directly by the trustees.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation explicitly states it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

Grants are awarded entirely at the discretion of trustees Patrick F. Adams and Nannette Hendel to organizations with which they have established relationships. The foundation maintains no website, no application portal, and no public communications about grantmaking priorities.

Getting on Their Radar

Given the limited public information about how the Adams Family Foundation identifies new grantees, specific strategies are not well-documented. However, the following funder-specific observations may be relevant:

  • Nannette Hendel's Board Connections: Hendel serves on the boards of Covenant House International and the Sheen Center for Thought and Culture. Organizations working in similar mission areas (youth homelessness, Catholic cultural initiatives) and participating in events or networks associated with these institutions may have greater visibility.

  • Catholic Institutional Networks: The foundation's consistent support for Catholic organizations, combined with Hendel's work alongside Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan on the Sheen Center Executive Committee, suggests that connections within Catholic institutional networks in the New York Archdiocese may be relevant pathways.

  • Mission Alignment: Organizations should have demonstrable Catholic mission alignment or focus on vulnerable youth populations, particularly homeless youth.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. The foundation operates on a trustee-discretionary model with no fixed grant cycles or deadlines.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Application Success Factors

Since the Adams Family Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, organizations that have been selected to receive funding share the following characteristics:

1. Catholic Mission Alignment: The overwhelming majority of grants support Catholic institutions and organizations with Catholic foundations. Successful grantees demonstrate clear Catholic identity and mission.

2. Established Track Record: The foundation supports well-established organizations with proven impact, such as Covenant House, Saint Patrick's Cathedral, and Doctors Without Borders USA, rather than emerging nonprofits.

3. Focus on Vulnerable Populations: Grantees consistently serve vulnerable populations, particularly:

  • Homeless and at-risk youth (reflecting Hendel's personal commitment)
  • Medical missions and underserved healthcare populations
  • Children and families in crisis

4. Mission Support Rather Than Project Grants: All grants are designated "for mission support," indicating the foundation's preference for general operating support over restricted project funding. This suggests they fund organizations whose overall mission they trust, rather than specific initiatives.

5. Geographic Concentration: Despite being based in Florida, the foundation shows strong preference for New York-based organizations, likely reflecting the trustees' connections and relationships in that region.

6. Personal Connection to Trustees: Given the foundation's approach of funding "preselected" organizations, personal relationships with trustees Patrick F. Adams and Nannette Hendel appear to be the primary pathway to funding.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application Process: This foundation cannot be approached through traditional grant applications. They fund only pre-selected organizations with existing trustee relationships.

  • Catholic Focus: Strong preference for Catholic religious institutions, particularly those in the New York Archdiocese.

  • Relationship-Based Grantmaking: Personal connections to trustees Patrick F. Adams and Nannette Hendel are essential. Nannette's board service at Covenant House and the Sheen Center provides insight into her philanthropic network.

  • Youth Homelessness Priority: Nannette Hendel's family history and board service at Covenant House indicate a personal commitment to organizations serving homeless and at-risk youth.

  • General Operating Support: The consistent designation of "for mission support" indicates preference for unrestricted funding rather than project-specific grants.

  • Established Organizations: The foundation supports well-known, established organizations with proven track records rather than emerging nonprofits.

  • Low Transparency: The foundation maintains an exceptionally low profile with no website, no public communications, and minimal disclosure beyond required IRS filings.

References

  1. CauseIQ. "Adams Family Foundation | Naples, FL." Accessed January 7, 2026. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/adams-family-foundation,461605016/

  2. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. "Adams Family Foundation - EIN 46-1605016." Accessed January 7, 2026. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/461605016

  3. Grantmakers.io. "Adams Family Foundation Profile." Accessed January 7, 2026. https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/461605016-adams-family-foundation/

  4. Inside Philanthropy. "Adams Family Foundation." Accessed January 7, 2026. https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant-places/new-york-grants/adams-family-foundation

  5. Covenant House International. "Meet Our Board of Directors." Accessed January 7, 2026. https://www.covenanthouse.org/about-us/board-directors

  6. Sheen Center for Thought and Culture. "Board of Directors." Accessed January 7, 2026. https://www.sheencenter.org/about/board-of-directors

  7. Instrumentl. "Adams Family Foundation | Naples, FL | 990 Report." Accessed January 7, 2026. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/adams-family-foundation-30004d6b-c852-4d90-827d-3c9108ea25ee

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