Tent Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $2,500 (2024)
• Success Rate: N/A (no public application process)
• Decision Time: Not applicable
• Grant Range: Historical: up to $50,000; Current: minimal activity
• Geographic Focus: 11 countries across Americas and Europe

Contact Details

• Website: www.tent.org
• Email: info@tent.org (general), media@tent.org (media)
• Phone: Not publicly available
• Address: 200 Lafayette Street, New York, NY 10012

Overview

The Tent Foundation (EIN: 47-2761733) is a 501(c)(3) private grantmaking foundation founded in 2015 by Chobani CEO Hamdi Ulukaya. With total assets of $30 million, the organization has evolved significantly from its original grant-making model. While it announced rapid-impact grants totaling $1 million in 2016, it has since transformed into the Tent Partnership for Refugees, focusing primarily on mobilizing corporate partnerships rather than traditional grant-making. The foundation was named to TIME's 100 Most Influential Companies in 2024 - the first refugee-focused organization to receive this recognition. Current grant activity is minimal, with only $2,500 awarded in 2024.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation has no active public grant programs. Historical programs included:

• 2016 Rapid-Impact Grants: Up to $50,000 per grant (program no longer active)
• Current Grants: Made only to preselected charitable organizations at trustee discretion

Priority Areas

Historical funding priorities (when grant-making was active):

• Innovations in refugee relief and processing
• Livelihood improvements for refugees and surrounding communities
• Policy research on forced displacement
• Public awareness and education initiatives

What They Don't Fund

The foundation explicitly states it "does not accept unsolicited requests for funds" and only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations.

Governance and Leadership

Founder & President: Hamdi Ulukaya (Founder/CEO of Chobani) CEO: Gideon Maltz Board Members Include: Orin Snyder, Wendy Woods (BCG Vice Chair of Social Impact), Dr. Rohini Anand (DEI Advisory)

Key quote from founder Hamdi Ulukaya: "The minute a refugee gets a job is the minute they stop being a refugee."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

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

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made to preselected organizations only.

Success Rates

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications.

Application Success Factors

Since the Tent Foundation does not accept applications, traditional success factors do not apply. Organizations working in refugee employment may instead consider:

• Exploring corporate partnership opportunities through Tent's business network of 500+ companies
• Contacting info@tent.org to discuss partnership rather than grant opportunities
• Building relationships with companies in Tent's network who have committed to hiring refugees

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The Tent Foundation does NOT accept grant applications despite being classified as a grantmaking foundation
• Current grant activity is minimal ($2,500 in 2024 compared to historical programs)
• The organization has pivoted to facilitating corporate partnerships for refugee employment
• Organizations seeking refugee-related funding should look elsewhere for grant opportunities
• Those working in refugee employment might benefit from Tent's corporate network rather than direct grants
• Contact should be made only for partnership discussions, not funding requests

References

• Charity Navigator Profile: https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/472761733 (Accessed February 2024)
• Grantmakers.io: https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/472761733-tent-foundation/ (Accessed February 2024)
• Tent Partnership Official Website: https://www.tent.org/ (Accessed February 2024)
• TIME100 Most Influential Companies 2024: https://time.com/6980486/tent-partnership-for-refugees/ (May 30, 2024)
• PR Newswire - Foundation Launch: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tent-foundation-announces-global-pledge-for-companies-to-help-solve-international-refugee-crisis-300205955.html (January 20, 2016)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/472761733 (Accessed February 2024)