The 4R Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $273,668 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Quarterly board reviews
• Grant Range: $5,000 - $60,000 (based on recent awards)
• Geographic Focus: Central Florida

Contact Details

• Website: Information limited; foundation operates primarily through 4Roots Farm Campus
• Application Method: Informal requests welcomed with periodic board review
• Associated Entity: 4Roots Farm Campus (40-acre facility in Orlando)

Overview

The 4R Foundation Inc is a corporate foundation established in 2015 by John Rivers, founder of the 4 Rivers Smokehouse restaurant group. With annual grant distributions of approximately $273,668 (2023), the foundation operates as a hybrid model, both managing direct charitable programs through its 40-acre 4Roots Farm Campus and providing grants to external organizations. The foundation's mission centers on addressing food insecurity and supporting community development in Central Florida through education, job training, and sustainable agriculture initiatives. While relatively young, the foundation has established itself as an active supporter of agricultural education and food security programs in the Orlando area.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not have formally named grant programs but provides support in the following ranges:

• General Community Grants: $5,000 - $25,000 (supporting various community initiatives)
• Agricultural Education Grants: $25,000 - $60,000 (for school greenhouse and farming programs)
• Application Method: Informal requests evaluated quarterly by board

Priority Areas

• Food security and hunger relief
• Agricultural education and school farming programs
• Job training and workforce development
• Community health initiatives
• Economic development in Central Florida
• Environmental sustainability

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation's giving history suggests they do not fund:

• Organizations outside Central Florida
• Programs unrelated to their core focus areas
• Individual assistance or scholarships

Governance and Leadership

The foundation was founded by John Rivers, owner of 4 Rivers Smokehouse restaurant group. As a corporate foundation, governance is closely tied to the 4 Rivers business leadership. The foundation operates with quarterly board meetings where grant requests are reviewed and funding decisions are made. The foundation maintains both grant-making activities and operates the 4Roots Farm Campus as a direct charitable program.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The 4R Foundation welcomes informal requests for grant distributions. Organizations should submit informal grant requests that align with the foundation's focus areas. These requests are evaluated through a specific application process with periodic board review.

Decision Timeline

Grant requests are reviewed quarterly at board meetings. Organizations can expect decisions following these periodic reviews, though specific notification timelines are not publicly documented.

Success Rates

The foundation made 13 grant awards in 2023 and 10 awards in 2022. Total application numbers and success rates are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is documented, though the foundation's welcoming of informal requests suggests unsuccessful applicants may resubmit in future quarters.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's giving patterns and funded projects:

• Strong alignment with food security and agricultural education is critical
• Projects serving Central Florida communities receive priority
• School-based agricultural programs have received substantial support ($60,000 to Ocoee High School for greenhouse renovation)
• Organizations that can demonstrate community impact and sustainability are favored
• Collaborative projects that leverage multiple funding sources (as seen with Edgewater High School's $500,000 multi-funder campaign) are attractive
• Programs that align with the foundation's direct work at 4Roots Farm Campus may have advantages

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The foundation operates on an informal application basis but maintains a structured quarterly review process
• Agricultural education and food security programs receive the strongest support
• Grant sizes vary significantly ($5,000 to $60,000), suggesting flexibility based on project scope
• Geographic restriction to Central Florida is strictly maintained
• The foundation's hybrid model means they may be interested in partnerships that leverage their 4Roots Farm Campus facility
• Connection to the restaurant industry and John Rivers' business philosophy around community service could strengthen applications
• With over 100 organizations supported historically, the foundation demonstrates broad community engagement despite relatively modest annual giving

References

• Candid Foundation Directory Profile - The 4R Foundation Inc (EIN: 47-4062821)
• IRS Form 990 Returns for The 4R Foundation Inc (2022-2023)
• 4Roots Farm Campus organizational materials
• Central Florida foundation giving reports
• Grant recipient announcements from Ocoee High School and Edgewater High School