Ceres Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $961,000
• Success Rate: N/A (invitation only)
• Decision Time: Quarterly review cycles
• Grant Range: Median $70,000
• Geographic Focus: Washington DC metro, Los Angeles/Orange County CA, Western Massachusetts

Contact Details

• Website: https://www.ceresgiving.org
• Phone: 401-368-5675
• Email: info@ceresgiving.org
• Mailing Address: PO Box 578, Groton, MA 01450-0578
• Charleston Office: 328 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401

Overview

The Ceres Foundation Inc (EIN 58-2479387) is a family foundation established in 1999 by brothers Don and Dan Milder. With combined assets exceeding $173 million across related entities, the foundation supports nonprofit organizations that provide educational and employment opportunities to advance the self-sufficiency of underserved youth and their families. The foundation operates primarily through an invitation-only model, making approximately 60-70 grants annually with a median grant size of $70,000. Amanda Northrop has served as Executive Director since 2021, following Dan Milder's 21-year tenure. The foundation focuses on general operating support and capacity building investments, allowing grantees flexibility in determining spending priorities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• General Operating Support: Median $70,000 (provides maximum flexibility for organizations)
• Capacity Building Investments: Variable amounts (supports organizational growth and infrastructure)
• Multi-year Commitments: Up to $1 million over 5 years for select partners

Priority Areas

• College Access & Success: Programs helping students graduate high school, prepare for and enroll in college, and secure post-secondary degrees
• Career Pathways: Education, training, work-experience, or job placement programs leading to sustainable careers
• Family Strengthening: Programs working with parents and children to promote healthy parenting and build resilient families

What They Don't Fund

• Organizations outside their geographic focus areas
• Unsolicited grant applications
• Multiple grants within the same calendar year to the same organization

Governance and Leadership

Founders (2000):

• Don Milder: Medical device entrepreneur and venture capitalist, co-founded Versant Ventures in 1999, current board member
• Dan Milder: College professor, served as Executive Director for 21 years (2000-2021), current board member

Current Leadership:

• Amanda Northrop, Executive Director (since 2021): Previously spent 20 years at State Street Foundation managing grant-making in Massachusetts. Serves on boards of United Way of North Central Massachusetts and Root Cause.

The board includes two generations of the Milder family, maintaining the foundation's family governance structure while bringing professional grant-making expertise through its executive leadership.

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." As of early 2026, the foundation is not accepting concept papers from new partners but hopes to resume new partnership opportunities mid-2026.

Getting on Their Radar

The foundation identifies new partners through:

• Existing grantee recommendations and sector networks
• Board member connections in focus communities
• Amanda Northrop's extensive nonprofit network in Massachusetts
• Organizations should monitor the foundation's website for announcements about accepting new partnership concept papers (potentially mid-2026)

Decision Timeline

• Four grant review cycles annually for invited organizations
• Organizations typically receive only one grant per calendar year

Reapplication Policy

Current grantees can be invited to apply annually, though the foundation generally limits organizations to one grant per calendar year.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's grant history and stated priorities:

• Demonstrated track record: The foundation has maintained 20+ year relationships with organizations like Thrive Scholars, indicating they value long-term partnerships with proven organizations
• Geographic alignment: Organizations must serve Washington DC metro, Los Angeles/Orange County, or Western Massachusetts
• Systems-level impact: Recent large investments ($1M to Thrive Scholars for national growth, $1M to Bard Microcollege) suggest preference for organizations creating scalable models
• Flexibility in approach: The foundation provides general operating support specifically to allow organizations to determine their own spending priorities
• Multi-generational approach: Programs that work with both youth and their families align with their family strengthening priority

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is an invitation-only funder - do not submit unsolicited applications
• Focus on building relationships through existing grantees or board connections before expecting funding consideration
• The foundation values long-term partnerships, with some grantees receiving support for 20+ years
• General operating support is their preferred grant type, showing trust in organizational leadership
• Monitor their website for potential reopening of new partnerships mid-2026
• Geographic focus is strict - only organizations serving DC metro, LA/Orange County, or Western MA should pursue
• Family foundations often value personal relationships and recommendations from trusted sources

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: Form 990 filings for EIN 58-2479387 and 91-2170962 (Accessed February 24, 2026)
• The Ceres Foundation website: https://www.ceresgiving.org (Accessed February 24, 2026)
• Candid Foundation Directory: Profile CERE004 (Accessed February 24, 2026)
• Cause IQ: Organization profile 582479387 (Accessed February 24, 2026)
• Instrumentl 990 Reports Database (Accessed February 24, 2026)
• Inside Philanthropy coverage of Ceres Foundation grants (Accessed February 24, 2026)