Manning Family Foundation - Grant Information & Application Details

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $13,435,740 (2023)
Average Grant Size: $197,584
Total Assets: $275 million
Annual Awards: 68 grants (2023)
Decision Time: 3-4 months (reviews in January, May, September/October)
Grant Range: Varies by program; average ~$198,000
Geographic Focus: National (health research) and Charlottesville, VA (local grants)

Contact Details

Website: https://themanningfamilyfoundation.org

Mailing Address: 200 Garrett Street, Suite O, Charlottesville, VA 22902

Phone: (434) 980-8142

Primary Contact for Grant Inquiries: Heidi Burnette, CEO

Email: heidi@themanningfamilyfoundation.org

Online Application Portal: mff.givingdata.com/portal/campaign/GrantApplication

Overview

The Manning Family Foundation was established in 2003 by Paul and Diane Manning to advance health and healthy communities through strategic grantmaking. Over its first twenty years, the foundation awarded more than 300 grants to 110 organizations. With assets totaling approximately $275 million, the foundation distributed $13.4 million in grants in 2023. The foundation is led by Paul Manning, founder and CEO of PBM Capital, who previously founded PBM Products, which became the world's largest private label producer of infant formula. The Mannings, who have two children with diabetes, have focused particularly on supporting research to treat and cure both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. In 2023, the couple made headlines with a transformational $100 million gift to the University of Virginia to establish the Paul and Diane Manning Institute of Biotechnology, projected to open in 2026. The foundation operates with a dual focus: supporting cutting-edge health research with an entrepreneurial approach, and strengthening the Charlottesville community where the family resides.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

1. Health and Life Sciences Research Grants

Support for research developing effective treatments and cures for disruptive diseases
Emphasis on entrepreneurial and translational research
National scope

Key Research Initiatives:

UVA LaunchPad for Diabetes Innovation Fund (established 2013): Supports transformational research projects addressing unmet clinical needs in diabetes care. Since inception, 64 projects have been funded, attracting $19 million in follow-on funding. Projects span 30 departments across five schools at UVA.
Foundation Fighting Blindness Retinal Degeneration Fund (launched 2018): Accelerates treatments for inherited retinal diseases including macular degeneration and Stargardt's disease. The Manning Family Foundation has committed nearly $12 million to this fund. The first fund made 10 investments and is 100% committed; the second fund has raised over $40 million with Manning as an anchor donor.
University of Massachusetts Manning Innovation Program: Provides grants for applied research and development. 14 faculty members have received Manning Innovation Awards, supporting research in areas including liver disease treatments, cancer, and reproductive health.

2. Local Community Grants (Charlottesville, VA)

Support for organizations serving physical and mental health needs
Educational and developmental opportunities for children
Financial literacy programs
Services for at-risk youth and disadvantaged community segments
Cultural and family prosperity initiatives
Currently supports over 30 local organizations annually
Application method: Online portal, rolling basis, reviewed three times annually

Featured Local Grantees:

ReadyKids: Counseling for children and families experiencing trauma
Blue Ridge Area Food Bank: Addressing hunger and food access
City of Promise: Family literacy and empowerment programs

Priority Areas

Health Research:

Type 1 and type 2 diabetes research and treatment development
Retinal diseases and inherited blindness conditions
Translational research with commercial potential
Projects with entrepreneurial approach to healthcare innovation
Research addressing "the world's most disruptive diseases"

Local Charlottesville Grants:

Free physical and mental health services for underserved populations
Youth development and education programs
Financial literacy and economic empowerment
Organizations creating multi-generational community impact
Cultural enrichment initiatives

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated on their website, the foundation's focused mission suggests they do not fund:

Organizations outside their two main focus areas (health research and Charlottesville community)
Individual scholarships or direct financial assistance to individuals
Research outside health and life sciences
Local grants outside the Charlottesville area (except for health research)

Governance and Leadership

Paul B. Manning - Director, President, and Treasurer

Founder and CEO of PBM Capital (founded 2010)
Previously founded PBM Products (1997), sold to Perrigo in 2010
Member of the University of Virginia Board of Visitors
Serves on multiple UVA committees including Board of UVA Health Foundation and President's Advisory Committee
Board member of several biotech companies including Liquidia Corporation
Father of two children with diabetes, driving the foundation's focus on diabetes research

Diane Manning - Co-founder and board member

Heidi Burnette - Chief Executive Officer

Board Composition: The foundation is led by family members and associates. None of the directors or officers receive compensation for their roles, operating as a private foundation.

Paul Manning's Philosophy: Paul Manning has stated his commitment to entrepreneurial approaches in healthcare innovation, as evidenced by the foundation's support for translational research that can move from laboratory to market. His business background in building PBM Products into a global leader informs the foundation's emphasis on scalable, entrepreneurial solutions to healthcare challenges.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Eligibility: 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations working in the foundation's two focus areas

Application Method: Online submission through foundation web portal at mff.givingdata.com/portal/campaign/GrantApplication

Letter of Intent (LOI) Requirement:

First-time applicants must submit an LOI before submitting full application
Grantees who have not received funding in over two years must also submit LOI
LOI should include brief description of funding request

Full Proposal Components:

Organization profile including mission statement
Contact information and 501(c)(3) documentation
Description of funding request
Requested amount
Explanation of how work aligns with foundation's focus areas
Operating and/or program budgets
Goals, milestones, and timelines

Questions: Contact Heidi Burnette at heidi@themanningfamilyfoundation.org

Decision Timeline

Review Schedule: Applications reviewed three times per year

January review cycle
May review cycle
September/October review cycle

Process:

Applications accepted on rolling basis through online portal
Grant Committee reviews proposals
Board of Directors approves final grants
Applicants notified via email

Typical Timeline: Approximately 3-4 months from submission to decision, depending on which review cycle the application falls into

Success Rates

The foundation awarded 68 grants in 2023 from an undisclosed number of applications. Historical data shows:

2023: 68 awards
2022: 49 awards
2021: 63 awards
Over 20 years: 300+ grants to 110 organizations

While specific success rates are not published, the foundation's focused mission and substantial average grant size ($197,584) suggest a competitive process with selective grantmaking.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations that have not received funding in over two years must resubmit a Letter of Intent along with their application, similar to first-time applicants. This suggests the foundation is open to reapplications from previously funded organizations as well as new relationships. No explicit restrictions or waiting periods for unsuccessful applicants are mentioned on their website.

Grantee Requirement: All grantees must submit an annual progress report through the foundation's web portal.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Foundation Mission

The foundation explicitly seeks organizations whose work aligns with their two focus areas. Successful applications clearly demonstrate this alignment:

For Health Research Applicants:

Emphasize translational potential and entrepreneurial approach
Show how research addresses "disruptive diseases" or unmet clinical needs
Demonstrate potential for follow-on funding or commercial development
For diabetes-related projects: highlight innovation in diagnosis, treatment, or cure
For blindness research: focus on inherited retinal diseases and accelerated treatment pathways

For Charlottesville Community Applicants:

Show direct impact on physical or mental health of underserved populations
Demonstrate how programs create multi-generational community impact
Focus on children's educational and developmental opportunities
Address financial literacy and economic empowerment
Describe how organization contributes to community where "culture can flourish and families prosper"

Evidence of Track Record and Innovation

The foundation's support of 64 LaunchPad projects that generated $19 million in follow-on funding demonstrates their interest in projects with potential for broader impact. Successful applications should:

Provide evidence of preliminary results or proof of concept
Show potential for scalability or replication
Demonstrate organizational capacity to execute the proposed project
Include measurable goals, milestones, and timelines

Strategic Partnerships

Many successful grants involve partnerships with major research institutions (particularly University of Virginia) or collaborative approaches. The foundation values:

Cross-disciplinary collaboration
Partnerships that leverage additional resources
Projects that build on existing infrastructure or networks

Clear, Specific Proposals

The application portal requires specific information about budgets, timelines, and outcomes. Successful applications:

Provide detailed, realistic budgets
Include specific, measurable goals and milestones
Demonstrate sustainability or path to long-term impact
Address how success will be measured and reported

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Personal Connection Matters: The Mannings' personal experience with diabetes in their family drives much of the health research focus. Applications addressing diabetes or conditions with similar devastating impact on families may resonate strongly.
Entrepreneurial Approach is Valued: With Paul Manning's background building a global business, the foundation favors research with translational and commercial potential over basic science alone.
Think Long-Term Impact: The foundation supported 110 organizations over 20 years, suggesting they value sustained relationships and long-term impact over one-time grants. Multi-year potential should be highlighted.
Local Grants Are Relationship-Based: Supporting 30+ Charlottesville organizations annually suggests deep community engagement. For local applicants, demonstrating community roots and collaborative relationships is essential.
Submit Early in Review Cycle: With rolling applications reviewed three times yearly, submitting well before January, May, or September deadlines allows more time for any requested clarifications.
Leverage Follow-On Funding: The LaunchPad program's success in generating $19 million in follow-on funding shows the foundation values being a catalyst. Demonstrate how their grant will unlock additional resources.
Don't Overlook the LOI: First-time applicants must submit a Letter of Intent before the full application. Use this as an opportunity to make a strong first impression and potentially get early feedback.

References

Manning Family Foundation Official Website - https://themanningfamilyfoundation.org/ (accessed January 2026)
Manning Family Foundation Grant Applications Page - https://themanningfamilyfoundation.org/apply/ (accessed January 2026)
Manning Family Foundation Local Grants Page - https://themanningfamilyfoundation.org/community/ (accessed January 2026)
Manning Family Foundation Research Grants Page - https://themanningfamilyfoundation.org/health/ (accessed January 2026)
Cause IQ - Manning Family Foundation Profile - https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/manning-family-foundation,743054138/ (accessed January 2026)
Inside Philanthropy - "This Wealthy Virginia Family Is Helping Make the State a Biotech Hub" (February 2023) - https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/2023-2-6-this-wealthy-virginia-family-is-helping-make-the-state-a-biotech-hub
University of Virginia News - "UVA Leverages $100 Million Gift To Launch Paul and Diane Manning Institute of Biotechnology To Transform Health Care" - https://news.virginia.edu/content/uva-leverages-100-million-gift-launch-paul-and-diane-manning-institute-biotechnology (accessed January 2026)
UVA Health Foundation - "Launchpad Ignites Breakthroughs in Diabetes Research" - https://giving.virginia.edu/stories/launchpad-ignites-breakthrough (accessed January 2026)
Breakthrough T1D Press Release - "Breakthrough T1D and the Manning Family Foundation Unite Emerging Investigators" (December 2024) - https://www.breakthrought1d.org/for-the-media/press-releases/breakthrough-t1d-and-the-manning-family-foundation-unite-emerging-investigators-and-leaders-in-science-industry-and-academia-to-advance-type-1-diabetes-research-in-charlottesville-virginia/
PBM Capital - Paul B. Manning Biography - https://www.pbmcap.com/paul-b-manning (accessed January 2026)
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Manning Family Foundation (EIN 74-3054138) - https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/743054138 (accessed January 2026)
Foundation Fighting Blindness - RD Fund announcements and updates regarding Manning Family Foundation participation (2018-2024)