← Back to US Funders Directory

Marilyn Brachman Hoffman Foundation

Annual Giving
$1.5M
Grant Range
$10K - $0.5M
Decision Time
5mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,504,743
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available (invitation-only)
  • Decision Time: Varies by grant type (research grants: 5-7 months)
  • Grant Range: $10,000 - $500,000+
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Fort Worth, Texas, with national reach for MCS research

Contact Details

Website: https://mbhoffman.org

Address: Fort Worth, TX

Note: The foundation accepts grant applications by invitation only and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Overview

The Marilyn Brachman Hoffman Foundation was established by Marilyn Brachman Hoffman (1930-2013), who dedicated her life to understanding and raising awareness about Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) after developing the condition herself while a doctoral student at Harvard. Founded in 1999 as a private independent foundation, it now manages approximately $47.5 million in assets. The foundation awards approximately $1.5 million annually across two primary funding streams: research grants focused on MCS pathophysiology and biomechanisms (up to $500,000/year for two years), and charitable grants supporting environmental preservation, vulnerable populations, hunger relief, and homelessness in Fort Worth. The foundation's vision is "a world where everyone, and especially people with MCS, can live full lives with access to nature, clean air, permanent housing, healthy food, and caring medical providers."

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Research Grants (Annual Cycle)

  • RFA 1: Pathophysiology and Biomechanisms: Up to $500,000/year for two years, plus indirect costs (maximum 10% of direct costs)

    • Focus: Identify MCS mechanisms and biomarkers using Cullen criteria (1987)
    • Application: Letter of Intent opens annually

  • RFA 2: Cohort-based Survey Research: Up to $300,000/year for two years, plus indirect costs

    • Focus: Population-based cohort studies on MCS prevalence
    • Application: Letter of Intent process

Charitable Grants (Invitation Only)

  • Grant Range: $10,000 - $310,000
  • Median Grant: $96,000
  • Approximately 15 grants awarded annually
  • No public application process

Priority Areas

  1. Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Research and Support (Highest Priority)

    • Research on MCS causes, effects, and biomarkers
    • Education for physicians, scientists, and the public
    • Clinical treatment efforts for MCS patients

  2. Environmental Preservation

    • Parks and green spaces
    • Indoor and outdoor air quality
    • Tree planting initiatives

  3. Vulnerable Populations

    • Medical care access
    • Feeding the hungry in Fort Worth
    • Sheltering the homeless

  4. Civil Liberties

  5. Public Broadcasting and Media

What They Don't Fund

  • Projects that do not align with the founder's directives
  • Organizations outside their preselected network (for charitable grants)
  • MCS research focused on psychiatric explanations
  • Research on other chronic symptom disorders

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

Thomas Cantrill - Special Counsel with Hunton Andrews & Kurth

Mary M. Jalonick - Former President and CEO of The Dallas Foundation

Nancy E. Jones - Former President and CEO of the North Texas Community Foundation

Dennis R. Opitz - Former Founder & Managing Partner of Rylander, Clay & Opitz, LLP

Executive Director

Tatjana Walker - Registered Nurse, Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist, MPH

  • Joined the foundation in 2021
  • Over 20 years of experience in healthcare, public health, administration, and clinical research
  • Personally interested in chemical intolerance/MCS through a family friend
  • Focuses on training healthcare professionals on indoor air quality and fragrance-free workplaces

The foundation's leadership comprises individuals with extensive experience in philanthropy, healthcare, and legal sectors, bringing strategic direction aligned with Marilyn Brachman Hoffman's vision.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

For Charitable Grants: This foundation does not have a public application process. Grant applications are accepted by invitation only. The foundation makes contributions exclusively to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

For Research Grants: The foundation operates an annual Request for Applications (RFA) cycle specifically for MCS research:

  1. Letter of Intent (LOI): Due June 1 annually
  2. LOI Review: June-July
  3. Full Proposal: Due 2 months after LOI acceptance
  4. Proposal Review: September-October
  5. Award Announcements: November-December

Research grants require innovative, hypothesis-driven proposals that focus on chemical exposures as initiating or triggering events for MCS.

Decision Timeline

Research Grants: 5-7 months from LOI submission to award announcement

Charitable Grants: Not publicly disclosed; grants are made at the discretion of the board to preselected organizations

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly available. The foundation awards approximately 15 charitable grants annually and a limited number of research grants.

Reapplication Policy

Research Grants: Organizations may submit new LOIs in subsequent annual cycles.

Charitable Grants: Not applicable as grants are invitation-only.

Application Success Factors

For Research Grants

  1. Use Cullen Criteria (1987): The foundation specifically requires this case definition for MCS research and excludes psychiatric-focused explanations of the condition.

  2. Innovative and Hypothesis-Driven: Research must demonstrate novel approaches to understanding MCS pathophysiology, biomechanisms, or population prevalence.

  3. Focus on Chemical Exposures: Projects should examine chemical exposures as initiating or triggering events, not other chronic symptom disorders.

  4. Comprehensive Understanding: The foundation seeks research that contributes to a thorough understanding of MCS pathogenesis.

For Charitable Grants

Since charitable grants are invitation-only, organizations cannot directly apply. However, examining the foundation's recent grantees reveals patterns:

  1. Fort Worth Focus: Local organizations addressing hunger, homelessness, and environmental quality in Fort Worth receive significant support (Restoration Center: $128K, Fort Worth Park & Recreation: $110K, Tarrant Area Food Bank: $50K).

  2. Environmental Alignment: Projects involving air quality, parks, and tree planting align with the founder's environmental priorities.

  3. Vulnerable Populations: Organizations providing emergency housing, utilities assistance, and medical care for vulnerable individuals.

  4. Mission Alignment: Organizations whose work connects to clean air, permanent housing, healthy food, or compassionate medical care—especially for those with chemical sensitivities.

Recent funded projects include:

  • Restoration Center's emergency housing and utilities assistance program
  • Fort Worth Park & Recreation Department's tree planting initiative
  • Tarrant Area Food Bank's food distribution programs
  • Fort Worth Report's journalism supporting community awareness

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Invitation-Only for Charitable Grants: There is no public application process for community/charitable grants. Organizations cannot submit unsolicited proposals.

  • Research Pathway Exists: Scientists and researchers can access funding through the annual RFA cycle for MCS research, with substantial grants up to $500,000/year.

  • Fort Worth Connection: For charitable grants, having a Fort Worth presence and addressing local hunger, homelessness, or environmental issues appears advantageous.

  • Founder's Legacy Drives All Decisions: Understanding Marilyn Brachman Hoffman's personal experience with MCS and her vision for "a better world" is essential—all funding decisions reflect her directives.

  • Air Quality and Environment: Projects involving air quality improvement (indoor or outdoor), parks, and environmental preservation strongly align with foundation priorities.

  • MCS-Focused Mission: The foundation's highest priority remains understanding, treating, and raising awareness about Multiple Chemical Sensitivity.

  • Established Relationships Matter: The foundation works with preselected organizations, suggesting that existing relationships with board members or previously funded organizations may be necessary for consideration.

References

  1. MBH Foundation Official Website - About the Foundation. https://mbhoffman.org/about-the-foundation (Accessed January 2026)

  2. MBH Foundation - Marilyn Brachman Hoffman Biography. https://mbhoffman.org/mbh-biography (Accessed January 2026)

  3. MBH Foundation - Board of Directors and Staff. https://mbhoffman.org/board-of-directors-and-staff (Accessed January 2026)

  4. MBH Foundation - Sponsored Research. https://mbhoffman.org/sponsored-research (Accessed January 2026)

  5. MBH Foundation - Giving. https://mbhoffman.org/giving (Accessed January 2026)

  6. Grantmakers.io - Marilyn Brachman Hoffman Foundation Profile. https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/752761459-marilyn-brachman-hoffman-foundation/ (Accessed January 2026)

  7. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Marilyn Brachman Hoffman Foundation. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/752761459 (Accessed January 2026)

  8. GrantExec - The Marilyn Brachman Hoffman Foundation. https://grantexec.com/foundations/752761459 (Accessed January 2026)

  9. Candid Foundation Directory - Marilyn Brachman Hoffman Foundation. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=HOFF414 (Accessed January 2026)

← Back to US Funders Directory