Acahand Foundation

Annual Giving
$4.1M
Grant Range
$0K - $0.4M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $4,138,538 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $44 - $400,000
  • Geographic Focus: United States and international (Papua New Guinea, Haiti, Dominican Republic)
  • Total Assets: $78.7 million

Contact Details

Website: https://acahand.org

Email: DonationCenter@acahand.org

Phone: (833) 448-3675

Address: 501 Silverside Rd Ste 123, Wilmington, DE 19809-1377

Program Officers:

Overview

The Åcahand Foundation was established in 2019 by Scott and Carmen Moscrip, founders of Truckstop.com, after relocating to Orlando, Florida to pursue philanthropic endeavors. With total assets of $78.7 million and annual giving of over $4.1 million, the foundation operates as a private independent foundation investing in education, health and welfare, and economic opportunity development. The Moscrips follow the motto "lift where you stand" and have created an active grantmaking operation that spans the United States and international locations including Papua New Guinea, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic. The foundation also operates "Light Orlando," a community service initiative that connects volunteers with charitable opportunities across Central Florida.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Acahand Foundation awarded 141 grants in 2024, with a median grant size of $3,000 and grants ranging from $44 to $400,000. Notable recent grants include:

  • New Plymouth School District: $400,000
  • Northwest Nazarene University Inc: $397,000
  • Acapng Foundation Inc: $358,000 for General & Unrestricted purposes
  • Catherine Creek Christian Youth Camp Inc: Funding for development and construction of the Helaman Heights Pavilion
  • Idaho STEM Action Center Foundation: Matching grant for Success in Education scholarships for middle and high school students to participate in Idaho Codes
  • University of Utah David Eccles School of Business: Acahand Business Opportunities Scholarship fund
  • Scripture Central: Indigenous Language Project (including Tok Pisin and other indigenous languages)

Priority Areas

Learning and Education:

  • Early childhood education programs with track records of improving quality and long-term student retention
  • Innovative schools with proven results in raising student achievement and continued enrollment
  • Scholarships and initiatives focusing on first-generation college graduation, particularly for international students
  • STEM education programs

Health and Welfare:

  • Access to healthcare initiatives
  • Programs improving self-reliance
  • Community health and wellness support

Economic Opportunity Development:

  • Programs relieving poverty through education
  • Creating work opportunities for disadvantaged populations

International Programs:

  • Education and welfare projects in Papua New Guinea (through AcaPNG Foundation)
  • Programs in Haiti and the Dominican Republic

The foundation champions compassion, integrity, innovation, faith, opportunity, leadership, and self-reliance in the organizations and communities it serves.

What They Don't Fund

The foundation has not publicly disclosed specific exclusions, but as a private foundation making grants to preselected organizations, they do not fund unsolicited proposals.

Governance and Leadership

Founders and Directors:

  • Scott Moscrip: Director and President. Founder and former CEO of Truckstop.com, revolutionizing the transportation industry with the first online load board. Scott is an accomplished entrepreneur having started more than 15 businesses in transportation/logistics, finance, retail, restaurant, and technology.
  • Carmen Moscrip: Director. Carmen has a bachelor's degree in marketing from Idaho State University and has been instrumental in organizing community service drives for clothing, food, and school supplies.
  • Steven Harris: Secretary, Treasurer, and Director

Program Staff:

  • Troy Wright: Program Officer, Community Grantmaking ($115,000 compensation)
  • Camille McCashland: Program, Community & Education Grantmaking Officer ($115,000 compensation)
  • Cindy Harris: CEO, Education Specialist
  • Steve Harris: Executive Director

The Moscrips' philanthropic philosophy centers on their motto "lift where you stand." As noted in their work with Orlando Health Foundation's Howard Phillips Center for Children and Families: "Carmen and Scott share their generosity...as donors and active supporters. The couple's connection to The Howard Phillips Center began in 2021 when they donated toys for local families, and after learning more about its mission, they were inspired to support The Center financially."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Acahand Foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Grants are awarded through trustee discretion and pre-existing relationships.

Getting on Their Radar

Light Orlando Partnership: The foundation operates "Light Orlando" (lightorlando.acahand.org), a community service initiative that partners with charities, churches, and government entities to connect volunteers with meaningful opportunities in Central Florida. Organizations working in the Orlando area can engage with the foundation through this volunteer network and community service events.

Community Events: The foundation sponsors the "Light the World with Love Christmas Concerts" at ICON Park Orlando (December 6-11 annually, 5:00pm-8:00pm), highlighting local high school, church, and community choirs. Participation in these community events may provide visibility with foundation staff.

Virtual Giving Machine: The foundation operates a Virtual Giving Machine that partners with select charities including Claritas House Outreach, Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida, Edgewood Children's Ranch, Frontline Outreach, Latisha's House, Matthew's Hope, One Heart for Women and Children, Orlando Community and Youth Trust, and Orlando Day Nursery & Childcare. Organizations working in similar areas may explore partnership opportunities.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed due to invitation-only grantmaking model.

Success Rates

Not applicable. The foundation makes grants to preselected organizations through trustee discretion.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable as the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Application Success Factors

Since the Acahand Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, organizations cannot directly apply. However, based on their documented grantmaking patterns, the foundation demonstrates clear preferences:

Mission Alignment with LIFT, INSPIRE, INNOVATE, AMPLIFY: The foundation's stated mission emphasizes four key verbs: "The Åcahand Foundation was formed to LIFT the health and welfare of others, INSPIRE learning and education, INNOVATE positive change in communities, and AMPLIFY the impact of our vision and mission." Organizations should align with one or more of these themes.

Focus on First-Generation Success: The foundation specifically highlights "scholarships and initiatives that focus on the theme of first generation college graduation (particularly for international students)," indicating a priority for programs breaking cycles of poverty through education.

Quality Early Childhood Programs: The foundation seeks "high impact programs that improve the quality of early childhood education and achieve long-term results including student retention," emphasizing evidence-based approaches with demonstrated outcomes.

Values Alignment: The foundation "champions compassion, integrity, innovation, faith, opportunity, leadership and self-reliance in the organizations and communities it serves," suggesting preference for organizations embodying these values.

International Reach: With documented giving in Papua New Guinea, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic, the foundation demonstrates willingness to support international programs aligned with their education and welfare priorities.

Community Service Orientation: Through Light Orlando, the foundation emphasizes hands-on volunteerism and community engagement, suggesting they value organizations with strong volunteer components and community connections.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process: This foundation operates on an invitation-only basis and does not accept unsolicited proposals. Traditional grant applications will not be accepted.
  • Relationship-driven grantmaking: With $78.7 million in assets and $4.1 million in annual giving, the foundation makes substantial grants but only to preselected organizations through trustee discretion.
  • Education is the core priority: From early childhood through college, with special emphasis on first-generation college students and international scholars.
  • Wide grant range allows flexibility: Grants from $44 to $400,000 (median $3,000) show the foundation supports both small community initiatives and major institutional programs.
  • Orlando connection provides access: Organizations in Central Florida can build visibility through Light Orlando volunteer programs and community events.
  • International scope: Don't assume geographic limitations—the foundation has funded projects in Papua New Guinea, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic alongside U.S. programs.
  • Values matter: Organizations should embody compassion, integrity, innovation, faith, opportunity, leadership, and self-reliance to align with foundation priorities.

References

🎯 You've done the research. Now write an application they can't refuse.

Hinchilla combines funder's specific priorities with your organisation's past successful grants and AI analysis of what reviewers want to see.

Data privacy and security by default

Your organisation's past successful grants and experience

AI analysis of what reviewers want to see

A compelling draft application in 10 minutes instead of 10 hours