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Dorrance Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$4.2M
Grant Range
$25K - $1.0M
Decision Time
5mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $4,158,150 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: 4-6 months (meets 2-3 times per year)
  • Grant Range: $25,000 - $1,000,000
  • Geographic Focus: California, Island of Hawaiʻi, and Arizona
  • Total Assets: $82.4 million (2023)

Contact Details

Address:
Dorrance Family Foundation
6263 N. Scottsdale Rd., Suite 330
Scottsdale, AZ 85250-5417

Phone: 480-367-7000

Website: https://dorrancefamilyfoundation.org

Contact: Carrie Ostroski, Executive Director

Overview

The Dorrance Family Foundation was established in 1991 by Bennett and Jacquelynn Dorrance. Bennett Dorrance is the grandson of John T. Dorrance, inventor of condensed soup, and served on the Campbell Soup Company board for 33 years. The foundation manages over $82 million in assets and distributed $4.2 million in grants in 2023. Its mission is "to improve the quality of life in the community by supporting education and natural resource conservation" through scholarships, grants, and volunteer service. The foundation is a three-generation family operation, led by founders Jacquie and Bennett Dorrance, their children Bennett Dorrance Jr. and Ashley Kaplan, and a recently established third-generation youth board. In 2022, the foundation launched the Dorrance Marine Conservation Initiative, reflecting an expanded focus on ocean health and coastal ecosystem restoration.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Local Grantmaking (Rolling Basis)

  • Grant Range: $25,000 - $100,000 (typical); up to $1,000,000 for select long-term grantees
  • Geographic Focus: California, Island of Hawaiʻi, and Arizona
  • Application Method: Rolling letters of inquiry; full proposals by invitation only

Marine Conservation Initiative (Periodic RFP)

  • California Grants: $25,000 - $500,000
  • Hawaiʻi Grants: $15,000 - $150,000
  • Target Locations:
    • Island of Hawaiʻi: North Kohala, South Kohala, North Kona, South Kona to Miloliʻi
    • Southern California: Mission Bay, Buena Vista Creek, Channel Islands
  • Application Method: Periodic Request for Proposals (not currently open)

Dorrance Scholarship Programs

  • $12,000 per year (renewable for 4 years) for first-generation college students
  • Up to 60 scholarships annually
  • Arizona State University, University of Arizona, and Northern Arizona University

Priority Areas

Natural Resource Conservation:

  • Marine habitat restoration and protection
  • Coastal and nearshore ecosystems
  • Coral reefs, estuaries, harbors, and bays
  • Biodiversity protection for imperiled species
  • Sustainable agriculture

Education:

  • First-generation college student scholarships
  • K-12 education programs (particularly in California)
  • Educational capacity building

Community Well-being:

  • Arts and culture
  • Children's health
  • Animal welfare
  • Animal therapy for veterans and youth with disabilities
  • Organizational effectiveness and capacity building

Mission Investing:

  • The foundation also engages in mission-aligned investing

What They Don't Fund

  • Individuals
  • Capital campaigns (Marine Conservation Initiative)
  • General operating expenses (Marine Conservation Initiative)
  • Endowments (Marine Conservation Initiative)
  • Religious activities
  • Lobbying activities
  • Government agencies cannot apply directly (universities eligible)

Governance and Leadership

Board Members/Officers:

  • Bennett Dorrance, Co-Founder (grandson of John T. Dorrance, inventor of condensed soup; former Campbell Soup Company board member)
  • Jacquelynn W. Dorrance, Co-Founder
  • Bennett Dorrance Jr., Vice President and Managing Director, DFE Trust Company
  • Ashley Dorrance Kaplan, Board Member
  • Generation 3 Youth Board members

Executive Director:

  • Carrie Ostroski (since March 2011; annual salary $267,479)
  • Over 22 years of executive-level experience in philanthropic and nonprofit sectors
  • Led development of multiple strategic grant programs and multi-location foundation initiatives

Executive Director Carrie Ostroski has stated that the foundation focuses on "education and natural resource conservation" and emphasizes supporting organizations with "a long-term history of Dorrance family commitment, and core to the foundation's mission and family's values."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Local Grantmaking:

  • Letters of inquiry accepted year-round through online process only
  • Full proposals by invitation only
  • Important: The foundation "only accepts inquiries from agencies who have had previous funding or meet guidelines for application located on their website"
  • Organizations must be tax-exempt 501(c)(3) entities
  • Minimum 3 years of 501(c)(3) status required

Marine Conservation Initiative:

  • Periodic Request for Proposals (RFP) when funding rounds are open
  • Online application only
  • 2025 acceptance period is currently CLOSED
  • Organizations must be USA-based 501(c)(3) entities with minimum 3 years operating history
  • One application per organization; joint proposals accepted
  • Universities eligible; government agencies cannot apply directly

Required Documentation:

  • Proof of tax-exempt status
  • Operating budget
  • Project budget
  • Most recent Form 990
  • Most recent financial statement

Decision Timeline

  • Foundation board meets 2-3 times per year to review applications
  • Typical timeframe: 4-6 months from letter of inquiry to decision
  • Marine Conservation Initiative has specific deadlines (e.g., September 15, 2023 for previous RFP)

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, grant activity shows:

  • 60 awards in 2022
  • 78 awards in 2021
  • 93 awards in 2020
  • 83 awards in 2019

The foundation has been described as "not the most transparent funder, with no database or list of past grantees available on its website."

Reapplication Policy

Not explicitly stated. However, the foundation clearly favors long-term relationships with grantees, with select organizations receiving up to $1 million annually. The invitation-only full proposal process and preference for organizations with "previous funding" suggests successful grantees often receive continued support.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Foundation Values: The foundation prioritizes organizations with "a long-term history of Dorrance family commitment, and core to the foundation's mission and family's values." This suggests personal connection to the Dorrance family's interests enhances success.

Project Characteristics (Marine Conservation Initiative): The foundation explicitly seeks projects that are:

  • Species-focused
  • Place-based
  • Community-based
  • Scientifically grounded
  • Ready for direct intervention

Strong Organizational Capacity: The foundation evaluates organizational capacity and looks for "high-performing non-profits with demonstrated expertise" in their focus areas.

Clear, Measurable Objectives: Applications must demonstrate clear, measurable project objectives and outcomes.

Geographic Alignment: Organizations must be based in and serve communities in California, Island of Hawaiʻi, or Arizona (though some grants are made in Colorado, Montana, and Virginia).

Long-Term Partnership Potential: Select long-term grantees receive significantly larger grants (up to $1 million annually vs. $25,000-$100,000 typical range), suggesting the foundation values sustained partnerships.

Recent Grantees as Examples:

  • Arizona State University Foundation ($1,150,000 in 2022) - education/scholarships
  • National Audubon Society ($575,000 in 2022) - conservation
  • Seven Arrows Elementary ($372,000 total in 2022) - education
  • Hawaii Community Foundation ($175,000 total in 2022) - community development
  • Hawaii Island Land Trust ($175,000 in 2022) - conservation
  • San Diego Coastkeeper ($142,000 in 2022) - marine conservation
  • Kohala Center ($135,000 in 2022) - sustainable agriculture/conservation

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Relationship-based grantmaking: The foundation "only accepts inquiries from agencies who have had previous funding or meet guidelines" - new applicants face significant barriers without existing connections
  • Full proposals by invitation only: Submit a strong letter of inquiry first; you cannot submit a full proposal unless invited
  • Long-term commitment: Select grantees receive up to $1 million annually, suggesting the foundation prefers sustained partnerships over one-time grants
  • Geographic restrictions are firm: Must serve California, Island of Hawaiʻi, or Arizona communities (with limited exceptions)
  • Two main pathways: Local grantmaking (rolling) vs. Marine Conservation Initiative (periodic RFPs) - determine which fits your project
  • Be patient: With only 2-3 board meetings per year, expect a 4-6 month decision timeline
  • Demonstrate expertise: The foundation seeks "high-performing non-profits with demonstrated expertise" - highlight your organization's track record and capacity
  • Arizona State University receives over $1 million annually: This illustrates the foundation's commitment to long-term educational partnerships

References

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