The Ceres Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $7,302,336 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: 4 review cycles annually
• Grant Range: $5,000 - $2,000,000
• Median Grant: $90,000
• Geographic Focus: Washington DC, LA + Orange County CA, Western Massachusetts
• Total Assets: $173,580,774 (2023)

Contact Details

Mailing Address: PO Box 578, Groton, MA 01450

Phone: 401-368-5675

Email: info@ceresgiving.org

Website: www.ceresgiving.org

Overview

The Ceres Foundation Inc. was founded in 2000 by brothers Don and Dan Milder, a medical device entrepreneur and college professor respectively. With total assets of $173.6 million and annual giving of approximately $7.3 million (2023), the foundation aims to "strengthen communities and improve life outcomes of historically underserved youth through dynamic partnerships with innovative nonprofits." The foundation expanded its focus in 2006 to include more holistic approaches to improving life outcomes and added capacity-building support in 2012. Amanda Northrop, who previously spent twenty years at the State Street Foundation, became Executive Director in 2021. The foundation is distinguished by its commitment to long-term partnerships, with the average grantee remaining in their portfolio for 7 years, and approximately 45% of investments focused on capacity building.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation provides primarily general operating support and capacity building grants with a median annual grant size of $90,000. Typical awards range from $5,000 to $2,000,000, with multi-year grants often awarded. The foundation generally provides one grant per calendar year per organization.

Examples of recent multi-year commitments:

• Thrive Scholars: $1 million over five years to support national growth strategy (partnership since 2002)
• The Care Center: Nearly two decades of support for college preparation programs
• Bard Microcollege Holyoke: Catalytic grant in 2015 to launch the program

Priority Areas

College Access & Success: Programs that help underserved youth access and succeed in higher education, particularly supporting first-generation college students.

Career Pathways: Initiatives that advance employment outcomes and career development, including STEM career pathways for women and underserved communities.

Family Strengthening: Programs providing holistic support to vulnerable families that help advance youth self-sufficiency.

Target Populations:

• Low-income youth ages 10-26
• Foster youth
• Homeless and formerly homeless individuals
• Young parents
• First-generation college students
• Individuals involved in the justice system
• Individuals who left school before graduating

Geographic Focus:

• Washington, DC
• Los Angeles + Orange County, California
• Western Massachusetts

What They Don't Fund

• Individual scholarships
• Religious or political activities
• Medical research
• Event sponsorships
• Organizations outside their three geographic regions

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors:

• Don Milder, Treasurer (Co-founder)
• Dan Milder, President (Co-founder)
• Terri Milder, Secretary
• Ryan Bradley, Member at Large
• Emily Milder, Member at Large
• Zach Milder, Member at Large

Staff:

• Amanda Northrop, Executive Director
• Adena Klem, Director of Learning & Impact
• Diana Diaz, Senior Program Associate

Foundational Philosophy: The foundation's approach is rooted in the belief of co-founder Leonard Milder, who "impressed upon his children his belief that all people want the same basic things and many just needed a break to live a good life."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Current Status: The foundation is currently not accepting concept papers from new applicants. After substantial growth in recent years, they have entered a learning period to inform their future grantmaking approach. They anticipate reopening opportunities for new partnerships in 2026.

For New Applicants (when accepting applications): Organizations that have not received a Ceres grant within the past two calendar years must first submit an online concept paper through their website.

For Recent Grantees: Organizations that have received funding from Ceres within the past two years may submit a Full Proposal directly using the online application portal.

Required Documents:

• Organization budgets
• Program budgets
• IRS Form 990
• Organizational chart
• Board of Directors list
• Strategic Plan (if applicable)

Eligibility Requirements:

• 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations
• Located in LA, Orange County CA, Washington DC, or Western MA
• Focus on education and employment outcomes for underserved youth
• Serve target populations (low-income youth, foster youth, first-generation college students, etc.)

Decision Timeline

The foundation operates four grant review cycles annually. Organizations are invited to submit proposals for the cycle most convenient for them. Decision timelines are not publicly specified, but funding decisions are announced shortly after each deadline.

2026 Application Deadlines (when reopened):

• January 26
• March 27
• July 24
• September 21

Success Rates

The foundation made 63 awards in 2023 totaling approximately $7.3 million. Specific success rates or total number of applications received are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations must submit final reports no more than 60 days after the end of the grant period, and reports must be received before a new application is reviewed. Organizations that have not received a grant within the past two calendar years are considered new applicants and must submit a concept paper. Specific policies regarding unsuccessful applicants reapplying are not publicly documented.

Application Success Factors

Long-term Partnership Focus: The foundation values sustained relationships, with the average grantee partnership lasting 7 years. They often award successive-year or multi-year grants to organizations demonstrating strong outcomes.

Holistic Service Delivery: The foundation prioritizes "programs that provide a range of integrated, holistic services" rather than single-service interventions. They look for organizations that thoroughly assess opportunities for individuals and provide comprehensive support.

High Goals with High Supports: Organizations should set ambitious goals while providing the necessary supports to help participants achieve them. The foundation values programs that tailor services to "the degree of difficulties that clients have to overcome."

Measurable Outcomes: The foundation emphasizes "making lasting investments in nonprofit organizations demonstrating measurable outcomes" that advance education and career pathways.

Capacity Building Orientation: With 45% of investments focused on capacity building, the foundation values organizations ready to strengthen infrastructure and scale programs. According to the National Council of Nonprofits definition they use, capacity building is "whatever is needed to bring a nonprofit to the next level of operational, programmatic, financial, or organizational maturity."

Organizational Flexibility: The foundation provides general operating support to give organizations "flexibility to determine their spending priorities," indicating they trust grantees' judgment about resource allocation.

Examples of Funded Organizations:

• STEM Advantage: Helping women and underserved communities pursue STEM careers
• Thrive Scholars: Supporting nearly 1,000 scholars over 20+ years
• Roca, Inc.: Disrupting incarceration and poverty through targeted interventions
• College Bound (DC)
• Youth Guidance (DC)
• Tech Foundry (Western MA)
• Springfield WORKS (Western MA)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic requirement is strict: Your organization must be located in and serve populations in Washington DC, LA + Orange County CA, or Western Massachusetts.

• Think multi-year partnership, not one-time grant: The foundation seeks long-term collaborations averaging 7 years. Demonstrate how your organization could benefit from sustained support and capacity building.

• Emphasize holistic, integrated services: Single-service programs are less competitive. Show how you provide comprehensive support addressing multiple barriers to youth success.

• General operating support is the norm: With median grants of $90,000 and a focus on organizational flexibility, be prepared to discuss overall organizational capacity and financial health, not just a specific program.

• Wait for 2026 to apply: The foundation is currently closed to new applicants. Monitor their website for updates about reopening in 2026.

• Measurable outcomes are essential: Be prepared to demonstrate impact with data and show how you track participant progress and outcomes.

• Capacity building mindset: If your organization is ready to "move to the next level" of maturity and scale, emphasize this. The foundation makes significant investments in organizational infrastructure.

References

• The Ceres Foundation official website: www.ceresgiving.org (accessed January 19, 2026)
• Application Process page: https://www.ceresgiving.org/page/application-process (accessed January 19, 2026)
• About Us page: https://www.ceresgiving.org/page/about-us (accessed January 19, 2026)
• Funding Priorities page: https://www.ceresgiving.org/funding-priorities (accessed January 19, 2026)
• Our Grantees page: https://www.ceresgiving.org/our-grantees (accessed January 19, 2026)
• Form 990-PF data via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/912170962 (accessed January 19, 2026)
• Instrumentl Foundation Profile: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/the-ceres-foundation-inc-43j-74d54 (accessed January 19, 2026)
• Inside Philanthropy profile: https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant/grants-c/ceres-foundation (accessed January 19, 2026)