Seeding the Future Foundation
Seeding the Future Foundation is a private foundation based in Wilmington, Delaware. It supports initiatives intended to transform food systems, including innovation, research and education, and scalable pilots focused on food processing and post-harvest loss.
Seeding the Future Foundation at a glance
In short: Seeding the Future Foundation gave $1.9M across 14 grants in 2025 (avg $139K), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,941,241
- +6.5% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 14
- -33.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $138,660
- +59.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $100,000
- Total assets
- $40,685,345
- -2.0% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Illinois (51% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Seeding the Future Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Its website directs people interested in the an individual recipient to that program; the available information does not specify application materials or a deadline.
- Contact
Mailing address: Foundation Source 501 Silverside Rd, Wilmington, DE 19809-1377
Phone: (800) 839-1754
Website: https://seedingthefuture.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Seeding the Future Foundation
Seeding The Future Global Food System Challenge- Growth Grants
Seeding the Future Foundation
Amount
US $100,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Seeding The Future Global Food System Challenge- Seed Grants
Seeding the Future Foundation
Amount
US $25,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Seeding The Future Global Food System Challenge- Seeding the Future Grand Prizes Grant
Seeding the Future Foundation
Amount
US $250,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Seeding the Future Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 8 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Institute of Food Technologists Inc ($962K across 2 grants). Together the top 8 received $1.8M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($135,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
110 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 58 grants of 110 (53%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation describes its work as global and says its an individual recipient has a particular focus on the Global South. Its website also identifies scalable pilots for post-harvest and food processing in Africa. In 2025, 51% of grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois, 15% to Massachusetts, 7% to California, and 5% to New York; 21% were assigned to an unreported or unspecified recipient-state category.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 14 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Seeding the Future Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−13%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 101% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.3M (2020) to $2.2M (2022). In 2025 it made 14 grants totaling $1.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Institute of Food Technologists Inc Chicago, IL | Seeding The Future Global Food System Challenge Award Fund | $761,741 |
| Institute of Food Technologists Inc Chicago, IL | Seeding The Future Global Food System Challenge - 8 Award Fund | $200,000 |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology Boston, MA | Solve Challenge fund and general operating fund | $200,000 |
| Deutsche Welthungerhilfe Ev | Seeding The Future Global Food System Challenge | $160,000 |
| 1 grant to individuals Recipients not named | — | $135,000 |
| Deutsche Welthungerhilfe Ev | Support for Building 2 Baking Ovens locally and Nutrition Support Centers in Gaza | $100,000 |
| Project Drawdown New York, NY | Drawdown Food Solution Solutions Project | $100,000 |
| Trustees of Tufts College Medford, MA | The Future Food System Innovation Lab | $100,000 |
| Deutsche Welthungerhilfe Ev | Seeding The Future INNOLAB Funding | $75,000 |
| Potsdam-Institut Fur Klimafolgenforschung E V | Nitrogen dynamics in global biogeochemical cycles and food system transformation pathways | $58,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Seeding the Future Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $40,685,345 | $1,295,313 | $2,131,323 | $1,941,241 | 14 | $2,048,581 | $1,256,100 | $2,019,302 |
| 2024 | $41,521,355 | $2,656,795 | $1,996,773 | $1,823,513 | 21 | $1,897,038 | $2,592,460 | $1,937,011 |
| 2023 | $40,861,333 | $436,523 | $2,060,096 | $1,933,936 | 29 | $1,983,752 | $966,167 | $1,893,400 |
| 2022 | $42,484,906 | $1,077,907 | $2,361,557 | $2,219,934 | 34 | $2,277,000 | $1,008,499 | $1,985,354 |
| 2021 | $43,768,556 | $901,878 | $2,028,029 | $1,852,950 | 12 | $1,946,286 | $830,769 | $2,267,397 |
| 2020 | $44,894,707 | $22,391,621 | $2,129,724 | $1,260,000 | 11 | — | $24,318,669 | $1,937,241 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Seeding the Future Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.0M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated vision is a sustainable and resilient global food system that provides equitable access to safe and nutritious food for everyone, with food that is affordable, appealing, and trusted and improves the health of people and the planet. Its website describes three program areas: accelerating high-impact food-system innovations; advancing research, education, and policy-related knowledge; and scaling pilots for post-harvest and food processing in Africa.
The foundation says its pilots support nonprofit organizations working to reduce post-harvest loss, develop sustainable business models for micro-entrepreneurs and smallholder farmers, and help small food-processing enterprises improve food safety and nutritional quality. Its an individual recipient seeks multidisciplinary teams developing scalable innovations in safe and nutritious food, sustainable production, and equitable access.
Among its 2025 grantees, the Institute of Food Technologists describes its work as providing learning, networking, and leadership development for food science and technology professionals. MIT describes its mission as advancing knowledge and educating students in science, technology, and other areas of scholarship. An individual recipient describes itself as a nonprofit that supports and showcases technology innovators addressing challenges facing humanity and the planet.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 14 grants totaling $1,941,241. Grant amounts ranged from $1,500 to $761,741, with a median of $100,000. The foundation’s website describes its an individual recipient as an annual competition awarding grants and prizes totaling up to $1 million. A program description last updated in September 2025 lists a $250,000 award for the Grand Prizes grant and describes eligibility for organizations such as NGOs and research institutions, excluding individuals and large for-profit entities.
Among the largest 2025 grants were $761,741 and $200,000 to the Institute of Food Technologists for the an individual recipient award funds; $200,000 to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for its an individual recipient fund and general operating fund; $160,000 to Deutsche Welthungerhilfe for the an individual recipient; and $135,000 to an individual recipient for a World Food Forum startup innovation award sponsorship and transformative research challenge.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Annette van Lengerich as director and vice president. Bernhard van Lengerich is listed as president, director, secretary, and treasurer.
Seeding the Future Foundation is led by Bernhard van Lengerich, President, Director, Secretary & Treasurer on every filing since 2020; none of the 2 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Bernhard van Lengerich
President, Director, Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
35 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Annette van Lengerich
Director & Vice President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Seeding the Future Foundation
How much does Seeding the Future Foundation give each year?
Seeding the Future Foundation gave $1.9M across 14 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $1.8M across 21 grants.
What is Seeding the Future Foundation's typical grant size?
Seeding the Future Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $100,000, and its average grant was $138,660, across 14 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Seeding the Future Foundation give grants?
Seeding the Future Foundation gives mostly in Illinois: 51% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Massachusetts (15%) and California (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (2 grants).
Does Seeding the Future Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 14% of Seeding the Future Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (2 of 14) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Seeding the Future Foundation's largest grantees?
Seeding the Future Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Institute of Food Technologists Inc ($961,741 across 2 grants), Deutsche Welthungerhilfe Ev ($346,500 across 5 grants) and Massachusetts Institute of Technology ($200,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($135,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 78% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Seeding the Future Foundation?
Seeding the Future Foundation reported $40.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.0M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.0M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Seeding the Future Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated vision is a sustainable and resilient global food system that provides equitable access to safe and nutritious food for everyone, with food that is affordable, appealing, and trusted and improves the health of people and the planet. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Seeding the Future Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Seeding the Future Foundation's EIN?
Seeding the Future Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-4718771. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Seeding the Future Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 11, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS April 19, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS April 4, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS June 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 9, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 24, 2026)
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Seeding the Future Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Delaware
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Mountain View, CA
Silicon Valley Community Foundation funds work in areas such as housing, economic security, education, health, the environment, arts and culture, and civic engagement, with Community Action Grants supporting local, community-led organizations in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of $51,716, though amounts varied widely; applications depend on the program, and SVCF states that it does not accept unsolicited proposals for advised funds.
Assets
$12.3B
Grants
3,576
Total Given
$3.2B
The Chicago Community Trust
Chicago, IL
The Chicago Community Trust funds eligible nonprofits working to narrow the wealth gap and meet urgent needs, with priorities including economic mobility, education, jobs, homeownership, and community development in metropolitan Chicago and Cook County. Its 2025 grants had a median of $26,500, though amounts varied widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$7.1B
Grants
4,316
Total Given
$1.2B
The Minneapolis Foundation
Minneapolis, MN
The Minneapolis Foundation funds civic, social, and economic needs, including economic mobility, education, health, the environment, arts, and human services, with most grant dollars going to Minnesota. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000, though amounts varied widely. It says no funding opportunities are currently open; whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$1.2B
Grants
1,565
Total Given
$121.7M
American Electric Power Foundation
Wilmington, DE
The American Electric Power Foundation funds education, especially STEM, basic human services, social justice, and environmental protection, primarily for organizations in AEP’s service territory or with broader beneficial impact. Its 2025 grants ranged from $500 to $1,428,570, with a median of $10,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests; eligible organizations need an invitation from their local AEP Operating Company.
Assets
$43.6M
Grants
753
Total Given
$23.0M
Puget Sound Energy Foundation
Wilmington, DE
The Puget Sound Energy Foundation funds nonprofits serving communities where PSE has a service or generation presence, primarily in Washington, across household needs, education and workforce pathways, climate resilience, and community safety. Grants vary widely; in 2024 they ranged from $13 to $100,000, with a $500 median, while its 2026 disaster-focused competitive program offers up to $15,000. It generally does not accept unsolicited requests, but eligible local nonprofits can apply through that competitive program.
Assets
$19.6M
Grants
451
Total Given
$1.2M
First Eagle Investments Foundation
Wilmington, DE
Assets
$747K
Grants
389
Total Given
$1.2M
More similar funders
More Funders in Delaware
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Seeding the Future Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 13, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/seeding-the-future-foundation-morg_32261d9fbcb64221bdf1b11fddd63ae1
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_474718771_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Seeding the Future Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/seeding-the-future-foundation-morg_32261d9fbcb64221bdf1b11fddd63ae1},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-13. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Seeding the Future Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Seeding the Future Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?