The Ajana Foundation

Private foundation · Grantmaker Boston, MA EIN: 13-7299038

The Ajana Foundation is a private foundation based in Boston, Massachusetts. In 2024, it made grants to organizations working in areas including food access, sustainable agriculture, food waste, and food-system development.

Key facts about The Ajana Foundation

In short: The Ajana Foundation gave $1.6M across 17 grants in 2024 (avg $96K), mostly in Massachusetts. 0% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

EIN
13-7299038
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2024
Annual giving (2024)
$1,630,000
Grants made (2024)
17
Average grant
$95,882
Median grant
$100,000
New grantees (estimate)
0% first-time grantees (0 of 17, 2024)
Total assets
$33,475,956
Primary geography
Massachusetts (76% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Accepts unsolicited proposals
No
How to apply
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Full details ↓

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$33.5M

+2.5% YoY

Annual Giving

$1.6M

-2.4% YoY

Grant Count

17

-10.5% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$96K

+9.1% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Ajana Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.5M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Is The Ajana Foundation open to new grantees?

0%

first-time grantees, 2024

In 2024, 0 of 17 grantees (0%) were first-time recipients. How we count

  • 100% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
  • Giving grew 83% from 2021 to 2024. Method
  • In 2024 it paid out 110% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method

Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included support for food access and hunger relief, sustainable farming, food rescue, and organizational planning and capacity building.

Among its grantees, Boston Area Gleaners describes its mission as increasing access to fresh fruits and vegetables while supporting regional farms and reducing food waste. The Food Project says it brings youth and adults from diverse backgrounds together to build a sustainable food system. ReFED describes its work as catalyzing evidence-based action to stop food waste, and Green City Force says it trains young leaders to advance a green and inclusive economy through service. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own missions.

Grantmaking

In 2024, the foundation reported 17 grants totaling $1,630,000. Grants ranged from $45,000 to $150,000, with a median of $100,000. Examples include $150,000 to The Urban Food Initiative (Daily Table) in support of healthy, affordable grocery stores; $130,000 to Trustees of Tufts for the New Entry Sustainable Farming Project and greenhouse capital support; and $130,000 to the Urban Farming Institute for its capital campaign and general operating support.

Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with The Ajana Foundation?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

In 2024, 76% of grant dollars went to recipients in Massachusetts, 18% to recipients in New York, and 6% to recipients in the District of Columbia.

Grant Distribution by State

17states

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 17 itemized grants.

Cities

WashingtonBostonNew YorkDorchesterNewtonEvanstonMattapanActonAustinBrooklynCambridgeLincolnLong Is CityMamaroneckNew RochelleSan FranciscoTruckeeAlbanyBaltimoreBoulder

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$500K$1M$1.5M$2M58 grants2020 74 grants2021 12 grants2022 19 grants2023 17 grants2024

From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $285K (2020) to $1.7M (2023). In 2024 it made 17 grants totaling $1.6M.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

The Urban Food Initiative DBA Daily Table: $150KThe Urban Food Initiative DBADaily Table$150KTrustees of Tufts: $130KTrustees of Tufts$130KUrban Farming Institute: $130KUrban Farming Institute$130KHarvard Law School Food Law & Policy Clinic: $125KHarvard Law School Food Law &Policy Clinic$125KGreen City Force: $105KGreen City Force$105KBoston Area Gleaners: $100KBoston Area Gleaners$100KCommonwealth Kitchen: $100KCommonwealth Kitchen$100KHaley House: $100KHaley House$100KLovin' Spoonfuls Inc: $100KLovin' Spoonfuls Inc$100KRefed: $100KRefed$100K

The largest 2024 recipient was The Urban Food Initiative DBA Daily Table ($150K). Together the top 10 received $1.1M.

Grant Size Distribution

180 grants across all recorded years

128<$50K14$50–100K38$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 128 grants of 180 (71%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
The Urban Food Initiative DBA Daily Table Dorchester, MAIn Support of Healthy Affordable Grocery Stores$150,000
Trustees of Tufts Boston, MAFor new entry sustainable farming project and capital support for the greenhouse$130,000
Urban Farming Institute Mattapan, MACapital Campaign and General Operating Support.$130,000
Harvard Law School Food Law & Policy Clinic Cambridge, MAGeneral Operating Support$125,000
Green City Force Brooklyn, NYIn Support of Organizational Planning$105,000
Boston Area Gleaners Acton, MAIn Support of Strategic Planning$100,000
Commonwealth Kitchen Dorchester, MAIn Support of Organizational Planning and Capacity Building$100,000
Haley House Boston, MAIn support of expanding the take back the kitchen program$100,000
Lovin' Spoonfuls Inc Newton, MAIn support of food rescue and hunger relief of Massachusetts$100,000
Refed Long Island City, NYGeneral Operating Support$100,000

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Filing year Assets Revenue Expenses Grants
2024 $33,475,956 $6,675,515 $1,863,112 $1,630,000
2023 $32,652,167 $9,614,719 $1,986,586 $1,670,000
2022 $21,032,847 $671,022 $1,299,866 $1,045,000
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$5M$10M$15M2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$33,475,956$32,652,167$21,032,847
Revenue$6,675,515$9,614,719$671,022
Expenses$1,863,112$1,986,586$1,299,866
Qualifying Distributions$1,703,503$1,729,728$1,064,403
Net Investment Income$6,076,726$473,984$516,192
Distributable Amount$1,543,939$1,316,193$1,183,271

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2024 filing lists four trustees: Daphne Hoch Cunningham, Roland E Hoch, Steven G Hoch, and Alix M Laager.

The Ajana Foundation's 2024 filing lists 4 officers; none of the 4 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • Alix M. Laager

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Daphne Hoch Cunningham

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Roland E. Hoch

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Steven G. Hoch

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.

Contact

Mailing address: 2 Liberty Square Ste 500, Boston, MA 02109
Phone: (617) 426-7080

Frequently asked questions about The Ajana Foundation

How much does The Ajana Foundation give each year?

The Ajana Foundation gave $1.6M across 17 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.7M across 19 grants.

What is The Ajana Foundation's typical grant size?

The Ajana Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $100,000, and its average grant was $95,882, across 17 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

Where does The Ajana Foundation give grants?

The Ajana Foundation gives mostly in Massachusetts: 76% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were New York (18%) and District of Columbia (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Boston, MA (3 grants) and Dorchester, MA (2 grants).

Does The Ajana Foundation give general operating support?

Yes: 29% of The Ajana Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (5 of 17) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "In Support of Organizational Planning and Capacity Building" (3 grants).

Who are The Ajana Foundation's largest grantees?

The Ajana Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include The Urban Food Initiative DBA Daily Table ($150,000), Trustees of Tufts ($130,000) and Urban Farming Institute ($130,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 25% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.

How large is The Ajana Foundation?

The Ajana Foundation reported $33.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.7M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.5M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).

What does The Ajana Foundation fund?

No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included support for food access and hunger relief, sustainable farming, food rescue, and organizational planning and capacity building. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from The Ajana Foundation?

The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑

What is The Ajana Foundation's EIN?

The Ajana Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-7299038. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.

Does The Ajana Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?

No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.

Your AI grants department

Here's the math on researching The Ajana Foundation by hand.

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in The Ajana Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Funders that support many of the same organizations

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.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$12.3B

Grants

3,576

Total Given

$3.2B

Boston Foundation Inc

Boston, MA

The Boston Foundation funds equity-focused work in child well-being, economic opportunity, community wealth, and community leadership, primarily in Greater Boston. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000, while specific programs offer awards from up to $15,000 to $50,000; it accepts applications through some competitive initiatives, but whether it accepts unsolicited requests generally is not stated.

Assets

$2.1B

Grants

2,375

Total Given

$228.4M

Eastern Bank Foundation

Wakefield, MA

Eastern Bank Foundation funds systemic efforts to advance economic inclusion and mobility, including small-business equity, early childhood development, affordable housing, and workforce development. Its programs range from $1,000–$10,000 for Community Donations, up to $15,000 for CITC Grants, and $50,000–$150,000 for Impact Grants; it supports organizations primarily in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. The foundation accepts online applications, with no specific submission deadlines stated.

Assets

$266.7M

Grants

1,786

Total Given

$19.0M

Barr Foundation

Boston, MA

Barr Foundation funds arts and creativity, climate, education, and related initiatives, primarily supporting organizations and leaders in New England. Its 2024 grants ranged from $100 to $3.275 million, with a median of $80,000. It welcomes inquiries through program pages and occasionally issues open requests for proposals; most grants go to returning partners.

Assets

$1.9B

Grants

903

Total Given

$123.2M

Liberty Mutual Foundation Inc

Boston, MA

Liberty Mutual Foundation funds nonprofits working on basic needs such as food and shelter, education and workforce development, and climate and community infrastructure, primarily in the Boston area, with grants also made in other states. Its 2024 grants had a median of $35,000 and ranged from $2,500 to $11 million; it accepts online applications on a rolling basis, with no stated deadlines.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$46.1M

Grants

706

Total Given

$50.6M

Cummings Foundation Grants Inc (FKA Oneworld Boston Inc)

Woburn, MA

The foundation supports nonprofits focused on human services, education, healthcare, fairness and justice, and environmental causes, primarily in greater Boston and eastern Massachusetts, with limited support for Rwanda’s recovery. Its 2024 grants ranged from $1,000 to $3.5 million, with a median of $35,000; it accepts letters of inquiry through an online portal for its local grant program.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$258.2M

Grants

658

Total Given

$38.2M

American Tower Corporation Foundation

Boston, MA

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$15.4M

Grants

632

Total Given

$1.7M

Good Sports Inc

Braintree, MA

Good Sports provides free sports equipment, footwear, and apparel to established schools and community organizations running ongoing youth sports and physical-activity programs in high-need communities; it serves all 50 states and Puerto Rico. In 2025, grants ranged from $5,004 to $229,133, with a median of $12,781. Youth programs and schools can apply through its community-organization application process.

Assets

$13.8M

Grants

619

Total Given

$11.2M

The Stephen Phillips Memorial

Boston, MA

The Stephen Phillips Memorial funds need- and merit-based scholarships for bachelor’s students, generally awarding $3,000–$17,000 (with typical annual awards of $6,000–$10,000). Applicants must be permanent residents of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, or Vermont, but may attend college anywhere in the United States. Students apply through the online portal; the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.

Education

Assets

$41.6M

Grants

520

Total Given

$5.1M

Berkshire Bank Foundation Inc

Pittsfield, MA

Berkshire Bank Foundation supports nonprofits working on small-business growth, financial inclusion, affordable housing, and additional needs including health, food access, youth, and the arts. Recent grants ranged from $50 to $33,333, with a median of $2,500; it serves communities in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont, though all 2024 grant dollars went to Massachusetts. It accepts written applications from eligible 501(c)(3) public charities, with quarterly deadlines on December 15, March 15, June 15, and September 15.

Assets

$17.1M

Grants

478

Total Given

$2.0M

More Funders in Massachusetts

The Ajana Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?