The Ajana Foundation
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.
The Ajana Foundation at a glance
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.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,630,000
- -2.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 17
- -10.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $95,882
- +9.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $100,000
- Total assets
- $33,475,956
- +2.5% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 0% first-time grantees (0 of 17, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (76% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Ajana Foundation
- 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.
- Contact
Mailing address: 2 Liberty Square Ste 500, Boston, MA 02109
Phone: (617) 426-7080
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Ajana Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was The Urban Food Initiative DBA Daily Table ($150K). Together the top 10 received $1.1M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($100,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
180 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 128 grants of 180 (71%).
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
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 17 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Ajana Foundation open to new grantees?
0%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 0 of 17 grantees (0%) were first-time recipients. With only 17 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. 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.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $285K (2020) to $1.7M (2023). In 2024 it made 17 grants totaling $1.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Urban Food Initiative DBA Daily Table Dorchester, MA | In Support of Healthy Affordable Grocery Stores | $150,000 |
| Trustees of Tufts Boston, MA | For new entry sustainable farming project and capital support for the greenhouse | $130,000 |
| Urban Farming Institute Mattapan, MA | Capital Campaign and General Operating Support. | $130,000 |
| Harvard Law School Food Law & Policy Clinic Cambridge, MA | General Operating Support | $125,000 |
| Green City Force Brooklyn, NY | In Support of Organizational Planning | $105,000 |
| Boston Area Gleaners Acton, MA | In Support of Strategic Planning | $100,000 |
| Commonwealth Kitchen Dorchester, MA | In Support of Organizational Planning and Capacity Building | $100,000 |
| Haley House Boston, MA | In support of expanding the take back the kitchen program | $100,000 |
| Lovin' Spoonfuls Inc Newton, MA | In support of food rescue and hunger relief of Massachusetts | $100,000 |
| Refed Long Island City, NY | General Operating Support | $100,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Ajana 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $33,475,956 | $6,675,515 | $1,863,112 | $1,630,000 | 17 | $1,703,503 | $6,076,726 | $1,543,939 |
| 2023 | $32,652,167 | $9,614,719 | $1,986,586 | $1,670,000 | 19 | $1,729,728 | $473,984 | $1,316,193 |
| 2022 | $21,032,847 | $671,022 | $1,299,866 | $1,045,000 | 12 | $1,064,403 | $516,192 | $1,183,271 |
| 2021 | $19,290,683 | $2,656,539 | $1,187,394 | $888,500 | 74 | $984,083 | $4,985,494 | $1,224,592 |
| 2020 | $17,821,538 | $5,566,798 | $605,899 | $285,000 | 58 | — | $436,204 | $1,028,206 |
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.
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.
Other 2024 grants included $125,000 to Harvard Law School Food Law & Policy Clinic for general operating support, $105,000 to Green City Force for organizational planning, and $100,000 each to Boston Area Gleaners for strategic planning, Commonwealth Kitchen for organizational planning and capacity building, and The Food Project for general operations and program scaling.
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.
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 Dorchester, MA (2 grants) and Boston, 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. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($100,000), which are not listed by name. 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 October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The Ajana Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Ajana Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Massachusetts
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
Boston Foundation Inc
Boston, MA
The Boston Foundation funds nonprofits and community initiatives focused on equity and opportunity, including 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 amounts such as $50,000; whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$2.1B
Grants
2,375
Total Given
$228.4M
Eastern Bank Foundation
Wakefield, MA
Eastern Bank Foundation supports economic inclusion and mobility, including small businesses, early childhood development, affordable housing, and workforce development. Its 2025 grants ranged from $50 to $2,002,500, with a median of $2,500, primarily in Massachusetts and also in New Hampshire and Rhode Island. It accepts online applications and does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$266.7M
Grants
1,786
Total Given
$19.0M
Barr Foundation
Boston, MA
The Barr Foundation funds arts and creativity, climate, education, and New England’s social sector, primarily through long-term support for organizations in New England. Its 2024 grants ranged from $100 to $3.275 million, with a median of $80,000. Its filing says it accepts only requests from preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests, though its website describes program-page inquiries and occasional open calls.
Assets
$1.9B
Grants
903
Total Given
$123.2M
Liberty Mutual Foundation Inc
Boston, MA
Liberty Mutual Foundation funds basic needs such as food and shelter, education and workforce development, and climate and community infrastructure, including homelessness and community preparedness programs. Its 2024 grants had a median of $35,000, and most funding supports organizations or programs serving the Boston area, though it also gives elsewhere. It accepts unsolicited online requests on a rolling basis, with no submission deadlines.
Assets
$46.1M
Grants
706
Total Given
$50.6M
Cummings Foundation Grants Inc (FKA Oneworld Boston Inc)
Woburn, MA
Cummings Foundation Grants Inc. funds nonprofits working in human services, education, healthcare, fairness and justice, and the environment, primarily in greater Boston and eastern Massachusetts. 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 during its application cycle, which was not open at the time described.
Assets
$258.2M
Grants
658
Total Given
$38.2M
More similar funders
More Funders in Massachusetts
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Ajana Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 21, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-ajana-foundation-morg_5742c6a7c2284e5b825411555dabba43
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_137299038_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Ajana Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-ajana-foundation-morg_5742c6a7c2284e5b825411555dabba43},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-21. 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 The Ajana 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.
The Ajana Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?