Seeding the Future Foundation
Preselected recipients only
Seeding the Future Foundation is a private foundation in Wilmington, Delaware. In tax year 2025 it gave $1.9 million in 14 grants; the typical grant was $100,000 and the largest $761,741. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$1.9 million
- Number of grants14
- Typical grant$100,000
- Largest grant$761,741
- Assets$42.6 million
- New grantees33%
Giving in 2025 was up from $1.8 million the year before.
33% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a mix of repeat and new grantees.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $1.9 million | 29 | $39.4 million |
| 2024 | $1.8 million | 21 | $39.8 million |
| 2025 | $1.9 million | 14 | $42.6 million |
How to apply
Seeding the Future Foundation says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.
What Seeding the Future Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its US grants went to recipients in 4 states, the most to Illinois. It also paid $404,500 in 6 grants to recipients outside the US.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 3 | $991,741 |
| Massachusetts | 2 | $300,000 |
| California | 2 | $145,000 |
| New York | 1 | $100,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Institute of Food Technologists Inc | Seeding The Future Global Food System Challenge Award Fund | $761,741 |
| Institute of Food Technologists Inc | Seeding The Future Global Food System Challenge - 8 Award Fund | $200,000 |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Solve Challenge fund and general operating fund | $200,000 |
| Deutsche Welthungerhilfe Ev | Seeding The Future Global Food System Challenge | $160,000 |
| Extreme Tech Challenge | World Food Forum Start up Innovation Award 2025 Sponsorship & Transformative Research Challenge | $135,000 |
| Deutsche Welthungerhilfe Ev | Support for Building 2 Baking Ovens locally and Nutrition Support Centers in Gaza | $100,000 |
| Project Drawdown | Drawdown Food Solution Solutions Project | $100,000 |
| Trustees of Tufts College | 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 |
| GDP Research Alliance | Accelerator Mentorship Program for Women-led SMEs in Africa - led by Robynne Anderson | $30,000 |
| Deutsche Welthungerhilfe Ev | Charitable Event | $10,000 |
| International Center for Food Ontology Operability | Research Fund to Create a Personalized Sustainable Nutrition Knowledge Graph | $10,000 |
| Deutsche Welthungerhilfe Ev | General & Unrestricted | $1,500 |
Officers and trustees
- Annette van Lengerich
- Bernhard van Lengerich
Questions people ask
Does Seeding the Future Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Seeding the Future Foundation give?
$1.9 million in tax year 2025, across 14 grants, with a typical grant of $100,000.
Who runs Seeding the Future Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Annette van Lengerich (Dir, VP) and Bernhard van Lengerich (Pres, Dir, Sec, Treas).
What does Seeding the Future Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly food and hunger, international and science and research.