The Orchard Foundation
Preselected recipients only
The Orchard Foundation is a private foundation in Boston, Massachusetts. In tax year 2025 it gave $1.6 million in 85 grants; the typical grant was $4,000 and the largest $194,000. 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$1.6 million
- Number of grants85
- Typical grant$4,000
- Largest grant$194,000
- Assets$3.9 million
- New grantees31%
Giving in 2025 was up from $1.5 million the year before.
31% 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 | $1.2 million | 87 | $5.7 million |
| 2024 | $1.5 million | 83 | $4.7 million |
| 2025 | $1.6 million | 85 | $3.9 million |
How to apply
The Orchard 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 The Orchard Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 21 states, the most to Massachusetts.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 19 | $634,321 |
| California | 4 | $228,000 |
| New York | 16 | $225,100 |
| New Hampshire | 14 | $198,600 |
| Vermont | 2 | $102,000 |
| Maine | 9 | $53,920 |
| South Carolina | 1 | $50,000 |
| Minnesota | 1 | $25,000 |
| Colorado | 5 | $11,500 |
| Florida | 2 | $11,500 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Earthjustice | To fund charitable mission of charitable organization - food and farming project | $194,000 |
| Brigham and Womens Hospital FBO Ann Romney Center for Neurological Disease | To fund charitable mission of charitable organization - alzheimers disease and parkinsons disease research. | $173,000 |
| Dana Farber Cancer Institute | To fund charitable mission of charitable organization - patient care fund, dr soiffer's research fund | $145,000 |
| Conservation Law Foundation | To fund charitable mission of charitable organization - maine state office, campaign for ne future, pfas contamination and drinking water | $106,000 |
| Middlebury College | To fund charitable mission of charitable organization - environment program and 50th reunion scholarship fund, middlebury crew club fund | $101,000 |
| New Hampshire Charitable Foundation | To fund charitable mission of charitable organization - the watercress fund | $100,000 |
| McLeans Hospital FBO Center for Neuroregeneration Research | To fund charitable mission of charitable organization - parkinsons disease research | $71,000 |
| The Trustees of Hampshire College | To fund charitable mission of charitable organization. | $57,000 |
| Rainforest Alliance | To fund charitable mission of charitable organization. | $53,000 |
| Center for Reproductive Rights | To fund charitable mission of charitable organization - us legal policy and advocacy programs | $51,000 |
| Monadnock Conservancy | To fund charitable mission of charitable organization - building a resilient future capital campaign | $50,000 |
| Spartanburg County Foundation | To fund charitable mission of charitable organization - donor advised fund | $50,000 |
| Environmental Advocates Ny | To fund charitable mission of charitable organization. | $35,000 |
| National Marrow Donation Program Foundation | To fund charitable mission of charitable organization. | $25,000 |
| Union of Concerned Scientists | To fund charitable mission of charitable organization - center for science and democracy | $23,000 |
| Scenic Hudson | To fund charitable mission of charitable organization. | $20,000 |
| UCSF Foundation FBO Ansirh (Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health) | To fund charitable mission of charitable organization. | $20,000 |
| Squam Lakes Association | To fund charitable mission of charitable organization - water quality program | $17,000 |
| Cape Elizabeth Land Trust | To fund charitable mission of charitable organization - davis parcel land acquisiton' | $15,000 |
| Appalachian Mountain Club | To fund charitable mission of charitable organization - volunteer alpine stewards program | $14,500 |
| NH Lakes | To fund charitable mission of charitable organization - vote like your lakes depend on it project | $12,000 |
| Friends of the Hastings Public Library | To fund charitable mission of charitable organization. | $10,000 |
| Guardian Org Foundation | To fund charitable mission of charitable organization. | $10,000 |
| Maine Conservation Alliance | To fund charitable mission of charitable organization. | $10,000 |
| Open Door Foundation | To fund charitable mission of charitable organization - immigrant medical services | $10,000 |
| The Miss of the Treasure Coast | To fund charitable mission of charitable organization. | $10,000 |
| Chewonki Foundation | To fund charitable mission of charitable organization - annual fund | $9,000 |
| Mspca - Angell | To fund charitable mission of charitable organization - raise the woof gala | $8,500 |
| ACLU Foundation | To fund charitable mission of charitable organization. | $8,000 |
| Aida - Interamerican Assocation for Environmental Defense | To fund charitable mission of charitable organization. | $8,000 |
| Greater Boston Food Bank | To fund charitable mission of charitable organization. | $8,000 |
| Buckingham Brown and Nichols School | To fund charitable mission of charitable organization - annual fund | $7,500 |
| Medecins San Frontieres USA | To fund charitable mission of charitable organization. | $7,100 |
| Civil Eats | To fund charitable mission of charitable organization. | $6,000 |
| Food & Environment Reporting Network | To fund charitable mission of charitable organization. | $6,000 |
| High Mountain Institute | To fund charitable mission of charitable organization - hmi fund | $6,000 |
| Inside Climate News | To fund charitable mission of charitable organization. | $6,000 |
| Full Plates Full Potential | To fund charitable mission of charitable organization. | $5,000 |
| Maine Donor Alliance Fund | To fund charitable mission of charitable organization. | $5,000 |
| Northern Forest Center | To fund charitable mission of charitable organization - annual fund & northern forest fund | $5,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Carl P Lehner
- Brigitte L Kingsbury
- Heidi Lehner
Questions people ask
Does The Orchard Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does The Orchard Foundation give?
$1.6 million in tax year 2025, across 85 grants, with a typical grant of $4,000.
Who runs The Orchard Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Carl P Lehner (Trustee), Brigitte L Kingsbury (Tr & Exec Dir) and Heidi Lehner (Trustee).
What does The Orchard Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly faith communities, health and science and research.