“From the very beginning, we bucked tradition. When the experts said that something was “always done” in a certain way, we’d do it our way, which was sometimes the very opposite.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the relationship between Newman’s Own, Inc. and Newman’s Own Foundation?
A: Newman’s Own Foundation is a private foundation governed by an independent Board of Directors. Newman’s Own, Inc. is the company responsible for Newman’s Own food products, and pays royalties to the Foundation.
During most of his lifetime, Paul Newman personally received all net royalties and profits after taxes from the sale of Newman’s Own products. Without ever taking any personal compensation, he donated all after-tax royalties and profits to charity. To ensure that this commitment continued, he created Newman’s Own Foundation in 2005. The Foundation now receives all the income previously received by Paul and continues his commitment of “all net profits and royalties after taxes to charity.” Over $340 million has been donated by Paul and Newman’s Own Foundation to thousands of charities around the world.
Q: Are there any changes in store for the Foundation following the loss of its founder, philanthropist Paul Newman?
A: Newman’s Own Foundation is committed to incorporating Paul’s spirit, values, and personal style into our work. The Foundation and company are in strong condition and will continue to pursue a path of growth, so more funds can be generated for charity.
Q: How much does Newman’s Own Foundation give away?
A: Unlike most private foundations which donate an average 5 percent of the fair market value of their portfolios, Newman’s Own Foundation is committed to donating all its income to charity, after paying excise taxes and necessary administrative expenses. The Foundation is committed to keeping its managerial costs to less than 10 percent of its grant making, and over the first three years of its existence, these expenses have been less than 4 percent.
The actual amount which is available for grant making depends on numerous factors, but as an indication, since Paul first started donating profits and royalties to charity, the 25 year average is $9.6 million, in the past four years, the average has grown to $21.5 million.
Q: To what and to where does the Foundation make grants?
A: Historically, Paul Newman donated to a very broad class of charities in education, the environment, health, human services, community development, international causes, emergency campaigns, and arts and culture. These gifts were distributed widely throughout the United States and abroad.
Newman’s Own Foundation has refined its grant making priorities to focus on four “high impact areas” that more clearly represent Paul’s interests, as well as opportunities for the Foundation to effect transformational change:
- Encouraging Philanthropy: Organizations that promote the practice of philanthropy and/or rely on philanthropic support to fulfill their missions.
- Children with Life-Limiting Conditions: Organizations enhancing the quality of life for children with life-limiting medical conditions, and for whom the experience of childhood has been disrupted by circumstances beyond their control.
- Nutrition: Organizations implementing model solutions to issues of hunger and nutrition for underserved communities.
- Empowerment: Organizations that empower people to overcome extraordinary adverse circumstances, and/or provide equal access to human rights and contribute to the development of a civil society.
Q: Are there programs Newman’s Own Foundation does not fund?
A: Newman’s Own Foundation has partnered with hundreds of geographically and programmatically-diverse charities. In doing so, we observe certain policies and guidelines.
However, the Foundation observes the following limitations and by policy makes no grants to:
- promote any business purpose;
- promote specific religious activities or beliefs;
- support lobbying or political organizations;
- support specific litigations that are underway, contemplated, or completed;
In addition, the Foundation generally will not support annual funds, endowments, special events, building campaigns, private foundations or donor advised funds, supporting organizations, or entities which require expenditure responsibility.
Q: Are there geographic restrictions for funding?
A: Newman’s Own Foundation does not restrict itself to a narrow set of funding categories or geographical boundaries. It is a global foundation, and has partnered with hundreds of geographically and programmatically-diverse charities in the United States and around the world.
Q: How does my organization apply for a grant?
A: Until final decisions are made about high impact grant making, the Foundation initiates the application process by invitation only. Unsolicited applications cannot be accommodated.
Q: Is there a specific range for dollar amounts awarded for grants?
A: The Foundation awards grants of varying sizes depending on the specific project being funded. Our goal is to partner with leaders of action and strengthen their capacity for accomplishment and impact.
