Our History

For 60 years, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation has invested in the people, research, and programs that move nutrition and dietetics forward.

The Foundation was established in 1966 as a separate 501(c)(3) public charity supporting the profession through philanthropy. In its earliest years, it administered approximately $20,000 annually, including 26 scholarships. Today, the Foundation is the only charitable organization devoted exclusively to supporting and advancing nutrition and dietetics to improve health.

From Scholarships to Broad Professional Impact

Scholarships, awards, and grants are the cornerstone of our history. For generations, donors have established funds that help students complete their education, recognize excellence, support innovative practitioners, and advance research across the many areas of nutrition and dietetics practice.

As the profession evolved, the Foundation's work grew with it. Beginning in the late twentieth century, the Foundation expanded its support for research, public education, professional development, international collaboration, and community-based nutrition programs.

In 2001, the Foundation established its Food and Nutrition Research Endowment and launched the Healthy Weight for Kids Initiative, which later became Kids Eat Right. Through Kids Eat Right and related programs, the Foundation supported research, family education, professional resources, community grants, and partnerships promoting healthy eating and physical activity among children and families.

In 2012, the Foundation joined with Feeding America and National Dairy Council to launch the Future of Food initiative. The collaboration raised awareness of food insecurity as a public health issue and helped nutrition professionals improve access to nutrient-dense foods through education and community action.

The Foundation has also expanded opportunities for practitioners to build expertise through fellowships in research, evidence analysis, food and nutrition security, sustainable food systems, global health, policy, and other emerging areas. Foundation-supported research has contributed to professional guidelines, peer-reviewed publications, improved nutrition care, and stronger evidence demonstrating the value of RDN-led interventions.

Powered by Generosity

No portion of Academy member dues supports the Foundation. Every scholarship, grant, fellowship, award, and initiative is made possible through philanthropy.

The Foundation's first organized fundraising campaign began in 1974, when "Think Foundation" envelopes helped raise more than $39,000. Since then, individuals, organizations, Academy groups, and partners have helped the Foundation reach increasingly ambitious goals.

The Second Century Member Campaign, launched in 2016, raised $5 million to support research, fellowships, scholarships, professional resources, and projects addressing major food and nutrition challenges. This campaign was part of the Academy's broader Second Century initiative, which celebrated the Academy's 100th anniversary in 2017, honoring all the profession's accomplishments in its first 100 years and looking forward to expand the profession's impact. As part of this initiative, the Academy and the Foundation cohosted The Nutrition Impact Summit in Dallas, TX in 2016, bringing together leaders across the food, nutrition, and health care sectors.

In 2025, the Make it a Million Scholarship Campaign raised more than $1.07 million to expand opportunities for future nutrition and dietetics professionals.

Building the Future

During the 2025-2026 academic year, the Foundation awarded $946,250 in scholarships to 316 students. In 2025, it also provided more than $149,000 in awards and $121,000 in research grants.

These numbers represent more than financial support. Each investment creates a ripple effect through the patients, families, students, organizations, and communities served by Foundation recipients.

As we celebrate six decades of impact, we honor the donors, volunteers, leaders, partners, practitioners, researchers, and students who built our history. Together, they created a legacy of opportunity, discovery, service, and generosity that continues to strengthen the profession and improve public health.