The DEKA Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests and works by invitation only, so a cold application is unlikely to be considered and a grant writer should first seek a direct connection.
- Its recorded grants centre on youth technology and invention education, with some support for university education, science centres and a nature museum, so work in those areas fits best.
- Repeat giving is strong: 99% of its grant dollars in the latest filing went to organisations it had also funded in earlier filings, which points to a relationship-led funder with a fairly settled set of grantees.
- About 8 in 10 of its 12 grants to organisations fall between $25,000 and $450,000, the median grant is $50,000 and the largest was $500,000, so a request near $50,000 is a sensible starting point rather than a ceiling.
- No geographic focus is stated, though the filings show grants mainly in New Hampshire, so an organisation elsewhere should not assume it is excluded but should expect the foundation's giving to be concentrated there.
Overview
The DEKA Foundation is a US private foundation based in Manchester, NH.
What they fund
Profile based on the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) only: no website or other web source for the foundation was found. Every statement is checked against the filings. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The recorded grants principally help organisations teach children the value of technology and invention. The foundation also supports university education and science centres’ efforts to engage communities in active exploration of science and innovation. A smaller recorded grant supported a nature museum’s work to strengthen the Chicago region’s connection with nature and science. Its grants therefore reach youth technology and invention education, higher education, community science engagement and nature-and-science learning through charitable organisations and educational institutions. The filing records these purposes but does not state a general eligibility policy, a formal funding strategy or an open application process.
Themes
From its grants, not stated by the foundation:
- Youth technology education
Geographic Focus
No geographic focus is stated; the filings show grants mainly in New Hampshire.
How to apply
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 99% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 12 grants to organisations were $50,000 or less.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
- The largest single recipient received 52% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 99% of grant dollars went to organisations The DEKA Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 5 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $40,000 (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- International FIRST Committee Association · To assist International FIRST Committee Association in their efforts to teach children the value of technology and invention.$450,0002024 tax year
- First · To assist FIRST in their efforts to teach children the value of technology and invention.$375,0002024 tax year
- SEE Science Center · To assist SEE Science center in their efforts to engage the community in the active exploration of science and innovation.$40,0002024 tax year
- University of New Hampshire · To support the University's goal of education.$25,0002024 tax year
- Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum · To assist the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum in their efforts to grow the Chicago regions connection to the world of nature and science.$10,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Brendan Duffy — Assistant Secretary
- Maureen Toohey — Director
- Steve Hazard — Director
- Robert Tuttle — Director
- Dean Kamen — Director
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $960,445 | $880,000 | $15,651,767 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $1,003,810 | $865,000 | $18,772,923 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $1,021,849 | $900,000 | $19,541,153 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
🎯 You've done the research. Now write an application they can't refuse.
Hinchilla combines funder's specific priorities with your organisation's past successful grants and AI analysis of what reviewers want to see.
Data privacy and security by default
Your organisation's past successful grants and experience
AI analysis of what reviewers want to see
A compelling draft application in 10 minutes instead of 10 hours
Spotted something that needs correcting? Let us know
At a glance
Applying to The DEKA Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Manchester, NH
Applying to The DEKA Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Manchester, NH