Dodson Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- Dodson Foundation does not accept unsolicited requests and works by invitation only, so a cold proposal is unlikely to be considered and should not be sent unless you have been invited.
- Its filings show a broad mix of charitable grants, including food banks, shelters, educational institutions, faith communities and youth organisations, so a charity doing that kind of work will fit the pattern.
- About 8 in 10 of its 232 grants fall between $10,000 and $50,000, with a median of $25,000, though its largest grant was $180,000, so a request in that typical band is a sensible size.
- In its latest filing, 84% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in earlier filings, so a relationship-led approach looks more relevant than a first contact.
- The filings show grants mainly in Florida, Wisconsin, Texas, Arizona, Ohio and the United States, but no geographic focus is stated, so this should not be read as a rule on who may apply.
Overview
Dodson Foundation is a US private foundation based in Inverness, IL.
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
Its grants have gone to a broad mix of charitable organisations, including food banks, shelters, social-service groups, educational institutions, faith communities, youth organisations, health and cancer-related bodies, animal-welfare organisations, arts organisations and veterans’ groups. The filings most often describe support as unrestricted charitable grants or gifts and general operating expenses. They also record scholarships and specific purposes such as cancer research, STEM education and hurricane relief. These records show varied charitable giving, rather than a stated sector-specific programme.
Geographic Focus
No geographic focus is stated; the filings show grants mainly in Florida, Wisconsin, Texas, Arizona, Ohio and the United States.
How to apply
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 84% 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 232 grants to organisations were $25,000 or less.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
6 other states: 23%
Outside the US or with no state on the filing: 7%
- The largest single recipient received 8% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 84% of grant dollars went to organisations Dodson Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
- 2% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 82 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $25,000 (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Louis-Dodson Scholarship at Ithaca High School · Scholarships$162,5002024 tax year
- Us Olympic Committee · Unrestricted charitable grant$100,0002024 tax year
- Wilkinson Center · Unrestricted charitable grant$75,0002024 tax year
- Indiana University Foundation · Unrestricted charitable grant$75,0002024 tax year
- North Texas Food Bank · Unrestricted charitable grant$75,0002024 tax year
- Hazeldon Betty Ford Foundation · Unrestricted charitable grant$75,0002024 tax year
- White Rock Center of Hope · Unrestricted charitable grant$75,0002024 tax year
- Arizona Animal Welfare League · Unrestricted charitable grant$60,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Robert Dodson — Director
- Susan Dodson Wollwert — Director
- Mary Molofsky — Director, Secretary, Vice President
- Mark R Dodson — Director, Treasurer
- Cynthia L Gardner — Director
- J Michael Dodson — Director, President
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $2,350,515 | $2,110,000 | $32,363,211 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $2,350,085 | $2,110,000 | $35,280,876 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $2,892,018 | $2,710,000 | $38,380,041 | 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
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At a glance
Applying to Dodson Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Inverness, IL
Applying to Dodson Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Inverness, IL