Foundation for American Freedom

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $9,797,500 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: Not publicly specified
• Geographic Focus: National (United States)

Contact Details

• Website: No public website identified
• Phone: Not publicly listed
• Email: Not publicly listed
• Mailing Address: PO Box 1060, Alexandria, VA 22313

Overview

The Foundation for American Freedom is a 501(c)(3) public charity established in 2014 that operates as a pass-through grantmaking foundation. With minimal assets of approximately $152,100 but substantial annual revenue of over $10 million, the foundation distributes nearly all its revenue as grants (97.5% grant-to-revenue ratio in 2024). The organization focuses on funding independent nonpartisan educational activities dedicated to improving the lives of Americans, with particular emphasis on investigative journalism and cultivating the next generation of scholars and foreign policy leaders. Despite its significant grantmaking activity, the foundation maintains a remarkably low public profile with no public website or application process.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate specific named grant programs but makes discretionary grants in two primary areas:

• Investigative Journalism Grants: Supporting journalism that educates the public about elected officials, democracy, and culture
• Educational Leadership Grants: Cultivating the next generation of scholars and foreign policy leaders

Priority Areas

• Investigative journalism and public education
• Democracy and civic engagement education
• Foreign policy leadership development
• Nonpartisan educational activities

What They Don't Fund

Not publicly specified due to the private nature of their grantmaking process

Governance and Leadership

Specific information about board members, trustees, and officers is not publicly available through web sources. This information would be contained in the foundation's Form 990 filings available through the IRS or paid nonprofit databases.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Grants appear to be awarded through trustee discretion, invitation only, or pre-existing relationships. The foundation has made between 1-5 grants annually over the past decade, suggesting a highly selective approach to grantmaking.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available due to the private nature of the grantmaking process

Success Rates

The foundation made the following number of awards:

• 2024: 1 award
• 2023: 2 awards
• 2022: 4 awards
• 2021: 2 awards
• 2020: 5 awards
• 2019: 4 awards

With no public application process, traditional success rates cannot be calculated.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable due to the lack of a public application process

Application Success Factors

Given the foundation's private selection process and focus areas, organizations most likely to receive grants would:

• Have established reputations in investigative journalism or educational leadership
• Demonstrate clear alignment with the foundation's mission to educate Americans about democracy and governance
• Maintain nonpartisan approaches to their work
• Have existing relationships with foundation trustees or past grantees
• Show measurable impact in public education or civic engagement

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The Foundation for American Freedom operates entirely through private selection with no public application process
• With nearly $10 million in annual grantmaking but only 1-5 recipients per year, individual grants are likely substantial
• The foundation functions as a pass-through entity, receiving donations and quickly distributing them as grants
• Focus areas are specifically investigative journalism and educational leadership development
• Building relationships with foundation trustees or existing grantees would be essential for consideration
• The foundation maintains an exceptionally low public profile despite significant grantmaking activity
• Organizations should not expect to find application guidelines or submission portals

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Foundation For American Freedom Profile (Accessed March 2026)
• Charity Navigator Rating for Foundation for American Freedom, EIN 465511681 (Accessed March 2026)
• GuideStar/Candid Foundation Profile, EIN 46-5511681 (Accessed March 2026)
• Instrumentl 990 Report Database - Foundation for American Freedom (Accessed March 2026)
• GrantRush Foundation Profile, EIN 465511681 (Accessed March 2026)
• Candid Foundation Directory Entry #5263776 (Accessed March 2026)
• IRS Form 990 Filings: November 15, 2024; November 2, 2023; November 4, 2022