Akerson Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $512,043 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: $5,000 - $50,000 (individual scholarships up to $50,000 over 4 years)
• Geographic Focus: Washington DC metropolitan area (Virginia, DC)
• Application Process: Invitation only for organizational grants; public application for student scholarships

Contact Details

Website: www.affscholars.org
Email: contact@affscholars.org
Address: Charlotte, NC
EIN: 54-1991343

Note: Contact primarily for scholarship inquiries. The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant proposals from organizations.

Overview

The Akerson Family Foundation, established in 2000 and associated with Daniel F. Akerson (former Chairman and CEO of General Motors) and his family, operates as a private grantmaking foundation focused on education, youth services, and human services in the Washington DC metropolitan area. With annual giving of approximately $512,043 in 2024, the foundation has significantly increased its grantmaking activity from 20 awards in 2022 to 50 awards in 2024. The foundation also operates under or in conjunction with the Blue Earth Foundation name. Led by Executive Director Gretchen Akerson, the foundation's strategic focus centers on increasing access to higher education for first-generation college students while supporting select nonprofits working with children and youth in under-resourced communities. The foundation has demonstrated long-term commitment to partner organizations, exemplified by over $1.7 million in cumulative grants to the Washington School for Girls.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

First-Generation College Scholarships (Public Application Process)

• Amount: Up to $50,000 per student over four years ($12,500 per academic year, renewable)
• Eligibility: First-generation college-bound seniors from Alexandria City (VA) Public Schools, Arlington (VA) Public Schools, District of Columbia Public Schools, Fairfax County (VA) Public Schools, or Falls Church City (VA) Public Schools
• Requirements: 3.25 GPA minimum, Student Aid Index (SAI) of $25,000 or less, demonstrated academic skills, financial need, and community/school engagement
• Application Method: Online application through affscholars.org
• Deadline: Typically early March (March 2, 2026 for current cycle)
• Awards: Up to 25 scholarships awarded annually
• Use: Any four-year accredited college/university or community college (excluding for-profit schools)

Organizational Grants (Invitation Only)

• Amount: Varies; past grants range from approximately $5,000 to multi-year commitments exceeding $1 million
• Application Method: By invitation only; foundation makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations
• Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for organizational grants

Priority Areas

Education

• First-generation college access and success
• K-12 education, particularly for girls and underserved communities
• Educational equity initiatives

Youth Services

• Programs serving children in under-resourced DC communities
• Youth development and empowerment initiatives
• Character development and leadership programs

Human Services

• Hunger relief and food security
• Support services for vulnerable populations
• Community development initiatives

What They Don't Fund

• For-profit educational institutions (for scholarships)
• Organizations outside the Washington DC metropolitan area
• Unsolicited grant proposals from charitable organizations
• General operating support requests from organizations not already in their portfolio

Governance and Leadership

Daniel F. Akerson - Founder Daniel F. Akerson is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy (1970, B.S. in Engineering) and the London School of Economics. He served as Chairman and CEO of General Motors from 2010-2014 and held leadership positions at The Carlyle Group, General Instrument, MCI, Nextel, and XO Communications. He serves on the boards of American Express Company and the U.S. Naval Academy Foundation. Akerson and his late wife Karin established the foundation to support education, children, and the environment in the Washington, D.C. area.

Gretchen Akerson - Executive Director An attorney and member of the Akerson family, Gretchen serves as Executive Director of the foundation. The Akerson children are heavily involved with the foundation's operations and decision-making.

Board Composition: The foundation maintains a private board structure with no publicly listed trustees, though the foundation is governed by the Akerson family.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

For Student Scholarships (Public Process):

1. Review eligibility requirements on affscholars.org
2. Complete online application by deadline (typically early March)
3. Submit required documentation including transcripts, Student Aid Index information, and essays
4. Selected finalists participate in interviews with AFF staff and/or board members
5. Scholarship Committee makes final selections
6. Awards announced and recipients notified

For Organizational Grants (No Public Application): The foundation does not have a public application process for organizational grants. The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Getting on Their Radar

While the foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals, organizations working in the Washington DC metro area on first-generation college access, youth development, or hunger relief may be considered through:

• Demonstrated Long-Term Impact: The foundation has shown preference for sustained, multi-year relationships with organizations demonstrating measurable outcomes (e.g., Washington School for Girls with $1.7M+ in cumulative support)
• Personal Connections: As a family foundation with board members active in the DC metro community, relationships through board members' professional and philanthropic networks may lead to consideration
• Mission Alignment: Organizations focused on first-generation college students, girls' education, youth empowerment in under-resourced communities, and food security align with documented funding patterns
• Geographic Focus: Organizations must serve the Washington DC metropolitan area, particularly Virginia and DC

Note: There is no guarantee of funding consideration, and the foundation's selection process remains private and invitation-based.

Decision Timeline

For Student Scholarships:

• Applications typically due early March
• Finalist interviews conducted in spring
• Awards announced in spring
• Scholarships disbursed annually for up to four years, contingent on continued eligibility

For Organizational Grants:

• Not publicly disclosed; decisions made by trustees/board throughout the year

Success Rates

Student Scholarships: Up to 25 scholarships awarded annually from eligible applicants in participating school districts. Specific application volume and success rates are not publicly disclosed.

Organizational Grants: Not applicable; invitation-only process.

Reapplication Policy

Student Scholarships: Students may only apply once during their senior year of high school. Scholarship recipients must maintain eligibility requirements for annual renewal throughout their four years of college.

Organizational Grants: Not applicable due to invitation-only structure.

Application Success Factors

For Student Scholarship Applicants

Academic Excellence with Financial Need: The foundation specifically seeks students with a 3.25 GPA or higher who demonstrate strong academic skills while also having significant financial need (SAI of $25,000 or less). This dual focus suggests they value students who have achieved despite financial constraints.

First-Generation Status: Being the first in your family to attend college is a core requirement. The foundation's mission explicitly focuses on "increasing access to higher education for first-generation students," indicating this is central to their theory of change.

Community and School Engagement: Beyond academics, the foundation values students who demonstrate commitment to their communities through service and engagement. This suggests they're looking for future leaders who will give back.

Strong Interview Performance: Finalists must participate in interviews with AFF staff and/or board members, indicating that personal presentation, communication skills, and authentic passion for education are important factors in final selection.

School District Alignment: Only students from specific public school districts (Alexandria City, Arlington, DC, Fairfax County, Falls Church City) are eligible, reflecting the foundation's targeted geographic approach.

For Organizations (Understanding Funding Patterns)

Long-Term Partnership Model: The Washington School for Girls receiving over $1.7 million and Horton's Kids receiving $155,000 over multiple years demonstrates the foundation's preference for sustained relationships rather than one-time grants.

Focus on First-Generation College Access: Organizations like Washington School for Girls align directly with the foundation's scholarship mission, suggesting a coherent strategy around this issue area.

Youth-Serving Organizations in Under-Resourced Communities: Horton's Kids, which empowers children in under-resourced DC communities, exemplifies the type of youth development work the foundation supports.

Food Security and Basic Needs: Grants to Capital Area Food Bank ($35,000) and Bread for the City ($18,000+) indicate interest in addressing fundamental needs that enable educational success.

Measurable Outcomes: While not explicitly stated, the foundation's selection of organizations with clear educational and youth development outcomes suggests they value evidence-based approaches.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• For Student Applicants: This is one of the most generous scholarships for first-generation students in the DC metro area, offering up to $50,000 over four years. Apply if you meet all eligibility criteria and can demonstrate both academic excellence and financial need.

• For Organizations: The Akerson Family Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals. Do not submit grant applications or letters of inquiry unless specifically invited by the foundation.

• Geographic Limitation: All funding is concentrated in the Washington DC metropolitan area (Virginia and DC), despite the foundation being administratively based in Charlotte, NC.

• Education-Centric Mission: Whether through direct scholarships or organizational grants, the foundation's work centers on educational access and success for young people, particularly first-generation college students.

• Family Foundation Model: As a family foundation with children actively involved, decisions are made privately based on the family's values and personal connections to causes and organizations.

• Long-Term Commitment: The foundation demonstrates multi-year, sustained support to partner organizations rather than spreading resources across many one-time grants, with grantmaking increasing from 20 awards in 2022 to 50 in 2024.

• Dual Identity: The foundation operates as both "Akerson Family Foundation" and appears to be the same entity as or closely related to the "Blue Earth Foundation," which may cause confusion in research but represents the same funding source.

References

• Akerson Family Foundation Official Website. "What We Do." Accessed March 3, 2026. https://www.affscholars.org/what-we-do-2

• Akerson Family Foundation Official Website. "How to Apply." Accessed March 3, 2026. https://www.affscholars.org/apply-1

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. "Akerson Family Foundation (EIN: 54-1991343)." Accessed March 3, 2026. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/541991343

• Inside Philanthropy. "Daniel and Karin Akerson." Accessed March 3, 2026. https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant/major-donors/daniel-and-karin-akerson

• GuideStar Profile. "Akerson Family Foundation." Accessed March 3, 2026. https://www.guidestar.org/profile/54-1991343

• College Board BigFuture. "Akerson Family Foundation Scholarship." Accessed March 3, 2026. https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/scholarships/akerson-family-foundation-scholarship

• Instrumentl. "Akerson Family Foundation | Charlotte, NC | 990 Report." Accessed March 3, 2026.

• Cause IQ. "Akerson Family Foundation- Agy | Charlotte, NC." Accessed March 3, 2026. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/blue-earth-foundation,541991343/