John Dawson Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests and works by invitation only, so a cold application is unlikely to be considered; look for an introduction or a relationship before sending anything.
- Its priority geographic focus is the country, and it funds qualified 501(c)(3) organisations engaged in market-based solutions, conservative values, medical advancements, and youth development through education, sports and the arts, so organisations outside those areas or without that status do not fit its stated eligibility.
- About 8 in 10 of its 50 grants fall between $10,000 and $100,000, with a median of $50,000, so a request in that typical band is a realistic size, though the largest grant was $250,000 and the band is not a ceiling.
- Around two-thirds of its grant dollars to organisations went to groups it had funded in earlier filings, so established relationships carry weight, but a new organisation can still make its case through a considered introduction.
Overview
John Dawson Foundation is a US private foundation based in Scottsdale, AZ.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and its website, with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The John Dawson Foundation makes grants to qualified 501(c)(3) organisations working in its stated areas. It supports market-based solutions for social and government functions, and promotes smaller, more responsive government through think-tank research, independent journalism and public advocacy. Its priorities also include traditional conservative principles and institutions, medical advancements and better healthcare delivery. It supports youth development through education and training programmes, vocational schools, sports and the arts. The foundation describes its wider work as advancing free enterprise and limited government, improving healthcare outcomes, and widening children’s opportunities to take part in sports, theatre and the arts throughout the country.
Themes
- Market-based solutions
- Conservative values
- Medical advancements
- Youth development and education
- Sports and the arts
Geographic Focus
Priority: The country.
How to apply
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 66% 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 50 grants to organisations were $50,000 or less.
What the foundation says:
- It makes grants to qualified 501(c)(3) organisations engaged in its listed activities.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
3 other states: 2%
- The largest single recipient received 13% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 66% of grant dollars went to organisations John Dawson 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 22 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $50,000 (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Boys and Girls Clubs of the Valley · Charitable purpose$150,0002024 tax year
- Goldwater Institute · Charitable purpose$100,0002024 tax year
- Make-A-Wish Foundation Arizona Chapter · Charitable purpose$100,0002024 tax year
- Arizona Friends of Foster Children · Charitable purpose$100,0002024 tax year
- Jazz In Arizona Inc Dba The Nash · Charitable purpose$100,0002024 tax year
- Mindfulness First · Charitable purpose$100,0002024 tax year
- Arizona Liberty Network · Charitable purpose$50,0002024 tax year
- Arizona Sports and Entertainment Commission · Charitable purpose$50,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Charles Inderieden — Director
- Sean P Sachs — Director
- David Lunt — President / Director
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $607,879 | $500,000 | $23,941,439 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $1,474,800 | $1,200,000 | $28,749,087 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $1,535,208 | $1,215,000 | $30,648,066 | 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
Registers and filings
Other sources
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At a glance
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Applying to John Dawson Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required