The Adam R. Scripps Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established posthumously in 2023 to honor the legacy of Adam R. Scripps. Based in Ft Mitchell, Kentucky, the foundation is family-run and governed by principles of compassion, humility, generosity, and love of neighbor that Adam held dear. The foundation strives to make grants that create meaningful change through transformative opportunities.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$754.6M
+2.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$35.5M
+31.4% YoY
Grant Count
281
+20.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$126K
+9.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Adam R Scripps Foundation reported a distributable amount of $41.5M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission centers on creating lasting positive change through strategic philanthropy. The foundation supports five primary focus areas:
- Animal Welfare: Programs including habitat conservation, education, care facilities, and therapy programs benefiting animals of all kinds
- Education: Support for lifelong learning across all life stages, both in and outside the classroom, including scholarships, early childhood education, literacy programs, summer camps, test prep, and college-preparedness initiatives
- Health: Support for the full spectrum of healthcare, mental wellness, and medical research programs
- Local Community: Programs reflecting Adam's genuine love of neighbor, with emphasis on helping those in the local community
- Self Sufficiency: Programs supporting self-reliance and independence
Grantmaking
The foundation has distributed over $31 million in grants across 234+ recipients.
Grant Range
s and Activity:**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily on Texas, Ohio, and California, though grants are made nationally.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $754,604,817
- Total Revenue: $63,917,151
- Total Expenses: $43,288,477
- Total Liabilities: $0
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $820,000,000
- Total Distributions: $28,000,000
- Total Contributions: $738,000,000
Tax Status:
- 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization
- EIN: 85-4241768
- Tax-exempt since May 2021
- Designated as a private grantmaking foundation
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $754,604,817 | $733,976,143 | $917 |
| Revenue | $63,917,151 | $767,188,798 | $9 |
| Expenses | $43,288,477 | $33,213,572 | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | $38,657,789 | $28,278,675 | — |
| Net Investment Income | $54,932,331 | $24,217,012 | $9 |
| Distributable Amount | $41,485,588 | $37,784,409 | $45 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
100 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Austin Habitat for Humanity Inc ($1,000,000), Admiral Nimitz Foundation ($500,000), Cincinnati Public Radio ($333,333).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| A is for Airplane Fredericksburg, TX | Summer Programs | $15,000 |
| Admiral Nimitz Foundation Fredericksburg, TX | Education Studio, Space, and Portal | $500,000 |
| Aimee Copeland Foundation Atlanta, GA | General Purposes | $25,000 |
| Aimee Copeland Foundation Atlanta, GA | General Operations | $50,000 |
| Alamo Springs Volunteer Fire Department Comfort, TX | purchase and equip Brush Truck | $100,000 |
| Alamo Workforce Development Inc San Antonio, TX | General Operations | $93,750 |
| All Hands And Hearts Mattapoisett, MA | Hurricane Helene/Milton Relief | $56,250 |
| Amarillo Area Foundation Inc Amarillo, TX | Texas Panhandle Wildfire Relief | $50,000 |
| American Camping Association Martinsville, IN | General Operations | $200,000 |
| Americares Foundation Inc Stamfort, CT | General Operating Support | $5,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is governed by family members of Adam R. Scripps. Miramar Fiduciary Corporation serves as trustee, with compensation of $3.7 million reported for trustee services.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
No officer/director data available.
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has been actively engaged in grantmaking across its focus areas, with recent grants supporting educational initiatives, scientific research, and community development. Notable recent activities include support for the Student Media Sustainability Project and grants to organizations including the Experimental Aircraft Association's AeroEducate program.
Journalism Grants | FundSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Adam R Scripps Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission centers on creating lasting positive change through strategic philanthropy. The foundation supports five primary focus areas: • **Animal Welfare**: Programs including habitat conservation, education, care facilities, and therapy programs benefiting animals of all kinds • **Education**: Support for lifelong learning across all life stages, both in and outside the classroom, including scholarships, early childhood education, literacy programs, summer camps, test prep, and…
How do I apply for a grant from Adam R Scripps Foundation?
**Grant Sizes and Activity:** • Typical grant awards range from $500 to $2,000,000 • Median grant amount: $38,000 • The foundation made 234 grants in 2023 • Total giving in 2024: $35,457,978 **Recent Notable Grants (2024):** • Regents of the University of California at San Diego (Birch Aquarium Hall of Fishes Remodel): $2,000,000 • Society for Science (Purchase and Renovation of Building): $2,000,000 • Scripps Research Institute (Research Programs): $1,865,000 The foundation has distributed ove…
Where does Adam R Scripps Foundation make grants?
The foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily on Texas, Ohio, and California, though grants are made nationally.
What size grants does Adam R Scripps Foundation award?
In 2024, Adam R Scripps Foundation awarded 281 grants totaling $35.5M — an average of about $126K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Adam R Scripps Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Adam R Scripps Foundation reported a distributable amount of $41.5M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Adam R Scripps Foundation's EIN?
Adam R Scripps Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 85-4241768. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Adam R Scripps Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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