Aerojet Rocketdyne Foundation
Aerojet Rocketdyne Foundation was a private foundation based in Melbourne, Florida. Its 2024 filing records grants to organizations including a scholarship organization, universities, schools, and a charitable giving fund. The foundation stated that it was fully dissolved after distributing all its assets to L3Harris Foundation, Inc. on June 25, 2024.
Aerojet Rocketdyne Foundation at a glance
In short: Aerojet Rocketdyne Foundation gave $219K across 13 grants in 2024 (avg $17K), mostly in Illinois. 0% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $218,558
- -58.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 13
- -94.6% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $16,812
- +669.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $500
- New grantees (estimate)
- 0% first-time grantees (0 of 13, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (84% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Aerojet Rocketdyne Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation stated that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1025 W Nasa Blvd A-12H, Melbourne, FL 32919
Phone: (321) 724-3446
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Aerojet Rocketdyne Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was National Merit Scholarship Corporation ($182K). Together the top 10 received $217K.
Grant Size Distribution
1,035 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 1,032 grants of 1,035 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 grant dollars were concentrated among recipients in Illinois (84%) and South Carolina (14%); the filing also reports shares for Virginia (1%), Alabama (0%), and Mississippi (0%). Listed recipients were located in additional states, including Florida, Michigan, Indiana, Washington, and Nebraska.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 13 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Aerojet Rocketdyne Foundation open to new grantees?
0%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 0 of 13 grantees (0%) were first-time recipients. With only 13 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. How we count
- 77% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 66% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 100% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $219K (2024) to $1.5M (2022). In 2024 it made 13 grants totaling $219K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| National Merit Scholarship Corporation Evanston, IL | Scholarship stipends for all remaining scholarships through 2025 program | $182,220 |
| The Blackbaud Giving Fund Charleston, SC | To Further the Exempt Purpose of the Organization | $29,668 |
| Board of the University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL | To Further the Exempt Purpose of the Organization | $1,000 |
| Mississippi State University Foundation Inc Mississippi State, MS | To Further the Exempt Purpose of the Organization | $1,000 |
| Saint John Paul the Great Catholic High School Dumfries, VA | To Further the Exempt Purpose of the Organization | $1,000 |
| Bishop Oconnell High School Arlington, VA | To Further the Exempt Purpose of the Organization | $500 |
| Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MI | To Further the Exempt Purpose of the Organization | $500 |
| Northwestern University Evanston, IL | To Further the Exempt Purpose of the Organization | $500 |
| Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Terre Haute, IN | To Further the Exempt Purpose of the Organization | $500 |
| School of the Arts Foundation Inc West Palm Beach, FL | To Further the Exempt Purpose of the Organization | $500 |
Ready to take the next step with Aerojet Rocketdyne Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The foundation stated in its 2023 filing that all its assets were distributed to L3Harris Foundation, Inc. on June 25, 2024, and that it was fully dissolved.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | — | $475,069 | $309,118 | $218,558 | 13 | $245,416 | $410,562 | $244,637 |
| 2023 | $11,727,066 | $162,004 | $728,354 | $526,720 | 241 | $616,738 | $233,501 | $630,868 |
| 2022 | $12,292,416 | $896,190 | $1,654,374 | $1,506,794 | 232 | $1,533,484 | $780,462 | $655,321 |
| 2021 | $13,049,600 | $854,184 | $833,576 | $640,286 | 276 | — | $718,992 | $763,615 |
| 2020 | $13,028,992 | $475,732 | $998,768 | $823,684 | 273 | — | $363,844 | $675,412 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Aerojet Rocketdyne Foundation reported a distributable amount of $245K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grantees included organizations with education-related missions: National Merit Scholarship Corporation says it recognizes and honors academically talented students through nationwide scholarship programs; Northwestern University describes a commitment to teaching, research, and student growth; and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology says it provides undergraduate education in engineering, mathematics, and science. School of the Arts Foundation says it supports arts and academic programs at the Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 13 grants totaling $218,558. Awards ranged from $200 to $182,220, with a median of $500. The largest grant was $182,220 to National Merit Scholarship Corporation for scholarship stipends for all remaining scholarships through its 2025 program. Other notable grants were $29,668 to The Blackbaud Giving Fund and $1,000 each to the Board of the University of Alabama and Mississippi State University Foundation. The Blackbaud Giving Fund describes its work as administering donations from individuals and corporations to nonprofit organizations.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Carmen Robertson as president, Ken Bedingfield as treasurer, Scott Mikuen as secretary, and Mel Rakita as director.
Aerojet Rocketdyne Foundation is led by Carmen Robertson, President since 2024 (on filings since 2023); none of the 4 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Carmen Robertson
President
Director & Vice President → President, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mel Rakita
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Scott Mikuen
Secretary
Director & Secretary → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ken Bedingfield
Treasurer
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (17)
- Former: Andreas Wagner (2020–2023) — Director & Secretary
- Former: Chris Radley (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: John Jackson (2020–2023) — Director & Secretary
- Former: John Schneider (2020–2023) — Director & Vice President
- Former: Kelly Anderson (2020–2023) — Director & President
- Former: Robert Daidone (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Al Oishi (2022–2023) — Director & Treasurer
- Former: Cecilia Showalter (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Chandra McCulley-Hooker (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Kenneth J Panos (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Melanie Rakita (2023) — Director & Vice President
- Former: Michelle Turner (2023) — Director & Treasurer
- Former: Arjun Kampani (2020–2022) — Director & Vice President
- Former: John Schumacher (2020–2022) — Director & President
- Former: David A Fox (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: David Hatch (2020) — Director
- Former: Natalie K Schilling (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Aerojet Rocketdyne Foundation
How much does Aerojet Rocketdyne Foundation give each year?
Aerojet Rocketdyne Foundation gave $219K across 13 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $527K across 241 grants.
What is Aerojet Rocketdyne Foundation's typical grant size?
Aerojet Rocketdyne Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $500, and its average grant was $16,812, across 13 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Aerojet Rocketdyne Foundation give grants?
Aerojet Rocketdyne Foundation gives mostly in Illinois: 84% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was South Carolina (14%). The most frequent recipient cities were Evanston, IL (2 grants).
Who are Aerojet Rocketdyne Foundation's largest grantees?
Aerojet Rocketdyne Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include National Merit Scholarship Corporation ($182,220), The Blackbaud Giving Fund ($29,668) and Board of the University of Alabama ($1,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 97% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
What does Aerojet Rocketdyne Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Aerojet Rocketdyne Foundation?
The foundation stated that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
How much is Aerojet Rocketdyne Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Aerojet Rocketdyne Foundation reported a distributable amount of $245K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Aerojet Rocketdyne Foundation's EIN?
Aerojet Rocketdyne Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 68-0441559. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Aerojet Rocketdyne Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Aerojet Rocketdyne Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 13, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/aerojet-rocketdyne-foundation-morg_0470ea3a1fc446b0a15716fc487448bf
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_680441559_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Aerojet Rocketdyne Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/aerojet-rocketdyne-foundation-morg_0470ea3a1fc446b0a15716fc487448bf},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-13. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Aerojet Rocketdyne Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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