Akerson Family Foundation
The Akerson Family Foundation is a private foundation based in McLean, Virginia. Its stated mission is to increase access to higher education for first-generation college students through renewable scholarships; its 2025 filing also reports grants to a food bank and individual scholarship recipients.
Akerson Family Foundation at a glance
In short: Akerson Family Foundation gave $845K across 76 grants in 2025 (avg $11K), mostly in Virginia. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $844,710
- +65.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 76
- +52.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $11,115
- +8.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $15,140,763
- +28.0% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Virginia (50% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Akerson Family Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The current application is for high school seniors graduating in spring 2027 from Alexandria City, Arlington, District of Columbia, Fairfax County, Falls Church City, or Prince William County public schools. Applicants must be applying to enroll in fall 2027 at an accredited four-year college or university or community college, excluding for-profit schools; be eligible for FAFSA or VASA; have a weighted GPA of at least 3.25 at the end of junior year; meet the foundation’s first-generation definition; and have a Student Aid Index of $30,000 or less. The foundation defines a first-generation student as one whose parent or parents have not earned an undergraduate degree in the United States. Selection considers first-generation status, academic achievement, financial need, school or community engagement, and the application and interview.
- Review Cycle
- March 1, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.
- Deadline
- March 1, 2027, at 11:59 p.m.
- Contact
Application contact: Akerson Family Foundation
Mailing address: PO Box 934, Mclean, VA 22201
Phone: (202) 599-8170
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Akerson Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Capital Area Food Bank ($150K). Together the top 10 received $265K.
Organizations only. It also paid 24 individual scholarships ($251,728), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
189 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 184 grants of 189 (97%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s 2025 grant dollars went primarily to recipients in Virginia (50%), Pennsylvania (22%), and the District of Columbia (19%), followed by Maryland (4%) and Massachusetts (1%). Its current scholarship application is limited to students graduating from the six public school systems listed above.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 76 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Akerson Family Foundation gives
- Giving grew 113% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 109% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $210K (2020) to $845K (2025). In 2025 it made 76 grants totaling $845K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Capital Area Food Bank Washington, DC | To Support the Exempt Purpose of the Organization | $150,000 |
| 17 individual scholarships Recipients not named | — | $227,303 |
| Alexandra Caraus Co Virginia Tech U Blacksburg, VA | Scholarship | $15,000 |
| Anila Ziai Co George Mason Universi Philadelphia, PA | Scholarship | $12,555 |
| Abenezer Gelashe Co Virginia Tech U Blacksburg, VA | Scholarship | $12,500 |
| Abigail Chaffin Co Virginia Tech Un Blacksburg, VA | Scholarship | $12,500 |
| Ameerah Byfield Co George Mason UNI Philadelphia, PA | Scholarship | $12,500 |
| Ikra Ismail Hussein Co George Mason Philadelphia, PA | Scholarship | $12,500 |
| Luke Maupin Co Virginia Tech Univer Blacksburg, VA | Scholarship | $12,500 |
| Melkite Abraham Dawit Co Hampton Un Hampton, VA | Scholarship | $12,500 |
Ready to take the next step with Akerson Family Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $15,140,763 | $8,090,396 | $1,061,797 | $844,710 | 76 | $974,978 | $2,049,266 | $898,502 |
| 2024 | $11,825,573 | $3,677,071 | $709,328 | $512,043 | 50 | $640,666 | $1,617,875 | $591,655 |
| 2023 | $10,224,459 | $2,611,981 | $545,933 | $414,962 | 31 | $525,268 | $1,076,660 | $463,196 |
| 2022 | $9,000,059 | $994,527 | $563,271 | $395,735 | 20 | $506,032 | $248,541 | $420,854 |
| 2021 | $8,573,648 | $7,853,078 | $271,809 | $210,778 | 12 | $265,554 | $3,322,891 | $266,531 |
| 2020 | $4,022,585 | $165,078 | $266,884 | $210,499 | 7 | — | $161,954 | $210,410 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Akerson Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $899K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation says it seeks to increase access to higher education for first-generation college students. Its website describes scholarships of up to $50,000 per student over four years.
The 2025 filing lists scholarship grants to individual recipients and students associated with colleges and universities. It also lists a $150,000 grant to Capital Area Food Bank. The food bank describes its own mission as creating more equitable access to food and opportunity through community partnerships.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 76 grants totaling $844,710. Grant amounts ranged from $605 to $150,000, with a median of $10,000. The largest listed grant was $150,000 to Capital Area Food Bank in Washington, DC, for “the exempt purpose of the organization.” Other large grants included scholarships to individual recipients and students associated with Virginia Tech and George Mason University.
The website says that up to 25 students will be selected for the 2026–2027 scholarship cycle. Winners may receive up to $12,500 per academic year, renewable for up to four years, for a maximum of $50,000. Scholarship funds may be used only for cost of attendance and education-related expenses as calculated by the college or university.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Daniel F Akerson as chairman, Elizabeth C Akerson as director and treasurer, Gretchen E Akerson as vice president and executive director, and Keith D Akerson as director and secretary.
Akerson Family Foundation is led by Gretchen E. Akerson, Vice President & Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 2 of 4 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Gretchen E. Akerson
Vice President & Executive Director
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
$35K (2020) → $72K (2025)
Daniel F. Akerson
Chairman
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth C. Akerson
Director & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$30K (2022) → $30K (2025)
Keith D. Akerson
Director & Secretary
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $72K, to Gretchen E Akerson (VP/Exec DIR). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Akerson Family Foundation
How much does Akerson Family Foundation give each year?
Akerson Family Foundation gave $845K across 76 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $512K across 50 grants.
What is Akerson Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Akerson Family Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $11,115, across 76 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Akerson Family Foundation give grants?
Akerson Family Foundation gives mostly in Virginia: 50% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Pennsylvania (22%) and District of Columbia (19%). The most frequent recipient cities were Philadelphia, PA (15 grants), Blacksburg, VA (14 grants), Richmond, VA (3 grants) and Ashburn, VA (3 grants).
Does Akerson Family Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 76 grants with a stated purpose on Akerson Family Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Scholarship" (75 grants).
Who are Akerson Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Akerson Family Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Capital Area Food Bank ($150,000), Alexandra Caraus Co Virginia Tech U ($15,000) and Anila Ziai Co George Mason Universi ($12,555), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 24 individual scholarships ($251,728), which are not listed by name. Together they received 21% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Akerson Family Foundation?
Akerson Family Foundation reported $15.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $975K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $899K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Akerson Family Foundation fund?
The foundation says it seeks to increase access to higher education for first-generation college students. Its website describes scholarships of up to $50,000 per student over four years. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Akerson Family Foundation?
The current application is for high school seniors graduating in spring 2027 from Alexandria City, Arlington, District of Columbia, Fairfax County, Falls Church City, or Prince William County public schools. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Akerson Family Foundation's EIN?
Akerson Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 54-1991343. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS July 24, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Akerson Family Foundation funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Akerson Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
The Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports charitable and educational nonprofits in communities where Enterprise Mobility operates, focusing on health, education, arts, and disaster relief; applicants must be actively supported by an Enterprise Mobility team member, spouse, or domestic partner. Giving varies widely: it reported 9,499 grants in 2024, but its 2025 filing showed one grant of $101.4 million, so that amount is not a typical award. Applications are accepted at any time through eligible Enterprise-affiliated applicants; the Foundation does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$594.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$101.4M
Tulsa Community Foundation
Tulsa, OK
Tulsa Community Foundation supports charitable causes through donor-advised grants and selected funds, including scholarships, emergency assistance, disaster relief, arts and humanities, healthcare, and financial literacy, primarily in the Tulsa metro area and eastern Oklahoma, with some giving elsewhere in the United States. Its 2024 median grant was $18,560; selected field-of-interest funds have application cycles, but the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests generally.
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
1,066
Total Given
$158.6M
Greater Washington Community Foundation
Washington, DC
The Greater Washington Community Foundation supports nonprofits working across areas such as economic opportunity, education, health, arts, and human services, with an emphasis on equity and economic justice. Its 2025 grants had a median of $20,000, and it generally funds organizations serving DC, Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, and specified Northern Virginia communities; it offers scheduled open competitive grant rounds as well as invite-only opportunities.
Assets
$518.3M
Grants
1,417
Total Given
$116.9M
John & Ardell Brumit Educational Trust
Buffalo, NY
Assets
$1.0M
Grants
3
Total Given
$54K
RSM US Foundation
Davenport, IA
The RSM US Foundation funds youth education and programs addressing hunger, housing, and health challenges, along with related scholarships, disaster relief, and employee-volunteer grants. Its 2024 grants ranged from $5,255 to $257,835, with a median of $21,534, and were distributed across the United States, with some Power of Love support reaching other countries. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$17.5M
Grants
165
Total Given
$5.5M
The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia Inc
McLean, VA
The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia funds nonprofits and schools working in areas such as education, youth development, disability services, mental health, the arts, and the environment. Its 2025 grants had a median award of $15,000, and it serves Northern Virginia, including Fairfax, Loudoun, Arlington, and Prince William counties and nearby cities. Applications are submitted through its portal, but the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$118.7M
Grants
218
Total Given
$7.1M
More similar funders
More Funders in Virginia
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Akerson Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 18, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/akerson-family-foundation-morg_2701f6c6c6cc48abb5d98f076796e68f
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_541991343_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Akerson Family Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/akerson-family-foundation-morg_2701f6c6c6cc48abb5d98f076796e68f},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-18. 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 Akerson Family 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.
Akerson Family Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?