The Akerson Family Foundation- AGY is a private foundation based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Its stated mission is to increase access to higher education for first-generation college students, primarily through renewable college scholarships.
Key facts about Akerson Family Foundation
In short: Akerson Family Foundation gave $845K across 76 grants in 2025 (avg $11K), mostly in Virginia. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 54-1991343
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $844,710
- Grants made (2025)
- 76
- Average grant
- $11,115
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $15,140,763
- Primary geography
- Virginia (50% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- Submit the online scholarship application. Full details ↓
- Deadline
- March 2, 2026, for the 2025–26 application cycle.
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$15.1M
+28.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$845K
+65.0% YoY
Grant Count
76
+52.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$11K
+8.5% YoY
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.
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.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation seeks to increase access to higher education for first-generation college students. Its scholarship program is for students with academic achievement, financial need, and school or community engagement.
The foundation’s 2024 grants included scholarship awards to individuals. It also supported the Capital Area Food Bank, which describes its mission as helping neighbors thrive through more equitable access to food and opportunity, created through community partnerships.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 50 grants totaling $512,043. Grant amounts ranged from $171 to $150,000, with a median grant of $9,780. The largest grant was $150,000 to the Capital Area Food Bank in Washington, DC, for “GENERAL OPERATING /BUILD.” Other large awards included a $15,000 scholarship to Naomi Bezabeh Co in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and a $11,244 scholarship to Makayla Buster Co in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
Review Cycle
** March 2, 2026, for the 2025–26 application cycle.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, the largest shares of grant dollars went to recipients in Virginia (40%), the District of Columbia (35%), and Pennsylvania (17%). Maryland received 4% and Ohio 2%. The scholarship program is open to eligible seniors enrolled in public schools in Alexandria City, Arlington, Fairfax County, or Falls Church City, Virginia, or the District of Columbia.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 76 itemized 2025 grant dollars.
States
Cities
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 2025
Grant Size Distribution
189 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
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 |
| SARAH SEDEK CO UNIVERSITY OF VIRGIN Charlottesville, VA | SCHOLARSHIP | $44,676 |
| ALEXANDRA CARAUS CO VIRGINIA TECH U Blacksburg, VA | SCHOLARSHIP | $15,000 |
| JUSTIN GARCIA CO VIRGINIA TECH UNIV Blacksburg, VA | SCHOLARSHIP | $14,095 |
| 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 |
| DAVINA GYAMFI CO UNIVERSITY OF VIRG Charlottesville, VA | SCHOLARSHIP | $12,500 |
| DYLAN CAIA PLUMMER CO UNIVERSITY OF Fredericksburg, VA | SCHOLARSHIP | $12,500 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $11,825,573 | $3,677,071 | $709,328 | $512,043 |
| 2023 | $10,224,459 | $2,611,981 | $545,933 | $414,962 |
| 2022 | $9,000,059 | $994,527 | $563,271 | $395,735 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $15,140,763 | $11,825,573 | $10,224,459 |
| Revenue | $8,090,396 | $3,677,071 | $2,611,981 |
| Expenses | $1,061,797 | $709,328 | $545,933 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $974,978 | $640,666 | $525,268 |
| Net Investment Income | $2,049,266 | $1,617,875 | $1,076,660 |
| Distributable Amount | $898,502 | $591,655 | $463,196 |
Data update history
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
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 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
Contact
Application contact: Akerson Family Foundation
Mailing address: PO Box 934, Mclean, VA 22201
Phone: (202) 599-8170
Website: https://www.affscholars.org
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 (20 grants), Blacksburg, VA (16 grants), Charlottesville, VA (11 grants) and Richmond, 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), Sarah Sedek Co University of Virgin ($44,676) and Alexandra Caraus Co Virginia Tech U ($15,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 25% 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 seeks to increase access to higher education for first-generation college students. Its scholarship program is for students with academic achievement, financial need, and school or community engagement. The foundation’s 2024 grants included scholarship awards to individuals. It also supported the Capital Area Food Bank, which describes its mission as helping neighbors thrive through more equitable access to food and opportunity, created through community partnerships.
How do I apply for a grant from Akerson Family Foundation?
Submit the online scholarship application. 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 September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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