Akerson Family Foundation logo

Akerson Family Foundation

Foundation · Grantmaker McLean, VA EIN: 54-1991343 Website

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.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.

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.

Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with Akerson Family Foundation?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

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

10states

Share of all 76 itemized 2025 grant dollars.

Cities

PhiladelphiaBlacksburgCharlottesvilleWashingtonRichmondHarrisonburgCollege ParkFairfaxArlingtonAshburnChicagoFredericksburgSweet BriarWest Long BranchAnnandaleBaltimoreClevelandFarifaxHamptonNashville

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$250K$500K$750K$1M7 grants202012 grants202120 grants202231 grants202350 grants202476 grants2025

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2025

Capital Area Food Bank: $150KCapital Area Food Bank$150KSarah Sedek Co University of Virgin: $45KSarah Sedek Co University ofVirgin$45KAlexandra Caraus Co Virginia Tech U: $15KAlexandra Caraus Co VirginiaTech U$15KJustin Garcia Co Virginia Tech Univ: $14KJustin Garcia Co Virginia TechUniv$14KAnila Ziai Co George Mason Universi: $13KAnila Ziai Co George MasonUniversi$13KAbenezer Gelashe Co Virginia Tech U: $13KAbenezer Gelashe Co VirginiaTech U$13KAbigail Chaffin Co Virginia Tech Un: $13KAbigail Chaffin Co VirginiaTech Un$13KAmeerah Byfield Co George Mason Uni: $13KAmeerah Byfield Co GeorgeMason Uni$13KDavina Gyamfi Co University of Virg: $13KDavina Gyamfi Co University ofVirg$13KDylan Caia Plummer Co University of: $13KDylan Caia Plummer CoUniversity of$13K

Grant Size Distribution

189 grants across all recorded years

184<$50K$50–100K4$100–250K1$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
CAPITAL AREA FOOD BANK Washington, DCTO SUPPORT THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION$150,000
SARAH SEDEK CO UNIVERSITY OF VIRGIN Charlottesville, VASCHOLARSHIP$44,676
ALEXANDRA CARAUS CO VIRGINIA TECH U Blacksburg, VASCHOLARSHIP$15,000
JUSTIN GARCIA CO VIRGINIA TECH UNIV Blacksburg, VASCHOLARSHIP$14,095
ANILA ZIAI CO GEORGE MASON UNIVERSI Philadelphia, PASCHOLARSHIP$12,555
ABENEZER GELASHE CO VIRGINIA TECH U Blacksburg, VASCHOLARSHIP$12,500
ABIGAIL CHAFFIN CO VIRGINIA TECH UN Blacksburg, VASCHOLARSHIP$12,500
AMEERAH BYFIELD CO GEORGE MASON UNI Philadelphia, PASCHOLARSHIP$12,500
DAVINA GYAMFI CO UNIVERSITY OF VIRG Charlottesville, VASCHOLARSHIP$12,500
DYLAN CAIA PLUMMER CO UNIVERSITY OF Fredericksburg, VASCHOLARSHIP$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
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$2.5M$5M$7.5M$10M202020212022202320242025
Metric202520242023
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

  1. Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS July 24, 2026)
  2. 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

Gretchen E Akerson — VP/Exec Dir: $72KGretchen E AkersonVP/Exec Dir$72KElizabeth C Akerson — Dir/Treas: $30KElizabeth C AkersonDir/Treas$30K

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.

Your AI grants department

Here's the math on researching Akerson Family Foundation by hand.

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 education, environmental stewardship, disaster relief, hunger relief, health, arts, and community needs, with emphasis on organizations connected to Enterprise employees, their families, or established customers. It gives across communities where Enterprise operates; its 2024 median grant was $3,000, though grants ranged widely. Applications are accepted at any time, but the profile does not say whether unsolicited requests are accepted.

Assets

$594.3M

Grants

1

Total Given

$101.4M

Tulsa Community Foundation

Tulsa, OK

Tulsa Community Foundation supports a broad range of charitable needs, including arts and humanities, healthcare, education, scholarships, emergency assistance, and endowments. Its 2024 grants had a median of $18,560 and primarily benefited the Tulsa area and eastern Oklahoma, with grants also reaching elsewhere in the U.S.; it administers application cycles for selected funds.

Assets

$1.1B

Grants

1,066

Total Given

$158.6M

Greater Washington Community Foundation

Washington, DC

The Greater Washington Community Foundation supports nonprofits and community initiatives across areas including education, health, human services, arts, economic development, and workforce development, with a focus on equity and economic justice. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,000 to $9.1 million, with a median of $20,000; it centers its work on DC, Montgomery and Prince George’s counties, and Northern Virginia. It accepts applications through scheduled competitive grant rounds and some solicited, invite-only opportunities; donor-recommended grants are not open to applicants.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$518.3M

Grants

1,417

Total Given

$116.9M

John & Ardell Brumit Educational Trust

Buffalo, NY

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

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

McLean, VA

The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia funds programs in areas including education, youth development, mental health, human services, the arts, and the environment, primarily serving Northern Virginia communities. Its 2025 grants had a median of $15,000, though awards varied widely; organizations can apply through grant cycles, with eligibility varying by program.

Assets

$118.7M

Grants

218

Total Given

$7.1M

Greater Augusta Regional Chamber of

Fishersville, VA

Assets

$25K

Grants

9

Total Given

$17K

Share Our Strength

Washington, DC

Share Our Strength funds child nutrition and hunger-reduction efforts, including school meals, summer meals, benefits access, and family economic mobility, primarily across the United States, with some work in India. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,200 to $739,871, with a median of $20,000. The available information does not say whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Assets

$74.5M

Grants

302

Total Given

$14.4M

Jack Kent Cooke Foundation

Lansdowne, VA

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation funds scholarships and academic support for exceptionally promising students with financial need, as well as organizations serving them. In 2025, grants ranged from $6 to $515,000, with a median of $7,702; 86% of grant dollars went to Virginia, with smaller amounts reported in several other states. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$940.1M

Grants

1,419

Total Given

$25.1M

The Northrop Grumman Foundation

Falls Church, VA

The Northrop Grumman Foundation funds STEM education and workforce development, as well as national disaster response, supporting 501(c)(3) organizations across the United States. Its 2024 grants ranged from $50 to $1 million, with a median of $500; it makes charitable grants by invitation only and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets

$20.1M

Grants

1,284

Total Given

$12.4M

Donors Trust Inc

Alexandria, VA

Donors Trust supports charities and programs in social welfare, health, the environment, economics, governance, foreign relations, and arts and culture, with a strong emphasis on conservative and libertarian policy and education groups. Its 2024 grants had a median of $50,000, though awards ranged from $5,038 to $35 million, and recipients were concentrated in Washington, D.C., Virginia, New York, Texas, and California. It does not accept unsolicited requests; donor-advisors recommend grants through their accounts.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$1.4B

Grants

919

Total Given

$282.1M

Verizon Foundation

Basking Ridge, NJ

The Verizon Foundation funds digital inclusion, climate protection, human prosperity, K–12 literacy and STEM, and domestic violence education and prevention, with an emphasis on underserved and diverse communities. It gives nationally, with priority in California, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, and Virginia, and also supports work in India and Israel; 2024 grants ranged from $25 to $1 million, with a $500 median. It does not accept unsolicited requests; applications are by invitation only.

Assets

$23.8M

Grants

5,464

Total Given

$7.0M

More Funders in Virginia

Akerson Family Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?