American Psychological Foundation
The American Psychological Foundation (APF) is a public charity based in Washington, DC. It supports innovative psychological research and applications intended to advance psychological knowledge and promote people’s wellbeing.
American Psychological Foundation at a glance
In short: American Psychological Foundation gave $1.6M across 50 grants in 2025 (avg $31K), top state Massachusetts. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,573,003
- +47.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 50
- +31.6% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $31,460
- +12.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Total assets
- $33,757,862
- -0.3% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (20% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated November 2026.
How to apply to American Psychological Foundation
- Contact
Mailing address: 750 First Street Ne, Washington, DC 20002
Phone: (202) 336-5843
Website: https://ampsychfdn.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
70 open opportunities from American Psychological Foundation
Alice F. Chang Cancer Wellness Grant: Graduate Student
American Psychological Foundation
Amount
Up to US $16,500
Deadline
Deadline not published
Alma Empowering Minds Scholarship & Mentorship Program
American Psychological Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
APA Congressional Fellowship Grant
American Psychological Foundation
Amount
US $75,000 - US $90,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who American Psychological Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was American Psychological Assn ($301K across 3 grants). Together the top 10 received $968K.
Organizations only. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($29,400), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
93 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 81 grants of 93 (87%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 filing shows grants to recipients in multiple states. The largest shares of grant dollars by recipient state were DC (37%), California (10%), Georgia (6%), Illinois (5%), and New York (4%). These figures describe the locations of recipients, not a stated geographic restriction on APF funding. APF’s FAQ says it welcomes applicants from diverse geographic backgrounds.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 50 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How American Psychological Foundation gives
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $60K (2020) to $1.6M (2025). In 2025 it made 50 grants totaling $1.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Mental Health Leadership Initiative DBA Kennedy Forum Foxborough, MA | Sponsorship | $275,000 |
| American Psychological Assn Washington, DC | Fellowship | $108,293 |
| American Psychological Assn Washington, DC | Fellowship | $106,493 |
| American Psychological Assn Washington, DC | Research Grant | $86,588 |
| Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD | Research Grant | $74,878 |
| Hofstra University Hempstead, NY | Research Grant | $60,000 |
| Sam & Devorah Foundation for Transgender Youth Chatham, NJ | Research Grant | $59,994 |
| University of Maryland College Park, MD | Research Grant | $45,000 |
| Northwestern University Evanston, IL | Research Grant | $40,000 |
| University of Washington Seattle, WA | Research Grant | $34,000 |
Ready to take the next step with American Psychological Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
APF’s website says the foundation was founded in 1953, while its 2024 filing lists 1952 as the year formed.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $33,757,862 | $3,489,706 | $5,148,731 | $1,573,003 | 50 | $1,928,679 |
| 2024 | $33,852,266 | $9,229,119 | $3,957,181 | $1,065,719 | 38 | $3,646,009 |
| 2023 | $29,776,865 | $7,708,422 | $2,849,264 | $168,371 | 1 | $553,839 |
| 2022 | $21,867,610 | $4,040,095 | $2,372,061 | $125,182 | 2 | $1,114,442 |
| 2021 | $25,860,627 | $7,353,491 | $2,057,963 | $65,150 | 2 | $3,357,806 |
| 2020 | $21,241,755 | $1,162,912 | $1,849,692 | $60,492 | 2 | $439,423 |
| 2019 | $20,293,815 | $1,378,258 | $2,647,818 | $430,921 | 23 | $136,702 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
APF’s website states that its mission is to leverage philanthropy to advance psychological knowledge by investing in innovative research and applications that prioritize people and their wellbeing. Its vision is a world where people are healthy, happy, and living with dignity.
The foundation’s 2024 filing describes funding for research and academic work, implementation science, achievement awards, travel scholarships, and non-research projects. It says APF is committed to programs serving marginalized communities, preventing violence, ending prejudice and stigma, and addressing mind-body-health connections. The filing also says APF provided funding to 237 students, psychologists, and organizations.
Examples of supported organizations include the American Psychological Association, whose stated mission is to advance, communicate, and apply psychological science and knowledge to benefit society and improve lives; the University of Denver, which describes its mission as promoting learning, scholarly inquiry, critical and creative thought, and knowledge; and Rhode Island Hospital, whose mission is delivering health with care.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, APF reported 38 grants totaling $1,065,719. Grant amounts ranged from $5,906 to $224,890, with a median of $20,000. Among the largest awards were $224,890 to the American Psychological Association for a research and fellowship grant, $128,875 to APF Access LLC for a research grant, and $34,000 to Palo Alto University for a research grant. Other listed awards included $30,545 to the Coalition for the Common Good, doing business as Antioch University, and $29,497 to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, both for research grants. Its 2025 filing, the latest on this page, reports 50 grants totaling $1.6 million.
APF’s funding website provides a Program Match Tool listing programs by application deadline, with filters for eligibility, topic, sponsor, and program type. The FAQ says APF supports original, innovative research and projects, and may also fund derivative projects that are part of larger studies. Institutional indirect, administrative, overhead costs, and fees are not allowed; if an institution accepts funds on an applicant’s behalf, it must follow the approved budget and affirm in writing that it will waive those costs.
The supplied program information includes awards for early-career psychologists and dissertation research by Native psychology students. The program records were last updated in 2025; no application deadline is provided here.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The officers and directors listed on APF’s 2024 filing are Melba Vasquez, president; Katherine Nordal, vice president; Linda Forrest, treasurer; and W Bruce Walsh, secretary. The filing also lists J Gayle Beck, Dorothy Cantor, Douglas C Haldeman, Anthony Jackson, Antonio E Puente, and Derek Phillips as board members.
American Psychological Foundation is led by Michelle Quist Ryder, CEO since 2022 (on filings since 2021); 1 of 16 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Michelle Quist Ryder
CEO
Program Director → CEO, 2022
On filings since 2021
37.5 hrs/week
$120K (2021) → $278K (2025)
Melba Jt Vasquez PhD
President
Vice President → President, 2023
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Anthony W. Jackson PhD
Board Member
Trustee → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Antonio E. Puente
Board Member
Trustee → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Douglas C. Haldeman
Board Member
Trustee → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
J. Gayle Beck
Board Member
Trustee → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Katherine C. Nordal PhD
Vice President
Trustee → Vice President, 2023
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Linda Forrest
Treasurer
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
W. Bruce Walsh
Secretary
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Derek Phillips
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dorothy Cantor
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Angelo Dibello
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Elena Grigorenko
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Leigh Miles Jackson
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lindsey Buckman
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sandra Shullman
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (10)
- Former: Aurelio Prifitera (2019–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Connie S. Chan PhD (2019–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Camilla P. Benbow EdD (2019–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Dorothy W. Cantor Psyd (2019–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Terence Keane PhD (2019–2023) — President
- Former: Miriam Isserow (2019–2022) — CEO
- Former: Michelle Besse-Laino (2022) — Trustee
- Former: Archie L. Turner (2019–2020) — Trustee
- Former: Arthur C. Evans Jr. PhD (2019–2020) — Trustee
- Former: Ashwanda Fleming (2019–2020) — Chief Executive Officer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 $278K, to Michelle Ryder (CEO).
Frequently asked questions about American Psychological Foundation
How much does American Psychological Foundation give each year?
American Psychological Foundation gave $1.6M across 50 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $1.1M across 38 grants.
What is American Psychological Foundation's typical grant size?
American Psychological Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $20,000, and its average grant was $31,460, across 50 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does American Psychological Foundation give grants?
American Psychological Foundation's top state is Massachusetts, with 20% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were District of Columbia (20%) and Maryland (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (4 grants), Dallas, TX (3 grants) and New Haven, CT (2 grants).
Does American Psychological Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 50 grants with a stated purpose on American Psychological Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Research Grant" (32 grants), "Scholarship" (7 grants) and "Fellowship" (5 grants).
Who are American Psychological Foundation's largest grantees?
American Psychological Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include American Psychological Assn ($301,374 across 3 grants), Mental Health Leadership Initiative DBA Kennedy Forum ($275,000) and Johns Hopkins University ($74,878), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($29,400), which are not listed by name. Together they received 41% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is American Psychological Foundation?
American Psychological Foundation reported $33.8M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $3.5M.
What does American Psychological Foundation fund?
APF’s website states that its mission is to leverage philanthropy to advance psychological knowledge by investing in innovative research and applications that prioritize people and their wellbeing. Its vision is a world where people are healthy, happy, and living with dignity. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from American Psychological Foundation?
American Psychological Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check ampsychfdn.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is American Psychological Foundation's EIN?
American Psychological Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 52-6051733. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated November 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS September 1, 2026)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS July 14, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS August 16, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 11, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 17, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS July 30, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 10, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Other open foundation grants in District of Columbia
District of Columbia Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in American Psychological Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Yale University
New Haven, CT
Yale University funds sponsored research, education and institutional programs, student aid, and charitable or community support, with 2025 grants ranging from $3,000 to $14.3 million and a median of about $136,000. Grants went to recipients in multiple states, with the largest shares in Connecticut, California, Massachusetts, New York, and Pennsylvania. The information does not state whether Yale accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$58.9B
Grants
364
Total Given
$168.2M
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD
Johns Hopkins University funds a broad range of education, research, health, and community-related work, with 2025 grants ranging from $5,500 to nearly $95 million and a median of $100,000; many of the largest awards were sub-awards. Its grants went to organizations across the U.S., with the largest shares in California and Maryland, and the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$25.3B
Grants
813
Total Given
$594.1M
American Heart Association Inc
Dallas, TX
The American Heart Association funds basic, clinical, behavioral, translational and population research on cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and brain health, along with research training and education programs. In 2025 it awarded 833 grants totaling about $198 million; amounts ranged from $5,000 to nearly $9.93 million, with a median of $20,000. Research awards are for eligible U.S.-based nonprofit institutions, and the profile describes a formal proposal process but does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$2.0B
Grants
833
Total Given
$198.2M
The Simons Foundation Inc
New York, NY
The Simons Foundation funds research and public engagement in mathematics and the physical, life, autism, and neuroscience sciences. In 2024, it made 1,727 grants, with a median award of $72,000 and amounts ranging from $1,480 to $20 million, supporting organizations in the U.S. and internationally. It states that it funds only preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$4.5B
Grants
1,727
Total Given
$272.0M
Emory University
Atlanta, GA
Emory University primarily funds research and subcontract work for universities, hospitals, research organizations, and other organizations, across a range of academic and health-related fields. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,500 to $19.1 million, with a median of about $97,000; 41% of grant dollars went to Georgia recipients. The profile does not state whether Emory accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$24.9B
Grants
362
Total Given
$183.7M
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
More similar funders
More Funders in District of Columbia
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). American Psychological Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/american-psychological-foundation-morg_8af1bfde482f4c289673e5f8823ad3d7
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_526051733_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{American Psychological Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/american-psychological-foundation-morg_8af1bfde482f4c289673e5f8823ad3d7},
note = {Accessed 2026-11-06. 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 American Psychological 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.
American Psychological Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?