Center for American Ideas
The Center for American Ideas (CFAI) is dedicated to the promotion of policy solutions that advance economic opportunities for American innovators and entrepreneurs. Our purpose is to identify and educate both elected officials and citizens about ideas that advance and enhance prosperity through personal empowerment and limited government.
Center for American Ideas at a glance
In short: Center for American Ideas gave $6.1M across 1 grant in 2024 (avg $6.1M), mostly in Virginia. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $6,051,000
- +1323.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 1
- -50.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $6,051,000
- +2747.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $6,051,000
- Total assets
- $133,482
- -88.1% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Virginia (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Center for American Ideas funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Gopac Education Fund ($6.1M).
Grant Size Distribution
8 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $250–500K range: 2 grants of 8 (25%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2024 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
Cities
How Center for American Ideas gives
- Giving grew 2205% from 2021 to 2024. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $263K (2021) to $6.1M (2024). In 2024 it made 1 grant totaling $6.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Gopac Education Fund Arlington, VA | To Further the Organization's Purpose | $6,051,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $133,482 | $5,382,385 | $6,373,340 | $6,051,000 | 1 |
| 2023 | $1,125,514 | $2,416,143 | $1,733,357 | $425,000 | 2 |
| 2022 | $431,471 | $7,332,043 | $7,353,185 | $3,564,500 | 3 |
| 2021 | $452,613 | $1,781,987 | $1,329,374 | $262,500 | 2 |
About Center for American Ideas
Based on IRS filings
Center for American Ideas is a public charity focused on public and societal benefit, based in McLean, VA. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $133K in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 1 grant totaling $6.1M.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Center for American Ideas is led by David Avella, Chairman on every filing since 2021; 1 of 5 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
David Avella
Chairman
On filings since 2021
10 hrs/week
$80K (2021) → $8K (2024)
Brian Conklin
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Peggy Grande
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Melodie Johnson
Director
Treasurer → Director, 2024
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Molly Vinesett
Chief of Staff
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (13)
- Former: Aj Griffin (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: David Spross (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Elizabeth Gianini (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Gerard Dehrmann (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Jessica Curtis (2021–2023) — Executive Director
- Former: Kirstjen Nielsen (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Lisa Hershman (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Marcia Kelly (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Marty Makary (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Wayne Covert (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Alexandra Stone (2022) — Deputy Director of Ops
- Former: Dana Hurtik (2022) — Director of Events Mgt
- Former: Jabo Covert (2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $8K, to David Avella (Chairman).
Frequently asked questions about Center for American Ideas
How much does Center for American Ideas give each year?
Center for American Ideas gave $6.1M across 1 grant in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $425K across 2 grants.
How large is Center for American Ideas?
Center for American Ideas reported $133K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $5.4M.
What is Center for American Ideas?
Center for American Ideas is a public charity focused on public and societal benefit, based in McLean, VA. It holds $133K in total assets as of 2024.
Where does Center for American Ideas operate?
Center for American Ideas has awarded grants in Colorado, Maryland, Virginia.
What is Center for American Ideas's EIN?
Center for American Ideas's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 86-3675838. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Center for American Ideas's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common
Gopac Education Fund Inc
Arlington, VA
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Common Sense Leadership Fund Inc
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Carolina Leadership Coalition Inc
Raleigh, NC
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Assets
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Protecting Americans Project
McLean, VA
The Protecting Americans Project was organized to promote conservative public policy solutions to keep criminals off our streets and create safe environments for business and job creators.
Assets
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Master Builders of Iowa
West Des Moines, IA
The primary objective of Master Builders of Iowa is to disseminate construction industry information for the benefit of its members and the construction industry, including but not limited to labor and safety information, news, construction project bid information and any other information that may affect the construction industry.
Assets
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Figures come from Center for American Ideas'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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