Diana Davis Spencer Foundation Inc
The Diana Davis Spencer Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Bethesda, Maryland. Its stated mission is to promote national security, entrepreneurship, self-reliance, and free enterprise, while enhancing quality of life through support for the arts, education, global understanding, health advancements, and environmental preservation.
Diana Davis Spencer Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Diana Davis Spencer Foundation Inc gave $79.9M across 138 grants in 2024 (avg $579K), top state Virginia. 19% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $79,892,000
- +12.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 138
- -11.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $578,928
- +26.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $187,500
- Total assets
- $1,346,829,486
- -0.0% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 19% first-time grantees (23 of 119, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Virginia (36% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Diana Davis Spencer Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Invitation Only
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Its website says grant applications are by invitation only; organizations seeking an invitation may provide contact information and a brief project description. General inquiries about grant applications are not accepted.
- Contact
Mailing address: 3 Bethesda Metro Center 118, Bethesda, MD 20814
Phone: (301) 961-4000
Website: https://www.ddsfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Diana Davis Spencer Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Donors Trust ($21.0M across 6 grants). Together the top 10 received $50.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
735 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 231 grants of 735 (31%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, recipients in Virginia received 36% of grant dollars, recipients in the District of Columbia received 21%, and recipients in Texas, Michigan, and Connecticut received 10%, 6%, and 5%, respectively.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 138 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Diana Davis Spencer Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
19%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 23 of 119 grantees (19%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $174K; repeat grants $791K. How we count
Medians: $50K first-time, $225K repeat.
- 62% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 43% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 129% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $55.7M (2021) to $82.5M (2022). In 2024 it made 138 grants totaling $79.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Donors Trust Alexandria, VA | Donor Advised Fund Contribution | $5,000,000 |
| Donors Trust Alexandria, VA | Donor Advised Fund Contribution | $5,000,000 |
| Donors Trust Alexandria, VA | Donor Advised Fund Contribution | $5,000,000 |
| Heritage Foundation Washington, DC | Education and Research | $5,000,000 |
| Hillsdale College Hillsdale, MI | Construction of the graduate school of classical education and endowment | $5,000,000 |
| Texas A&M University College Station, TX | Bush school of government and public service graduate program | $3,500,000 |
| Texas A&M University College Station, TX | Bush school of government and public service graduate program | $3,500,000 |
| Donors Trust Alexandria, VA | Donor Advised Fund Contribution | $3,000,000 |
| Independent Women's Forum Winchester, VA | The Winning Women Program | $2,500,000 |
| Donors Trust Alexandria, VA | Donor Advised Fund Contribution | $2,000,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1,346,829,486 | $38,994,993 | $79,205,253 | $79,892,000 | 138 | $83,253,636 | $48,319,726 | $64,695,976 |
| 2023 | $1,347,340,836 | $47,949,417 | $64,801,332 | $70,760,000 | 155 | $75,094,635 | $36,169,269 | $64,894,683 |
| 2022 | $1,356,251,879 | $63,415,278 | $141,986,742 | $82,523,000 | 138 | $86,923,742 | $87,251,859 | $69,474,641 |
| 2021 | $1,510,145,435 | $31,448,274 | $65,177,616 | $55,746,195 | 137 | $59,550,952 | $39,760,804 | $71,550,654 |
| 2020 | $1,476,466,713 | $43,316,651 | $124,327,522 | $64,845,000 | 167 | — | $28,690,697 | $85,634,153 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Diana Davis Spencer Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $64.7M for 2024 — 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 identifies founding values, education, entrepreneurship, public policy, and national security as areas of philanthropy. Its website says its public-policy work supports institutes and think tanks researching and advocating less intrusive laws and regulations, and its entrepreneurship work includes exposing students to entrepreneurship through education.
Its 2024 grants illustrate support for a range of organizations and purposes, including education and research, graduate education, women’s programs, health, and family and children’s programs. Among the grantees described in their own words, Donors Trust says it supports charities and programs addressing needs through education, research, and private initiatives, and encourages private philanthropy. The Independent Women’s Forum says it engages people in civic life and builds support for policies that empower individuals. The Federalist Society says it promotes principles concerning freedom, separation of powers, and the role of the judiciary. Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation describes its work as supporting people, families, and communities affected by substance use and mental health conditions.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 138 grants totaling $79,892,000. Grant amounts ranged from $5,000 to $5,000,000, with a median grant of $187,500.
Notable 2024 grants included three separate $5,000,000 grants to Donors Trust for donor-advised fund contributions; $5,000,000 to the Heritage Foundation for education and research; $5,000,000 to Hillsdale College for construction of the Graduate School of Classical Education and its endowment; and two separate $3,500,000 grants to Texas A&M University for the Bush School of Government and Public Service graduate program. Other large grants included $2,500,000 to the Independent Women’s Forum for its Winning Women program, $2,000,000 to Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation for family and children’s programs, and $2,000,000 to Mayo Clinic for integrated clinical practice, education, and research.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Diana Davis Spencer as executive chairman and Abby Spencer Moffat as CEO and president. It also lists Harrison Howard, Kimberly LaManna, and Spencer Moffat as trustees; Carole A. Featherstone as chief financial officer; Christopher Burn as chief investment officer; John Richardson and Richard Painter as audit and investment committee members; and Thomas Skilton as general counsel and secretary.
Diana Davis Spencer Foundation Inc is led by Abby Spencer Moffat, CEO & President on every filing since 2020; 8 of 10 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Abby Spencer Moffat
CEO & President
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$709K (2020) → $833K (2024)
Diana Davis Spencer
Executive Chairman
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$727K (2020) → $777K (2024)
Harrison Howard
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$30K (2020) → $30K (2024)
Kimberly F. Lamanna
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Spencer Moffat
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carole A. Featherstone
Chief Financial Officer
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$620K (2020) → $644K (2024)
Christopher Burn
Chief Investment Officer
Audit & Investment Committee Member → Chief Investment Officer, 2022
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$170K (2020) → $894K (2024)
John Richardson
Audit & Investment Committee Member
Audit Committee Member → Audit & Investment Committee Member, 2021
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
$50K (2020) → $75K (2024)
Richard Painter
Audit & Investment Committee Member
Audit Committee Member → Audit & Investment Committee Member, 2021
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
$50K (2020) → $100K (2024)
Thomas Skilton
General Counsel & Secretary
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$527K (2022) → $688K (2024)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "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 $894K, to Christopher Burn (Chief Investment Officer). 8 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Diana Davis Spencer Foundation Inc
How much does Diana Davis Spencer Foundation Inc give each year?
Diana Davis Spencer Foundation Inc gave $79.9M across 138 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $70.8M across 155 grants.
What is Diana Davis Spencer Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Diana Davis Spencer Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $187,500, and its average grant was $578,928, across 138 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Diana Davis Spencer Foundation Inc that year got $174K on average.
Where does Diana Davis Spencer Foundation Inc give grants?
Diana Davis Spencer Foundation Inc's top state is Virginia, with 36% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were District of Columbia (21%) and Texas (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (38 grants), Alexandria, VA (10 grants), Bar Harbor, ME (8 grants) and New Haven, CT (5 grants).
Does Diana Davis Spencer Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 20% of Diana Davis Spencer Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (28 of 138) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Donor Advised Fund Contribution" (7 grants), "Educational Programming" (3 grants) and "Education Programs" (3 grants).
Who are Diana Davis Spencer Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Diana Davis Spencer Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Donors Trust ($21,000,000 across 6 grants), Texas A&M University ($7,000,000 across 2 grants) and Heritage Foundation ($5,000,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 41% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Diana Davis Spencer Foundation Inc?
Diana Davis Spencer Foundation Inc reported $1.3B in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $83.3M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $64.7M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Diana Davis Spencer Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation identifies founding values, education, entrepreneurship, public policy, and national security as areas of philanthropy. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Diana Davis Spencer Foundation Inc?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Diana Davis Spencer Foundation Inc's EIN?
Diana Davis Spencer Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-3672969. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Diana Davis Spencer Foundation Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Maryland
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.
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Annie E Casey Foundation Inc
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The Annie E. Casey Foundation funds U.S. nonprofits and other partners working to improve outcomes for children and young people, including family strengthening, child welfare, education, employment, community development and juvenile justice. In 2024, grants ranged from $50 to $1,185,000, with a median of $40,000. Grants are by invitation only; it does not accept unsolicited requests.
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The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation funds direct services, programs, general operations, and capital projects in housing, health, jobs, education, and aging for low-income and vulnerable people. Its 2024 grants had a median of $50,000; its Small Grants Program offers up to $50,000 over two years, with funding focused on Baltimore, Hawaiʻi, Israel, and Northeastern Pennsylvania. It awards grants by invitation only and does not accept unsolicited requests.
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The Keith Campbell Foundation
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The Keith Campbell Foundation funds nonprofits working for equitable, livable communities, especially on watershed health, clean water, agriculture, and related community needs, with a focus on the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays and California’s San Francisco Bay watershed. Giving varies widely: 2024 grants ranged from $40 to $1.5 million, with a median of $5,000. It accepts unsolicited requests, with two application cycles per year.
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Diana Davis Spencer Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 18, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/diana-davis-spencer-foundation-inc-morg_41171bad8fe443679e8a71a7633a1847
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_203672969_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Diana Davis Spencer Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/diana-davis-spencer-foundation-inc-morg_41171bad8fe443679e8a71a7633a1847},
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 Diana Davis Spencer Foundation Inc'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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