Eugene & Agnes E Meyer Foundation
The Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) foundation established in 1944 and based in Washington, DC. The Foundation was created by Agnes E. Meyer, an author, investigative journalist, and civil rights advocate, and her husband Eugene Meyer, a prominent business leader, public servant, and publisher of The Washington Post. In 1950, the Meyers appointed an independent five-member board of business and civic leaders to establish the Foundation as an independent, private philanthropic institution. For 80 years, the Meyer Foundation has evolved to support solutions addressing pressing issues facing communities in the Greater Washington region.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$230.7M
+2.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$13.6M
+23.1% YoY
Grant Count
274
+54.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$49K
-20.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Eugene & Agnes E Meyer Foundation reported a distributable amount of $11.1M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: The Meyer Foundation pursues and invests in solutions that build an equitable Greater Washington community in which economically disadvantaged people thrive.
Vision: A just, connected, and inclusive Greater Washington community in which systemic racism and its consequences no longer exist.
The Foundation's work is rooted in answering the call of founder Agnes E. Meyer for systemic change to achieve racial justice. The Foundation supports organizations and projects that build the power of Greater Washington communities to reimagine, recreate, and reform systems in the pursuit of racial equity and justice.
Primary grantmaking focuses on:
- Education
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
- Human Services
Grantmaking
The Foundation made 274 grants in its most recent filing period. Recent grants include:
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily on the Greater Washington region, including:
- District of Columbia
- Maryland
- Virginia
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year 2023:
- Total Assets: $224.8–$230.7 million
- Total Revenues: $6.5 million
- Total Expenses: $17.4 million
- Total Giving: $13.5 million
Tax Status: Tax-exempt since March 1946 EIN: 53-0241716
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $230,700,683 | $224,816,964 | $210,722,273 |
| Revenue | $21,806,456 | $6,548,862 | $463,421 |
| Expenses | $19,861,773 | $17,405,759 | $20,256,174 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $19,253,032 | $16,800,135 | $15,758,615 |
| Net Investment Income | $29,336,214 | $16,496,014 | — |
| Distributable Amount | $11,073,294 | $10,781,613 | $11,464,119 |
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 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Eugene & Agnes E Meyer Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include African Communities Together ($300,000), Black Swan Academy ($250,000), Black Church Food Security Network ($175,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 4DASOIL COLLECTIVE PHILADELPHIA, PA | TO SUPPORT REST AND WELLNESS FOR BLACK DIRT FARM COLLECTIVE | $4,500 |
| 4DASOIL COLLECTIVE PHILADELPHIA, PA | TO SUPPORT THE BLACK DIRT FARM COLLECTIVE'S PROGRAMMING IN PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY | $50,000 |
| ACT FOR ALEXANDRIA ALEXANDRIA, VA | TO SUPPORT RACIAL EQUITY PROGRAMS | $75,000 |
| ACTION IN MONTGOMERY TAKOMA PARK, MD | TO SUPPORT COLLABORATION ACROSS ACTION IN MONTGOMERY, ANNE ARUNDEL CONNECTING TOGETHER, AND PEOPLE ACTING TOGETHER IN HOWARD TO IMPROVE ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY AND GRASSROOTS POLITICAL POWER | $35,000 |
| ACTION IN MONTGOMERY TAKOMA PARK, MD | TO SUPPORT GENERAL OPERATIONS | $50,000 |
| ADVOCATES FOR JUSTICE & EDUCATION WASHINGTON, DC | TO SUPPORT REST AND WELLNESS | $10,000 |
| ADVOCATES FOR JUSTICE & EDUCATION WASHINGTON, DC | TO SUPPORT NEW TECHNOLOGY AND STAFF WELLNESS (FBLC CAPACITY BUILDING GRANT) | $18,000 |
| ADVOCATES FOR JUSTICE & EDUCATION WASHINGTON, DC | TO SUPPORT GENERAL OPERATIONS OVER FOUR YEARS | $125,000 |
| AFRICAN COMMUNITIES TOGETHER WASHINGTON, DC | TO SUPPORT REST AND WELLNESS FOR ACT'S STAFF IN GREATER WASHINGTON REGIONAL CHAPTER | $10,000 |
| AFRICAN COMMUNITIES TOGETHER WASHINGTON, DC | TO SUPPORT TRAVEL AND EXPENSES FOR ACT'S FIRST NATIONAL GATHERING AND OTHER LOCAL MEETINGS (FBLC CAPACITY BUILDING GRANT) | $35,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board of Directors:
- Tram Nguyen, Chair and Director
- Winell Belfonte, Vice Chair and Director
- Karen Wawrzaszek, Secretary, Director
- Ryan Young, Treasurer, Director
- Jeffrey Capizzano, Director
- Charlene M Dukes, Director
- George Jones, Director
Staff: The Foundation employs 14 staff members and is likely staffed with dedicated paid personnel.
Advisory Council: The Foundation maintains an Advisory Council comprising former board members and leaders who provide historical context and support to the Foundation's current staff and leadership.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| TRAM NGUYEN | CHAIR AND DIRECTOR | 5 | — |
| WINELL BELFONTE | VICE CHAIR AND DIRECTOR | 5 | — |
| KAREN WAWRZASZEK | SECRETARY, DIRECTOR | 5 | — |
| RYAN YOUNG | TREASURER, DIRECTOR | 5 | — |
| JEFFREY CAPIZZANO | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CHARLENE M DUKES | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| GEORGE JONES | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| FAITH P LEACH | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| LAYLI MILLER-MURO | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| HAROLD PETTIGREW | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ANGIE REESE-HAWKINS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DIEGO URIBURU | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| LISA WOLL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| GEORGE L ASKEW MD | PRESIDENT AND CEO THROUGH 9/27/24 | 40 | $272,087 |
| JANICE THOMAS | INTERIM PRESIDENT AND CEO | 40 | $297,610 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Foundation maintains active grantmaking operations with recent grant activity documented in its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF filing. The Foundation operates a public grants database and provides resources for potential grantees, including a "How to Apply" section and grantee FAQs on its website.
Announcing Our Funding Goals, Strategies and Grantmaking Plans for 2024The Foundation partners with organizations on boards and advisory committees, including work with Heal Trafficking, Inc., Peak Grantmaking, and HealthySteps, providing both grantmaking support and technical assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Eugene & Agnes E Meyer Foundation fund?
**Mission:** The Meyer Foundation pursues and invests in solutions that build an equitable Greater Washington community in which economically disadvantaged people thrive. **Vision:** A just, connected, and inclusive Greater Washington community in which systemic racism and its consequences no longer exist. The Foundation's work is rooted in answering the call of founder Agnes E. Meyer for systemic change to achieve racial justice. The Foundation supports organizations and projects that build th…
How do I apply for a grant from Eugene & Agnes E Meyer Foundation?
**Grant Amounts:** • Typical awards range from $385–$500,000 • Median grant amount: $35,000 • Range: $500–$375,000 **Recent Grant Activity:** The Foundation made 274 grants in its most recent filing period. Recent grants include: • UpTogether: $333,300 to support the Moco Boost Guaranteed Minimum Income Pilot in Montgomery County over three years • Greater Washington Community Foundation: $275,000 to support a Donor Advised Fund for a Guaranteed Basic Income Pilot in Prince George's County • Dr…
Where does Eugene & Agnes E Meyer Foundation make grants?
The Foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily on the Greater Washington region, including: • District of Columbia • Maryland • Virginia
What size grants does Eugene & Agnes E Meyer Foundation award?
In 2024, Eugene & Agnes E Meyer Foundation awarded 274 grants totaling $13.6M — an average of about $49K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Eugene & Agnes E Meyer Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Eugene & Agnes E Meyer Foundation reported a distributable amount of $11.1M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Eugene & Agnes E Meyer Foundation's EIN?
Eugene & Agnes E Meyer Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 53-0241716. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Eugene & Agnes E Meyer Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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