Gaf Foundation
GAF Foundation is a private foundation located in Scottsdale, Arizona, established in August 1988. It holds 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status and operates as a grantmaking organization supporting nonprofit initiatives across the United States.
Key facts about Gaf Foundation
- EIN
- 34-6881707
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $81,650
- Grants made (2024)
- 42
- Average grant
- $1,944
- Median grant
- $1,000
- Total assets
- $848
- Primary geography
- Ohio (34% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated June 2026.
Who Gaf Foundation funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Gaf Foundation's 42 itemized 2024 grants were Ohio (34%), District of Columbia (19%) and Michigan (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (13 grants), New York, NY (3 grants), Harbor Springs, MI (3 grants) and Petoskey, MI (2 grants). 98% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$848
-99.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$82K
+4.5% YoY
Grant Count
42
-37.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$2K
+66.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Gaf Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation focuses on funding initiatives in health, religion, and human services. Its grantmaking priorities include education, science education, STEM education, and disaster preparedness.
Grantmaking
GAF Foundation made 61 grants in 2024, with total giving of $81,650. Grant amounts typically range from $100 to $21,000.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation supports organizations across multiple states and regions, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas, among others. It has supported projects in major urban centers as well as smaller communities.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 42 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2024:
- Total Assets: $848
- Total Revenues: $10,817
- Total Expenses: $90,260
- Net Income: -$79,443
- Total Liabilities: $0
Revenue Breakdown (2024):
- Investment income and dividends: $1,447
- Net gain from sale of non-inventory assets: $9,370
Year-over-Year Changes (2023 to 2024):
- Investment income declined 62.5% from $3,858 to $1,447
- Total revenues increased significantly from -$150 to $10,817
The foundation operates with zero employees.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $848 | $81,583 | $163,477 |
| Revenue | $10,817 | $-150 | $15,303 |
| Expenses | $90,260 | $81,744 | $73,864 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $90,108 | $81,325 | $73,475 |
| Net Investment Income | $10,665 | $3,766 | $15,214 |
| Distributable Amount | $2,725 | $6,322 | $10,254 |
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
289 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Hathaway Brown School ($21,000), Hawken School ($7,000), Harbor Hall Foundation ($6,500).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| HATHAWAY BROWN SCHOOL SHAKER HTS, OH | GENERAL SUPPORT | $21,000 |
| HAWKEN SCHOOL GATES MILLS, OH | GENERAL SUPPORT | $7,000 |
| HARBOR HALL FOUNDATION PETOSKEY, MI | GENERAL SUPPORT | $6,500 |
| BAAS EDUCATIONAL TRUST UK | GENERAL SUPPORT | $3,000 |
| FURNISH HOPE DC BETHESDA, MD | GENERAL SUPPORT | $3,000 |
| FREEDOM READS HAMDEN, CT | GENERAL SUPPORT | $2,500 |
| THURMAN PERRY FOUNDATION COVINGTON, LA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $2,250 |
| CWB USA BLUE LAKE, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $2,000 |
| HERITAGE ACTION FOR AMERICA WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL SUPPORT | $2,000 |
| MERCY FOR ANIMALS LOS ANGELES, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $2,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Marc A. Files serves as an officer of the foundation, dedicating 5 hours to the foundation's activities without compensation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MARC A FILES | OFFICER | 5 | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Gaf Foundation fund?
The foundation focuses on funding initiatives in health, religion, and human services. Its grantmaking priorities include education, science education, STEM education, and disaster preparedness.
How do I apply for a grant from Gaf Foundation?
GAF Foundation made 61 grants in 2024, with total giving of $81,650. Grant amounts typically range from $100 to $21,000. Recent grant recipients include: • Hathaway Brown School: $21,000 (General Support) • Hawken School: $7,000 (General Support) • Harbor Hall Foundation: $6,500 (General Support) The foundation awards grants for general support purposes to eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations.
Where does Gaf Foundation make grants?
The foundation supports organizations across multiple states and regions, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas, among others. It has supported projects in major urban centers as well as smaller communities.
What size grants does Gaf Foundation award?
In 2024, Gaf Foundation awarded 42 grants totaling $82K — an average of about $2K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Gaf Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Gaf Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Gaf Foundation's EIN?
Gaf Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 34-6881707. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Gaf 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.