George Family Foundation
George Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It supports programs and organizations connected to its mission of fostering wholeness in mind, body, spirit, and community by developing authentic leaders and supporting transformative programs serving the common good.
George Family Foundation at a glance
In short: George Family Foundation gave $5.0M across 166 grants in 2024 (avg $30K), mostly in Minnesota. 23% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $5,017,464
- +7.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 166
- -4.6% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $30,226
- +12.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Total assets
- $51,168,888
- +5.9% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 23% first-time grantees (37 of 158, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Minnesota (55% 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 George Family Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Its website invites first-time prospective grantees to submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI); current or renewing grantee-partners are directed to contact program staff. LOIs are limited to 501(c)(3) organizations working in Minnesota, Dallas, the Northern San Francisco Bay Area/Marin County, or the Vail Valley. The foundation does not consider requests for capital improvements, endowments, or medical or scientific research. It primarily supports organizations with annual budgets exceeding $1 million, rarely funds new endeavors, pilots, or a program’s first year, and usually funds only a small percentage of a budget. Grantmaking decisions are made twice a year, in June and December.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1818 Oliver Avenue South 2, Minneapolis, MN 55405
Phone: (612) 377-3356
Website: https://georgefamilyfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
5 open opportunities from George Family Foundation
George Family Foundation: Authentic Leadership Grants
George Family Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
George Family Foundation: Environment Program Grant
George Family Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
George Family Foundation: Spirituality & Inner Life Grants
George Family Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who George Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was YMCA of the North ($1.0M). Together the top 10 received $2.4M.
Grant Size Distribution
800 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 713 grants of 800 (89%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s LOI criteria identify Minnesota, Dallas, the Northern San Francisco Bay Area/Marin County, and the Vail Valley as eligible areas. In 2024, 55% of grant dollars went to recipients in Minnesota, 9% to California, 9% to North Carolina, 6% to Washington, DC, and 4% to Texas.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 166 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is George Family Foundation open to new grantees?
23%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 37 of 158 grantees (23%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $20K; repeat grants $35K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $20K repeat.
- 72% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 26% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 164% 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 $4.0M (2021) to $5.2M (2020). In 2024 it made 166 grants totaling $5.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| YMCA of the North Minneapolis, MN | George wellbeing initiative, supplemental true north leadership program at 1440 and im4us conference | $1,038,245 |
| Duke University Durham, NC | Duke True North Leadership Program | $300,000 |
| 1440 Multiversity Scotts Valley, CA | True North Leadership Program | $200,000 |
| President and Fellows of Havard College Cambridge, MA | George Leadership Fellows Program & George Fellows Dinner | $163,846 |
| National Parks Conservation Association Washington, DC | Protecting & connecting wildlife & communities in the greater yellowstone to building ecosystem resilience to climate change and core mission support | $110,000 |
| Duke University Durham, NC | The Penny Pilgram George Women's Leadership Initiative (PPGWLI) | $100,000 |
| Guthrie Theater Minneapolis, MN | Guthrie Theater Illuminate Campaign - Artistic Innovation Fund | $100,000 |
| Interfaith America Chicago, IL | Core Mission Support | $75,000 |
| Planned Parenthood North Central States Saint Paul, MN | Peer education and community assessment: empowering a vital generation | $75,000 |
| Walking Mountains Science Center Avon, CO | Sweetwater capacity and program planning, a taste on nature and core mission | $70,000 |
Ready to take the next step with George Family Foundation?
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 | $51,168,888 | $9,371,491 | $6,533,936 | $5,017,464 | 166 | $6,231,754 | $5,012,398 | $3,804,515 |
| 2023 | $48,296,355 | $9,280,574 | $5,974,532 | $4,684,432 | 174 | $5,694,667 | $5,341,523 | $3,273,937 |
| 2022 | $45,444,420 | $3,383,826 | $5,883,824 | $4,713,627 | 160 | $5,660,871 | $2,299,449 | $3,408,377 |
| 2021 | $47,900,942 | $9,847,894 | $5,226,789 | $3,994,075 | 143 | $4,988,915 | $2,312,304 | $3,388,343 |
| 2020 | $43,189,467 | $4,896,012 | $6,143,447 | $5,179,966 | 157 | — | $4,337,592 | $2,823,303 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, George Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.8M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to foster wholeness in mind, body, spirit, and community by developing authentic leaders and supporting transformative programs serving the common good. Its guiding philosophy is to invest in people, programs, and initiatives that further that mission and help build communities.
The foundation’s focus areas include whole-person health and wellbeing; authentic leadership; community; spirituality and inner life; environment; youth development; and the Next Generation Fund. Its website describes the Next Generation Fund as a distinct fund that seeks to help young people explore their potential through creativity, skills, self-awareness, and resilience.
Examples of supported organizations illustrate the range of its giving. National Parks Conservation Association, which received $110,000 in 2024, describes its mission as protecting America’s national parks for present and future generations. Interfaith America, a $75,000 recipient, says it activates leaders to advance pluralistic values. Planned Parenthood North Central States, also a $75,000 recipient, describes its mission as supporting access to high-quality, affordable reproductive health care. The Cultural Wellness Center, which received $47,700, says its mission is to unleash people’s power to heal themselves and build community.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 166 grants totaling $5,017,464. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $1,038,245, with a median of $20,000. For comparison, it reported 174 grants totaling $4,684,432 in 2023 and 160 grants totaling $4,713,627 in 2022.
The largest 2024 grant was $1,038,245 to YMCA of the North for the George Wellbeing Initiative, a supplemental True North Leadership Program at 1440, and the IM4US conference. Other notable grants included $300,000 to Duke University for its True North Leadership Program; $200,000 to 1440 Multiversity for the True North Leadership Program; and $163,846 to President and Fellows of Harvard College for the George Leadership Fellows Program and George Fellows Dinner. Duke University also received $100,000 for the Penny Pilgram George Women’s Leadership Initiative. Other grants included $100,000 to Guthrie Theater for its Illuminate Campaign Artistic Innovation Fund and $56,441 to the University of St. Thomas for the Morrison Family College of Health George Family Whole-Person Health Initiative.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Ann P. George and William W. George as co-chairs, Jeffrey P. George as treasurer, Jonathan R. George as director, and Sean Malone as president. The foundation’s website also lists Stephen Manuszak as program officer, and Andrea Ricci and Robin Barker as grants and operations managers.
George Family Foundation is led by Sean Malone, President on every filing since 2021; 1 of 5 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Sean Malone
President
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$106K (2021) → $307K (2024)
Jonathan R. George
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ann P. George
Co-Chair
On filings since 2020
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeffrey P. George
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
William W. George
Co-Chair
On filings since 2020
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Gayle M. Ober (2020–2021) — President
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 $307K, to Sean Malone (President).
Frequently asked questions about George Family Foundation
How much does George Family Foundation give each year?
George Family Foundation gave $5.0M across 166 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $4.7M across 174 grants.
What is George Family Foundation's typical grant size?
George Family Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $20,000, and its average grant was $30,226, across 166 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from George Family Foundation that year got $20K on average.
Where does George Family Foundation give grants?
George Family Foundation gives mostly in Minnesota: 55% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were California (9%) and North Carolina (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were Minneapolis, MN (46 grants), Saint Paul, MN (24 grants), Dallas, TX (14 grants) and Washington, DC (9 grants).
Does George Family Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 1% of George Family Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 166) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Core Mission Support" (89 grants) and "Supplemental Grant for True North Leadership Program at 1440" (9 grants).
Who are George Family Foundation's largest grantees?
George Family Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include YMCA of the North ($1,038,245), Duke University ($423,100 across 3 grants) and 1440 Multiversity ($200,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 33% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is George Family Foundation?
George Family Foundation reported $51.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $6.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $3.8M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does George Family Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to foster wholeness in mind, body, spirit, and community by developing authentic leaders and supporting transformative programs serving the common good. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from George Family Foundation?
The foundation states that it 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 George Family Foundation's EIN?
George Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-1730855. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does George Family Foundation 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 September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 17, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 12, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 12, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 14, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in George Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). George Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/george-family-foundation-morg_aea36cdbf59748898ac438513d535938
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_411730855_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{George Family Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/george-family-foundation-morg_aea36cdbf59748898ac438513d535938},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. 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 George Family 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.
George Family Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?