George Mason University Foundation Inc
George Mason University Foundation Inc is a public charity based in Fairfax, Virginia. It is an independent 501(c)(3) organization that receives, manages, invests, and administers private gifts in support of George Mason University.
George Mason University Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: George Mason University Foundation Inc gave $61.6M across 10 grants in 2025 (avg $6.2M), mostly in Virginia. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $61,611,813
- -45.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 10
- +25.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $6,161,181
- -56.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $1,421,748
- Total assets
- $554,268,261
- +11.1% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Virginia (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to George Mason University Foundation Inc
- Contact
Mailing address: 4400 University Drive Msn 1A3, Fairfax, VA 22030-4444
Phone: (703) 993-8850
Website: https://gmuf.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who George Mason University Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 6 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was George Mason University ($35.0M across 5 grants). Together the top 6 received $61.6M.
Grant Size Distribution
48 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was $5M or more: 16 grants of 48 (33%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2025 itemized grants show recipients in Virginia and one recipient in Washington, DC. The listed grants were primarily to organizations in Fairfax and Arlington, Virginia.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 10 itemized grants.
Cities
How George Mason University Foundation Inc gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+8%). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $51.2M (2021) to $112.1M (2024). In 2025 it made 10 grants totaling $61.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Mercatus Center Arlington, VA | Program Support | $26,447,882 |
| George Mason University Fairfax, VA | Operations Support | $17,823,391 |
| George Mason University Fairfax, VA | Salary Support | $10,910,178 |
| George Mason University Fairfax, VA | Scholarships | $3,453,909 |
| George Mason University Fairfax, VA | Benefits Support | $2,037,833 |
| George Mason University Fairfax, VA | Eminent Scholars | $805,663 |
| Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia Washington, DC | Post-Graduate Fellowship | $63,217 |
| Northern Virginia Community College Anandale, VA | Program Support | $37,825 |
| Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Fairfax, VA | Program Support | $23,879 |
| GMU Hillel Inc Fairfax, VA | Program Support | $8,036 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $554,268,261 | $116,356,966 | $89,930,121 | $61,611,813 | 10 | $12,555,304 |
| 2024 | $498,740,925 | $145,737,283 | $136,423,033 | $112,140,308 | 8 | $55,797,266 |
| 2023 | $512,621,046 | $123,198,993 | $82,116,603 | $56,783,058 | 11 | $4,202,044 |
| 2022 | $466,812,553 | $138,463,091 | $87,919,132 | $57,175,060 | 9 | $36,721,548 |
| 2021 | $511,714,292 | $110,326,409 | $85,532,645 | $51,239,111 | 10 | $20,003,571 |
| 2020 | $459,289,058 | $113,505,085 | $109,871,972 | $72,320,492 | 9 | $8,116,200 |
| 2019 | $456,968,316 | $154,000,977 | $89,291,125 | $61,378,581 | 7 | $7,488,799 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s stated mission is to receive, manage, invest, and administer private gifts for the benefit of George Mason University. Its filing also says it maintains assets, primarily investments, for legally autonomous organizations and other programs associated with the university. The endowment comprises approximately 660 individual funds for purposes that include academic support, eminent scholars, scholarships, athletics, facilities, the library, and research.
Its 2025 grants included support for the Mercatus Center, George Mason University, an individual recipient Community College, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at George Mason University, George Mason University Hillel, and the Office of the Attorney General for the District of an individual recipient Community College Educational Foundation describes its work as raising private funds for college programs, student scholarships, and faculty awards. The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute says it provides courses, clubs, events, and social activities for an individual recipient residents in retirement. George Mason University Hillel describes its mission as enriching student life and advancing Jewish life at the university, in an individual recipient, and across the Commonwealth.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the Foundation reported 10 grants totaling $61,611,813. Grant amounts ranged from $8,036 to $26,447,882, with a median of $1,421,748.
The largest listed grant was $26,447,882 to the Mercatus Center for program support. Grants to George Mason University included $17,823,391 for operations support, $10,910,178 for salary support, $3,453,909 for scholarships, $2,037,833 for benefits support, and $805,663 for eminent scholars. Other listed grants included $63,217 to the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia for a post-graduate fellowship; $37,825 to an individual recipient Community College for program support; $23,879 to the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute for program support; and $8,036 to GMU Hillel Inc for program support.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Trishana E. Bowden as president; Sumeet Shrivastava as chair; Jenny E. Herrera as vice chair; Nadeem Butler as treasurer; Brian C. Drummond as secretary; and Elizabeth Cantrell as vice president and CFO. It also lists Sanam Boroumand and Jennifer Burkhart London as trustees.
George Mason University Foundation Inc is led by Trishana E. Bowden, President on every filing since 2019; 6 of 43 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Trishana E. Bowden
President
On filings since 2019
8 hrs/week
$66K (2020) → $117K (2025)
Sumeet Shrivastava
Chair
Trustee → Vice Chair, 2023
Vice Chair → Chair, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tracy White
Director of Real Estate & Investments
Director of Real Estate & Investment → Director of Real Estate & Investments, 2020
On filings since 2019
20 hrs/week
$103K (2019) → $168K (2025)
John M. Jacquemin
Trustee
On filings since 2019
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lourdes V. Venes
Trustee
On filings since 2019
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Trevor J. Montano
Trustee
On filings since 2019
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Vijay Venkateswaran
Trustee
Trustee → Secretary, 2022
Secretary → Trustee, 2023
On filings since 2019
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Christina L. Williams
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Christopher R. Durlak
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Burkhart London
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Pauline Thompson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Anirban Chakrabarti
Trustee
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gregory Washington
Ex-Officio Trustee
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Margaret E. Myers
Trustee
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sanam Boroumand
Trustee
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Colin R. Hart
Trustee
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Deepak Hathiramani
Trustee
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Delbert Parks
Trustee
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robin Valentine
Trustee
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tamara L. Nall
Trustee
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David T. Petersen
Trustee
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Fred D. Thompson Jr.
Trustee
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gregory Hoffman
Trustee
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Heather S. Romagnoli
Trustee
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Julie Bowen
Trustee
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Timothy B. Peterson
Trustee
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Anil Sharma
Trustee
On filings since 2024
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Christine Halberstadt
Trustee
On filings since 2024
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Pleasants
Trustee
On filings since 2024
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mark D. Monson
Trustee
On filings since 2024
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Pallabi Saboo
Trustee
On filings since 2024
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert J. Makheja
Trustee
On filings since 2024
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Charles Stimson
Ex-Officio Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Craig Havenner
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael Gallagher
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth Cantrell
Vice President & CFO
Controller → Vice President & CFO, 2023
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$131K (2019) → $267K (2025)
Elizabeth Krein
Assistant Controller
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$131K (2023) → $152K (2025)
Carrie J. Rose
Controller
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$186K (2024) → $196K (2025)
Michelle M. Dolansky
Associate Director & Accounts Payable
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$104K (2025)
Jenny E. Herrera
Vice Chair
Trustee → Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nadeem Butler
Treasurer
Trustee → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nelson C. Garcia
Secretary
Trustee → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brian C. Drummond
Secretary
Trustee → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (57)
- Former: Kenneth D. Reid (2019–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Michael E. Stievater (2019–2024) — Chair
- Former: Margaret M. Jones (2020–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Ruth Williams-Brinkley (2022–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Tim Cannon (2022–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Horace Blackman (2023–2024) — Ex-Officio Trustee
- Former: Brian J. Hays (2019–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Bruce D. Wardinski (2019–2023) — Trustee
- Former: James J. Consagra (2019–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Mary Susan Van Leunen (2019–2023) — Vice President & CFO
- Former: Nicole A. Geller (2019–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Robert W. Noonan (2019–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Sharon P. Apricena (2019–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Sonya J. Stone (2019–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Todd R. House (2019–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Adel E. Antoun (2021–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Frank K. Major (2023) — Trustee
- Former: Carole J. Scott (2019–2022) — Vice Chair
- Former: Dennis J. Cotter (2019–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Joseph J. O'Brien Jr. (2019–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Nancy Rose Senich (2019–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Susan E. Soza (2019–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Teresa H. Carlson (2019–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Terri Cofer Beirne (2019–2022) — Chair
- Former: Timothy H. Gillis (2019–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Dave T. Petersen (2021–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Jack Harrington (2021–2022) — Trustee
- Former: James W. Hazel (2021–2022) — Ex-Officio Trustee
- Former: Jerry Hogge III (2021–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Tim Peterson (2022) — Trustee
- Former: Benjamin H. Graham (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Gary G. Nakamoto (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Jeffrey A. Smith (2019–2021) — Vice Chair
- Former: M. Yaqub Mirza (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Paul E. Kyle (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Richard J. Byrne (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Christine Landoll (2021) — Trustee
- Former: Ali A. Saadat (2019–2020) — Trustee · Filing note: Thru 112519
- Former: Daniel R. Wotring (2019–2020) — Trustee
- Former: Kevin M. Hern (2019–2020) — Trustee
- Former: Thomas M. Davis III (2019–2020) — Ex-Officio Trustee
- Former: Anne Holton (2020) — Interim University President
- Former: Jeffrey M. Johnson (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Alfred Grasso (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Angel Cabrera (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Gene L. Frogale (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Janet Bingham (2019) — Trustee & President to
- Former: Jeffery M. Johnson (2019) — Treasurer
- Former: Jeffrey S. Detwiler (2019) — Trustee
- Former: John Paul Phaup (2019) — Trustee
- Former: John R. Muha II (2019) — Trustee
- Former: John T. Niehoff (2019) — Secretary
- Former: Kay W. Lewis (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Lance A. Liotta (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Mark Ginsberg (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Michael A. Murray (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Rick Davis (2019) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $267K, to Elizabeth Cantrell (Vice President & CFO). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about George Mason University Foundation Inc
How much does George Mason University Foundation Inc give each year?
George Mason University Foundation Inc gave $61.6M across 10 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $112.1M across 8 grants.
What is George Mason University Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
George Mason University Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $1,421,748, and its average grant was $6,161,181, across 10 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does George Mason University Foundation Inc give grants?
George Mason University Foundation Inc gives mostly in Virginia: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Fairfax, VA (7 grants).
Does George Mason University Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 10 grants with a stated purpose on George Mason University Foundation Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Program Support" (4 grants).
Who are George Mason University Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
George Mason University Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include George Mason University ($35,030,974 across 5 grants), Mercatus Center ($26,447,882) and Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia ($63,217), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990.
How large is George Mason University Foundation Inc?
George Mason University Foundation Inc reported $554.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $116.4M.
What does George Mason University Foundation Inc fund?
The Foundation’s stated mission is to receive, manage, invest, and administer private gifts for the benefit of George Mason University. Its filing also says it maintains assets, primarily investments, for legally autonomous organizations and other programs associated with the university. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from George Mason University Foundation Inc?
George Mason University Foundation Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check gmuf.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is George Mason University Foundation Inc's EIN?
George Mason University Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 54-1603842. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS March 17, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS April 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS April 19, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 7, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS June 12, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS March 12, 2020)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 6, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work George Mason University Foundation Inc funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in George Mason University Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). George Mason University Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/george-mason-university-foundation-inc-morg_353a68a79acf4575bd6c3fdcfdbb6ec7
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_541603842_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{George Mason University Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/george-mason-university-foundation-inc-morg_353a68a79acf4575bd6c3fdcfdbb6ec7},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-17. 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 Mason University 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.
George Mason University Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?