Looking Out Foundation
The Looking Out Foundation is a Nashville, Tennessee–based public charity that uses music, community engagement, and partnerships to support humanitarian and social justice causes in the United States and globally. It was founded by Brandi Carlile, Phil Hanseroth, and Tim Hanseroth and was formed in 2012.
Looking Out Foundation at a glance
In short: Looking Out Foundation gave $221K across 16 grants in 2024 (avg $14K), top state New York. 94% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $220,500
- -76.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 16
- -20.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $13,781
- -70.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $328,525
- -8.8% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 94% first-time grantees (15 of 16, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- New York (31% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Looking Out Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation provides an application form for grant requests. Its published instructions describe the form and, on the proposal cover sheet, a proposal, budget, and proof of 501(c)(3) status. The foundation says its diligence process is robust, it gives unrestricted grants, and it will email applicants selected for grants.
- Review Cycle
- The published 2026 deadlines—January 15 for a May decision and July 1 for a November decision—have passed. The website lists the usual application windows as October 15–January 15 for May decisions and April 15–July 1 for November decisions.
- Deadline
- The published 2026 deadlines—January 15 for a May decision and July 1 for a November decision—have passed.
- Next open deadline
- January 15, 2027 (Grants to Charities)
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 340020, Nashville, TN 37203
Phone: (615) 329-9902
Website: https://lookingoutfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Looking Out Foundation
Grants to Charities
Looking Out Foundation
Amount
$5,000 - $25,000
Deadline
January 15, 2027
Listed date — confirm with the funder
Looking Out Foundation Grant
Looking Out Foundation
Amount
US $5,000 - US $25,000
Deadline
January 15, 2027
Listed date — confirm with the funder
Who Looking Out Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Equality Florida Institute Inc ($20K). Together the top 10 received $165K.
Grant Size Distribution
63 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 47 grants of 63 (75%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation describes its work as supporting causes across the United States and globally. Its website does not specify a geographic eligibility boundary for applicants. In 2024, its largest reported share of grant dollars went to recipients in New York (31%); Florida, Vermont, Texas, and Washington each accounted for 9%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 16 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Looking Out Foundation open to new grantees?
94%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 15 of 16 grantees (94%) were first-time recipients. With only 16 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. First grants averaged $13K; repeat grants $20K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $20K repeat.
- 6% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−4%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 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 $221K (2024) to $925K (2023). In 2024 it made 16 grants totaling $221K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Equality Florida Institute Inc Tampa, FL | To support LGBTQIA+ community initiatives throughout Florida. | $20,000 |
| Exalt Youth New York, NY | To support court-involved youth ages 15-19 in New York City. | $20,000 |
| Head Count New York, NY | To support youth voter registration and mobilization in Florida and across the US. | $20,000 |
| Outright Vermont Burlington, VT | To support LGBTQ+ youth summer camp programming in Vermont. | $20,000 |
| PEN American Center New York, NY | To support Unified Voices Summit for Educational Freedom. | $20,000 |
| Thrive Youth Center Inc San Antonio, TX | To support an emergency shelter and housing program in San Antonio, Texas. | $20,000 |
| South Carolina Philharmonic Columbia, SC | To support a musical outreach program for women in the Camille Griffin Graham Correctional Institute in South Carolina. | $15,000 |
| Americana Music Foundation Nashville, TN | To support a BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ Artist Fund that assists independent artists in attending educational programming. | $10,000 |
| Children's Home Society of Idaho Boise, ID | To support initiatives to improve the health and well-being of low-income, at-risk children in the Boise, ID community via mental health resources. | $10,000 |
| Make Shift Art Space Bellingham, WA | To support the advancement of young, emerging, underrepresented and marginalized musicians in the Pacific Northwest via monthly in-studio radio sessions | $10,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Looking Out Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The filing type is Form 990 (a public charity).
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $328,525 | $1,662,503 | $1,694,253 | $220,500 | 16 |
| 2023 | $360,276 | $2,296,784 | $2,347,698 | $925,000 | 20 |
| 2022 | $411,190 | $1,618,650 | $1,398,647 | $903,913 | 18 |
| 2021 | $191,218 | $739,516 | $721,488 | $229,000 | 4 |
| 2020 | $173,159 | $852,034 | $816,056 | $260,000 | 5 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is “to amplify the impact of music by empowering those without a voice,” funding organizations that support social justice and humanitarian causes. Its website describes program interests that include LGBTQIA2S+ support, disadvantaged youth, public health, women, the arts, food insecurity, and services for unhoused people. Its current priorities are displaced people and immigrant communities, Trans and Gender Expansive people, and mental health resources.
The foundation supports a range of organizations. For example, grantee Equality Florida Institute describes its work as ending discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity; Outright Vermont says it works toward hope, equity, and power for LGBTQ+ youth; and Thrive Youth Center describes providing a safe and supportive center for homeless LGBTQ youth. Other 2024 grantees include Exalt Youth, which says it serves youth involved in the criminal justice system, and the South Carolina Philharmonic, which says it promotes music appreciation through concerts and music education.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 16 grants totaling $220,500. Grants ranged from $7,500 to $20,000, with a median of $10,000. The foundation’s website says its average grant allocation is between $5,000 and $25,000.
Among the largest 2024 grants were $20,000 each to Equality Florida Institute, Exalt Youth, Head Count, Outright Vermont, PEN American Center, and Thrive Youth Center. Other reported awards included $15,000 to the South Carolina Philharmonic and $10,000 each to Americana Music Foundation, Children’s Home Society of Idaho, Make Shift Art Space, Queen Ann Nzinga Center, and Serve Your City.
The foundation’s website says applicants should use its grant application form and that it does not need information beyond that form. Its proposal cover sheet also instructs applicants to submit a proposal, budget, and proof of 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status in a single PDF. It says decisions are normally made twice per year, in May and November; applicants may not submit more than once in any 12-month period. The foundation does not fund endowment programs, fundraising events, annual appeals of well-established organizations, scholarships, or grants to individuals. It states that prior grantees are strongly encouraged to diversify their funding sources.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Brandi Carlile as president, Catherine Carlile as chairperson of the board, Timothy Hanseroth as secretary, and Phillip Hanseroth as treasurer. Directors listed include Amber Molen, Roberta Goschler, Holly Zipperer, Amy Andrews, Jeri Andrews, and Xiomara Padamsee. The filing states that the board members are non-compensated and that the foundation also has approximately 30 volunteers.
Looking Out Foundation is led by Gloria Goeres, Executive Director on the 2024 filing; 2 of 6 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Gloria Goeres
Executive Director
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$33K (2024)
Brandi Carlile
President
Chairman of the Board → Chairperson of the Board, 2022
Chairperson of the Board → President, 2024
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Catherine Carlile
Chairperson of the Board
President & CEO → Chairperson of the Board, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$65K (2020) → $80K (2024)
Xiomara Padamsee
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Phillip Hanseroth
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Timothy Hanseroth
Secretary
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (6)
- Former: Amber Molen (2020–2024) — Director · Filing note: Thru 924
- Former: Amy Andrews (2020–2024) — Director · Filing note: Thru 924
- Former: Holly Zipperer (2020–2024) — Director · Filing note: Thru 924
- Former: Jeri Andrews (2020–2024) — Director · Filing note: Thru 924
- Former: Roberta Goschler (2020–2024) — Director · Filing note: Thru 924
- Former: Mark Cunningham (2020–2022) — Director
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 $80K, to Catherine Carlile (Chairperson of the Board). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Looking Out Foundation
How much does Looking Out Foundation give each year?
Looking Out Foundation gave $221K across 16 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $925K across 20 grants.
What is Looking Out Foundation's typical grant size?
Looking Out Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $13,781, across 16 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Looking Out Foundation that year got $13K on average.
Where does Looking Out Foundation give grants?
Looking Out Foundation's top state is New York, with 31% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Florida (9%) and Vermont (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (3 grants).
Does Looking Out Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 16 grants with a stated purpose on Looking Out Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
Who are Looking Out Foundation's largest grantees?
Looking Out Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Equality Florida Institute Inc ($20,000), Exalt Youth ($20,000) and Head Count ($20,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 27% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Looking Out Foundation?
Looking Out Foundation reported $329K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.7M.
What does Looking Out Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is “to amplify the impact of music by empowering those without a voice,” funding organizations that support social justice and humanitarian causes. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Looking Out Foundation?
The foundation provides an application form for grant requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Looking Out Foundation's EIN?
Looking Out Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 45-5300890. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 14, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 5, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Looking Out Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Looking Out Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/looking-out-foundation-morg_cd2acb9933214168a45bbf997454a4fb
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_455300890_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Looking Out Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/looking-out-foundation-morg_cd2acb9933214168a45bbf997454a4fb},
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 Looking Out 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.
Looking Out Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?