Paulsen Family Foundation
The Paulsen Family Foundation is a private foundation located in Uniondale, New York, established in 1998. It operates as a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to supporting conservation and outdoor exploration initiatives.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$7.2M
+6.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$226K
-48.2% YoY
Grant Count
30
-36.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$8K
-18.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Paulsen Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $414K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to promote and fund initiatives that prioritize conservation and outdoor exploration. The foundation believes that fostering a love for the environment and providing opportunities for people to connect with nature can build a more sustainable future for the planet.
The foundation focuses on three primary areas:
- Education and Outreach: Supporting educational programs that teach individuals about the importance of conservation and the benefits of outdoor activities
- Access For All: Ensuring that everyone, regardless of their proximity or physical abilities, has equal access to outdoor recreational opportunities
- Supporting Organizations: Partnering with and providing funding to organizations actively working toward conservation and sustainability goals
Grantmaking
The foundation made 37 grants in 2023. Recent grants include:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 31, 2023:
- Total Assets: $6,768,238
- Total Revenues: $5,476,626
- Total Expenses: $447,527
- Total Liabilities: $8,800
The foundation has zero employees and operates with volunteer leadership.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $7,234,161 | $6,768,238 | $1,469,602 |
| Revenue | $899,703 | $5,476,626 | $1,357,824 |
| Expenses | $398,580 | $447,527 | $221,156 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $225,594 | $435,090 | $217,700 |
| Net Investment Income | $837,717 | $5,470,689 | $274,608 |
| Distributable Amount | $414,064 | $269,508 | $330,968 |
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
180 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Earth Justice ($20,000), Democracy Forward Foundation ($20,000), Outdoor Afro ($15,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ASHEVILLE GREENWORKS ASHEVILLE, NC | UNRESTRICTED | $5,000 |
| ASHEVILLE ON BIKES ASHEVILLE, NC | UNRESTRICTED | $10,000 |
| BEACON HILL MIDDLE SCHOOL DECATUR, GA | UNRESTRICTED | $5,000 |
| BIKEPACKING ROOTS SALT LAKE CITY, UT | UNRESTRICTED | $5,000 |
| DECATUR EDUCATION FOUNDATION DECATUR, GA | UNRESTRICTED GRANT | $5,000 |
| DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS HAGERSTOWN, MD | UNRESTRICTED | $1,500 |
| DUKE UNIVERSITY DURHAM, NC | MARINE LAB ANNUAL FUND | $2,500 |
| ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND WASHINGTON, DC | UNRESTRICTED | $10,000 |
| FREE BIKES 4 KIDZ ATLANTA ATLANTA, GA | UNRESTRICTED | $2,500 |
| GEORGIA AQUARIUM ATLANTA, GA | UNRESTRICTED GRANT | $5,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- William F Paulsen: Director (compensation: $0)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KATHERINE C PAULSEN | DIRECTOR | 5 | — |
| CAROLINE E PAULSEN | DIRECTOR | 5 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Paulsen Family Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission is to promote and fund initiatives that prioritize conservation and outdoor exploration. The foundation believes that fostering a love for the environment and providing opportunities for people to connect with nature can build a more sustainable future for the planet. The foundation focuses on three primary areas: • **Education and Outreach**: Supporting educational programs that teach individuals about the importance of conservation and the benefits of outdoor activiti…
How do I apply for a grant from Paulsen Family Foundation?
The foundation made 37 grants in 2023. Recent grants include: | Grantee | Amount | Year | |---------|--------|------| | ReadSource | $50,000 | 2023 | | Outdoor Afro | $20,000 | 2023 | | Asheville on Bikes | $15,000 | 2023 | | Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation | (amount not specified) | 2023 | The foundation provides unrestricted grants to its grantees. In 2023, the foundation distributed approximately $226,000 in grants across its 37 grantees.
What size grants does Paulsen Family Foundation award?
In 2024, Paulsen Family Foundation awarded 30 grants totaling $226K — an average of about $8K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Paulsen Family Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Paulsen Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $414K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Paulsen Family Foundation's EIN?
Paulsen Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 31-1604299. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Paulsen Family 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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