Potomac Institute
Potomac Institute is a private foundation focused on Arts, Culture & Humanities, based in Rockville, MD. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2023. As of 2023, the organization holds $244K in total assets. In 2023, it awarded 6 grants totaling $49K.
Potomac Institute at a glance
In short: Potomac Institute gave $49K across 6 grants in 2023 (avg $8K), mostly in Delaware. Source: 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2023)
- $49,469
- +475.2% vs 2022
- Grants made (2023)
- 6
- +50.0% vs 2022
- Average grant
- $8,245
- +283.5% vs 2022
- Median grant
- $1,740
- Total assets
- $244,179
- +128.9% vs 2022
- Primary geography
- Delaware (61% of itemized 2023 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2023 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2023; updated September 2026.
Who Potomac Institute funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 6 recipients in 2023
The largest 2023 recipient was China Music Foundation ($30K). Together the top 6 received $49K.
Grant Size Distribution
10 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 10 grants of 10 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2023 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
Cities
How Potomac Institute gives
- In 2023 it paid out 540% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2022 to 2023, annual grant giving ranged from $9K (2022) to $49K (2023). In 2023 it made 6 grants totaling $49K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| China Music Foundation Newark, DE | To further charitable cause | $30,000 |
| Strathmore Hall Foundation North Bethesda, MD | To further charitable cause | $13,989 |
| Philaharmonic of Great Washington Gaithersburg, MD | To further charitable cause | $2,000 |
| Amazing Culture & Arts Center North Potomac, MD | To further charitable cause | $1,480 |
| Greater Washington Chinese Dance Reston, VA | To further charitable cause | $1,000 |
| Greater Washington Nanjing University Ass Rockville, MD | To further charitable cause | $1,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $244,179 | $191,608 | $54,083 | $49,469 | 6 | $49,469 | $9,167 |
| 2022 | $106,654 | $55,651 | $33,982 | $8,600 | 4 | $8,600 | $4,178 |
| 2021 | $84,985 | $85,000 | $15 | — | — | — | $158 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Potomac Institute reported a distributable amount of $9K for 2023 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Potomac Institute is led by Weiguo Zhang, President on every filing since 2021; none of the 5 officers listed in 2023 report compensation.
Officers on the 2023 filing
Weiguo Zhang
President
On filings since 2021
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alanoud Alsulaiman
Secretary
On filings since 2021
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Annie Zhang
Member of the Board
On filings since 2021
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Daniel Zhang
Member of the Board
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Qian Yin
Member of the Board
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2023. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Potomac Institute
How much does Potomac Institute give each year?
Potomac Institute gave $49K across 6 grants in 2023, according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2022 it gave $9K across 4 grants.
What is Potomac Institute's typical grant size?
Potomac Institute's median grant in 2023 was $1,740, and its average grant was $8,245, across 6 grants on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Potomac Institute give grants?
Potomac Institute gives mostly in Delaware: 61% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Maryland (37%).
Does Potomac Institute give general operating support?
Not in 2023: none of the 6 grants with a stated purpose on Potomac Institute's 2023 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "To further charitable cause" (6 grants).
Who are Potomac Institute's largest grantees?
Potomac Institute's largest 2023 grantees include China Music Foundation ($30,000), Strathmore Hall Foundation ($13,989) and Philaharmonic of Great Washington ($2,000), according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 93% of its itemized 2023 grant dollars.
How large is Potomac Institute?
Potomac Institute reported $244K in total assets on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $49K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $9K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is Potomac Institute?
Potomac Institute is a private foundation focused on Arts, Culture & Humanities, based in Rockville, MD. It holds $244K in total assets as of 2023.
What is Potomac Institute's EIN?
Potomac Institute's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 86-3153051. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2023.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2023
Live grants for the work Potomac Institute funds
Arts, Culture & Humanities Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Browse active grant opportunities in Potomac Institute's focus areas in our free grants database
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