Prometheus Foundation
Prometheus Foundation is a private foundation based in Crystal Bay, Nevada. It supports organizations and individuals working to promote Ayn Rand and advance Objectivism.
Prometheus Foundation at a glance
In short: Prometheus Foundation gave $4.1M across 25 grants in 2024 (avg $163K), mostly in California. 22% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $4,074,313
- +57.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 25
- +4.2% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $162,973
- +50.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $49,730
- Total assets
- $71,680,980
- +5.1% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 22% first-time grantees (4 of 18, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- California (51% 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 Prometheus Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation’s website says it is not accepting proposals at this time. It directs applicants to the website for application materials and restrictions. Its stated application materials include a clear budget, project timeline, projected outcomes, and success metrics; accompanying documents should be in Google Docs and/or Google Sheets and use 12-point Times New Roman. The website describes applications as requiring evidence of understanding of Objectivism and the ability to plan and execute projects.
- Review Cycle
- The filing directs applicants to the website; no specific deadline is stated there.
- Deadline
- The filing directs applicants to the website; no specific deadline is stated there.
- Contact
Application contact: Grantsadministratorprometheusfdnorg
Mailing address: PO Box 1157, Crystal Bay, NV 91302
Phone: (999) 999-9999
Email: grantsadministrator@prometheusfdn.org
Website: https://prometheusfdn.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Prometheus Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Objective Standard Institute ($2.1M). Together the top 10 received $3.7M.
Organizations only. It also paid 7 grants to individuals ($183,495), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
126 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 76 grants of 126 (60%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 filing reports that 51% of grant dollars went to recipients in California, 4% to Georgia, 2% to the District of Columbia, and 2% to Virginia. A further 38% is attributed to an unidentified state in the filing. The listed grantees also include recipients outside the United States.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 25 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Prometheus Foundation open to new grantees?
22%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 4 of 18 grantees (22%) were first-time recipients. With only 18 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. First grants averaged $21K; repeat grants $272K. How we count
Medians: $17K first-time, $108K repeat.
- 44% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 121% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 147% 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 $1.3M (2020) to $4.1M (2024). In 2024 it made 25 grants totaling $4.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Objective Standard Institute Laguna Hills, CA | Education | $2,083,824 |
| AYN Rand Center Europe | Education | $434,144 |
| AYN Rand Centre Ukraine | Education | $246,316 |
| Boaz Josef Arad - Objectivist Center Israel | Education | $240,000 |
| Foundation for Economic Education Atlanta, GA | Education | $173,864 |
| Eszter Novapolicy Consulting | Education | $151,650 |
| Ancyranum Media Comm Consultancy | Education | $116,925 |
| 7 grants to individuals Recipients not named | — | $183,495 |
| America's Future Foundation Washington, DC | Education | $100,000 |
| AYN Rand Center Georgia | Education | $84,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Prometheus 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 | $71,680,980 | $-6,832,618 | $9,144,049 | $4,074,313 | 25 | $5,151,671 | $1,187,470 | $3,513,254 |
| 2023 | $68,229,080 | $3,800,194 | $2,789,564 | $2,595,831 | 24 | $3,640,441 | $3,778,684 | $3,229,976 |
| 2022 | $57,040,859 | $5,735,712 | $5,056,281 | $3,763,600 | 39 | $4,339,968 | $4,275,590 | $2,874,229 |
| 2021 | $91,582,542 | $5,631,483 | $3,000,622 | $1,843,907 | 19 | $2,209,705 | $4,736,279 | $4,011,045 |
| 2020 | $87,847,427 | $12,688,565 | $2,575,632 | $1,331,336 | 19 | — | $11,119,931 | $3,004,820 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Prometheus Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.5M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to promote Ayn Rand and advance her philosophy, Objectivism. Its website describes funding for ventures that promote Ayn Rand’s ideas, scholarships for people seeking to promote Objectivism, and support for accomplished Objectivist intellectuals’ work. Examples of supported ventures include centers, book clubs, seminars, and programs in universities. The website says it does not fund translations, book-writing projects, art-related projects, or projects directly advocating political policy.
Among its 2024 grantees, the Foundation for Economic Education describes its mission as educating students about free-market economics, entrepreneurship, individual freedoms, self-responsibility, and high moral character in a free society. America’s Future Foundation says it develops young professional leaders for liberty through educational, networking, and professional development programs. Ideas Beyond Borders describes its work as promoting critical thinking, science, and civil rights in the Greater Middle East. Students For Liberty says it educates, develops, and empowers the next generation of leaders of liberty.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 25 grants totaling $4,074,313. Awards ranged from $1,600 to $2,083,824, with a median of $49,730. Notable grants included $2,083,824 to Objective Standard Institute, $434,144 to Ayn Rand Center Europe, $246,316 to Ayn Rand Centre Ukraine, $240,000 to an individual recipient - Objectivist Center Israel, and $173,864 to Foundation for Economic Education.
Other listed grants included $100,000 to America’s Future Foundation, $82,000 to Atlas Network, $49,730 to Ideas Beyond Borders, and $2,800 to Students For Liberty.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Carl B. Barney as director and founder; David Hardy as director and chairman; Leonard Esmond as director and treasurer; C. Bradley Thompson and Craig Biddle as directors; Annie Vinther Sanz as secretary; and Keith Zakarin as director.
Prometheus Foundation is led by David Hardy, Director & Chairman on every filing since 2020; 5 of 7 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
David Hardy
Director & Chairman
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
$3K (2020) → $31K (2024)
C. Bradley Thompson
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
$3K (2020) → $7K (2024)
Craig Biddle
Director
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
$42K (2020) → $53K (2024)
Leonard Esmond
Director & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
$3K (2020) → $7K (2024)
Carl B. Barney
Director & Founder
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Keith Zakarin
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Annie Vinther Sanz
Secretary
New on the 2024 filing
20 hrs/week
$89K (2024)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Rony Miller (2020–2021) — Director & Secretary
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 $89K, to Annie Vinther Sanz (Secretary). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Prometheus Foundation
How much does Prometheus Foundation give each year?
Prometheus Foundation gave $4.1M across 25 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $2.6M across 24 grants.
What is Prometheus Foundation's typical grant size?
Prometheus Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $49,730, and its average grant was $162,973, across 25 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Prometheus Foundation that year got $21K on average.
Where does Prometheus Foundation give grants?
Prometheus Foundation gives mostly in California: 51% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Arlington, VA (2 grants).
Does Prometheus Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 25 grants with a stated purpose on Prometheus Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Education" (25 grants).
Who are Prometheus Foundation's largest grantees?
Prometheus Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Objective Standard Institute ($2,083,824), AYN Rand Center Europe ($434,144) and AYN Rand Centre Ukraine ($246,316), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 7 grants to individuals ($183,495), which are not listed by name. Together they received 68% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Prometheus Foundation?
Prometheus Foundation reported $71.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $5.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $3.5M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Prometheus Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to promote Ayn Rand and advance her philosophy, Objectivism. Its website describes funding for ventures that promote Ayn Rand’s ideas, scholarships for people seeking to promote Objectivism, and support for accomplished Objectivist intellectuals’ work. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Prometheus Foundation?
The foundation’s website says it is not accepting proposals at this time. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Prometheus Foundation's EIN?
Prometheus Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-1456655. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Prometheus Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Prometheus Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/prometheus-foundation-morg_dd71645d1dd343939fc898876fc70dde
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_271456655_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Prometheus Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/prometheus-foundation-morg_dd71645d1dd343939fc898876fc70dde},
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 Prometheus 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.
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