Richard L and Diane M Block Foundation
The Richard L and Diane M Block Foundation is a private foundation based in Wilmington, Delaware. It supports charitable, social service, and cultural and arts organizations in Alaska, with a focus on young people, cultural organizations, and social services that help people in need. The foundation also supports the First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts.
Richard L and Diane M Block Foundation at a glance
In short: Richard L and Diane M Block Foundation gave $1.4M across 75 grants in 2024 (avg $18K), mostly in Alaska. 42% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,361,324
- -12.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 75
- +15.4% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $18,151
- -24.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $35,371,432
- +5.8% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 42% first-time grantees (29 of 69, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Alaska (86% 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 Richard L and Diane M Block Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Cultural, arts, and social service organizations should use the online application process described on the foundation’s website. Applicants first review the funding categories and answer preliminary qualification questions; eligible applicants then complete a questionnaire. The application is reviewed for legal and foundation eligibility requirements before being prepared for board review. Applicants may be asked for supplemental information, and all applicants are notified of the outcome. Scholarship applicants must apply through Alaska Pacific University rather than the foundation.
- Contact
Application contact: Foundation Source
Mailing address: 501 Silverside Road Suite 123, Wilmington, DE 19809-1377
Phone: (800) 839-1754
Email: jennifer@akblockfoundation.com
Website: https://richardlanddianemblockfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Richard L and Diane M Block Foundation
Who Richard L and Diane M Block Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Covenant House Alaska ($300K). Together the top 10 received $782K.
Grant Size Distribution
292 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 246 grants of 292 (84%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation states that it supports organizations throughout Alaska and also supports the First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston. In 2024, 86% of grant dollars went to recipients in Alaska, 12% to Massachusetts, and 2% to California. The filing also lists Kansas and New York at 0% each.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 75 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Richard L and Diane M Block Foundation open to new grantees?
42%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 29 of 69 grantees (42%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $8K; repeat grants $28K. How we count
Medians: $2K first-time, $18K repeat.
- 36% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−10%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 116% 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 $1.1M (2020) to $1.8M (2022). In 2024 it made 75 grants totaling $1.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Covenant House Alaska Anchorage, AK | Covey Academy Operations | $300,000 |
| First Church of Christ Scientist Boston, MA | General & Unrestricted | $167,000 |
| American Red Cross - Anchorage Alaska Chapter Anchorage, AK | General Operating Support | $50,000 |
| Habitat for Humanity International Inc Anchorage, AK | General Operating Support | $50,000 |
| Mat Su Youth Housing Wasilla, AK | General & Unrestricted | $50,000 |
| Volunteers of America Inc Anchorage, AK | Early Intervention through Expansion of Family Services and Kinship Caregiver Supports | $50,000 |
| Anchorage Opera Company Anchorage, AK | General Operating Support | $35,000 |
| University of Alaska Foundation Anchorage, AK | Rose Berry Alaska Art Gallery Upgrades -Friends of the Museum Exhibit Fund | $30,000 |
| Alaska Association for Christian Science Nursing I Anchorage, AK | General Operating Support | $25,000 |
| Alaska Childrens Trust Anchorage, AK | Pathways to Hope - An Indigenous Approach to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse | $25,000 |
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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 | $35,371,432 | $3,838,216 | $1,891,630 | $1,361,324 | 75 | $2,061,235 | $3,659,142 | $1,778,475 |
| 2023 | $33,427,001 | $1,195,519 | $1,953,401 | $1,560,091 | 65 | $1,780,573 | $1,037,708 | $1,694,820 |
| 2022 | $34,182,728 | $1,419,519 | $2,151,545 | $1,813,959 | 52 | $1,943,223 | $1,234,152 | $1,779,940 |
| 2021 | $34,916,423 | $2,520,252 | $1,855,425 | $1,518,911 | 60 | $1,640,322 | $2,328,839 | $1,925,530 |
| 2020 | $34,249,927 | $413,820 | $1,962,989 | $1,073,993 | 40 | — | $625,147 | $1,660,337 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Richard L and Diane M Block Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.8M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to support the First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston and resources in Alaska that enhance the quality of life of Alaskans. Its stated priorities include young people who will lead Alaska’s future, cultural organizations that inspire the community intellectually and artistically, and social service organizations that help people in need share in Alaska’s resources independently.
Its website identifies scholarships at Alaska Pacific University, the West High Exceptional Teacher Award Fund, and support for Alaska cultural, arts, and social service organizations. For social service applicants, the foundation says it expects them to address the causes of the needs they serve and work to fix underlying problems. Eligible organizations must have carried out their stated mission in Alaska continuously for at least five years and qualify as 501(c)(3) charitable organizations. The website excludes organizations principally engaged in medical services or medical research.
Examples of supported organizations illustrate the range of grantees. Mat-Su Youth Housing describes its work as providing shelter and wrap-around services to youth experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness. Anchorage Opera says it presents opera and related events to encourage artistic creation, education, and community engagement. Habitat for Humanity International describes its work as helping families obtain homes through no-profit sales and homeowner participation.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 75 grants totaling $1,361,324. Grants ranged from $250 to $300,000, with a median award of $10,000.
Among the largest 2024 grants were $300,000 to Covenant House Alaska for Covey Academy Operations and $167,000 to the First Church of Christ, Scientist, for general and unrestricted support. Other grants included $50,000 each to the American Red Cross–Anchorage Alaska Chapter, Habitat for Humanity International, Mat-Su Youth Housing, and Volunteers of America. Anchorage Opera received $35,000 for general operating support; the University of Alaska Foundation received $30,000 for Alaska Art Gallery upgrades; and Alaska Children’s Trust, Alaska Zoo, Beacon Hill, and Alaska Association for Christian Science Nursing each received $25,000.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Deborah Bellange as trustee, treasurer, and chair; Patrick Block as trustee; Jennifer D Green as trustee and secretary; Juliette Green and Edward McCarty as trustees; Mead Treadwell as trustee; and Amanda Weitman as trustee and vice president.
Richard L and Diane M Block Foundation is led by Deborah Bellange, Trustee, Treasurer & Chair on the 2024 filing; 6 of 7 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Deborah Bellange
Trustee, Treasurer & Chair
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
$2K (2024)
Edward McCarty
Trustee
Director → Trustee, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$2K (2021) → $2K (2024)
Jennifer D Green
Trustee & Secretary
Director, Executive Director & Secretary → Trustee, Executive Director & Secretary, 2021
Trustee, Executive Director & Secretary → Trustee & Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2020
30 hrs/week
$48K (2021) → $87K (2024)
Mead Treadwell
Trustee
Director → Trustee, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$2K (2021) → $2K (2024)
Patrick Block
Trustee
Director → Trustee, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$2K (2021) → $2K (2024)
Juliette Green
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
$2K (2023) → $2K (2024)
Amanda Weitman
Trustee & Vice President
Director → Trustee & Vice President, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Debbie Bellange (2020–2023) — Trustee, Treasurer & Chair
- Former: David Richard Block (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Richard L Block (2020–2021) — President, Trustee & 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 $87K, to Jennifer D Green (Trustee, Sec). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Richard L and Diane M Block Foundation
How much does Richard L and Diane M Block Foundation give each year?
Richard L and Diane M Block Foundation gave $1.4M across 75 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.6M across 65 grants.
What is Richard L and Diane M Block Foundation's typical grant size?
Richard L and Diane M Block Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $18,151, across 75 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Richard L and Diane M Block Foundation that year got $8K on average.
Where does Richard L and Diane M Block Foundation give grants?
Richard L and Diane M Block Foundation gives mostly in Alaska: 86% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Massachusetts (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were Anchorage, AK (45 grants), Fairbanks, AK (7 grants), Juneau, AK (4 grants) and Ketchikan, AK (3 grants).
Does Richard L and Diane M Block Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 68% of Richard L and Diane M Block Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (51 of 75) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Excellent Teacher Award" (3 grants).
Who are Richard L and Diane M Block Foundation's largest grantees?
Richard L and Diane M Block Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Covenant House Alaska ($300,000), First Church of Christ Scientist ($167,000) and American Red Cross - Anchorage Alaska Chapter ($50,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 38% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Richard L and Diane M Block Foundation?
Richard L and Diane M Block Foundation reported $35.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.1M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.8M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Richard L and Diane M Block Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to support the First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston and resources in Alaska that enhance the quality of life of Alaskans. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Richard L and Diane M Block Foundation?
Cultural, arts, and social service organizations should use the online application process described on the foundation’s website. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Richard L and Diane M Block Foundation's EIN?
Richard L and Diane M Block Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 30-6136901. 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 September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Richard L and Diane M Block Foundation funds
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Richard L and Diane M Block Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 23, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/richard-l-and-diane-m-block-foundation-morg_1b2629b6df094f30a878d041773c9a23
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_306136901_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Richard L and Diane M Block Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/richard-l-and-diane-m-block-foundation-morg_1b2629b6df094f30a878d041773c9a23},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-23. 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 Richard L and Diane M Block 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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