Robertson Foundation For Government Inc
The Robertson Foundation for Government (RFG) is a private, nonpartisan family foundation based in Washington, DC. Founded in 2009, it operates as a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to strengthening the U.S. federal workforce by identifying, educating, and motivating top graduate students to pursue careers in government, particularly in foreign policy, national security, and international affairs.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$22.8M
+3.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$340K
-42.6% YoY
Grant Count
20
-25.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$17K
-22.5% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Robertson Foundation For Government Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.1M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To strengthen peace and freedom around the world by cultivating the next generation of globally engaged U.S. public service leaders.
Vision: A peaceful, sustainable, and interconnected world shaped by the contributions of globally engaged U.S. public service leaders.
Core Values: The foundation prioritizes public service as a noble profession carried out by government agencies or nonprofit organizations to serve others, protect people, and advance societal interests.
Primary Focus Areas:
- Education, particularly graduate-level international affairs programs
- Public service leadership development
- International affairs and related disciplines including technology, climate change, human rights, global business, and economics
- Government internships and professional development
- Career networking for federal workforce talent
Grantmaking
Grant Range
$100–$223,819
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation distributes grants across multiple states with geographic diversification. Primary funding locations include:
- District of Columbia (37% of grants, concentrated in Washington)
- New York
- Maryland
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Minnesota
- Texas
- Virginia
Specific cities receiving support include Carmel, College Park, College Station, Denver, Falls Church, La Jolla, Minneapolis, New Canaan, and Syracuse.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (2024):
- Total assets: $22,841,740
- Total revenue: $2,494,594
- Total expenses: $1,075,000
- Giving rate: 5.6%
Historical Assets (2023):
- Total assets: $21,992,470
- Total revenue: $523,281
- Total expenses: $1,376,037
Annual Revenue: $5.5 million (organizational profile data)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $22,841,740 | $21,992,470 | $21,070,400 |
| Revenue | $2,494,594 | $523,281 | $-203,544 |
| Expenses | $1,075,594 | $1,376,037 | $1,461,017 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $902,389 | $1,213,421 | $1,271,464 |
| Net Investment Income | $2,386,592 | $457,153 | $194,220 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,111,255 | $1,048,386 | $1,085,089 |
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
136 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include U of MarylandSchool of Public Policy ($128,023), Texas A&m - Scowcroftbush ($94,603), Maxwell School ($85,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| MAXWELL SCHOOL SYRACUSE, NY | Robertson Fellows | $85,000 |
| U of MarylandSchool of Public Policy COLLEGE PARK, MD | Robertson Fellows | $128,023 |
| UCSD (GPS) LA JOLLA, CA | Robertson Fellows | $13,172 |
| TEXAS A&M - SCOWCROFTBUSH COLLEGE STATION, TX | Robertson Fellows | $94,603 |
| APSIA WASHINGTON, DC | International relations and grad school diversity | $7,500 |
| MARK HOOVER WASHINGTON, DC | PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUND | $200 |
| EMILY ASHBRIDGE WASHINGTON, DC | PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUND | $500 |
| TEVAH GEULBER WASHINGTON, DC | PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUND | $100 |
| SHIRIN KHAKOO WASHINGTON, DC | PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUND | $100 |
| LAITH ITMAIZA WASHINGTON, DC | PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT | $100 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Geoffrey S. Robertson – President (compensation: $77,300)
- Julia Robertson – Chairman (compensation: $4,000)
- Olivia Robertson Moe – Secretary (compensation: $12,000)
- Charles R. Meier – Board Member
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JULIA ROBERTSON | PRESIENT | — | $18,000 |
| OLIVIA ROBERTSON MOE | SECRETARY | — | $8,000 |
| NILS MOE | TREASURER | — | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has been active in supporting fellows and alumni pursuing government careers. Recent initiatives include:
RFG Congratulates Fellows & Alumni Selected as 2024 PMF FinalistsRecognition of fellows and alumni selected as 2024 Presidential Management Fellowship (PMF) finalists
RFG Congratulates Fellows & Alumni Selected as 2024 PMF FinalistsSupport for the International Career Advancement Program (ICAP)
RFG Supports the International Career Advancement Program (ICAP) - RFGPartnerships with graduate programs including University of Maryland School of Public Policy
The foundation maintains an active grantmaking program focused on identifying and supporting emerging talent for federal service in international affairs and related fields.
RFG Supports the International Career Advancement Program (ICAP) - RFGSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Robertson Foundation For Government Inc fund?
**Mission:** To strengthen peace and freedom around the world by cultivating the next generation of globally engaged U.S. public service leaders. **Vision:** A peaceful, sustainable, and interconnected world shaped by the contributions of globally engaged U.S. public service leaders. **Core Values:** The foundation prioritizes public service as a noble profession carried out by government agencies or nonprofit organizations to serve others, protect people, and advance societal interests. **Prim…
How do I apply for a grant from Robertson Foundation For Government Inc?
**Grant Activity:** • Total giving (all years): $37,039,317 • Recent annual giving (2023): $1,213,421 • Number of grants awarded (2023): 39 • Grant range: $100–$223,819 • Median grant amount: $8,000 **Grant Programs:** • Robertson Fellows: Average $121,012 per award (4 recipients in 2023) • Robertson Fellow: Average $51,875 per award (1 recipient in 2023) • Professional Development Fund: Average $732 per award (27 recipients in 2023) • Professional Development: Average $350 per award (2 recipie…
Where does Robertson Foundation For Government Inc make grants?
The foundation distributes grants across multiple states with geographic diversification. Primary funding locations include: • District of Columbia (37% of grants, concentrated in Washington) • New York • Maryland • California • Colorado • Connecticut • Delaware • Minnesota • Texas • Virginia Specific cities receiving support include Carmel, College Park, College Station, Denver, Falls Church, La Jolla, Minneapolis, New Canaan, and Syracuse.
What size grants does Robertson Foundation For Government Inc award?
In 2024, Robertson Foundation For Government Inc awarded 20 grants totaling $340K — an average of about $17K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Robertson Foundation For Government Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Robertson Foundation For Government Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.1M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Robertson Foundation For Government Inc's EIN?
Robertson Foundation For Government Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-4630877. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Robertson Foundation For Government Inc'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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