How do I apply for a grant from Rumsfeld Foundation?

The foundation operates two primary fellowship programs: **Graduate Fellowship Program:** Provides financial assistance to exceptional graduate-level scholars with demonstrated leadership and moral character who aspire to careers in public service. The program includes year-round programming designed to connect alumni and support professional development. **Central Asia-Caucasus Fellowship Program (CAMCA):** Brings exceptional rising leaders from Central Asia, Mongolia, the Caucasus, and Afghan…

Where does Rumsfeld Foundation make grants?

The foundation operates with a dual geographic focus: • **Domestic:** United States, with emphasis on public service leadership • **International:** Central Asia, the Caucasus, Afghanistan, and Mongolia

Rumsfeld Foundation

CHICAGO, IL EIN: 26-0580915 Website

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

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The Rumsfeld Foundation is a 501(c)(3) private independent foundation established in 2007 by Donald and Joyce Rumsfeld. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, the foundation encourages leadership, public service, and free political and economic systems at home and abroad. The foundation operates as a corporate foundation with a dedicated staff and board.

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Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$420K

-72.3% YoY

Annual Giving

$604K

+0.4% YoY

Grant Count

-17.6% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$22K

+21.9% YoY

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

Mission: The Rumsfeld Foundation encourages leadership, public service and free political and economic systems at home and abroad. Across its focus areas, the foundation is committed to providing opportunities for rising leaders, honoring service to nation, and promoting liberty.

Primary Focus Areas:

Public Service: Supporting rising leaders and those who serve the nation
Greater Central Asia: Supporting rising leaders and the growth of free systems in Central Asia, the Caucasus, Afghanistan, and Mongolia

Grantmaking

The foundation operates two primary fellowship programs:

Grant Range

$4,500

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation operates with a dual geographic focus:

Domestic: United States, with emphasis on public service leadership
International: Central Asia, the Caucasus, Afghanistan, and Mongolia

Grant Distribution by State

District of Columbia $2.0M (64%)

Texas $205K (7%)

Virginia $180K (6%)

California $115K (4%)

Montana $73K (2%)

Maryland $64K (2%)

Indiana $54K (2%)

New York $52K (2%)

+18 more states

Cities

Agoura HillsAlexandriaAllenAnn ArborArlingtonAuburnAustinBaltimoreBelgradeBinghamtonBloomingtonBluemontBostonBozemanBriny BreezesCalabasasCharlottesvilleCheverlyChicagoClaremont

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

2023 Financial Summary:

Total Revenue: $325,692
Total Expenses: $1,619,286
Total Assets: $1,515,771
Total Liabilities: $0

Historical Context: The foundation's assets have fluctuated over time. A predecessor entity, the D.H.R. Foundation, had assets of $6.2 million at the end of 1998.

Additional Revenue Sources: Profits from Donald Rumsfeld's book sales contribute to the foundation. Profits from "Known and Unknown" and the Churchill Solitaire app have contributed over $1 million to military charities supported by the foundation. Ongoing profits from "When the Center Held" are donated to support the Graduate Fellowship Program.

Revenue

Expenses

Qualifying Distributions

Net Investment Income

Metric	2024	2023	2022
Total Assets	$419,598	$1,515,771	$2,809,399
Revenue	$464,988	$325,692	$1,149,672
Expenses	$1,561,147	$1,619,286	$1,854,429
Qualifying Distributions	$1,320,828	$1,394,461	$1,559,639
Net Investment Income	$123,706	—	$1,681,961
Distributable Amount	$56,034	$116,183	$166,616