Steele Family Foundation
The Steele Family Foundation is a private charitable foundation established in 2007 by Michael Steele and the Steele family. Based in Hobe Sound, Florida, the foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization with tax-exempt status since April 1996. The foundation operates with a grassroots mindset, guided by principles of due diligence, governance, corporate protocol, and ongoing management.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$10.3M
-0.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$488K
-0.9% YoY
Grant Count
50
+2.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$10K
-2.9% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Steele Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $546K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement: To provide education, basic humanitarian services and community support to the disadvantaged at a grassroots level.
Primary Focus Areas:
The foundation serves three core pillars:
- Education — Teaching youth to provide them with a brighter future without poverty
- Hospice Services — Fulfilling basic needs such as food, clothing, and shelter
- Community Support — Enriching lives and bringing values to society
The foundation's grantmaking priorities include education, philanthropy and voluntarism, human services, medical support, community wellness, and public assistance.
Grantmaking
The foundation developed the **WISE Scholarship Program™**, an open-ended platform designed to create world impact through scholarships and education. The program utilizes an "Earn to Learn" approach with a three-part balanced point system that weighs:
Average Grant
amount varies by year
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily on:
- New Mexico
- New York
- Louisiana
- California
- Virginia
- District of Columbia
The foundation also operates internationally, with documented activity in Ghana through partnership initiatives.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $10,337,187
- Total Revenues: $506,614
- Total Expenses: $494,935
- Total Liabilities: $12,500
- Total Giving: $487,500
Historical Context: The foundation has maintained consistent financial operations since its establishment, with Form 990 tax filings available from 2011 to 2024.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $10,337,187 | $10,365,008 | $10,599,803 |
| Revenue | $506,614 | $211,374 | $167,352 |
| Expenses | $494,935 | $498,169 | $594,809 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $487,500 | $492,100 | $589,100 |
| Net Investment Income | $506,614 | $220,271 | $180,653 |
| Distributable Amount | $545,989 | $483,107 | $480,921 |
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
223 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Santa Fe Prep ($40,000), Cubs Charities Community Fund ($27,500), Ms Foundation for Women ($27,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS NEW YORK, NY | COMMUNITY WELLNESS | $5,000 |
| AMERICA'S VETDOGS SMITHTOWN, NY | MEDICAL | $2,500 |
| BANNER LAKE COMMUNITY FUND HOBE SOUND, FL | COMMUNITY WELLNESS | $20,000 |
| BE NOLA INCORPORATED NEW ORLEANS, LA | EDUCATIONAL | $7,000 |
| BREAKTHROUGH SANTA FE SANTA FE, NM | EDUCATIONAL | $5,000 |
| CANTERBURY SCHOOL NEW MILFORD, CT | EDUCATIONAL | $5,000 |
| COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS NEW MEXICO SANTA FE, NM | EDUCATIONAL | $2,500 |
| COVENANT HOUSE NEW ORLEANS NEW ORLEANS, LA | COMMUNITY WELLNESS | $5,000 |
| CUBS CHARITIES COMMUNITY FUND CHICAGO, IL | CHILD/YOUTH EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELLNESS | $27,500 |
| DIG DEEP-APPALACHIA WATER PROJECT LOS ANGELES, CA | EDUCATIONAL | $2,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Michael Steele — Founder and visionary behind the foundation. Steele brings years of experience in his own consulting business, with expertise in turning problematic situations into positive outcomes. His business acumen and ability to identify key success factors and follow through to completion have been carried over into the foundation's operations.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MICHAEL C STEELE | TRUSTEE | — | — |
| ANNE L STEELE HALE | TRUSTEE | — | — |
| SUSAN JENNINGS | TRUSTEE | — | — |
| EDWARD L STEELE | TRUSTEE | — | — |
| JENNA SCANLAN | TRUSTEE | — | — |
| BROOKE RICKETTS | TRUSTEE | — | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**2024 Recognition:**
The Steele Family Foundation received the 2024 Excellence in International Philanthropy Award, recognizing its commitment to global charitable work.
SOS Children's Villages Canada and The Steele Family Foundation launch innovative**Ghana Scholarship Initiative:**
The foundation partnered with SOS Children's Villages Canada to launch an innovative scholarship program designed to empower youth in Ghana.
SOS Children's Villages Canada and The Steele Family Foundation launch innovative**Educational Support:**
The foundation established a $100,000 fund for library student assistants, demonstrating commitment to educational infrastructure and student support.
Steeles establish $100,000 fund for library student assistants | Clemson**WISE Scholarship Program Growth:**
The WISE Scholarship Program™ continues to expand its reach, with documented activity supporting scholars through partnerships including the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale and the just keep livin Foundation, among others.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Steele Family Foundation fund?
**Mission Statement:** To provide education, basic humanitarian services and community support to the disadvantaged at a grassroots level. **Primary Focus Areas:** The foundation serves three core pillars: 1. **Education** — Teaching youth to provide them with a brighter future without poverty 2. **Hospice Services** — Fulfilling basic needs such as food, clothing, and shelter 3. **Community Support** — Enriching lives and bringing values to society The foundation's grantmaking priorities inclu…
How do I apply for a grant from Steele Family Foundation?
**Grant Amounts:** • Typical awards range from $2,300 to $68,600 • Average grant amount varies by year • Total giving in 2024: $487,500 across 39 grants **Recent Grantees (2024):** • Santa Fe Prep Athletic Booster Club — $40,000 (Community Wellness) • MS Foundation for Women — $27,000 (Medical) • United Women of Color — $27,000 (Community Wellness) **Notable Programs:** The foundation developed the **WISE Scholarship Program™**, an open-ended platform designed to create world impact through sch…
Where does Steele Family Foundation make grants?
The foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily on: • New Mexico • New York • Louisiana • California • Virginia • District of Columbia The foundation also operates internationally, with documented activity in Ghana through partnership initiatives.
What size grants does Steele Family Foundation award?
In 2024, Steele Family Foundation awarded 50 grants totaling $488K — an average of about $10K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Steele Family Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Steele Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $546K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Steele Family Foundation's EIN?
Steele Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 22-3431692. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Steele Family Foundation'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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