Swenson Family Foundation

Private foundation · Grantmaker Cranbury, NJ EIN: 06-1442402

The Swenson Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Cranbury, New Jersey. It supports charitable organizations through grants, with 37 grants totaling $186,000 reported for 2025.

Swenson Family Foundation at a glance

In short: Swenson Family Foundation gave $186K across 37 grants in 2025 (avg $5K), top state District of Columbia. 16% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

Annual giving (2025)
$186,000
+6.9% vs 2024
Grants made (2025)
37
-5.1% vs 2024
Average grant
$5,027
+12.7% vs 2024
Median grant
$2,000
Total assets
$2,604,171
+31.3% vs 2024
New grantees (estimate)
16% first-time grantees (6 of 37, 2025)
Primary geography
District of Columbia (34% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).

How to apply to Swenson Family Foundation

Accepts unsolicited proposals
No
How to Apply

The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.

Contact

Mailing address: 101 Interchange Plaza 301, Cranbury, NJ 08512
Phone: (732) 617-1100

Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Who Swenson Family Foundation funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2025

Center for Renewing America: $50KCenter for Renewing America$50KConservative Partnership Institute: $35KConservative PartnershipInstitute$35KDream City Church: $18KDream City Church$18KFreedom Caucus Foundation: $10KFreedom Caucus Foundation$10KState Freedom Caucus Network Fdtn: $10KState Freedom Caucus NetworkFdtn$10KAmerican Accountability Foundation: $5KAmerican AccountabilityFoundation$5KHonor Health Fdn: $5KHonor Health Fdn$5KThe Heritage Foundation: $4KThe Heritage Foundation$4KAmerican First Legal Foundation: $3KAmerican First LegalFoundation$3KCenter for Arizona Policy: $3KCenter for Arizona Policy$3K

The largest 2025 recipient was Center for Renewing America ($50K). Together the top 10 received $143K.

Grant Size Distribution

198 grants across all recorded years

197<$50K1$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 197 grants of 198 (99%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

In 2025, the largest shares of grant dollars went to recipients in Washington, DC (34%), Michigan (27%), and Arizona (19%). Delaware and Virginia each received 5% of grant dollars.

Grant Distribution by State

21states

Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 37 itemized grants.

Cities

WashingtonPhoenixScottsdaleSpringfieldArlingtonBartlesvilleColorado SpringsHartfordHerndonHollandLandsdowneMentorOverland ParkPuebloAlexandriaBrunswickOld LymePark CityWoodland ParkCave Creek

Is Swenson Family Foundation open to new grantees?

16%

first-time grantees, 2025

In 2025, 6 of 37 grantees (16%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $3K; repeat grants $5K. How we count

Medians: $2K first-time, $2K repeat.

  • 81% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
  • Giving grew 23% from 2022 to 2025. Method
  • In 2025 it paid out 104% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method

Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2025). 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

$0$50K$100K$150K$200K40 grants2019 40 grants2020 41 grants2021 39 grants2022 42 grants2023 39 grants2024 37 grants2025

From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $112K (2019) to $186K (2025). In 2025 it made 37 grants totaling $186K.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Center for Renewing America Holland, MIGeneral Purpose$50,000
Conservative Partnership Institute Washington, DCGeneral Purpose$35,000
Dream City Church Phoenix, AZGeneral Purpose$18,000
Freedom Caucus Foundation Wilmington, DEGeneral Purpose$10,000
State Freedom Caucus Network Fdtn Washington, DCGeneral Purpose$10,000
American Accountability Foundation Washington, DCGeneral Purpose$5,000
Honor Health Fdn Scottsdale, AZGeneral Purpose$5,000
The Heritage Foundation Washington, DCGeneral Purpose$3,500
American First Legal Foundation Washington, DCGeneral Purpose$3,000
Center for Arizona Policy Phoenix, AZGeneral Purpose$3,000
Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with Swenson Family Foundation?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsQualifying DistributionsNet Investment IncomeDistributable Amount
2025$2,604,171$843,388$222,530$186,00037$186,015$206,158$178,067
2024$1,983,313$77,215$206,982$174,00039$174,170$43,418$145,010
2023$2,113,080$145,373$178,029$140,25042$140,420$115,221$127,947
2022$2,145,736$308,234$186,697$150,75039$151,034$272,131$129,665
2021$2,024,199$152,384$184,800$149,50041$149,500$117,796$153,994
2020$2,056,615$146,908$158,456$126,75040—$116,406$126,068
2019$2,068,163$99,094$145,672$111,50040—$73,633$120,870

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Swenson Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $178K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

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

Mission & Focus Areas

No foundation mission statement is provided. Its grants include support for organizations whose missions, as described by the organizations themselves, include renewing a consensus of America as a nation under God (Center for Renewing America), promoting conservative public policies (The Heritage Foundation), and advancing life, marriage and family, and religious freedom (Center for Arizona Policy).

Other 2025 recipients describe missions focused on civic and cultural engagement (Turning Point USA), religious liberty (Alliance Defending Freedom), government accountability and the rule of law (Judicial Watch), traditional family values (Family Research Council), and conservative policy and educational programs (American Cornerstone Institute).

Grantmaking

In 2025, the foundation reported 37 grants totaling $186,000. Grants ranged from $500 to $50,000, with a median grant of $2,000. The largest awards were $50,000 to Center for Renewing America, $35,000 to Conservative Partnership Institute, $18,000 to Dream City Church, and $10,000 each to Freedom Caucus Foundation and State Freedom Caucus Network Foundation. The stated purpose for these grants was “general purpose.”

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2025 filing lists Gary L. Swenson and Jannette E. Swenson as trustees.

Swenson Family Foundation's 2025 filing lists 2 officers; none of the 2 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • Gary L. Swenson

    Trustee

    On filings since 2019

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jannette E. Swenson

    Trustee

    On filings since 2019

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.

Frequently asked questions about Swenson Family Foundation

How much does Swenson Family Foundation give each year?

Swenson Family Foundation gave $186K across 37 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $174K across 39 grants.

What is Swenson Family Foundation's typical grant size?

Swenson Family Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $2,000, and its average grant was $5,027, across 37 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Swenson Family Foundation that year got $3K on average.

Where does Swenson Family Foundation give grants?

Swenson Family Foundation's top state is District of Columbia, with 34% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Michigan (27%) and Arizona (19%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (9 grants), Phoenix, AZ (5 grants) and Scottsdale, AZ (4 grants).

Does Swenson Family Foundation give general operating support?

Yes: 100% of Swenson Family Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (37 of 37) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

Who are Swenson Family Foundation's largest grantees?

Swenson Family Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Center for Renewing America ($50,000), Conservative Partnership Institute ($35,000) and Dream City Church ($18,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 55% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.

How large is Swenson Family Foundation?

Swenson Family Foundation reported $2.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $186K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $178K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).

What does Swenson Family Foundation fund?

No foundation mission statement is provided. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from Swenson Family Foundation?

The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑

What is Swenson Family Foundation's EIN?

Swenson Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 06-1442402. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.

Does Swenson Family Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?

No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.

Data update history

(7)

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 8, 2025)
  2. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 28, 2026)
  3. Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS July 7, 2020)
  4. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 8, 2021)
  5. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 16, 2022)
  6. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 11, 2023)
  7. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 6, 2024)

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in Swenson Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in New Jersey

Donors Trust Inc

Alexandria, VA

Donors Trust supports charities and programs in social welfare, health, the environment, economics, governance, foreign relations, and arts and culture, with a strong emphasis on conservative and libertarian policy and education groups. Its 2024 grants had a median of $50,000, though awards ranged from $5,038 to $35 million, and recipients were concentrated in Washington, D.C., Virginia, New York, Texas, and California. It does not accept unsolicited requests; donor-advisors recommend grants through their accounts.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$1.4B

Grants

919

Total Given

$282.1M

The Chicago Community Trust

Chicago, IL

The Chicago Community Trust funds eligible nonprofits working to narrow the wealth gap and meet urgent needs, with priorities including economic mobility, education, jobs, homeownership, and community development in metropolitan Chicago and Cook County. Its 2025 grants had a median of $26,500, though amounts varied widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Assets

$7.1B

Grants

4,316

Total Given

$1.2B

Bradley Impact Fund Inc

Milwaukee, WI

Bradley Impact Fund supports people and nonprofits advancing conservative ideas and public policy through research, public education, advocacy, and implementation, with grants ranging from $100 to over $10 million and a 2024 median of $14,250. It funds locally, regionally, and nationwide; prospective recipients are directed to the Bradley Foundation’s two-step application process, but the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$200.3M

Grants

402

Total Given

$47.9M

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Princeton, NJ

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation funds efforts to improve health and health equity in the United States, including systems change addressing structural barriers to health. In 2024, its grants ranged from $125 to $12.15 million, with a median of $40,000. It typically funds through targeted programs and partnerships; whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$13.4B

Grants

3,093

Total Given

$622.6M

Community Foundation of New Jersey

Morristown, NJ

The Community Foundation of New Jersey supports a broad range of causes, including arts, education, health, human services, and the environment, through donor-directed and other charitable funds. Its 2024 itemized grants had a median of $19,759, with awards ranging widely; its current health grant opportunity serves Morris and Somerset counties. Eligible New Jersey nonprofits may apply to specific grant opportunities, subject to each opportunity’s guidelines.

Assets

$1.0B

Grants

1,321

Total Given

$93.8M

Crane Fund for Widows and Children

Englewood Cliffs, NJ

The Crane Fund for Widows and Children supports charitable organizations, including those working in healthcare and social services, children’s services, recreation, and basic needs, with grants across multiple states. Its 2024 grants ranged from $2,000 to $45,000, with a median of $4,500; it funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets

$1.6M

Grants

985

Total Given

$4.5M

More similar funders

More Funders in New Jersey

Cite this profile

Grantable. (2026). Swenson Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/swenson-family-foundation-morg_8c75b7c8bfeb4d07b583387522dd863c

BibTeX
@misc{grantable_061442402_2026,
  author       = {{Grantable}},
  title        = {{Swenson Family Foundation funder profile}},
  howpublished = {GrantGraph},
  year         = {2026},
  url          = {https://grantable.co/funders/swenson-family-foundation-morg_8c75b7c8bfeb4d07b583387522dd863c},
  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 Swenson Family 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.

Swenson Family Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?