Telescope Fund
Telescope Fund is a 501(c)(3) public charity based in Washington, DC. It partners with donors to expand their philanthropic giving, providing support for strategic grantmaking, efficient operations, expert advising, and innovative problem solving.
Telescope Fund at a glance
In short: Telescope Fund gave $10.3M across 35 grants in 2024 (avg $293K), top state District of Columbia. 66% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $10,260,719
- -71.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 35
- -56.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $293,163
- -34.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $150,000
- Total assets
- $28,215,070
- -26.0% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 66% first-time grantees (23 of 35, 2024)
- Primary geography
- District of Columbia (33% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Telescope Fund
- Contact
Mailing address: 1050 Connecticut Avenue Nw 500, Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 971-1471
Website: https://telescopefund.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Telescope Fund funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was The Recycling Partnership Inc ($2.2M). Together the top 10 received $8.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
167 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $250–500K range: 57 grants of 167 (34%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 grant dollars were distributed across recipients in multiple states. The largest reported state shares were Washington, DC (33%), New York (12%), New Jersey (10%), Oklahoma (7%), and Florida (7%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 35 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Telescope Fund open to new grantees?
66%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 23 of 35 grantees (66%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $262K; repeat grants $353K. How we count
Medians: $100K first-time, $150K repeat.
- 34% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2022–2024). 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 2022 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $10.3M (2024) to $35.6M (2023). In 2024 it made 35 grants totaling $10.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Recycling Partnership Inc Washington, DC | Project Support | $2,200,000 |
| Dreaming Out Loud Inc Washington, DC | Project Support | $1,000,000 |
| Save Ukraine Inc New York, NY | Project Support | $1,000,000 |
| Superhumans Ukraine Inc Jersey City, NJ | Project Support | $1,000,000 |
| Feed the Children Oklahoma City, OK | General Support | $700,000 |
| Florida Atlantic University Foundation Inc Boca Raton, FL | Project Support | $680,000 |
| Dions Chicago Dream Inc NFP Chicago, IL | Project Support | $600,000 |
| Arbor Day Foundation Lincoln, NE | Project Support | $500,000 |
| Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund Westlake, TX | Project Support | $266,046 |
| Globalgiving Foundation Washington, DC | Project Support | $237,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Telescope Fund?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The filing states that Arabella Advisors provides Telescope Fund with management and administrative services, including HR, payroll, and compliance support.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $28,215,070 | $5,536,429 | $10,788,449 | $10,260,719 | 35 | $1,514,546 |
| 2023 | $38,127,793 | $69,446,551 | $37,206,092 | $35,566,700 | 80 | $1,432,069 |
| 2022 | $2,367,892 | $30,475,057 | $30,044,973 | $29,300,000 | 52 | $109,824 |
| 2021 | $143,652 | $150,000 | $6,348 | — | — | — |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Telescope Fund’s mission is to help donors expand their philanthropic giving with tools to catalyze their vision for change, alongside support for strategic grantmaking, efficient operations, expert advising, and innovative problem solving.
Its 2024 grants illustrate support for organizations with varied missions. The Recycling Partnership says it works to build a better recycling system. Dreaming Out Loud says it creates economic opportunities for marginalized communities in the DC metro region through a healthy, equitable food system. Save Ukraine says it rescues and supports children and families affected by war in Ukraine, while Superhumans Ukraine describes work to provide health care and other services to people affected by disasters and armed conflict. Feed the Children says it works to end child hunger, and Dions Chicago Dream says it provides food and resources to Chicago’s West Englewood community.
Grantmaking
In 2024, Telescope Fund reported 35 grants totaling $10,260,719. Grant amounts ranged from $6,000 to $2,200,000, with a median of $150,000. The largest grants included $2.2 million to The Recycling Partnership for project support; $1 million each to Dreaming Out Loud, Save Ukraine, and Superhumans Ukraine for project support; and $700,000 to Feed the Children for general support. Other notable grants included $680,000 to the Florida Atlantic University Foundation for project support and $600,000 to Dions Chicago Dream for project support.
For most grants, the fund requires a proposal and post-grant reports, and conducts a pre-grant inquiry. Written grant agreements specify how funds may be used and impose reporting obligations; funds must be returned if they are not spent appropriately or required reports are not filed. Grants must be used exclusively for charitable purposes and may not support political activity, including contributions to political candidates or coordination with their campaigns.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Leslie Payne as president, Ben Mangan as secretary, Marla Blow as treasurer through July 2024, Dori Kreiger as director, and Andrew Schulz as general counsel.
Telescope Fund is led by Leslie Payne, President on every filing since 2021; none of the 5 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Leslie Payne
President
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dori Kreiger
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Andrew Schulz
General Counsel
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$7K (2022) → $0 (2024)
Ben Mangan
Secretary
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marla Blow
Treasurer
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Renee Eyma (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Dori Krieger (2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2022 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2022 filing was $7K, to Andrew Schulz (General Counsel).
Frequently asked questions about Telescope Fund
How much does Telescope Fund give each year?
Telescope Fund gave $10.3M across 35 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $35.6M across 80 grants.
What is Telescope Fund's typical grant size?
Telescope Fund's median grant in 2024 was $150,000, and its average grant was $293,163, across 35 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Telescope Fund that year got $262K on average.
Where does Telescope Fund give grants?
Telescope Fund's top state is District of Columbia, with 33% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were New York (12%) and New Jersey (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (3 grants), New York, NY (3 grants) and Saint Paul, MN (2 grants).
Does Telescope Fund give general operating support?
Yes: 51% of Telescope Fund's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (18 of 35) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Project Support" (17 grants).
Who are Telescope Fund's largest grantees?
Telescope Fund's largest 2024 grantees include The Recycling Partnership Inc ($2,200,000), Dreaming Out Loud Inc ($1,000,000) and Save Ukraine Inc ($1,000,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 41% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Telescope Fund?
Telescope Fund reported $28.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $5.5M.
What does Telescope Fund fund?
Telescope Fund’s mission is to help donors expand their philanthropic giving with tools to catalyze their vision for change, alongside support for strategic grantmaking, efficient operations, expert advising, and innovative problem solving. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Telescope Fund?
Telescope Fund has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check telescopefund.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Telescope Fund's EIN?
Telescope Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 86-2577635. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(4)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 10, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 11, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 11, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Telescope Fund's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
State Voices
Washington, DC
State Voices funds public education and nonpartisan civic engagement, supporting state-based organizations and networks—especially their capacity, staffing, data, and technology needs—to strengthen multiracial democracy. Its 2024 grants ranged from $18,160 to $1,198,488, with a median of $181,320, and supported work across multiple states. The profile does not say whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$15.6M
Grants
25
Total Given
$6.9M
Way to Rise
Washington, DC
WAY TO RISE funds sustained, nonpartisan civic engagement and powerbuilding, especially by state-based organizations and national groups supporting state partners, with a strategic focus on the South and Southwest. Its 2024 grants ranged from $10,000 to $550,000, with a median of $100,000. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$8.1M
Grants
86
Total Given
$10.6M
Rockefeller Family Fund Inc
New York, NY
Rockefeller Family Fund supports advocacy and strategic initiatives focused on climate and the environment, democracy, and economic justice for women. Its 2024 grants ranged from $7,000 to $9.7 million, with a median of $75,000, and went to organizations in multiple states; it does not accept unsolicited requests, though organizations may email staff a brief description of aligned work.
Assets
$216.8M
Grants
203
Total Given
$36.7M
Marguerite Casey Foundation
Seattle, WA
The Marguerite Casey Foundation supports community organizations, scholars, and initiatives advancing democracy, economic justice, community organizing, and power for excluded communities. Its 2024 grants ranged from $200 to $1.5 million, with a median of $50,000, and went to organizations in multiple states; grants are invitation-only, and it does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$876.6M
Grants
208
Total Given
$33.0M
NEO Philanthropy Inc
New York, NY
NEO Philanthropy funds social-justice movements and community organizations, including work on immigration, democracy, reproductive, racial and climate justice, and LGBTQ rights. In 2024, its 558 grants ranged from $5,000 to $23.58 million, with a median of $50,000; grants went mainly to Washington state, Washington, DC, North Carolina, California, and New York. It does not accept unsolicited requests or proposals; potential grantees are generally invited to apply.
Assets
$185.6M
Grants
558
Total Given
$103.5M
Women Donors Network
San Francisco, CA
Women Donors Network funds organizations and projects advancing a just, equitable, and sustainable world, including reproductive justice, civic participation, equality, and urgent community needs. Its 2024 grants ranged from $10,000 to $1.85 million, with a median of $94,000, and went to recipients across multiple states and Washington, D.C. Unsolicited requests are not described; for the ABC Fund, prospective applicants complete an eligibility survey and may be invited to submit a proposal.
Assets
$11.6M
Grants
142
Total Given
$13.0M
More similar funders
More Funders in District of Columbia
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Telescope Fund funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/telescope-fund-morg_5fe15a8c730c4757acc33ad2dd8ca38a
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_862577635_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Telescope Fund funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/telescope-fund-morg_5fe15a8c730c4757acc33ad2dd8ca38a},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. 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 Telescope Fund'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.
Telescope Fund down — hundreds of funders to go?