The Deck Foundation is a private foundation based in Bethesda, Maryland, established in 2018. It operates as an independent 501(c)(3) charitable organization focused on grantmaking and philanthropic activities.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$23.9M
+9.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$973K
-4.9% YoY
Grant Count
47
+6.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$21K
-11.0% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Deck Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.1M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's grantmaking priorities include:
- Education
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
- Human Services
- COVID-19 relief and disaster preparedness
- Human rights and social justice initiatives
- Immigration-related nonprofits
Grantmaking
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in:
- District of Columbia
- Maryland
- Virginia
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $23,868,515 (as of most recent filing)
Total Giving: $972,500 (2024)
Revenue: $1.8 million (as of 2023)
Total Expenses: $1.3 million (year ending 12/2023)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $23,868,515 | $21,754,630 | $19,622,920 |
| Revenue | $1,639,570 | $1,801,120 | $2,197,161 |
| Expenses | $1,224,462 | $1,271,120 | $1,240,578 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $972,500 | $1,022,500 | $1,012,500 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,761,881 | $1,700,137 | $2,114,636 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,105,923 | $986,122 | $1,005,728 |
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
216 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Doctors Without Borders ($100,000), The Carter Center ($100,000), Jills House ($75,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| JILLS HOUSE VIENNA, VA | Charitable | $75,000 |
| JUST TRYAN IT INC BETHESDA, MD | Charitable | $25,000 |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF METRO DC WASHINGTON, DC | Charitable | $20,000 |
| LOST DOG RESCUE FOUNDATION ARLINGTON, VA | Charitable | $10,000 |
| YIDDISH BOOK CENTER AMHERST, MA | Charitable | $50,000 |
| CAMBRIDGE CAMPING ASSOCIATION CAMBRIDGE, MA | Charitable | $30,000 |
| SUNFLOWER BAKERY GAITHERSBURG, MD | Charitable | $10,000 |
| CHILDREN OF INCARCERATED PARENTS FREDERICK, MD | Charitable | $5,000 |
| COMFORT CASES ROCKVILLE, MD | Charitable | $25,000 |
| ANACOSTIA WATERSHED FOUNDATION WASHINGTON, DC | Charitable | $25,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAVID ELKES | Trustee | 20 | $100,956 |
| ELIZABETH CARROLL | Trustee | 20 | $100,956 |
| KATHARINE ELKES | Trustee | 5 | $12,000 |
Contact Information
Address: PO Box 314, 4938 Hampden Lane, Bethesda, MD 20814
Telephone: 301-648-1963
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Deck Foundation fund?
The foundation's grantmaking priorities include: • Education • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking • Human Services • COVID-19 relief and disaster preparedness • Human rights and social justice initiatives • Immigration-related nonprofits
How do I apply for a grant from The Deck Foundation?
**Grant Amounts:** Typical awards range from $5,000 to $150,000. **Recent Activity:** The foundation distributed $972,500 in total giving according to its most recent IRS Form 990 filing (2024).
Where does The Deck Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in: • District of Columbia • Maryland • Virginia
What size grants does The Deck Foundation award?
In 2024, The Deck Foundation awarded 47 grants totaling $973K — an average of about $21K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Deck Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Deck Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.1M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Deck Foundation's EIN?
The Deck Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 82-3894869. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Deck 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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