The Dunn Foundation
The Dunn Foundation is a private foundation based in Wilmington, Delaware, established in 1994. It is a 501(c)(3) organization with tax-exempt status since April 1994. The foundation operates as a classical liberal grantmaking organization dedicated to advancing libertarian principles and free-market philosophy through strategic philanthropic support.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$92.6M
-1.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$10.0M
-0.8% YoY
Grant Count
66
+3.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$151K
-3.8% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to advance the understanding and practice of classical liberalism, market capitalism, free enterprise, individual political liberty, and economic liberty principally through education and persuasion.
The foundation supports organizations advancing:
- Civil liberties: Defense of constitutional rights and individual freedoms
- Entrepreneurship and free enterprise: Programs supporting business innovation free from government intrusion
- Free-market policy: Organizations promoting deregulation, smaller government, and property rights
- Individual liberty: Advocacy against government overreach and coercive institutions
The foundation seeks to create conditions for liberty to prosper, particularly supporting families pursuing homeownership and education, businesspeople operating without government intrusion, and advocates speaking out against injustice.
Grantmaking
Between 2002 and 2013, the foundation distributed over $61.5 million to free-market policy organizations.
Grant Range
$157,453
Average Grant
$157,453
Invitation Only
Invitation only; the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications and contacts organizations directly if interested
Ready to take the next step with The Dunn Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation supports organizations nationally across the United States, with grantmaking activity spanning numerous states including Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2024:
- Total Assets: $92.6 million
- Revenue: $9.14 million
- Expenses: $10.6 million
- Total Liabilities: $0
As of December 2023:
- Total Assets: $94.01 million
- Total Revenues: -$8.41 million
- Total Expenses: $10.57 million
- Investment Income and Dividends: $1.64 million
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $92,567,146 | $94,010,983 | $112,994,382 |
| Revenue | $9,141,883 | $-8,413,319 | $29,919,006 |
| Expenses | $10,585,720 | $10,570,080 | $9,779,269 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $10,175,010 | $10,253,352 | $9,030,314 |
| Net Investment Income | $8,861,373 | $3,187,999 | $29,618,005 |
| Distributable Amount | $4,989,739 | $5,098,205 | $4,921,282 |
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
246 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board of Trustees:
- Rebecca Dunn (Trustee, compensated)
- Thomas Beach (Trustee, compensated)
- David Dreyer (Trustee, uncompensated)
- William A. Dunn (Trustee Emeritus)
The foundation was founded by William A. "Bill" Dunn, a physicist and pioneering futures trader who founded DUNN Capital Management. Following Bill Dunn's death in April 2025, the foundation continues under the leadership of his wife Rebecca Walter Dunn and the board of trustees.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tom Beach | Trustee | 20 | $40,000 |
| David Dreyer | Trustee | 5 | — |
| Rebecca Walter Dunn | Trustee | 20 | $40,000 |
| William A Dunn | Trustee Emeritus | — | — |
Contact Information
Address: The Dunn Foundation, c/o Foundation Source, 55 Walls Drive, 3rd Floor, Fairfield, CT 06824
Phone: (800) 839-1821
Website: www.dunnfoundation.org
The foundation maintains a deliberately low profile and does not maintain social media presence.
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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