The Educational Foundation of America
The Educational Foundation of America is a private foundation based in Bethesda, Maryland. Its 2024 filing reports grants to organizations working in areas including clean energy, democracy-related communications, reproductive health, and arts and culture.
The Educational Foundation of America at a glance
In short: The Educational Foundation of America gave $11.2M across 217 grants in 2024 (avg $51K), top state District of Columbia. 33% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $11,159,000
- +7.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 217
- -0.9% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $51,424
- +8.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $35,000
- Total assets
- $251,241,022
- +8.7% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 33% first-time grantees (59 of 181, 2024)
- Primary geography
- District of Columbia (15% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Educational Foundation of America
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Invitation Only
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Its program information says applications are by invitation only. It also invites organizations to submit project or program ideas of 250 words or less; a member of the team will reach out if an idea gains traction. The Environmental Grantmaking Program lists 501(c)(3) public charities, academic institutions, and government entities as eligible applicants.
- Contact
Mailing address: 4801 Hampden Lane 106, Bethesda, MD 20814-2948
Phone: (301) 761-4433
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from The Educational Foundation of America
Environmental Grantmaking Program at EFA
The Educational Foundation of America
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Make Democracy Work Grant Program
The Educational Foundation of America
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Reproductive Health & Justice Grant Program
The Educational Foundation of America
Amount
US $5,000 - US $125,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who The Educational Foundation of America funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Hopewell Fund ($300K across 3 grants). Together the top 10 received $2.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
1,061 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 651 grants of 1,061 (61%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, the largest shares of grant dollars by recipient state went to the District of Columbia (15%), California (9%), New York (9%), Alabama (6%), and Virginia (5%). The listed grants also included recipients in Kansas, Mississippi, Oregon, Tennessee, Colorado, and Wisconsin.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 217 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Educational Foundation of America open to new grantees?
33%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 59 of 181 grantees (33%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $51K; repeat grants $67K. How we count
Medians: $31K first-time, $50K repeat.
- 57% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 38% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 121% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $8.1M (2020) to $13.8M (2022). In 2024 it made 217 grants totaling $11.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Psychedelic Safety Institute Berkeley, CA | General Operating Support | $206,000 |
| Kansas Common Sense Fund Topeka, KS | Communications Hub | $200,000 |
| Reproductive Health Investors Alliance San Francisco, CA | Corporate Engagement Program | $200,000 |
| Clean Energy Buyers Institute Washington, DC | Building Energy Markets in the West and Southeast | $175,000 |
| William King Museum of Art Abingdon, VA | Artlab and Sculpture Trail/Exhibition of Appalachian Artists | $175,000 |
| Pike School of Art - Mississippi Summit, MS | Phase I Build-Out and Capacity Building | $160,000 |
| Friends of the Children Portland, OR | Miami Chapter | $150,000 |
| Rise Chattanooga Chattanooga, TN | Salary and benefits arts director, arts programming, and studio build-out | $150,000 |
| San Juan Citizens Alliance Durango, CO | Rural Electric Cooperative Election Toolkit General Operating Support | $135,000 |
| Wormfarm Institute Reedsburg, WI | General Operating Support | $135,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Educational Foundation of America?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $251,241,022 | $24,851,105 | $13,993,232 | $11,159,000 | 217 | $13,914,629 | $22,852,542 | $11,511,626 |
| 2023 | $231,113,758 | $8,015,317 | $16,519,310 | $10,419,000 | 219 | $13,341,679 | $6,058,539 | $10,658,265 |
| 2022 | $211,936,532 | $8,462,431 | $15,952,006 | $13,842,000 | 256 | $16,041,982 | $6,270,850 | $11,568,082 |
| 2021 | $294,733,951 | $32,812,396 | $15,979,510 | $8,103,000 | 168 | $9,864,144 | $30,173,218 | $13,417,753 |
| 2020 | $250,019,524 | $15,297,380 | $11,854,230 | $8,097,500 | 201 | — | $13,435,592 | $9,927,702 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Educational Foundation of America reported a distributable amount of $11.5M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s program information identifies democracy and the environment as areas of grantmaking. Its Make Democracy Work program focuses on democratic participation and voting access, including fair redistricting and participation by New American Majority populations. Its Environmental Grantmaking Program supports strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including clean-energy access and regional transitions.
The 2024 grants also show support for arts and reproductive-health-related organizations. The William King Museum of Art says it provides art exhibits and education in Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee. Pike School of Art says it uses art to examine local narratives and foster community dialogue and education. Reproductive Health Investors Alliance describes its work as addressing the intersection of racial equity, women’s health, and capital to drive systems change, innovation, and financial and social returns.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 217 grants totaling $11,159,000. Grants ranged from $5,000 to $206,000, with a median of $35,000.
Notable 2024 grants included $206,000 to Psychedelic Safety Institute for general operating support; $200,000 each to Kansas Common Sense Fund for a communications hub and Reproductive Health Investors Alliance for a corporate engagement program; $175,000 to Clean Energy Buyers Institute for building energy markets in the West and Southeast; and $175,000 to William King Museum of Art for its ArtLab and sculpture trail and an exhibition of Appalachian artists. Other grants included $160,000 to Pike School of Art - Mississippi for phase I build-out and capacity building, and $150,000 each to Friends of the Children for its Miami chapter and Rise Chattanooga for arts programming and studio build-out.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Barbara Hapgood as director and president; Wendy Ettinger as director and vice president; Trevor Renner as director and secretary; and Christian Ettinger as director and treasurer. Other listed directors are Jerry Babicka, through June 2024; Lynn Babicka; James Bohart Jr.; Heidi Ettinger; Matthew Ettinger; and Matthew Hapgood.
The Educational Foundation of America is led by David W. Stocks, Executive Director on every filing since 2023; 1 of 15 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
David W. Stocks
Executive Director
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$312K (2023) → $326K (2024)
Barbara Hapgood
Director & President
Director → Director & Treasurer, 2022
Director & Treasurer → Director & President, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Barbara Huseby
Director
Director & Vice President → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christian Ettinger
Director & Treasurer
Director → Director & Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Heidi Ettinger
Director
Director & President → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James Bohart Jr.
Director
Director & Treasurer → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jerry Babicka
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Powers
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lauren Zuskin
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lynn Babicka
Director
Director → Director & Secretary, 2022
Director & Secretary → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Matthew Ettinger
Director
Director & Secretary → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Matthew Hapgood
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sven Huseby
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Trevor Renner
Director & Secretary
Director → Director & Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Wendy Ettinger
Director & Vice President
Director → Director & Vice President, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Lauren Babicka (2022) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $326K, to David W Stocks (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about The Educational Foundation of America
How much does The Educational Foundation of America give each year?
The Educational Foundation of America gave $11.2M across 217 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $10.4M across 219 grants.
What is The Educational Foundation of America's typical grant size?
The Educational Foundation of America's median grant in 2024 was $35,000, and its average grant was $51,424, across 217 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Educational Foundation of America that year got $51K on average.
Where does The Educational Foundation of America give grants?
The Educational Foundation of America's top state is District of Columbia, with 15% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were California (9%) and New York (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (29 grants), New York, NY (13 grants), Portland, OR (8 grants) and Raleigh, NC (8 grants).
Does The Educational Foundation of America give general operating support?
Yes: 55% of The Educational Foundation of America's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (120 of 217) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "2024 Civic Engagement" (5 grants).
Who are The Educational Foundation of America's largest grantees?
The Educational Foundation of America's largest 2024 grantees include Hopewell Fund ($300,000 across 3 grants), Reproductive Health Investors Alliance ($255,000 across 2 grants) and Kansas Common Sense Fund ($250,000 across 2 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 7% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Educational Foundation of America?
The Educational Foundation of America reported $251.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $13.9M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $11.5M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Educational Foundation of America fund?
The foundation’s program information identifies democracy and the environment as areas of grantmaking. Its Make Democracy Work program focuses on democratic participation and voting access, including fair redistricting and participation by New American Majority populations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Educational Foundation of America?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Educational Foundation of America's EIN?
The Educational Foundation of America's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-3424750. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Educational Foundation of America accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Educational Foundation of America funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 5, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-educational-foundation-of-america-morg_2143338ab95b4e649ef0decc9c376c28
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_133424750_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Educational Foundation of America funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-educational-foundation-of-america-morg_2143338ab95b4e649ef0decc9c376c28},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-05. 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 The Educational Foundation of America'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.
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