The Fries Foundation
The Fries Foundation is a private foundation based in Wilmington, Delaware. It says it supports Christian churches with safety and security training, equipment, and other resources, and supports first responder spouses through mental-health education and support.
The Fries Foundation at a glance
In short: The Fries Foundation gave $80K across 4 grants in 2025 (avg $20K), mostly in Colorado. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $80,000
- -5.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 4
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $20,000
- -5.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $703,296
- -8.2% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Colorado (94% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
How to apply to The Fries Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: Foundation Source 501 Silverside Rd, Wilmington, DE 19809-1377
Phone: (800) 839-1754
Website: https://thefriesfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Fries Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Global Down Syndrome Foundation ($25K). Together the top 4 received $80K.
Grant Size Distribution
38 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 23 grants of 38 (61%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s website describes work with churches across the Midwest and beyond and says the Heroes’ Homefront Seminar is provided nationwide. In 2025, 94% of grant dollars went to recipients in Colorado and 6% to recipients in Florida.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 4 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Fries Foundation gives
- Giving fell 94% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 369% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $80K (2025) to $2.3M (2023). In 2025 it made 4 grants totaling $80K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Global Down Syndrome Foundation Denver, CO | Charitable Event | $25,000 |
| Global Livingston Institute Denver, CO | Charitable Event | $25,000 |
| Unite America Institute Inc Denver, CO | General & Unrestricted | $25,000 |
| Grace Way Village Fort Pierce, FL | Charitable Event | $5,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $703,296 | $31,343 | $94,547 | $80,000 | 4 | $93,747 | $31,343 | $25,400 |
| 2024 | $766,500 | $6,869 | $100,366 | $85,000 | 4 | $100,288 | $6,869 | $38,416 |
| 2023 | $859,997 | $2,286,754 | $2,304,086 | $2,291,000 | 11 | $2,304,086 | $7,323 | $39,682 |
| 2022 | $877,329 | $1,079,465 | $1,257,123 | $1,241,464 | 9 | $1,254,523 | $192,037 | $29,423 |
| 2021 | $1,054,987 | $274,532 | $1,954,688 | $1,905,000 | 10 | $1,920,268 | $274,532 | $92,312 |
| 2020 | $2,735,143 | $3,261,759 | $2,018,960 | $2,003,095 | 16 | — | $2,202,236 | $107,328 |
| 2019 | $1,492,344 | $2,753,726 | $1,800,425 | $1,787,500 | 8 | — | $164 | $27,021 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Fries Foundation reported a distributable amount of $25K 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
The foundation says its mission is to support Christian churches and the spouses of the nation’s first responders. For churches, it provides money or pays fees for training classes and professional consultants, supplies and materials, and instruction from law-enforcement and military professionals. Its Heroes’ Homefront Seminar provides first responder spouses with mental-health resources, education, and support; the foundation says spouses do not pay to attend.
The foundation’s 2025 grantees describe a range of missions. Global Down Syndrome Foundation says it works to improve the lives of people with Down syndrome through research, medical care, education, and advocacy. Global Livingston Institute says it educates students and community leaders about international development. Unite America Institute says it promotes nonpartisan civic engagement and conducts research on public issues, including political polarization. Grace Way Village says it provides clothing, food, and other basic needs to qualified individuals and families.
Grantmaking
The foundation reported four grants totaling $80,000 in 2025, compared with four grants totaling $85,000 in 2024 and 11 grants totaling $2,291,000 in 2023. The 2025 awards ranged from $5,000 to $25,000, with a median of $25,000.
In 2025, the foundation awarded $25,000 each to Global Down Syndrome Foundation and Global Livingston Institute, both for charitable events, and to Unite America Institute Inc for general and unrestricted purposes. Grace Way Village received $5,000 for a charitable event.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Michael T. Fries as president, director, secretary, and treasurer. The foundation’s website identifies Ben Fries as its executive director.
The Fries Foundation is led by Michael T Fries, President, Director, Secretary & Treasurer on every filing since 2019 — the only officer listed, and uncompensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Michael T Fries
President, Director, Secretary & Treasurer
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 The Fries Foundation
How much does The Fries Foundation give each year?
The Fries Foundation gave $80K across 4 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $85K across 4 grants.
What is The Fries Foundation's typical grant size?
The Fries Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $25,000, and its average grant was $20,000, across 4 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Fries Foundation give grants?
The Fries Foundation gives mostly in Colorado: 94% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Florida (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Denver, CO (3 grants).
Does The Fries Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 25% of The Fries Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 4) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Charitable Event" (3 grants).
How large is The Fries Foundation?
The Fries Foundation reported $703K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $94K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $25K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Fries Foundation fund?
The foundation says its mission is to support Christian churches and the spouses of the nation’s first responders. For churches, it provides money or pays fees for training classes and professional consultants, supplies and materials, and instruction from law-enforcement and military professionals. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Fries Foundation?
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 Fries Foundation's EIN?
The Fries Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-5144602. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does The Fries 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
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS March 12, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS October 14, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS March 22, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 5, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 30, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 23, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 6, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
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