The Fund for American Studies
The Fund for American Studies (TFAS) is a Washington, D.C.-based educational nonprofit and public charity. It develops leaders through programs focused on individual liberty, personal responsibility, economic freedom, limited government, free-market economics and honorable leadership.
The Fund for American Studies at a glance
In short: The Fund for American Studies gave $200K across 19 grants in 2025 (avg $11K), top state Virginia. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $200,320
- +62.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 19
- +58.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $10,543
- +2.4% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $9,427
- Total assets
- $27,614,893
- -3.7% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Virginia (14% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
How to apply to The Fund for American Studies
- Contact
Mailing address: 1706 New Hampshire Avenue Nw, Washington, DC 20009
Phone: (202) 986-0384
Website: https://tfas.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from The Fund for American Studies
Who The Fund for American Studies funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was The Sundial ($21K). Together the top 10 received $133K.
Grant Size Distribution
31 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 31 grants of 31 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2025 grants went to recipients in multiple states. By share of grant dollars, the largest listed recipient-state shares were Virginia (14%), California (13%), Georgia (11%), Massachusetts (10%) and New York (10%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 19 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Fund for American Studies gives
- 47% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2025). 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $124K (2024) to $545K (2023). In 2025 it made 19 grants totaling $200K.
Hatched bars: grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Sundial Sandy Springs, GA | Campus Journalism and Publication Operations | $21,152 |
| Stanford Review Stanford, CA | Campus Journalism and Publication Operations | $14,895 |
| The Irish Rover Notre Dame, IN | Campus Journalism and Publication Operations | $14,733 |
| The Spectator Lexington, VA | Campus Journalism and Publication Operations | $14,720 |
| The Jefferson Independent Charlottesville, VA | Campus Journalism and Publication Operations | $14,123 |
| Claremont Independent Claremont, CA | Campus Journalism and Publication Operations | $11,703 |
| Cornell University Ithaca, NY | Campus Journalism and Publication Operations | $10,913 |
| Florida Finibus Gainesville, FL | Campus Journalism and Publication Operations | $10,656 |
| Salient Publications Cambridge, MA | Campus Journalism and Publication Operations | $10,476 |
| The Tufts Tribune Medford, MA | Campus Journalism and Publication Operations | $9,427 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $27,614,893 | $15,597,054 | $17,878,468 | $200,320 | 19 | $955,039 |
| 2024 | $28,671,080 | $21,154,255 | $17,112,030 | $123,600 | 12 | $1,001,838 |
| 2023 | $22,075,471 | $16,317,350 | $15,509,629 | $545,145 | Total only | $1,257,077 |
| 2022 | $24,086,764 | $14,086,865 | $14,817,044 | — | — | $1,515,104 |
| 2021 | $28,894,922 | $6,879,817 | $8,728,871 | — | — | $161,955 |
| 2020 | $28,615,543 | $8,678,149 | $9,567,879 | $134,280 | Total only | $604,079 |
"Total only": grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
TFAS’s stated mission is to develop courageous leaders inspired and equipped to protect and advance individual liberty, personal responsibility and economic freedom in their communities and throughout the world.
Its programs include academic and leadership offerings, journalism fellowships, and public policy programs. The filing says scholarships are provided for students in various organizational programs or for specific project support. Its 2025 grants supported campus journalism and publication operations. Among the grantees, Salient Publications describes its work as publishing student-written opinion and news, organizing talks and seminars, hosting retreats, sponsoring a conference and running debates. The Buckley Institute says its mission is to promote intellectual diversity and freedom of speech at Yale University, foster open debate, and expose students to often-unvoiced views.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, TFAS reported 19 grants totaling $200,320. Grant amounts ranged from $6,090 to $21,152, with a median of $9,427. The listed grant purposes were campus journalism and publication operations.
Notable 2025 grants included $21,152 to The Sundial; $14,895 to Stanford Review; $14,733 to The Irish Rover; $14,720 to The Spectator; $14,123 to The Jefferson Independent; and $11,703 to Claremont Independent. Other listed recipients included Cornell University ($10,913), Florida Finibus ($10,656), Salient Publications ($10,476), The Tufts Tribune ($9,427), Buckley Institute Inc. ($8,783) and Pennsylvania Post ($8,756).
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Officers and directors listed on TFAS’s 2025 filing include Roger R. Ream, president; Robert J. Callahan, CFO/vice president of finance; Randal C. Teague, chairman; Bridgett Wagner, vice chair; William J. Hybl, vice chairman – international; Daniel H. Branch, secretary; Derek McClain, treasurer; and trustees Caroline Weil Barnett, Charles R. Black Jr. and Chris Ullman.
The Fund for American Studies is led by Roger R. Ream, President on every filing since 2020; 9 of 29 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Roger R. Ream
President
On filings since 2020
49 hrs/week
$380K (2020) → $384K (2025)
Thomas Tucker
Executive Director - Fte
Executive Director & High School → Executive Director & High S, 2024
Executive Director & High S → Executive Director - Fte, 2025
On filings since 2022
49 hrs/week
$130K (2022) → $169K (2025)
Randal C. Teague
Chairman
On filings since 2020
24 hrs/week
$95K (2020) → $95K (2025)
Joseph Starrs
Senior Director & Collegiate Program
Director & Us Programs → Senior Director & Collegiate Program, 2025
On filings since 2020
49 hrs/week
$122K (2020) → $145K (2025)
Caroline Weil Barnett
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Charles R. Black Jr.
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Colene Johnson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David Stover
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Eric Tannenblatt
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Frank T. Lauinger
Trustee
Treasurer → Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James B. Culbertson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeff Carneal
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Lee
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lindsay Y. Craig
Outgoing Trustee
Trustee → Outgoing Trustee, 2025
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Paula J. Dobriansky
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Peter McPherson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Theresa Kostrzewa
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Chris Ullman
Trustee
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jade West
Trustee
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert Pruger
Trustee
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Edward Turner
Vice President & Development
On filings since 2020
49 hrs/week
$174K (2020) → $182K (2025)
Robert J. Callahan
CFO, Vice President & Finance
CFO, Vice President, Finance & Administration → CFO, Vice President & Financ, 2024
CFO, Vice President & Financ → CFO, Vice President & Finance, 2025
On filings since 2020
49 hrs/week
$169K (2020) → $192K (2025)
Stephen Slattery
Executive Vice President
On filings since 2022
49 hrs/week
$191K (2022) → $217K (2025)
Shane Mazzella
Vice President & Us Programs
Vice President, Collegiate Programs & Alumni Engagement → Vice President & Collegiate Programs, 2024
Vice President & Collegiate Programs → Vice President & Us Programs, 2025
On filings since 2023
49 hrs/week
$116K (2023) → $124K (2025)
Randall Scott Decleene
Chief Development & Committee Officer
New on the 2025 filing
49 hrs/week
$203K (2025)
Bridgett Wagner
Vice Chair
Trustee → Vice Chair, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Daniel H. Branch
Secretary
Secretary & General Counsel → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Derek McClain
Treasurer
Trustee → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
William J. Hybl
Vice Chairman - International
Vice Chairman → Vice Chairman - International, 2025
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (10)
- Former: Frank J. Donatelli (2020–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Fred Barnes (2020–2024) — Trustee
- Former: James Klauder (2020–2024) — Vice President Public Affairs & Development
- Former: Dean Zarras (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Juanita D. Duggan (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Matthew Bagnoli (2020–2022) — Chief Development Officer
- Former: Louis Dejoy (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Paul McDonough (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Steve Slattery (2020) — Executive Vice President
- Former: Tucker Thomas (2020) — Executive Director & High School Programs
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $384K, to Roger R Ream (President). 9 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Fund for American Studies
How much does The Fund for American Studies give each year?
The Fund for American Studies gave $200K across 19 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $124K across 12 grants.
What is The Fund for American Studies's typical grant size?
The Fund for American Studies's median grant in 2025 was $9,427, and its average grant was $10,543, across 19 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does The Fund for American Studies give grants?
The Fund for American Studies's top state is Virginia, with 14% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were California (13%) and Georgia (11%).
Does The Fund for American Studies give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 19 grants with a stated purpose on The Fund for American Studies's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Campus Journalism and Publication Operations" (19 grants).
Who are The Fund for American Studies's largest grantees?
The Fund for American Studies's largest 2025 grantees include The Sundial ($21,152), Stanford Review ($14,895) and The Irish Rover ($14,733), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 25% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Fund for American Studies?
The Fund for American Studies reported $27.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $15.6M.
What does The Fund for American Studies fund?
TFAS’s stated mission is to develop courageous leaders inspired and equipped to protect and advance individual liberty, personal responsibility and economic freedom in their communities and throughout the world. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Fund for American Studies?
The Fund for American Studies has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check tfas.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is The Fund for American Studies's EIN?
The Fund for American Studies's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-6223604. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS October 13, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS July 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS June 23, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 15, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Fund for American Studies funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 21, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-fund-for-american-studies-morg_00be982922e04161bdcf1b0fae39fb4d
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_136223604_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Fund for American Studies funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-fund-for-american-studies-morg_00be982922e04161bdcf1b0fae39fb4d},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-21. 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 Fund for American Studies'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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