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The Fund for American Studies

Public charity · Grantmaker Washington, DC EIN: 13-6223604 Website

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.

Key facts about The Fund for American Studies

In short: The Fund for American Studies gave $200K across 19 grants in 2025 (avg $11K), top state Virginia. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.

EIN
13-6223604
Latest 990 filing
Form 990, 2025
Annual giving (2025)
$200,320
Grants made (2025)
19
Average grant
$10,543
Median grant
$9,427
Total assets
$27,614,893
Primary geography
Virginia (14% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.

Financial Overview

From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing

Total Assets

$27.6M

-3.7% YoY

Annual Giving

$200K

+62.1% YoY

Grant Count

19

+58.3% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$11K

+2.4% YoY

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.

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.

Open Grants

2 open opportunities from The Fund for American Studies

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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

15states

Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 19 itemized grants.

Cities

Ann ArborCambridgeCharlottesvilleClaremontLexingtonNew YorkNotre DamePrincetonStanfordWashingtonWinston-SalemAustinChapel HillGainesvilleHanoverIthacaMedfordNew HavenPhiladelphiaSandy Springs

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$100K$200K$300K0 grants2020 0 grants2021 0 grants2022 0 grants2023 12 grants2024 19 grants2025

From 2024 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $124K (2024) to $200K (2025). In 2025 it made 19 grants totaling $200K.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2025

The Sundial: $21KThe Sundial$21KStanford Review: $15KStanford Review$15KThe Irish Rover: $15KThe Irish Rover$15KThe Spectator: $15KThe Spectator$15KThe Jefferson Independent: $14KThe Jefferson Independent$14KClaremont Independent: $12KClaremont Independent$12KCornell University: $11KCornell University$11KFlorida Finibus: $11KFlorida Finibus$11KSalient Publications: $10KSalient Publications$10KThe Tufts Tribune: $9KThe Tufts Tribune$9K

The largest 2025 recipient was The Sundial ($21K). Together the top 10 received $133K.

Grant Size Distribution

31 grants across all recorded years

31<$50K$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 31 grants of 31 (100%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
The Sundial Sandy Springs, GACampus Journalism and Publication Operations$21,152
Stanford Review Stanford, CACampus Journalism and Publication Operations$14,895
The Irish Rover Notre Dame, INCampus Journalism and Publication Operations$14,733
The Spectator Lexington, VACampus Journalism and Publication Operations$14,720
The Jefferson Independent Charlottesville, VACampus Journalism and Publication Operations$14,123
Claremont Independent Claremont, CACampus Journalism and Publication Operations$11,703
Cornell University Ithaca, NYCampus Journalism and Publication Operations$10,913
Florida Finibus Gainesville, FLCampus Journalism and Publication Operations$10,656
Salient Publications Cambridge, MACampus Journalism and Publication Operations$10,476
The Tufts Tribune Medford, MACampus Journalism and Publication Operations$9,427

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Filing year Assets Revenue Expenses Grants
2025 $27,614,893 $15,597,054 $17,878,468 $200,320 across 19 grants
2024 $28,671,080 $21,154,255 $17,112,030 $123,600 across 12 grants
2023 $22,075,471 $16,317,350 $15,509,629 0 grants reported
Revenue
Expenses
Net Investment Income
$0$10M$20M$30M2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Metric202520242023
Total Assets$27,614,893$28,671,080$22,075,471
Revenue$15,597,054$21,154,255$16,317,350
Expenses$17,878,468$17,112,030$15,509,629
Net Investment Income$955,039$1,001,838$1,257,077

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025

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

Roger R Ream — President: $384KRoger R ReamPresident$384KStephen Slattery — Executive Vice President: $217KStephen SlatteryExecutive Vice President$217KRandall Scott Decleene — Chief Development and Comm. Officer: $203KRandall Scott DecleeneChief Development and Comm.…$203KRobert J Callahan — CFO/Vice President, Finance: $192KRobert J CallahanCFO/Vice President, Finance$192KEdward Turner — Vice President, Development: $182KEdward TurnerVice President, Development$182KThomas Tucker — Executive Director - FTE: $169KThomas TuckerExecutive Director - FTE$169KJoseph Starrs — Senior DIR., Collegiate Prog.: $145KJoseph StarrsSenior DIR., Collegiate Prog.$145KShane Mazzella — Vice President, US Programs: $124KShane MazzellaVice President, US Programs$124KRandal C Teague — Chairman: $95KRandal C TeagueChairman$95K

The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $384K, to Roger R Ream (President). 9 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.

Contact

Mailing address: 1706 New Hampshire Avenue Nw, Washington, DC 20009
Phone: (202) 986-0384
Website: https://tfas.org

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.

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