The GDL Foundation
The GDL Foundation is a private foundation, based in Westport, CT. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $1.2M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 9 grants totaling $85K. Net investment income was $30K.
The GDL Foundation at a glance
In short: The GDL Foundation gave $85K across 9 grants in 2025 (avg $9K), mostly in Massachusetts. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $85,000
- -1.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 9
- +12.5% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $9,444
- -12.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $1,231,974
- -4.3% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (53% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who The GDL Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 9 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Northfield Mount Herman School ($23K). Together the top 9 received $85K.
Grant Size Distribution
40 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 40 grants of 40 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 9 itemized grants.
Cities
How The GDL Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+3%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 95% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $76K (2020) to $138K (2021). In 2025 it made 9 grants totaling $85K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Northfield Mount Herman School Gill, MA | Unrestricted Grant | $22,500 |
| Trustees of Tufts College Medford, MA | UnrestrictedGrant | $20,000 |
| Cornell University Ithaca, NY | UnrestrictedGrant | $10,000 |
| Grand Teton National Park Fdn Jackson, WY | UnrestictedGrant | $10,000 |
| Jackson Hole Land Trust Jackson, WY | UnrestrictedGrant | $10,000 |
| Adam J Lewis Academy Bridgeport, CT | UnrestrictedGrant | $5,000 |
| Cornell Lab of Ornithology Ithaca, NY | UnrestictedGrant | $2,500 |
| Appalachian Mountain Club Boston, MA | UnrestictedGrant | $2,500 |
| University of Illinois Fdtn Urbana, IL | UnrestrictedGrant | $2,500 |
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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 | $1,231,974 | $87,635 | $116,994 | $85,000 | 9 | $85,000 | $29,808 | $89,562 |
| 2024 | $1,287,398 | $38,436 | $117,157 | $86,000 | 8 | $86,798 | $32,528 | $85,471 |
| 2023 | $1,368,359 | $-124,132 | $135,457 | $104,500 | 5 | $105,371 | $20,406 | $74,970 |
| 2022 | $1,629,540 | $21,222 | $119,236 | $82,500 | 8 | $83,391 | $19,216 | $82,815 |
| 2021 | $1,728,179 | $256,105 | $172,863 | $138,000 | 10 | $138,791 | $248,530 | $109,524 |
| 2020 | $1,644,937 | $154,863 | $107,920 | $76,000 | 7 | — | $148,806 | $88,865 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The GDL Foundation reported a distributable amount of $90K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The GDL Foundation's 2025 filing lists 4 officers; 1 of 4 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Ann M Laubach
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1.3 hrs/week
$24K (2020) → $24K (2025)
Elwood B Davis
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gerald D Laubach
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stephen E Laubach
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
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 $24K, to Ann M Laubach (Trustee).
Frequently asked questions about The GDL Foundation
How much does The GDL Foundation give each year?
The GDL Foundation gave $85K across 9 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $86K across 8 grants.
What is The GDL Foundation's typical grant size?
The GDL Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $9,444, across 9 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The GDL Foundation give grants?
The GDL Foundation gives mostly in Massachusetts: 53% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Wyoming (24%) and New York (15%). The most frequent recipient cities were Jackson, WY (2 grants) and Ithaca, NY (2 grants).
Does The GDL Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 11% of The GDL Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 9) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "UnrestrictedGrant" (5 grants) and "UnrestictedGrant" (3 grants).
Who are The GDL Foundation's largest grantees?
The GDL Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Northfield Mount Herman School ($22,500), Trustees of Tufts College ($20,000) and Cornell University ($10,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 62% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The GDL Foundation?
The GDL Foundation reported $1.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $85K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $90K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What is The GDL Foundation's EIN?
The GDL Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-6390199. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 5, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 4, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 9, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 2, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 26, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 22, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Live grants for the work The GDL Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The GDL Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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The GDL Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?