The George L Shields Foundation Inc
The George L Shields Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Bethesda, Maryland. In 2024, it reported 82 grants totaling $2,056,000 to charitable organizations.
The George L Shields Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: The George L Shields Foundation Inc gave $2.1M across 82 grants in 2024 (avg $25K), top state Maryland. 16% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,056,000
- +1.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 82
- -9.9% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $25,073
- +12.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Total assets
- $24,965,545
- -2.1% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 16% first-time grantees (13 of 82, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Maryland (26% 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 George L Shields Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 4416 East West Highway4Th Floor, Bethesda, MD 20814-4568
Phone: (301) 634-3125
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The George L Shields Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Earth Conservation Corps ($100K). Together the top 10 received $793K.
Grant Size Distribution
461 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 401 grants of 461 (87%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, Maryland received 26% of the foundation’s grant dollars, Colorado 20%, Illinois 13%, New York 12%, and Washington, DC 9%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 82 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The George L Shields Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
16%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 13 of 82 grantees (16%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $32K; repeat grants $24K. How we count
Medians: $25K first-time, $20K repeat.
- 77% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+12%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 135% 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 $1.8M (2021) to $2.1M (2024). In 2024 it made 82 grants totaling $2.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Earth Conservation Corps Washington, DC | For Program Services | $100,000 |
| Aspen Music Festival and School Aspen, CO | For Program Services | $100,000 |
| The New York Community Trust New York, NY | For Program Services | $100,000 |
| Frederick Community College Foundation Inc Frederick, MD | For Program Services | $85,000 |
| The Juilliard School New York, NY | For Program Services | $80,000 |
| Children's National Hospital Foundation Silver Spring, MD | For Program Services | $78,000 |
| Tahirih Justice Center Falls Church, VA | For Program Services | $75,000 |
| The Nature Conservancy Bethesda, MD | For Program Services | $75,000 |
| Chesapeake Bay Foundation Annapolis, MD | For Program Services | $50,000 |
| Craig Hospital Foundation Englewood, CO | For Program Services | $50,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The George L Shields Foundation Inc?
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 | $24,965,545 | $2,012,186 | $2,547,329 | $2,056,000 | 82 | $2,056,000 | $1,680,801 | $1,523,804 |
| 2023 | $25,501,486 | $1,979,190 | $2,524,933 | $2,034,000 | 91 | $2,034,000 | $1,636,511 | $1,458,167 |
| 2022 | $26,046,431 | $1,934,348 | $2,458,337 | $1,977,500 | 95 | $1,977,500 | $1,611,276 | $1,526,285 |
| 2021 | $26,570,420 | $3,083,701 | $2,301,301 | $1,828,500 | 96 | $1,828,500 | $2,617,483 | $1,671,546 |
| 2020 | $25,788,020 | $1,354,785 | $2,403,148 | $1,910,700 | 97 | — | $996,196 | $1,505,692 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The George L Shields Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.5M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided in the available information. Its 2024 grants show support for a range of organizations. For example, Earth Conservation Corps describes its mission as reclaiming the Anacostia River, its communities, and people’s lives. Frederick Community College Foundation says it supports scholarships and other college programs, while Craig Hospital Foundation says it raises funds for patient assistance, hospital programs, equipment, and research related to spinal cord and brain injuries.
Other 2024 recipients include the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, which describes its mission as saving the Bay, and Franciscan Outreach, which says it provides shelter, food, and assistance to people who are marginalized and homeless in the Chicago area.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 82 grants totaling $2,056,000. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $100,000, with a median grant of $20,000. The listed grant purposes were “for program services.”
Among the largest 2024 grants were $100,000 each to Earth Conservation Corps, Aspen Music Festival and School, and The New York Community Trust; $85,000 to Frederick Community College Foundation; and $80,000 to The Juilliard School. Other notable grants included $78,000 to Children’s National Hospital Foundation and $75,000 each to Tahirih Justice Center and The Nature Conservancy.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Ann Schein Carlyss as president and director; Robert M. Reiner as secretary/treasurer; and Bruce MacDonald, Carolyn Moore, and Robert Brenengen as directors.
The George L Shields Foundation Inc is led by Ann Schein Carlyss, President & Director on every filing since 2020; 4 of 5 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Ann Schein Carlyss
President & Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$45K (2020) → $45K (2024)
Bruce Macdonald
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$4K (2020) → $4K (2024)
Carolyn Moore
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$4K (2020) → $4K (2024)
Robert Brenengen
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$4K (2020) → $4K (2024)
Robert M. Reiner
Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Erma Medgyesy (2020–2023) — 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 $45K, to Ann Schein Carlyss (Pres & Director). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The George L Shields Foundation Inc
How much does The George L Shields Foundation Inc give each year?
The George L Shields Foundation Inc gave $2.1M across 82 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $2.0M across 91 grants.
What is The George L Shields Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
The George L Shields Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $20,000, and its average grant was $25,073, across 82 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The George L Shields Foundation Inc that year got $32K on average.
Where does The George L Shields Foundation Inc give grants?
The George L Shields Foundation Inc's top state is Maryland, with 26% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Colorado (20%) and Illinois (13%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (10 grants), Frederick, MD (8 grants), New York, NY (6 grants) and Washington, DC (6 grants).
Does The George L Shields Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 82 grants with a stated purpose on The George L Shields Foundation Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "For Program Services" (82 grants).
Who are The George L Shields Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
The George L Shields Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Earth Conservation Corps ($100,000), Aspen Music Festival and School ($100,000) and The New York Community Trust ($100,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 15% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The George L Shields Foundation Inc?
The George L Shields Foundation Inc reported $25.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.1M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.5M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The George L Shields Foundation Inc fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided in the available information. Its 2024 grants show support for a range of organizations. For example, Earth Conservation Corps describes its mission as reclaiming the Anacostia River, its communities, and people’s lives. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The George L Shields Foundation Inc?
The foundation 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 George L Shields Foundation Inc's EIN?
The George L Shields Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 52-1851638. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The George L Shields Foundation Inc 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 September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The George L Shields Foundation Inc funds
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The George L Shields Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-george-l-shields-foundation-inc-morg_e0a0c9ba7c19417fb41760584211e32f
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_521851638_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The George L Shields Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-george-l-shields-foundation-inc-morg_e0a0c9ba7c19417fb41760584211e32f},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-20. 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 George L Shields Foundation Inc'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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