The Life Foundation
The Life Foundation is a private foundation, based in Austin, TX. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $2.6M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 3 grants totaling $60K. Net investment income was $64K.
The Life Foundation at a glance
In short: The Life Foundation gave $60K across 3 grants in 2024 (avg $20K), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $60,000
- -52.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 3
- -25.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $20,000
- -36.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Total assets
- $2,560,202
- +86.7% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Illinois (67% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
Who The Life Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 3 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Diocese of Austin ($20K). Together the top 3 received $60K.
Grant Size Distribution
9 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 7 grants of 9 (78%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 3 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Life Foundation gives
- Giving grew 50% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 184% 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $40K (2021) to $126K (2023). In 2024 it made 3 grants totaling $60K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Diocese of Austin Austin, TX | General | $20,000 |
| St Albert the Great Catholic Church Burbank, IL | General | $20,000 |
| Relevant Radio Lincolnshire, IL | General | $20,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2,560,202 | $61,375 | $98,630 | $60,000 | 3 | $98,624 | $63,977 | $53,512 |
| 2023 | $1,371,391 | $-141,718 | $156,620 | $125,835 | 4 | $132,618 | $66,746 | $63,185 |
| 2022 | $1,262,363 | $-472,715 | $72,687 | — | — | $5,112 | $11,829 | $65,395 |
| 2021 | $1,597,460 | $-1,099,133 | $106,420 | $40,000 | 1 | $48,610 | $1,960 | $82,334 |
| 2020 | $1,928,722 | $527,566 | $88,514 | $77,534 | 1 | — | $526,842 | $73,152 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Life Foundation reported a distributable amount of $54K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Life Foundation is led by Brian R. Follett, Trustee on every filing since 2020 — the only officer listed, and uncompensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Brian R. Follett
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Bernice Follett (2020–2022) — Trustee
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.
Frequently asked questions about The Life Foundation
How much does The Life Foundation give each year?
The Life Foundation gave $60K across 3 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $126K across 4 grants.
What is The Life Foundation's typical grant size?
The Life Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $20,000, and its average grant was $20,000, across 3 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Life Foundation give grants?
The Life Foundation gives mostly in Illinois: 67% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Texas (33%).
Does The Life Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Life Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (3 of 3) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
How large is The Life Foundation?
The Life Foundation reported $2.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $99K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $54K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is The Life Foundation's EIN?
The Life Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 39-6606399. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS August 27, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 11, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 12, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS June 17, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS July 14, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The Life Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Browse active grant opportunities in The Life Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Figures come from The Life Foundation'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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