The Life Fund
The Life Fund is an Arlington, Virginia-based public charity whose 2024 filing describes Life Happens’ consumer-education work and the Life Lessons scholarship program. Life Happens says its mission is to educate consumers about life insurance and related products; the scholarship program supports students facing financial hardship after a parent or guardian’s death with little or no life insurance.
The Life Fund at a glance
In short: The Life Fund gave $201K across 17 grants in 2024 (avg $12K), top state California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $201,250
- +235.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 17
- +183.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $11,838
- +18.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $124,652
- +36.0% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- California (20% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The Life Fund
- How to Apply
-
Students submit an application online with an essay or video. The application materials state that late applications are not accepted.
- Review Cycle
- The 2027 application period is February 1 through March 1, 2027; entries are due by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on March 1.
- Deadline
- The 2027 application period is February 1 through March 1, 2027; entries are due by 5:00 p.m.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1000 Wilson Boulevard 1890, Arlington, VA 22209
Phone: (703) 770-8100
Website: https://lifehappens.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Life Fund
Who The Life Fund funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Utah Valley University ($18K). Together the top 10 received $135K.
Grant Size Distribution
23 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 23 grants of 23 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Life Lessons rules allow eligible applicants who are legal residents of the 50 states, Washington, D.C., or Puerto Rico and who are pursuing higher education in those jurisdictions. The 2024 grant dollars were distributed across multiple states; the largest reported recipient-state shares were California (20%), Georgia (12%), Tennessee (12%), Nebraska (12%), and Pennsylvania (10%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 17 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Life Fund gives
- 0% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (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 2023 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $60K (2023) to $201K (2024). In 2024 it made 17 grants totaling $201K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Utah Valley University Orem, UT | Life Lessons | $17,500 |
| University of California Irvine Irvine, CA | Life Lessons | $15,000 |
| Paine College Augusta, GA | Life Lessons | $15,000 |
| Tennessee State University Nashville, TN | Life Lessons | $15,000 |
| University of California Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA | Life Lessons | $15,000 |
| University of Nebraska at Omaha Omaha, NE | Life Lessons | $15,000 |
| Missouri State University Springfield, MO | Life Lessons | $12,500 |
| Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, KY | Life Lessons | $10,000 |
| Galen College of Nursing Nashville, TN | Life Lessons | $10,000 |
| University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA | Life Lessons | $10,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $124,652 | $339,543 | $309,550 | $201,250 | 17 |
| 2023 | $91,662 | $80,868 | $159,183 | $60,000 | 6 |
| 2022 | $36,879 | $352,515 | $395,479 | — | — |
| 2021 | $134,288 | $418,874 | $320,110 | — | — |
| 2020 | $129,181 | $390,880 | $306,114 | — | — |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s 2024 filing states that its mission is to educate the general public, policy owners, beneficiaries, and other appropriate constituencies about the value of professional insurance services and the role of the life and health insurance industry and its products in a sound social and economic system. Life Happens’ website describes its consumer-education mission as helping people understand life insurance and related products, without endorsing particular products or companies.
The Life Lessons Scholarship Program provides scholarships to students whose parent or guardian died with little or no life insurance and who are struggling financially to pursue higher education. The 2024 filing says scholarship checks are mailed directly to recipients’ schools and may be used only for school expenses or tuition. Life Happens also presents Real Life Stories, an educational awareness program featuring examples of how insurance and annuities can help people navigate difficult financial circumstances.
The 2024 grants included colleges and universities. For example, Paine College describes its mission as providing a high-quality liberal arts education emphasizing academic excellence, ethical and spiritual values, social responsibility, and personal development. Tidewater Community College’s stated mission includes providing educational loans, scholarships, or grants to aid its students.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, The Life Fund reported 17 grants totaling $201,250. Grants ranged from $6,250 to $17,500, with a median of $10,000. The listed grant purpose was “LIFE LESSONS.” In 2023, it reported six grants totaling $60,000.
Among its 2024 grants were $17,500 to Utah Valley University; $15,000 each to the University of California, Irvine, Paine College, Tennessee State University, the University of California, Los Angeles, and the University of Nebraska at Omaha; and $12,500 to Missouri State University. Other reported awards included $10,000 each to Western Kentucky University, Galen College of Nursing, the University of Pittsburgh, West Chester University, and Mesa Community College.
The Life Lessons application materials describe eligibility for students ages 17–24 who have experienced the death of a parent or legal guardian and are enrolled in or accepted to a college, university, or trade school in the United States, Washington, D.C., or Puerto Rico. Applicants submit an original essay of up to 500 words or a video of up to three minutes about the financial and emotional effects of the loss, including how inadequate or absent life insurance affected the family and what the applicant has done to provide for themselves or family members. The program rules also say entries must be in English and original.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Barb Pietrangelo, Mark Hanna CLU ChFC AIF, R Jan Pinney, and Paul Dougherty as directors; Michael Weintraub as treasurer; Brian Steiner as executive director; Erni Davis as CFO; Kevin M Mayeux as CEO; and Tom Cothron as president-elect.
The Life Fund is led by Kevin M. Mayeux, CEO on every filing since 2023; none of the 9 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Kevin M. Mayeux
CEO
On filings since 2023
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brian Steiner
Executive Director
On filings since 2023
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Barb Pietrangelo
Director
Director → Vice Chair, 2022
Vice Chair → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
R. Jan Pinney
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark Hanna Clu Chfc Aif
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Paul Dougherty
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Erni Davis
CFO
On filings since 2023
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael Weintraub
Treasurer
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tom Cothron
President-Elect
New on the 2024 filing
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (26)
- Former: Margaret Leyes (2020–2023) — Chief Creative Officer
- Former: David Rosuck (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Erik Miller (2020–2022) — Chair
- Former: Faisa Stafford (2020–2022) — President
- Former: Joshua L. Dunham (2020–2022) — Cro
- Former: Kari Axberg (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Kim Harding (2020–2022) — Past Chair
- Former: Mike Weintraub (2020–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Ben Laramee (2022) — Director
- Former: Brent M Bynum (2022) — Director
- Former: john flatley (2022) — Interim CEO
- Former: Kevin Brayton (2022) — Director
- Former: mark hanna (2022) — Director
- Former: Richard Pratte (2022) — Head of Product
- Former: Ryan Schwingler (2022) — Director
- Former: Ted Rusinoff (2022) — Director
- Former: Bengie Goff (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Byron Udell (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Jennifer Rutley (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Jon M. Voegele (2020–2021) — Chair
- Former: Kelly Anonson (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Matt Coleman (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Michelle Pedigo (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Paul Daughtery (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Pj Doyle (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Thomas Currey (2020–2021) — Past Chair
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 Fund
How much does The Life Fund give each year?
The Life Fund gave $201K across 17 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $60K across 6 grants.
What is The Life Fund's typical grant size?
The Life Fund's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $11,838, across 17 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does The Life Fund give grants?
The Life Fund's top state is California, with 20% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Georgia (12%) and Tennessee (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were Nashville, TN (2 grants) and Los Angeles, CA (2 grants).
Does The Life Fund give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 17 grants with a stated purpose on The Life Fund's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Life Lessons" (17 grants).
Who are The Life Fund's largest grantees?
The Life Fund's largest 2024 grantees include Utah Valley University ($17,500), University of California Irvine ($15,000) and Paine College ($15,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 24% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Life Fund?
The Life Fund reported $125K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $340K.
What does The Life Fund fund?
The organization’s 2024 filing states that its mission is to educate the general public, policy owners, beneficiaries, and other appropriate constituencies about the value of professional insurance services and the role of the life and health insurance industry and its products in a sound social and economic system. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Life Fund?
Students submit an application online with an essay or video. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Life Fund's EIN?
The Life Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 52-2316124. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 10, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Life Fund's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Life Fund funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-life-fund-morg_287539c299294ffbbdba87af9f08e5ce
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_522316124_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Life Fund funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-life-fund-morg_287539c299294ffbbdba87af9f08e5ce},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. 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 Life Fund'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.
The Life Fund down — hundreds of funders to go?