The Morgridge Family Foundation
The Morgridge Family Foundation is a private family foundation based in Wilmington, Delaware, co-founded by John and Carrie Morgridge in 2008. It invests in organizations reimagining solutions to significant societal challenges, with education as a main priority alongside conservation, health, wellness, and public benefit.
The Morgridge Family Foundation at a glance
In short: The Morgridge Family Foundation gave $13.0M across 158 grants in 2024 (avg $83K), top state Colorado. 25% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $13,046,742
- +8.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 158
- -20.2% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $82,574
- +35.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $6,400
- Total assets
- $243,913,282
- -0.2% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 25% first-time grantees (30 of 122, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Colorado (49% 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 Morgridge Family Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant requests and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Its website says it looks for projects that match its mission.
- Contact
Mailing address: Foundation Source 501 Silverside Rd, Wilmington, DE 19809-1377
Phone: (800) 839-1754
Website: https://morgridgefamilyfoundation.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 Morgridge Family Foundation
Who The Morgridge Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Shedd Aquarium Society ($2.5M across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $8.5M.
Organizations only. It also paid 7 grants to individuals ($618,527), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
997 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 782 grants of 997 (78%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s FAQ says about 90 percent of its investments are made in the United States and identifies Colorado, Florida, and Montana as hubs. In filing year 2024, the largest shares of grant dollars by recipient state were Colorado (49%), Illinois (20%), California (6%), Florida (4%), and Massachusetts (4%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 158 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Morgridge Family Foundation open to new grantees?
25%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 30 of 122 grantees (25%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $56K; repeat grants $124K. How we count
Medians: $15K first-time, $8K repeat.
- 62% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+16%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 97% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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 $11.3M (2021) to $13.0M (2024). In 2024 it made 158 grants totaling $13.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Shedd Aquarium Society Chicago, IL | Dive Deeper Campaign and to fund educational spaces defined through the Centennial Commitment, inclusive of capital and constructions. Education spaces will include a new Learning Commons, Aquatic Education Wing and Marine Munchroom (student lunchroom), and programmatic areas within the aquarium's Main Foyer | $2,500,000 |
| Mindspark Learning Lakewood, CO | support the mission and work of the organization | $1,500,000 |
| Colorado State University Foundation Fort Collins, CO | support the programming and development of the CSU Spur Campus | $1,000,000 |
| Mindspark Learning Lakewood, CO | General & Unrestricted | $500,462 |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver Foundation Denver, CO | Classroom to Career Hub Capital Initiative and the Morgridge Peer Mentoring Program | $500,000 |
| Place of Hope Inc West Palm BCH, FL | Place of Hope Stuart Campus - Morgridge Family Outreach Center | $500,000 |
| Reach University Oakland, CA | support the creation and expansion of the National Center for the Apprenticeship Degree | $500,000 |
| St Vrain Valley School District Longmont, CO | support the expansion of the Innovation Center and to provide funding for the programs within the Center | $400,000 |
| Veterans Community Project Kansas City, MO | Veterans Community Project of Longmont Capital Campaign | $400,000 |
| 2 grants to individuals Recipients not named | — | $600,777 |
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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 | $243,913,282 | $18,995,436 | $19,442,149 | $13,046,742 | 158 | $15,865,497 | $14,008,032 | $16,413,368 |
| 2023 | $244,345,023 | $29,584,556 | $18,667,585 | $12,077,438 | 198 | $15,515,843 | $27,120,129 | $13,851,635 |
| 2022 | $233,339,044 | $19,232,985 | $19,495,416 | $13,029,585 | 215 | $15,108,294 | $18,113,467 | $16,534,030 |
| 2021 | $233,822,719 | $45,209,679 | $17,148,443 | $11,254,417 | 164 | $15,457,336 | $37,579,947 | $16,259,366 |
| 2020 | $205,419,134 | $22,580,458 | $17,095,586 | $12,020,394 | 262 | — | $14,500,260 | $13,973,518 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Morgridge Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $16.4M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to invest in organizations that reimagine solutions to some of today’s most significant challenges. Education is its main focus, and its stated areas also include conservation, health, wellness, and public benefit.
Its 2024 grants included support for education initiatives and facilities, conservation-related work, and community services. The grantees describe their own work in varied ways: Shedd Aquarium says its mission is to spark compassion, curiosity, and conservation for the aquatic animal world; MindSpark Learning says it teaches and inspires educators in emerging practices for a 21st-century workforce; and Reach University describes itself as a nonprofit university dedicated to the Apprenticeship Degree for working adults. Place of Hope says it provides a stable and loving family environment for children and families, while Veterans Community Project says it combines transitional housing with wraparound services for veterans.
The foundation also reports direct charitable activities including the Morgridge Acceleration Program, book publishing, and a low-interest loan to CrossPurpose to supplement operating expenses, including staffing and the introduction of a financial planning tool.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 158 grants totaling $13,046,742. Grant amounts ranged from $52 to $2,500,000, with a median grant of $6,400.
Among its largest 2024 grants were $2,500,000 to Shedd Aquarium Society for its Dive Deeper Campaign and educational spaces; $1,500,000 to MindSpark Learning to support its mission and work; and $1,000,000 to the Colorado State University Foundation for programming and development of the CSU Spur Campus. Other awards included $500,000 to Metropolitan State University of Denver Foundation for a capital initiative and peer mentoring program, $500,000 to Place of Hope for its Stuart Campus Morgridge Family Outreach Center, and $500,000 to Reach University to support the creation and expansion of the National Center for the Apprenticeship Degree.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Carrie Morgridge as vice president and director, John D. Morgridge as president and director, John Conrad Morgridge as director, and Michelle N. Morgridge as director. The foundation’s website reports that Carrie stepped into the roles of CEO and vice president in 2025.
The Morgridge Family Foundation is led by John D Morgridge, Director, President & Director on every filing since 2020; all 3 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
John D Morgridge
Director, President & Director
On filings since 2020
30 hrs/week
$20K (2020) → $40K (2024)
Carrie Morgridge
Vice President & Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$20K (2020) → $40K (2024)
Michelle N Morgridge
Director
On filings since 2020
30 hrs/week
$20K (2020) → $40K (2024)
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 $40K, to Carrie Morgridge (VP, Dir). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Morgridge Family Foundation
How much does The Morgridge Family Foundation give each year?
The Morgridge Family Foundation gave $13.0M across 158 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $12.1M across 198 grants.
What is The Morgridge Family Foundation's typical grant size?
The Morgridge Family Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $6,400, and its average grant was $82,574, across 158 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Morgridge Family Foundation that year got $56K on average.
Where does The Morgridge Family Foundation give grants?
The Morgridge Family Foundation's top state is Colorado, with 49% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Illinois (20%) and California (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Denver, CO (27 grants), Washington, DC (10 grants), Lakewood, CO (6 grants) and Boston, MA (4 grants).
Does The Morgridge Family Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 50% of The Morgridge Family Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (79 of 158) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "MAP Fellowship Support" (11 grants) and "Student Support Foundation Clubs" (11 grants).
Who are The Morgridge Family Foundation's largest grantees?
The Morgridge Family Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Shedd Aquarium Society ($2,541,539 across 2 grants), Mindspark Learning ($2,000,462 across 2 grants) and Colorado State University Foundation ($1,000,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 7 grants to individuals ($618,527), which are not listed by name. Together they received 42% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Morgridge Family Foundation?
The Morgridge Family Foundation reported $243.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $15.9M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $16.4M (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 does The Morgridge Family Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to invest in organizations that reimagine solutions to some of today’s most significant challenges. Education is its main focus, and its stated areas also include conservation, health, wellness, and public benefit. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Morgridge Family Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant requests and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Morgridge Family Foundation's EIN?
The Morgridge Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-2336633. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Morgridge Family Foundation 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 October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Morgridge Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-morgridge-family-foundation-morg_db8e646fc4a04689b82c25dd9085d921
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_262336633_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Morgridge Family Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-morgridge-family-foundation-morg_db8e646fc4a04689b82c25dd9085d921},
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 Morgridge Family 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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