The Pilgrim Foundation
The Pilgrim Foundation is a family foundation based in Chester County, Pennsylvania, that supports Christian organizations reaching and restoring marginalized people. It is classified as a private foundation and is located in Wilmington, Delaware.
The Pilgrim Foundation at a glance
In short: The Pilgrim Foundation gave $2.6M across 66 grants in 2025 (avg $39K), top state Pennsylvania. 19% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $2,599,907
- -0.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 66
- -2.9% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $39,393
- +2.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $30,000
- Total assets
- $27,959,234
- +27.4% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 19% first-time grantees (11 of 57, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (24% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Pilgrim Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. It states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: Foundation Source 501 Silverside Rd, Wilmington, DE 19809-1377
Phone: (800) 839-1754
Website: https://thepilgrimfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Pilgrim Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Impact Investing Charitable Foundation Inc ($220K across 3 grants). Together the top 10 received $1.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
317 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 240 grants of 317 (76%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, the largest shares of grant dollars by recipient state went to Pennsylvania (24%), the District of Columbia (11%), Ohio (10%), Kansas (8%), and New York (8%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 66 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Pilgrim Foundation open to new grantees?
19%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 11 of 57 grantees (19%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $43K; repeat grants $46K. How we count
Medians: $25K first-time, $36K repeat.
- 77% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 21% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 195% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.6M (2021) to $2.6M (2024). In 2025 it made 66 grants totaling $2.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Meto Inc Washington, DC | General & Unrestricted | $150,000 |
| Impact Investing Charitable Foundation Inc Overland Park, KS | Impact Investments Fund | $145,360 |
| World Relief Corporation of National Association O Washington, DC | General & Unrestricted | $130,000 |
| Aruna Project Cincinnati, OH | General & Unrestricted | $100,000 |
| Restavec Freedom Foundation Cincinnati, OH | Bridge Scholarship fund | $92,854 |
| Sinapis Group Indianapolis, IN | General & Unrestricted | $85,000 |
| Cure International Inc Grand Rapids, MI | General & Unrestricted | $70,000 |
| Neema Project West Chester, PA | General & Unrestricted | $70,000 |
| Love Without Boundaries Foundation Lowell, AR | General & Unrestricted | $60,000 |
| Friends of Haiti Providence University Rochester, NY | General & Unrestricted | $55,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Pilgrim Foundation?
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 | $27,959,234 | $9,252,903 | $3,243,240 | $2,599,907 | 66 | $2,877,570 | $4,038,696 | $1,472,548 |
| 2024 | $21,949,896 | $7,494,363 | $3,025,459 | $2,606,194 | 68 | $2,522,466 | $3,311,755 | $1,130,233 |
| 2023 | $17,460,699 | $1,058,251 | $2,306,984 | $1,736,896 | 60 | $2,180,527 | $753,377 | $1,239,829 |
| 2022 | $18,707,282 | $3,140,479 | $2,659,924 | $2,156,864 | 67 | $2,406,800 | $2,847,042 | $1,218,382 |
| 2021 | $18,226,727 | $1,981,430 | $1,949,097 | $1,598,944 | 56 | — | $1,791,226 | $1,131,584 |
| 2020 | $18,197,633 | $1,527,673 | $2,465,547 | $1,975,920 | 85 | — | $1,205,170 | $1,106,515 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Pilgrim Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.5M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports Christian organizations that reach and restore the most marginalized people. Its stated giving values include biblical grounding, unrestricted grant relationships, community-led development, and long-term opportunities for beneficiaries. Its grantmaking beliefs include that every child deserves food, shelter, medical care, and education, and that local leaders should be educated and equipped to address community needs.
The foundation’s grantees work in varied areas. For example, METO says it connects students to educational and professional opportunities; Aruna Project says it combines direct services and social enterprise to support survivors of sex trafficking; and CURE International says its hospitals provide surgical care for children with disabilities in a Christian environment. The foundation’s website lists grant-recipient categories including economic development, education, health, human rights, immigrants and refugees, Christian philanthropy, and youth development.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation made 66 grants totaling $2,599,907. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $150,000, with a median of $30,000. Recent giving was $2,606,194 across 68 grants in 2024 and $1,736,896 across 60 grants in 2023.
Among the largest 2025 grants were $150,000 to METO Inc. for general and unrestricted purposes; $145,360 to Impact Investing Charitable Foundation Inc. for its Impact Investments Fund; and $130,000 to World Relief Corporation for general and unrestricted purposes. Other notable grants included $100,000 to Aruna Project, $92,854 to Restavec Freedom Foundation for its Bridge Scholarship fund, and $85,000 to Sinapis Group for general and unrestricted purposes. Sinapis says it equips local entrepreneurs in frontier-market economies to build profitable businesses and create jobs.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Marc Daniel as director and vice president; Suzanne T Daniel as director, president, and secretary; and Gregory Scot Swords as treasurer.
The Pilgrim Foundation is led by Suzanne T Daniel, Director, President & Secretary since 2024 (on filings since 2020); 1 of 3 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Suzanne T Daniel
Director, President & Secretary
Director & President → Director, President & Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2020
25 hrs/week
$35K (2020) → $65K (2025)
Marc Daniel
Director & Vice President
Director → Director & Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gregory Scot Swords
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: Sarah Davies (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Steven Pilgrim (2020–2024) — Secretary
- Former: Nathan Daniel (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Jaclyn Daniel (2023–2024) — Director
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 $65K, to Suzanne T Daniel (Dir, Pres, Sec).
Frequently asked questions about The Pilgrim Foundation
How much does The Pilgrim Foundation give each year?
The Pilgrim Foundation gave $2.6M across 66 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $2.6M across 68 grants.
What is The Pilgrim Foundation's typical grant size?
The Pilgrim Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $30,000, and its average grant was $39,393, across 66 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Pilgrim Foundation that year got $43K on average.
Where does The Pilgrim Foundation give grants?
The Pilgrim Foundation's top state is Pennsylvania, with 24% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were District of Columbia (11%) and Ohio (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were West Chester, PA (6 grants), Cincinnati, OH (3 grants), Overland Park, KS (3 grants) and Lancaster, PA (3 grants).
Does The Pilgrim Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 80% of The Pilgrim Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (53 of 66) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Pilgrim Foundation's largest grantees?
The Pilgrim Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Impact Investing Charitable Foundation Inc ($219,960 across 3 grants), Meto Inc ($150,000) and Restavec Freedom Foundation ($142,854 across 2 grants), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 20% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Pilgrim Foundation?
The Pilgrim Foundation reported $28.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.9M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.5M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Pilgrim Foundation fund?
The foundation supports Christian organizations that reach and restore the most marginalized people. Its stated giving values include biblical grounding, unrestricted grant relationships, community-led development, and long-term opportunities for beneficiaries. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Pilgrim Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Pilgrim Foundation's EIN?
The Pilgrim Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-2955610. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does The Pilgrim Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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 May 19, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS June 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS March 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS March 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 5, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 8, 2026)
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Pilgrim Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Pilgrim Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-pilgrim-foundation-morg_71aa279ef92e43dab665d4418b51bc67
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_232955610_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Pilgrim Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-pilgrim-foundation-morg_71aa279ef92e43dab665d4418b51bc67},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. 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 Pilgrim 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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