The Public Interest Fellowship Foundation
The Public Interest Fellowship Foundation (TPIFF) draws on the legacy of that great journal of ideas and policy founded by daniel bell and irving kristol. This legacy nourished generations of individuals dedicated to meeting the moral and cultural challenges of the day through the rigorous study of contemporary America and reclaiming of the enduring principles of the American constitutional tradition. Conceived in that spirit, TPIFF provides exceptional young men and women with professional learning opportunities and a continuing education in the tradition of freedom. The unique combination of work and study is designed to advance a fellow's pursuit of careers devoted to enriching the cultural life of the united states.
The Public Interest Fellowship Foundation at a glance
In short: The Public Interest Fellowship Foundation gave $224K across 7 grants in 2025 (avg $32K), mostly in District of Columbia. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $224,050
- -4.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 7
- +40.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $32,007
- -31.4% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $1,055,540
- -24.7% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- District of Columbia (59% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
How to apply to The Public Interest Fellowship Foundation
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from The Public Interest Fellowship Foundation
Who The Public Interest Fellowship Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Hudson Institute Inc ($73K). Together the top 7 received $224K.
Grant Size Distribution
12 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 8 grants of 12 (67%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 7 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $4K (2021) to $233K (2024). In 2025 it made 7 grants totaling $224K.
Hatched bars: grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Hudson Institute Inc Washington, DC | National Security Grant | $73,300 |
| American Enterprise Institute Washington, DC | National Security Grant | $52,000 |
| The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX | National Security Grant | $50,000 |
| Encounter for Culture & Education Inc New York, NY | Gala Support | $15,000 |
| State Armor Research Chicago, IL | National Security Grant | $15,000 |
| Burns Group Consulting Hayattsville, MD | Burns Book Grant | $12,500 |
| Ethics & Public Policy Center Washington, DC | Book Grant | $6,250 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,055,540 | $4,153,194 | $4,455,229 | $224,050 | 7 |
| 2024 | $1,401,354 | $2,715,209 | $4,811,658 | $233,425 | 5 |
| 2023 | $3,621,242 | $6,164,016 | $3,488,957 | — | — |
| 2022 | $777,680 | $3,018,360 | $2,471,064 | — | — |
| 2021 | $347,923 | $2,149,386 | $2,291,098 | $3,600 | Total only |
| 2020 | $359,525 | $1,009,120 | $762,431 | — | — |
"Total only": grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
About The Public Interest Fellowship Foundation
Based on IRS filings
The Public Interest Fellowship Foundation is a public charity focused on Education, based in Arlington, VA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $1.1M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 7 grants totaling $224K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Public Interest Fellowship Foundation is led by Garrett Exner, President & Executive Director since 2025 (on filings since 2022); 3 of 8 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Garrett Exner
President & Executive Director
President & Executive Director → Executive Director, 2023
Executive Director → President & Executive Director, 2025
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$60K (2022) → $174K (2025)
Sarah Beraha
Director of Operations
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$115K (2025)
Aaron Maclean
Director & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Harry Z. Cohen
Director
Director & President → President, 2023
President → Director, 2025
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jay Kramer
Director & Secretary
Director & Vice President → Director & Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Peter Berkowitz
Director & Vice President
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Eliana Johnson
Director
On filings since 2022
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Serena Frechterpfeiffer
Deputy Director
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$134K (2025)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Ian Lindquist (2020–2021) — Past President
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 $174K, to Garrett Exner (President/Executive Director). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Public Interest Fellowship Foundation
How much does The Public Interest Fellowship Foundation give each year?
The Public Interest Fellowship Foundation gave $224K across 7 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $233K across 5 grants.
What is The Public Interest Fellowship Foundation's typical grant size?
The Public Interest Fellowship Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $15,000, and its average grant was $32,007, across 7 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does The Public Interest Fellowship Foundation give grants?
The Public Interest Fellowship Foundation gives mostly in District of Columbia: 59% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were Texas (22%) and New York (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (3 grants).
Does The Public Interest Fellowship Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 7 grants with a stated purpose on The Public Interest Fellowship Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "National Security Grant" (4 grants).
Who are The Public Interest Fellowship Foundation's largest grantees?
The Public Interest Fellowship Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Hudson Institute Inc ($73,300), American Enterprise Institute ($52,000) and The University of Texas at Austin ($50,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 78% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Public Interest Fellowship Foundation?
The Public Interest Fellowship Foundation reported $1.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $4.2M.
What is The Public Interest Fellowship Foundation?
The Public Interest Fellowship Foundation is a public charity focused on Education, based in Arlington, VA. It holds $1.1M in total assets as of 2025.
What is The Public Interest Fellowship Foundation's EIN?
The Public Interest Fellowship Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-3033585. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(4)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS July 15, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 20, 2022)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 10, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The Public Interest Fellowship Foundation funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Public Interest Fellowship Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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