The Rodney Fund
The Rodney Fund is a private foundation established in 1992 and based in West Bloomfield, Michigan. It operates as a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to supporting public affairs institutes and centers that advance libertarian principles.
Financial Overview
From 2023 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$31.5M
-5.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.6M
+0.6% YoY
Grant Count
21
+31.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$77K
-23.3% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Rodney Fund reported a distributable amount of $19.1M for 2023 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The fund supports libertarian principles including limited government, private property, free markets, individual liberty, free trade, and rule by law as established by the U.S. Constitution.
Primary funding focus areas include:
- Education
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
- Human Services
- Public Affairs
Grantmaking
The fund made 32 grants in 2023, including:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The fund primarily supports organizations in:
- District of Columbia
- Virginia
- Michigan
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year 2023:
- Total Assets: $31,549,729
- Total Giving: $1,610,000
- Total Revenue: $156,188
- Total Expenses: $1,841,949
- Investment Income: $689,545
EIN: 38-3030437
Address: 5618 Putnam Drive, West Bloomfield, MI 48323-3721
Contact: 248-352-8108
| Metric | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $31,549,729 | $33,206,688 | $34,879,783 |
| Revenue | $156,188 | $-1,065,437 | $25,640,631 |
| Expenses | $1,841,949 | $1,822,170 | $1,481,101 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,610,000 | $1,600,000 | $465,000 |
| Net Investment Income | $738,469 | $657,921 | $422,303 |
| Distributable Amount | $19,121,415 | $1,559,250 | $611,682 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2023
Grant Size Distribution
84 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2023 grants, the largest include Institute for Justice ($200,000), Liberty Justice Center ($200,000), Mackinac Center for Public Policy ($200,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN INST FOR ECONOMIC RESEARCH GT BARRINGTON, MA | GENERAL FUNDING 501(C)3 | $25,000 |
| CAPTIAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL FUNDING 501(C)3 | $40,000 |
| CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT THOUGHT BALA CYNWYD, PA | GENERAL FUNDING 501(C)3 | $40,000 |
| COMPETITVE ENTERPRISE INC WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL FUNDING 501(C)3 | $15,000 |
| FOUNDATION FOR AMERICAN STUDIES WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL FUNDING 501(C)3 | $20,000 |
| FOUNDATION FOR ECON EDUCA ATLANTA, GA | GENERAL FUNDING 501(C)3 | $80,000 |
| FREE VASS, NC | GENERAL FUNDING 501(C)3 | $25,000 |
| GRACE CENTERS OF HOPE PONTIAC, MI | GENERAL FUNDING 501 C(3) | $10,000 |
| HEARTLAND INSTITUTE ARLINGTON HTS, IL | GENERAL FUNDING 501(C) 3 | $35,000 |
| INSTITUTE FOR JUSTICE ARLINGTON, VA | GENERAL FUNDING 501(C)3 | $200,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Leigh Rodney – Director
- James M Rodney – Director, Officer
Compensation Overview
From 2023 IRS filing
From 2023 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEIGH RODNEY | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| STEVEN THOMAS | DIRECTOR | — | $20,000 |
| STEVE RUDE | DIRECTOR | — | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Rodney Fund fund?
The fund supports libertarian principles including limited government, private property, free markets, individual liberty, free trade, and rule by law as established by the U.S. Constitution. Primary funding focus areas include: • Education • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking • Human Services • Public Affairs
How do I apply for a grant from The Rodney Fund?
**Grant Amounts:** Typical awards range from $5,000 to $200,000. **Recent Grant Activity (2023):** The fund made 32 grants in 2023, including: • Mackinac Center for Public Policy: $200,000 • Institute for Justice: $200,000 • Liberty Justice Center: $200,000 **Total Annual Giving:** $1,610,000 (based on most recent data)
Where does The Rodney Fund make grants?
The fund primarily supports organizations in: • District of Columbia • Virginia • Michigan
What size grants does The Rodney Fund award?
In 2023, The Rodney Fund awarded 21 grants totaling $1.6M — an average of about $77K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Rodney Fund required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2023, The Rodney Fund reported a distributable amount of $19.1M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Rodney Fund's EIN?
The Rodney Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-3030437. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2023.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Rodney Fund's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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