The Rodney Fund
The Rodney Fund is a private foundation based in West Bloomfield, Michigan. In 2023, it reported 21 grants totaling $1,610,000, supporting charitable organizations whose stated work included litigation and civil liberties, free-market ideas, and services for people experiencing homelessness and addiction.
The Rodney Fund at a glance
In short: The Rodney Fund gave $1.6M across 21 grants in 2023 (avg $77K), top state Virginia. 24% of 2023 grantees were new. Source: 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2023)
- $1,610,000
- +0.6% vs 2022
- Grants made (2023)
- 21
- +31.3% vs 2022
- Average grant
- $76,667
- -23.3% vs 2022
- Median grant
- $40,000
- Total assets
- $31,549,729
- -5.0% vs 2022
- New grantees (estimate)
- 24% first-time grantees (5 of 21, 2023; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Virginia (29% of itemized 2023 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2023 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2023; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Rodney Fund
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The fund does not accept unsolicited requests. Its filing says it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations; the stated materials are a letter describing the charity’s purpose. The filing lists Leigh Rodney as the contact and no restrictions on awards.
- Review Cycle
- None listed.
- Deadline
- None listed.
- Contact
Application contact: Leigh Rodney
Mailing address: 5618 Putnam, West Bloomfield, MI 48323
Phone: (248) 352-8108
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Rodney Fund funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2023
The largest 2023 recipient was Institute for Justice ($200K). Together the top 10 received $1.3M.
Grant Size Distribution
84 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 60 grants of 84 (71%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The fund’s 2023 grant dollars went to recipients in multiple states. The largest shares were for recipients in Virginia (29%), California (17%), Illinois (15%), Michigan (13%), and the District of Columbia (10%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2023 grant dollars across all 21 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Rodney Fund open to new grantees?
24%
first-time grantees, 2023
In 2023, 5 of 21 grantees (24%) were first-time recipients. With only 21 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 5 points. First grants averaged $19K; repeat grants $95K. How we count
Medians: $15K first-time, $75K repeat.
- 76% of 2023 grantees were also funded in 2022. Method
- Giving grew 286% from 2020 to 2023. Method
- In 2023 it paid out 8% 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 (2020–2023). 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 2023, annual grant giving ranged from $417K (2020) to $1.6M (2023). In 2023 it made 21 grants totaling $1.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Institute for Justice Arlington, VA | General Funding 501(C)3 | $200,000 |
| Liberty Justice Center Chicago, IL | General Funding 501(C)3 | $200,000 |
| Mackinac Center for Public Policy Midland, MI | General Funding 501(C)3 | $200,000 |
| Pac Legal Foundation Saramento, CA | General Funding 501C(3) | $190,000 |
| Young Americans for Liberty Arlington, VA | General Funding 501(C)3 | $150,000 |
| Foundation for Econ Educa Atlanta, GA | General Funding 501(C)3 | $80,000 |
| NRW Legal Defense Springfield, VA | General Funding 501(C)3 | $80,000 |
| The AYN Rand Institute Santa Ana, CA | General Funding 501(C)3 | $80,000 |
| Judicial Watch Washington, DC | General Funding 501(C)3 | $70,000 |
| Ludwig Von Mises Auburn, AL | General Funding 501(C)3 | $70,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $31,549,729 | $156,188 | $1,841,949 | $1,610,000 | 21 | $1,610,000 | $738,469 | $19,121,415 |
| 2022 | $33,206,688 | $-1,065,437 | $1,822,170 | $1,600,000 | 16 | $1,600,000 | $657,921 | $1,559,250 |
| 2021 | $34,879,783 | $25,640,631 | $1,481,101 | $465,000 | 15 | $465,000 | $422,303 | $611,682 |
| 2020 | $9,971,195 | $4,153,615 | $433,777 | $416,600 | 32 | — | $362,521 | $485,423 |
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.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The available filing information does not state the fund’s mission. Its 2023 grants included general funding for organizations working in areas such as public-interest litigation, government accountability, and education about liberty and free markets. These are grantees’ stated activities, not a stated mission of the fund.
For example, the Institute for Justice says it uses litigation, training, communication, activism, and research to advance individual liberties, including economic liberty, educational choice, property rights, and freedom of speech. The Center for Independent Thought says it works to expand awareness of individual liberty, free markets, and peace. Grace Centers of Hope describes its work as supporting homeless, addicted, and unwanted people through its faith-based, life-skills, education, and work-related programs.
Grantmaking
In 2023, the fund reported 21 grants totaling $1,610,000. Grants ranged from $10,000 to $200,000, with a median grant of $40,000. The largest listed awards were $200,000 each to the Institute for Justice, Liberty Justice Center, and Mackinac Center for Public Policy. Other notable grants included $190,000 to PAC Legal Foundation, $150,000 to Young Americans for Liberty, and $70,000 to Judicial Watch.
The filing states that the fund makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. It lists a letter describing the charity’s purpose as the application materials and Leigh Rodney as the contact for that process. The filing lists no deadline and no restrictions on awards.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2023 filing lists Leigh Rodney, Steven Thomas, and Steve Rude as directors.
The Rodney Fund's 2023 filing lists 3 officers; 1 of 3 officers listed in 2023 is compensated.
Officers on the 2023 filing
Steven Thomas
Director
Director & Officer → Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
$10K (2020) → $20K (2023)
Leigh Rodney
Director
Director & Officer → Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Steve Rude
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: James M. Rodney (2020) — Director & Officer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2023. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2023 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2023 filing was $20K, to Steven Thomas (Director).
Frequently asked questions about The Rodney Fund
How much does The Rodney Fund give each year?
The Rodney Fund gave $1.6M across 21 grants in 2023, according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2022 it gave $1.6M across 16 grants.
What is The Rodney Fund's typical grant size?
The Rodney Fund's median grant in 2023 was $40,000, and its average grant was $76,667, across 21 grants on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Rodney Fund that year got $19K on average.
Where does The Rodney Fund give grants?
The Rodney Fund's top state is Virginia, with 29% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were California (17%) and Illinois (15%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (5 grants) and Arlington, VA (3 grants).
Does The Rodney Fund give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Rodney Fund's 2023 grants with a stated purpose (21 of 21) were for general or operating support, per its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Rodney Fund's largest grantees?
The Rodney Fund's largest 2023 grantees include Institute for Justice ($200,000), Liberty Justice Center ($200,000) and Mackinac Center for Public Policy ($200,000), according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 37% of its itemized 2023 grant dollars.
How large is The Rodney Fund?
The Rodney Fund reported $31.5M in total assets on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.6M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $19.1M (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 Rodney Fund fund?
The available filing information does not state the fund’s mission. Its 2023 grants included general funding for organizations working in areas such as public-interest litigation, government accountability, and education about liberty and free markets. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Rodney Fund?
The fund does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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.
Does The Rodney Fund 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 2020–2023
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Figures come from The Rodney 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.
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