The Searle Freedom Trust
The Searle Freedom Trust is a private foundation based in Madison, Wisconsin. Its 2024 filing lists grants to organizations engaged in research, education and outreach, journalism, and litigation.
The Searle Freedom Trust at a glance
In short: The Searle Freedom Trust gave $18.9M across 80 grants in 2024 (avg $236K), top state District of Columbia. 17% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $18,866,185
- -5.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 80
- -21.6% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $235,827
- +20.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $200,000
- Total assets
- $22,377,003
- -58.9% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 17% first-time grantees (11 of 65, 2024)
- Primary geography
- District of Columbia (31% 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 Searle Freedom Trust
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 111 North Fairchild Street Ste 300, Madison, WI 53703
Phone: (608) 710-4200
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Searle Freedom Trust funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was George Mason University Foundation ($1.6M across 4 grants). Together the top 10 received $8.3M.
Grant Size Distribution
537 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 237 grants of 537 (44%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 31% of grant dollars went to recipients in the District of Columbia, 24% to Virginia, 9% to California, 7% to Texas, and 7% to an individual recipient
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 80 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Searle Freedom Trust open to new grantees?
17%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 11 of 65 grantees (17%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $199K; repeat grants $309K. How we count
Medians: $120K first-time, $250K repeat.
- 75% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 22% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 $18.9M (2024) to $24.4M (2022). In 2024 it made 80 grants totaling $18.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| American Enterprise Institute Washington, DC | Research | $1,100,000 |
| George Mason University Foundation Fairfax, VA | Education and Outreach | $1,000,000 |
| State Policy Network Arlington, VA | Research | $885,650 |
| Foundation for Government Accountability Naples, FL | Research | $800,000 |
| Center for Individual Rights Washington, DC | Journalism | $500,000 |
| Pacific Legal Foundation Sacramento, CA | Litigation | $500,000 |
| Competitive Enterprise Institute Washington, DC | Research | $500,000 |
| Philanthropy Roundtable Washington, DC | Education and Outreach | $400,000 |
| New Civil Liberties Alliance Washington, DC | Journalism | $400,000 |
| Committee to Unleash Prosperity Potomac, MD | Research | $400,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Searle Freedom Trust?
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 | $22,377,003 | $4,286,637 | $21,514,414 | $18,866,185 | 80 | $21,401,314 | $4,076,575 | $1,492,126 |
| 2023 | $54,469,398 | $-220,157 | $23,569,902 | $19,997,457 | 102 | $22,788,179 | $1,644,892 | $2,518,020 |
| 2022 | $76,871,981 | $8,962,293 | $26,946,897 | $24,383,160 | 120 | $26,295,876 | $7,435,270 | $3,517,670 |
| 2021 | $94,348,355 | $14,770,909 | $27,413,255 | $24,063,039 | 120 | $26,356,123 | $13,138,884 | $5,264,694 |
| 2020 | $105,094,955 | $12,616,372 | $25,750,004 | $22,227,592 | 115 | — | $11,416,293 | $5,216,132 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Searle Freedom Trust reported a distributable amount of $1.5M for 2024 — 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 filing information provided does not state a mission for the foundation. Its 2024 grants included support for organizations whose missions, as described by those organizations, include policy research, legal advocacy, and education. For example, the Competitive Enterprise Institute describes itself as dedicated to free enterprise and limited government, while Pacific Legal Foundation says it litigates to secure individual rights. The Tax Foundation says it works to advance tax policy through information and economic analysis.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 80 grants totaling $18,866,185. Grants ranged from $535 to $1,100,000, with a median of $200,000. Its largest grants included $1,100,000 to the American Enterprise Institute for research; $1,000,000 to George Mason University Foundation for education and outreach; and $885,650 to State Policy Network for research.
Other notable 2024 grants included $800,000 to the Foundation for Government Accountability; $500,000 each to Center for Individual Rights, Pacific Legal Foundation, and Competitive Enterprise Institute; and $400,000 each to Philanthropy Roundtable, New Civil Liberties Alliance, Committee to Unleash Prosperity, Georgia Center for Opportunity, and Tax Foundation. The filing lists research, journalism, litigation, and education and outreach among grant purposes.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists D Gideon Searle and Kinship Trust Company LLC as trustees; Kimberly O Dennis as executive director; Michael D Searle and Ethan O Meers as family advisors; and Steven F Hayward, Stephen Moore, and James Piereson as grant advisors.
The Searle Freedom Trust is led by Kimberly O. Dennis, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 5 of 8 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Kimberly O. Dennis
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$478K (2020) → $598K (2024)
Kinship Trust Company LLC
Trustee
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
$950K (2020) → $325K (2024)
D. Gideon Searle
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James Piereson
Grant Advisor
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$8K (2020) → $11K (2024)
Stephen Moore
Grant Advisor
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$12K (2020) → $11K (2024)
Steven F. Hayward
Grant Advisor
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$12K (2020) → $11K (2024)
Ethan O. Meers
Family Advisor
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael D. Searle
Family Advisor
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: William H. Mellor (2020) — Grant Advisor
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 $598K, to Kimberly O Dennis (Executive Director). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Searle Freedom Trust
How much does The Searle Freedom Trust give each year?
The Searle Freedom Trust gave $18.9M across 80 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $20.0M across 102 grants.
What is The Searle Freedom Trust's typical grant size?
The Searle Freedom Trust's median grant in 2024 was $200,000, and its average grant was $235,827, across 80 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Searle Freedom Trust that year got $199K on average.
Where does The Searle Freedom Trust give grants?
The Searle Freedom Trust's top state is District of Columbia, with 31% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Virginia (24%) and California (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (21 grants), New York, NY (7 grants), Arlington, VA (6 grants) and Chicago, IL (5 grants).
Does The Searle Freedom Trust give general operating support?
Occasionally: 1% of The Searle Freedom Trust's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 80) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Education and Outreach" (22 grants), "Litigation" (16 grants) and "Research" (16 grants).
Who are The Searle Freedom Trust's largest grantees?
The Searle Freedom Trust's largest 2024 grantees include George Mason University Foundation ($1,625,000 across 4 grants), American Enterprise Institute ($1,150,000 across 2 grants) and State Policy Network ($1,135,650 across 2 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 21% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Searle Freedom Trust?
The Searle Freedom Trust reported $22.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $21.4M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.5M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Searle Freedom Trust fund?
The filing information provided does not state a mission for the foundation. Its 2024 grants included support for organizations whose missions, as described by those organizations, include policy research, legal advocacy, and education. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Searle Freedom Trust?
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Searle Freedom Trust's EIN?
The Searle Freedom Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-7244615. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Searle Freedom Trust 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 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 November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 14, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The Searle Freedom Trust funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Searle Freedom Trust's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Searle Freedom Trust funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 21, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-searle-freedom-trust-morg_66d3c95c86f44549ae7da5c36380e068
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_367244615_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Searle Freedom Trust funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-searle-freedom-trust-morg_66d3c95c86f44549ae7da5c36380e068},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-21. 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 Searle Freedom Trust'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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