The Steele Family Foundation
The Steele Family Foundation is a private charitable foundation established in 2007 by Michael Steele and the Steele family. Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, with presence in the United States and Ghana, the foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization. The foundation is guided by principles of due diligence, governance, corporate protocol, and ongoing management, operating with what it describes as a "grass roots mindset" and "business sense and partnerships for social change."
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$741K
+16.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$290K
-10.6% YoY
Grant Count
40
-23.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$7K
+16.3% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Steele Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $91K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement: To provide education, basic humanitarian services and community support to the disadvantaged at a grass roots level.
Three Primary Pillars:
- Education — Teaching youth to enable them to have a brighter future without poverty
- Hospice Services — Fulfilling basic needs such as food, clothing, and shelter
- Community Support — Enriching lives and bringing values to society
The foundation's grantmaking focuses on education, philanthropy, voluntarism and grantmaking, and human services.
Grantmaking
The foundation currently does not accept unsolicited grant applications. The foundation selects its causes and charities through careful analysis and due diligence, looking for efficient and effective charities that maintain honesty and integrity while achieving positive results.
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds organizations primarily in:
- California
- Virginia
- District of Columbia
- Canada (Ontario)
- Ghana
- International organizations
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
2024 Financial Data:
- Total Assets: $741,014
- Total Revenue: $412,135
- Total Expenses: $308,327
- Total Liabilities: $0
- Total Giving: $290,000
2023 Financial Data:
- Assets: $1.8M
- Distributions: $326K
Tax-Exempt Status: Tax-exempt since February 2010 (EIN: 61-6383654)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $741,014 | $637,206 | $782,153 |
| Revenue | $412,135 | $199,523 | $145,854 |
| Expenses | $308,327 | $344,470 | $415,591 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $290,000 | $325,826 | $391,781 |
| Net Investment Income | $252,240 | $185,694 | $122,737 |
| Distributable Amount | $90,711 | $93,795 | $115,218 |
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 2024
Grant Size Distribution
240 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Marymount University ($50,000), Somos Amigos Medical Missions ($20,000), University of Canterbury ($20,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AHEAD WITH HORSES SHADOW HILLS, CA | PROVIDE UNIQUE, MOTIVATING AND EFFECTIVE THERAPY, EDUCATION TO DISABLED/DISADVANTAGED | $5,000 |
| ARCADIA CENTER FOR SUSTAINABLE FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ALEXANDRIA, VA | CREATE A MORE EQUITABLE AND SUSTAINABLE LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM IN THE WASHINGTON, DC AREA | $3,000 |
| BEN'S RANCH CARMEL, IN | GIVE TEENS WITH MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES WAYS TO IMPROVE THEIR LIVES | $5,000 |
| BHUTAN FOUNDATION WASHINGTON, DC | CULTURAL PRESERVATION, ENVIRONMENTAL, GOOD GOVERNANCE | $10,000 |
| CAPITOL HILL ARTS WORKSHOP WASHINGTON, DC | BUILDING COMMUNITY THROUGH ARTS | $5,000 |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF SANTA BARBARA SANTA BARBARA, CA | PREVENTING HUNGER AND HOMELESSNESS BY ADVANCING SELF-SUFFICIENCY | $10,000 |
| DOCTORS WITHOUT WALLS SANTA BARBARA, CA | PROVIDING FREE, VOLUNTEER MEDICAL CARE FOR THE MOST VULNERABLE OF SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, WHEN AND WHERE THEY ARE IN NEED, INCLUDING IN TIMES OF DISASTER. | $5,000 |
| EARTH SANGHA FAIRFAX, VA | PROPAGATION OF LOCAL NATIVE PLANTS | $5,000 |
| ENSEMBLE THEATRE SANTA BARBARA, CA | PRESENTS NEW PLAYS AND INNOVATIVE INTERPRETATIONS OF CLASSIC WORKS | $10,000 |
| FR VIRGIL CORDANO CENTER SANTA BARBARA, CA | PROVIDE A PLACE OF WELCOME AND SUPPORT FOR THE HUMAN AND SPIRITUAL WELL-BEING FOR OUR SISTERS AND BROTHERS IN NEED. | $5,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Key Personnel:
- Michael Steele — Founder and visionary behind the foundation; brings years of consulting experience in turning problematic situations into positive outcomes
- Ronald W. Steele — Director
- Mary J. Steele — Director
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| RONALD W STEELE | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| MARY J STEELE | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has been recognized for its international philanthropic work. In 2024, the foundation received the CAF America Excellence in International Philanthropy Award.
SOS Children's Villages Canada and The Steele Family Foundation launch innovativeThe foundation has partnered with SOS Children's Villages Canada to launch an innovative scholarship program to empower youth in Ghana.
SOS Children's Villages Canada and The Steele Family Foundation launch innovativeThe foundation developed the WISE Scholarship Program™, a non-profit platform that allows students to secure financial support to advance their career objectives. The program utilizes an "Earn to Learn" approach with a three-part balanced point system that weighs academic grades, social involvement, and peer-to-peer influences.
The foundation has supported educational initiatives, including establishing a $100,000 fund for library student assistants at Clemson University.
Steeles establish $100,000 fund for library student assistants | Clemson**Supported Organizations Include:**
Bethell Hospice Foundation
SOS Children's Villages
SOS Children's Villages Canada and The Steele Family Foundation launch innovativeCaledon Community Services
Covenant House Toronto
Good Shepherd Ministries
Heart and Stroke Foundation
Hockey Helps The Homeless
Humanitarian Coalition
JDRF (Junior Diabetes Research Foundation)
Missionaries of Charity
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Steele Family Foundation fund?
**Mission Statement:** To provide education, basic humanitarian services and community support to the disadvantaged at a grass roots level. **Three Primary Pillars:** 1. **Education** — Teaching youth to enable them to have a brighter future without poverty 2. **Hospice Services** — Fulfilling basic needs such as food, clothing, and shelter 3. **Community Support** — Enriching lives and bringing values to society The foundation's grantmaking focuses on education, philanthropy, voluntarism and g…
How do I apply for a grant from The Steele Family Foundation?
**Grant Characteristics:** • Typical award range: $2,000–$50,000 • Recent grants have included awards of $50,000, $10,000, and smaller amounts • The foundation made 80 grants in 2024, with 52 grants recorded in 2023 **Recent Grants (2024):** • Marymount University: $50,000 • The Bhutan Foundation: $10,000 • Ensemble Theatre Company of Santa Barbara: $10,000 **Application Process:** The foundation currently does not accept unsolicited grant applications. The foundation selects its causes and cha…
Where does The Steele Family Foundation make grants?
The foundation funds organizations primarily in: • California • Virginia • District of Columbia • Canada (Ontario) • Ghana • International organizations
What size grants does The Steele Family Foundation award?
In 2024, The Steele Family Foundation awarded 40 grants totaling $290K — an average of about $7K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Steele Family Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Steele Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $91K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Steele Family Foundation's EIN?
The Steele Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 61-6383654. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Steele Family Foundation'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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