Woodford Foundation
The Woodford Foundation for Limited Government is a private foundation based in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It supports Colorado and national nonprofits whose purposes include promoting individual freedom and economic literacy, and its stated interests include preserving religious, political, and economic freedom.
Woodford Foundation at a glance
In short: Woodford Foundation gave $372K across 55 grants in 2025 (avg $7K), top state Colorado. 2% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $372,200
- +1.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 55
- -5.2% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $6,767
- +6.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $2,500
- Total assets
- $79,160
- +39.7% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 2% first-time grantees (1 of 55, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Colorado (32% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Woodford Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Its website says it will consider letters of inquiry; its filing states that contributions are made only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 205 E Cheyenne Mountain Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80906
Phone: (719) 579-9909
Website: https://woodfordfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Woodford Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was University of Colorado Foundation ($60K). Together the top 10 received $240K.
Grant Size Distribution
295 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 290 grants of 295 (98%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, grant dollars were distributed among recipients in Colorado (32%), the District of Columbia (26%), Virginia (19%), Texas (9%), and Michigan (3%). The foundation describes its grantmaking as supporting Colorado and national nonprofits.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 55 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Woodford Foundation open to new grantees?
2%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 1 of 55 grantees (2%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $5K; repeat grants $7K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $3K repeat.
- 98% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−9%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $323K (2020) to $422K (2021). In 2025 it made 55 grants totaling $372K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| University of Colorado Foundation Boulder, CO | Center for Studyof Govt & Indivdual | $60,000 |
| Institute for Justice Arlington, VA | General Purpose | $25,000 |
| State Policy Network Arlington, VA | General Purpose | $25,000 |
| Conservative Partnership Institute Washington, DC | General Purpose | $25,000 |
| Convention of States Foundation Houston, TX | General Purpose | $25,000 |
| Judicial Watch Washington, DC | General Puprose | $25,000 |
| Steamboat Institute Steamboat Springs, CO | General Purpose | $20,000 |
| American Council of Trustees and Alumni Washington, DC | General Purpose | $15,000 |
| The Fund for American Studies Washington, DC | General Purpose | $10,200 |
| Acton Institute Grand Rapids, MI | General Purpose | $10,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Woodford Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The filing type is Form 990-PF, a private foundation.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $79,160 | $401,000 | $378,521 | $372,200 | 55 | $377,521 | $1,343 |
| 2024 | $56,681 | $405,200 | $377,224 | $368,000 | 58 | $376,124 | $1,571 |
| 2023 | $28,705 | $413,200 | $399,490 | $375,550 | 59 | $398,490 | $1,526 |
| 2022 | $14,995 | $404,100 | $438,411 | $409,100 | 59 | $437,411 | $1,511 |
| 2021 | $49,306 | $405,575 | $449,099 | $421,600 | 64 | $449,099 | $1,877 |
| 2020 | $92,830 | $397,500 | $360,099 | $322,950 | 52 | — | $2,353 |
| 2019 | $55,429 | $399,800 | $400,671 | $356,050 | 68 | — | $2,354 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Woodford Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1K for 2025 — 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 foundation says it seeks to preserve religious, political, and economic freedom. Its stated activities include supporting free enterprise and responsible capitalism, promoting economic literacy, and encouraging a reduction in the size and scope of federal and state governments.
Its 2025 grants included organizations whose own stated missions address these themes. For example, the Institute for Justice says it litigates to secure economic liberty, educational choice, property rights, freedom of speech, and other individual liberties. State Policy Network says it works to build freedom movements anchored by independent state think tanks. The Independence Institute describes its mission as educating citizens, legislators, and opinion makers about policies that enhance personal and economic freedom. The American Council of Trustees and Alumni says it educates alumni, trustees, and others about the benefits of higher education.
Grantmaking
The foundation reported 55 grants totaling $372,200 in 2025, 58 grants totaling $368,000 in 2024, and 59 grants totaling $375,550 in 2023. For its 2025 grants, awards ranged from $250 to $60,000, with a median grant of $2,500.
The largest reported 2025 grants included $60,000 to the University of Colorado Foundation for the “Center for Studyof Govt & Individ[u]al”; $25,000 each to the Institute for Justice, State Policy Network, Conservative Partnership Institute, Convention of States Foundation, and Judicial Watch; and $20,000 to Steamboat Institute. Other listed awards included $15,000 to the American Council of Trustees and Alumni, $10,200 to The Fund for American Studies, and $10,000 each to Acton Institute, Independence Institute, and New Civil Liberties Alliance. Most of these grants were listed for general purposes.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Joseph C. Woodford, Linda M. Woodford, Daniel J. Woodford, Stephen D. Woodford, John M. Woodford, and Kristin Woodford as trustees. The foundation’s website says family members comprise its board of directors.
Woodford Foundation's 2025 filing lists 6 officers; none of the 6 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Daniel J. Woodford
Trustee
On filings since 2019
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John M. Woodford
Trustee
On filings since 2019
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joseph C. Woodford
Trustee
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kristin Woodford
Trustee
On filings since 2019
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Linda M. Woodford
Trustee
On filings since 2019
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stephen D. Woodford
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Woodford Foundation
How much does Woodford Foundation give each year?
Woodford Foundation gave $372K across 55 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $368K across 58 grants.
What is Woodford Foundation's typical grant size?
Woodford Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $2,500, and its average grant was $6,767, across 55 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Woodford Foundation that year got $5K on average.
Where does Woodford Foundation give grants?
Woodford Foundation's top state is Colorado, with 32% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were District of Columbia (26%) and Virginia (19%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (14 grants), Arlington, VA (7 grants), Colorado Springs, CO (2 grants) and Alexandria, VA (2 grants).
Does Woodford Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 93% of Woodford Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (51 of 55) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Woodford Foundation's largest grantees?
Woodford Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include University of Colorado Foundation ($60,000), Institute for Justice ($25,000) and State Policy Network ($25,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 30% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Woodford Foundation?
Woodford Foundation reported $79K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $378K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Woodford Foundation fund?
The foundation says it seeks to preserve religious, political, and economic freedom. Its stated activities include supporting free enterprise and responsible capitalism, promoting economic literacy, and encouraging a reduction in the size and scope of federal and state governments. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Woodford Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Woodford Foundation's EIN?
Woodford Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-6282092. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does Woodford Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS July 10, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS April 5, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS April 18, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 6, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 9, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 15, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 3, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Woodford Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/woodford-foundation-morg_111014dd21c54bfcaa83ad50ec7f6ea5
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_846282092_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Woodford Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/woodford-foundation-morg_111014dd21c54bfcaa83ad50ec7f6ea5},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. 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 Woodford Foundation'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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