The ACT Foundation concentrates its giving on large, institution-building gifts—especially capital campaign support for higher education and elite independent K–12 schools—primarily in the Southeastern U.S. It also uses community foundation partnerships and intermediary grants to support special projects and regional philanthropy. The foundation makes a small number of substantial, repeat awards rather than many modest grants, indicating a preference for transformational, restricted capital or program support.
Act Foundation Inc. stands out for repeated seven-figure support to Vanderbilt University: $1,360,000 in 2023 for program support, another $1,360,000 in 2024 for program support, and the same amount again in 2025 for special project support. That kind of repeat award pattern points to a funder that favors sustained institutional backing rather than one-time, scattered gifts. Across its recent grants, the foundation also backs capital campaign work at schools and universities, with gifts that support expansion, facilities, and special initiatives. The foundation’s grantmaking is centered on institutions that already have a clear public presence, including higher education, independent schools, community foundations, museums, and conservation organizations. In Atlanta, it supported The Westminster Schools for program support in 2024 and Westminster Schools Inc for capital campaign support in 2025. Elsewhere, it has made large awards to the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga Inc and to organizations in Kentucky, Florida, Maine, Michigan, Utah, and Texas. The overall pattern is a small number of substantial grants, often renewed across multiple years, with a noticeable tilt toward restricted institutional support and capital-oriented funding.
Higher education is a core theme in the foundation’s recent giving. Vanderbilt University received $1,360,000 in 2025 for special project support, following $1,360,000 in 2024 for program support and $1,360,000 in 2023 for program support. That pattern suggests long-running institutional backing rather than project-by-project experimentation. The foundation also supports private K–12 education. The Westminster Schools received $500,000 in 2024 for program support, and Westminster Schools Inc received $500,000 in 2025 for capital campaign support. Beyond education, the foundation has made regional and cultural grants, including $955,983 to Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga Inc for special project support and $150,000 to High Museum of Art for general operating support.
Typical grant sizes cluster at $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $50,000 at the 75th percentile, but the recent list also includes several much larger institutional awards. Recipients often appear across multiple years: Vanderbilt University, Entitlements How Inc, North Atlantic Salmon Fund, International Animal Rescue US, and Noah's Ark all received repeat grants. The pattern favors operating, program, special project, and capital campaign support rather than individual giving or program-related investments. The grant list shows a steady preference for renewed institutional relationships over one-off awards.
$4.1M
$50.5M
$6.2M
$4.5M
Most grants fall between $10K and $50K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$50K
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeSign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Concentrated, high-dollar giving with a handful of repeat grantees; emphasis on multi-grant or multi-year commitments and direct capital campaign support rather than broad, small-dollar distributions.
Notable grantees: Vanderbilt University, Westminster Schools / The Westminster Schools, Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga, Inc., Entitlements How Inc
Giving is heavily concentrated in the Southeast, with 53% of grants going to recipients in Georgia and Atlanta appearing repeatedly in the list. Nashville is another major landing point through Vanderbilt University, while Chattanooga appears through the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga Inc. Outside the Southeast, the foundation’s grants reach Lexington, Brunswick, Jacksonville, Harbor Springs, Salt Lake City, and Fort Worth. All listed grants are to U.S. recipients.
Its recent grants lean toward universities, independent schools, community foundations, museums, and conservation groups. Vanderbilt University, The Westminster Schools, Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga Inc, High Museum of Art, and North Atlantic Salmon Fund all appear in the recent list with institutional support.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Vanderbilt University in 2023, 2024, and 2025; Entitlements How Inc in 2023, 2024, and 2025; and Noah's Ark across 2023, 2024, and 2025. That indicates recurring relationships rather than isolated gifts.
The distribution centers on $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $50,000 at the 75th percentile. Recent awards also include larger institutional grants, including multiple seven-figure commitments and several gifts in the $100,000 to $955,983 range.
Georgia receives the largest share of grants by count, and 53% of grants go to recipients in the foundation’s headquarters state. Atlanta and Locust Grove both appear in the recent grant list, and the foundation also gives in Tennessee, Kentucky, Florida, Maine, Michigan, Utah, and Texas.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY | NASHVILLE, TN | $1,360,000 | 2025 | SPECIAL PROJECT SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF GREATER CHATTANOOGA INC | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $955,983 | 2025 | SPECIAL PROJECT SUPPORT |
| WESTMINSTER SCHOOLS INC | ATLANTA, GA | $500,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN SUPPORT |
| ENTITLEMENTS HOW INC | LEXINGTON, KY | $250,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| ATLANTIC SALMON FEDERATION | BRUNSWICK, ME | $240,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NORTH ATLANTIC SALMON FUND | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $140,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| UTAH FILM CENTER | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $100,000 | 2025 | SPECIAL PROJECT SUPPORT |
| HARBOR SPRINGS LYRIC THEATRE | HARBOR SPRINGS, MI | $100,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN SUPPORT |
| HARBOR SPRINGS AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY | HARBOR SPRINGS, MI | $75,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN SUPPORT |
| THE NATIONAL COWGIRL MUSEUM AND HALL OF FAME INC | FORT WORTH, TX | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NOAH'S ARK REHABILITATION CENTER INC | LOCUST GROVE, GA | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NOAH'S ARK REHABILITATION CENTER INC | LOCUST GROVE, GA | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NOAH'S ARK REHABILITATION CENTER INC | LOCUST GROVE, GA | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NORTH ATLANTIC SALMON FUND | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $32,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SAVING HOPE FOUNDATION | FORT WORTH, TX | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ATLANTIC SALMON FEDERATION | BRUNSWICK, ME | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NORTH ATLANTIC SALMON FUND | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $18,000 | 2025 | SPECIAL PROJECT SUPPORT |
| FORWARD ARTS FOUNDATION INC | ATLANTA, GA | $15,000 | 2025 | SPECIAL PROJECT SUPPORT |
| ST JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL | MEMPHIS, TN | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY | NASHVILLE, TN | $10,000 | 2025 | SPECIAL PROJECT SUPPORT |
| BRAYDEN COLE HINCK FOUNDATION INC | CALABASAS, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT A FELLOW IN CANCER & BLOOD DISEASE RESEARCH FOCUSED ON NEURO-ONCOLOGY RESEARCH AT THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF LOS ANGELES |
| FINO DOGGIE RESCUE INC | PARKLAND, FL | $7,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CHARITIES AID FOUNDATION AMERICA | ALEXANDRIA, VA | $5,435 | 2025 | SPECIAL PROJECT SUPPORT |
| BUCKHEAD BASEBALL INC | ALANTA, GA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FAMILIES OF CHILDREN UNDER STRESS INC | ATLANTA, GA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ALL SAINTS EPISCOPAL CHURCH (WASHINGTON) | VANCOUVER, WA | $1,000 | 2025 | SPECIAL PROJECT SUPPORT |
| VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY | NASHVILLE, TN | $1,360,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| THE WESTMINSTER SCHOOLS | ATLANTA, GA | $500,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| ENTITLEMENTS HOW INC | LEXINGTON, KY | $250,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| NORTH ATLANTIC SALMON FUND US | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $160,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| APF SUPPORT INC | ATLANTA, GA | $150,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| INTERNATIONAL ANIMAL RESCUE US | SHREWSBURY, MA | $125,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN RIVERS | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NORTH ATLANTIC SALMON FUND US | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $50,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| NOAH'S ARK | LOCUST GROVE, GA | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NOAH'S ARK | LOCUST GROVE, GA | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| PATH FOUNDATION | ATLANTA, GA | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NOAH'S ARK | LOCUST GROVE, GA | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FORWARD ARTS FOUNDATION | ATLANTA, GA | $15,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| MCLAREN NORTHERN MICHIGAN FOUNDATION | PETOSKEY, MI | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ANIMAL RESCUE FUND OF THE HAMPTONS INC | EAST HAMPTON, NY | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FINO DOGGIE ETC RESCUE INC | PARKLAND, FL | $7,500 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FOCUS | ATLANTA, GA | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ATLANTA MEMORIAL PARK CONSERVANCY | ATLANTA, GA | $1,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY | NASHVILLE, TN | $1,360,000 | 2023 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY | NASHVILLE, TN | $600,000 | 2023 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| ENTITLEMENTS HOW INC | LEXINGTON, KY | $250,000 | 2023 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| HIGH MUSEUM OF ART | ATLANTA, GA | $150,000 | 2023 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| INTERNATIONAL ANIMAL RESCUE US | SHREWSBURY, MA | $125,000 | 2023 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HARBOR HALL FOUNDATION | HARBOR SPRINGS, MI | $50,000 | 2023 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
$1,360,000SPECIAL PROJECT SUPPORT
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF GREATER CHATTANOOGA INC
$955,983SPECIAL PROJECT SUPPORT
WESTMINSTER SCHOOLS INC
$500,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN SUPPORT
ENTITLEMENTS HOW INC
$250,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
ATLANTIC SALMON FEDERATION
$240,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
NORTH ATLANTIC SALMON FUND
$140,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
UTAH FILM CENTER
$100,000SPECIAL PROJECT SUPPORT
HARBOR SPRINGS LYRIC THEATRE
$100,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN SUPPORT
HARBOR SPRINGS AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$75,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN SUPPORT
THE NATIONAL COWGIRL MUSEUM AND HALL OF FAME INC
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
NOAH'S ARK REHABILITATION CENTER INC
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
NOAH'S ARK REHABILITATION CENTER INC
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
NOAH'S ARK REHABILITATION CENTER INC
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
NORTH ATLANTIC SALMON FUND
$32,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
SAVING HOPE FOUNDATION
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
ATLANTIC SALMON FEDERATION
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
NORTH ATLANTIC SALMON FUND
$18,000SPECIAL PROJECT SUPPORT
FORWARD ARTS FOUNDATION INC
$15,000SPECIAL PROJECT SUPPORT
ST JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
$10,000SPECIAL PROJECT SUPPORT
BRAYDEN COLE HINCK FOUNDATION INC
$10,000TO SUPPORT A FELLOW IN CANCER & BLOOD DISEASE RESEARCH FOCUSED ON NEURO-ONCOLOGY RESEARCH AT THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF LOS ANGELES
FINO DOGGIE RESCUE INC
$7,500GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
CHARITIES AID FOUNDATION AMERICA
$5,435SPECIAL PROJECT SUPPORT
BUCKHEAD BASEBALL INC
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
FAMILIES OF CHILDREN UNDER STRESS INC
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
ALL SAINTS EPISCOPAL CHURCH (WASHINGTON)
$1,000SPECIAL PROJECT SUPPORT
VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
$1,360,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
THE WESTMINSTER SCHOOLS
$500,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
ENTITLEMENTS HOW INC
$250,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
NORTH ATLANTIC SALMON FUND US
$160,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
APF SUPPORT INC
$150,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
INTERNATIONAL ANIMAL RESCUE US
$125,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
AMERICAN RIVERS
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
NORTH ATLANTIC SALMON FUND US
$50,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
NOAH'S ARK
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
NOAH'S ARK
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
PATH FOUNDATION
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
NOAH'S ARK
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
FORWARD ARTS FOUNDATION
$15,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
MCLAREN NORTHERN MICHIGAN FOUNDATION
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
ANIMAL RESCUE FUND OF THE HAMPTONS INC
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
FINO DOGGIE ETC RESCUE INC
$7,500GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
FOCUS
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
ATLANTA MEMORIAL PARK CONSERVANCY
$1,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
$1,360,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
$600,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
ENTITLEMENTS HOW INC
$250,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
HIGH MUSEUM OF ART
$150,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
INTERNATIONAL ANIMAL RESCUE US
$125,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
HARBOR HALL FOUNDATION
$50,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN