Together, we support the Academy, serve our graduates and preserve the heritage of the institution. To be an Association and Foundation of influence and impact, supporting the Academy’s enduring mission of developing leaders of character for the nation, and providing a lifetime of service to the Long Blue Line.
A defining feature of Air Force Academy Foundation grantmaking is its direct support for the United States Air Force Academy itself: the two largest recent grants were $15,597,368 in 2024 and $8,556,971 in 2023 to the United States Air Force Academy in USAF Academy, CO. The foundation also funds the infrastructure around the Academy community, including athletics, graduate engagement, and research support. Recent awards include $3,737,294 to Air Force Academy Athletic Corporation and $1,028,418 to Association of Graduates of the Usafa, both in USAF Academy. Its work reflects a broad institutional mission rather than a single short-term program, with funding tied to cadet programs, heritage, career services, and leadership development. The foundation’s stated purpose is to support the Academy, serve graduates, and preserve the heritage of the institution while helping sustain the Long Blue Line. Recent grant activity also shows support for assets and investments tied to Academy operations, including Air Force Academy Real Estate Trust.
Among its named program areas, cadet experience is a clear priority. The foundation gave $15,597,368 to the United States Air Force Academy for academy operations in 2024, and the annual fund is described as supporting cadet programs, international immersion trips, morale, welfare and recreation, heritage projects, Airmanship Next, graduate services, and summer internships. Athletics is another visible area: Air Force Academy Athletic Corporation received $3,737,294 for Academy-related support. Graduate services and engagement also appear in the grant list, with $1,028,418 to Association of Graduates of the Usafa. The foundation also supports research and future-facing work through a $70,590 grant to Academy Research and Development Institute.
Grant size varies widely, from a 25th percentile of $85,295 to a median of $891,747 and a 75th percentile of $2,382,856. The pattern is dominated by large institutional awards rather than many small grants. Recent funding also shows repetition: the United States Air Force Academy, Air Force Academy Athletic Corporation, Association of Graduates of the Usafa, and Falcon Foundation each appear more than once across 2023 and 2024. The foundation is not an individual-giving vehicle and does not make program-related investments. Its active programs include both unrestricted annual support and endowed, donor-established funds; one program accepts unsolicited requests, while the others are structured endowment programs.
$20.5M
$156.5M
$40.9M
$28.4M
Most grants fall between $85K and $2.4M, with a median of $892K.
25th Percentile
$85K
Median
$892K
75th Percentile
$2.4M
Katie Willemarck
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Grantmaking is concentrated in Colorado, and every listed recipient is in the United States. USAF Academy is the main recipient location, appearing on awards to the United States Air Force Academy, Air Force Academy Athletic Corporation, Association of Graduates of the Usafa, Air Force Academy Real Estate Trust, and Falcon Foundation. Colorado Springs also appears through Academy Research and Development Institute. The recipient-country distribution is entirely domestic, with 11 grants in the US.
The foundation supports higher education and cadet programs, leadership and character development, athletics, heritage and archives, capital projects and facilities, cybersecurity and the Institute for Future Conflict, and career services. Its active programs also include graduate engagement and next-of-kin services.
Recent grants show a 25th percentile of $85,295, a median of $891,747, and a 75th percentile of $2,382,856. The pattern is weighted toward large institutional awards.
Recent giving includes recurring recipients. The United States Air Force Academy, Air Force Academy Athletic Corporation, Association of Graduates of the Usafa, and Falcon Foundation each received multiple grants across 2023 and 2024.
It is locally focused and entirely Colorado-based in the listed grants. Every recipient is in the United States, with USAF Academy the dominant location and Colorado Springs also appearing.
Yes. The Next of Kin Endowment Program accepts unsolicited requests, while the Class of 1970 Endowment for Reunions and the Air Force Academy Fund are structured as donor-supported programs rather than open-application grant lines.
2024
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2024.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY | USAF Academy, CO | $15,597,368 | 2024 | See Part IV |
| AIR FORCE ACADEMY ATHLETIC CORPORATION | USAF Academy, CO | $3,737,294 | 2024 | See Part IV |
| ASSOCIATION OF GRADUATES OF THE USAFA | USAF Academy, CO | $891,747 | 2024 | See Part IV |
| Air Force Academy Real Estate Trust | USAF Academy, CO | $100,000 | 2024 | PUrchase of investments |
| Academy Research and Development Institute | Colorado Springs, CO | $70,590 | 2024 | See Part IV |
| FALCON FOUNDATION | USAF Academy, CO | $67,709 | 2024 | See Part IV |
| UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY | USAF Academy, CO | $8,556,971 | 2023 | See Part IV |
| ASSOCIATION OF GRADUATES OF THE USAFA | USAF Academy, CO | $1,028,418 | 2023 | See Part IV |
| Air Force Academy Real Estate Trust | USAF Academy, CO | $1,000,000 | 2023 | PUrchase of investments |
| AIR FORCE ACADEMY ATHLETIC CORPORATION | USAF Academy, CO | $174,478 | 2023 | See Part IV |
| FALCON FOUNDATION | USAF Academy, CO | $37,777 | 2023 | See Part IV |
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY
$15,597,368See Part IV
AIR FORCE ACADEMY ATHLETIC CORPORATION
$3,737,294See Part IV
ASSOCIATION OF GRADUATES OF THE USAFA
$891,747See Part IV
Air Force Academy Real Estate Trust
$100,000PUrchase of investments
Academy Research and Development Institute
$70,590See Part IV
FALCON FOUNDATION
$67,709See Part IV
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY
$8,556,971See Part IV
ASSOCIATION OF GRADUATES OF THE USAFA
$1,028,418See Part IV
Air Force Academy Real Estate Trust
$1,000,000PUrchase of investments
AIR FORCE ACADEMY ATHLETIC CORPORATION
$174,478See Part IV
FALCON FOUNDATION
$37,777See Part IV