The AAUP Foundation is organized to fund, through its grantmaking process, the charitable and educational purposes of the AAUP, including supporting principles of academic freedom and the quality of higher education in a free and democratic society. Safeguarding academic freedom encourages free inquiry, promotes the expansion of knowledge, and creates an environment in which learning and research can flourish, thereby enhancing the quality of higher education and benefiting society.
The American Association of University Professors channels its grantmaking into academic freedom, faculty rights, and the quality of higher education, with legal defense appearing as a defining use of funds. One of its active programs, the Legal Defense Fund, has supported lawsuits involving issues of national significance in higher education since 1975, and the foundation also makes quarterly grants and special-fund awards for research, publications, and direct assistance to faculty members. Recent grants show that this is not only a litigation funder: it also backs chapter mobilization, organizing, state conference development, and crisis response for AAUP-affiliated groups and related higher-education organizations. The scale is substantial for a membership-oriented foundation. It reported $977,380 in annual grants and $16,936,784 in total assets, while its recent awards range from small special-fund grants to larger organizing and legal-support commitments. Recipients include AAUP chapters, state conferences, and faculty groups working on contract campaigns, legal expenses, and local organizing. The foundation’s funding pattern points to a clear emphasis on strengthening the infrastructure that supports academic freedom rather than funding broad institutional programs. Its portfolio also shows direct support for individuals, not just organizations, through funds aimed at faculty assistance and scholarly activity. Across the recent grant list, the foundation consistently uses named AAUP chapters and conference bodies as its vehicles for advancing higher-education advocacy and defense.
Legal defense is one of the clearest throughlines in the American Association of University Professors’ grantmaking. In 2023, it gave $20,000 to Oakland University Aaup Chapter for litigation, and $20,000 to Union County College Chapter Aaup for legal support. The foundation also maintains a dedicated Legal Defense Fund for lawsuits involving higher education issues of national significance. Organizing and chapter support form another major line of funding. It awarded $55,000 to Aaup-bhsnj for chapter mobilization and contract campaign support, and $25,000 to Aaup-portland State University Chapter for chapter mobilization. Related grants also support organizing campaigns and collective bargaining work. State-level infrastructure appears as well. In 2025, New York State Conference - Aaup received $32,192 for state conference development, while Colorado State Conference - Aaup received $22,900 for chapter mobilization. The grant list also includes crisis-response and COVID-related awards, showing that the foundation uses flexible support for immediate chapter needs.
$192K
$16.9M
$12.2M
$12.9M
Most grants fall between $8K and $20K, with a median of $11K.
25th Percentile
$8K
Median
$11K
75th Percentile
$20K
About 4% of grants go to recipients in MI.
DANIELLE AUBERT
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Typical grant sizes cluster in the low five figures: p25 is $7,720, the median is $11,274, and p75 is $19,980. The recent grant list includes both modest awards and larger commitments, with the upper end reaching $55,000. Recipients appear across multiple years, including Aaup-portland State University Chapter, Uic United Faculty Local 6456, Eastern Michigan University Chap -aaup, and Oakland University Aaup Chapter, which suggests recurring support for some affiliates and projects. The foundation is a grantmaking charity rather than a program-related-investment funder, and it funds individuals as well as organizations. Its quarterly grant program and special funds indicate an open application structure, including unsolicited applications for several programs.
The foundation gives nationally, and every recent grant listed goes to a U.S. recipient. Its top state by grant count is Michigan, with grants to places such as Ypsilanti, Detroit, Kalamazoo, and Rochester. New Jersey is another frequent destination, with awards in New Brunswick, Lawrence Township, Elizabeth, and Allenhurst. Other recipient locations include Chicago, Cincinnati, Portland, and Boulder. Washington, DC receives a small share of grants, accounting for 4% of awards.
It funds academic freedom, legal defense for faculty, higher education governance, research and publications, and education and outreach. Recent grant purposes also include chapter mobilization, contract campaign support, crisis response, state conference development, and litigation support.
Yes. It is marked as funding individuals, and its active programs include the Academic Freedom Fund and Smith-Kaplan Academic Freedom Fund, both of which support faculty members and related academic-freedom work.
The typical grant size is fairly concentrated in the low five figures: p25 is $7,720, median grant size is $11,274, and p75 is $19,980. Recent awards also show larger exceptions, including a $55,000 chapter mobilization and contract campaign support grant.
Several active programs accept unsolicited applications, including the Legal Defense Fund, the AAUP Foundation Quarterly Grants program, the Academic Freedom Fund, the Smith-Kaplan Academic Freedom Fund, and the applying-for-grants guidance page that links to instructions for special funds.
Its giving is national, with 100% of recent grants going to U.S. recipients. By count, Michigan is the top state, and Washington, DC accounts for 4% of grants.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NEW YORK STATE CONFERENCE - AAUP | HYDE PARK, NY | $32,192 | 2025 | STATE CONFERENCE DEVELOPMENT GRANT |
| NEVADA FACULTY ALLIANCE | LAS VEGAS, NV | $18,707 | 2025 | CHAPTER MOBILIZATION GRANT |
| OREGON STATE CONFERENCE-AAUP | CORVALLIS, OR | $10,000 | 2025 | STATE CONFERENCE DEVELOPMENT GRANT |
| ST JOHNS UNIVERSITY - AAUP | JAMIACA, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | CHAPTER MOBILIZATION GRANT |
| AAUP-PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY CHAPTER | PORTLAND, OR | $10,000 | 2025 | CHAPTER MOBILIZATION GRANT |
| AAUP - UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI | CINCINNATI, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | CHAPTER MOBILIZATION GRANT |
| WAYNE STATE AAUP-AFT LOCAL 6075 | DETROIT, MI | $10,000 | 2025 | CHAPTER MOBILIZATION GRANT |
| WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY AAUP | KALAMAZOO, MI | $9,109 | 2025 | CB LITIGATION FUND |
| TENNESSEE STATE CONFERENCE | SMITHVILLE, TN | $8,630 | 2025 | STATE CONFERENCE DEVELOPMENT GRANT |
| OHIO STATE CONFERENCE - AAUP | COLUMBUS, OH | $8,483 | 2025 | STATE CONFERENCE DEVELOPMENT GRANT |
| AMERICAN UNIVERSITY AAUP CHAPTER | WASHINGTON, DC | $7,500 | 2025 | CHAPTER MOBILIZATION GRANT |
| UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI AAUP | HATTIESBURG, MS | $7,500 | 2025 | CHAPTER MOBILIZATION GRANT |
| AAUP-PENN | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $7,500 | 2025 | CHAPTER MOBILIZATION GRANT |
| LEWIS & CLARK CHAPTER OF THE AAUP | PORTLAND, OR | $7,488 | 2025 | CHAPTER MOBILIZATION GRANT |
| DENVER AAUP CHAPTER | DENVER, CO | $6,500 | 2025 | CHAPTER MOBILIZATION GRANT |
| TEXAS STATE CONFERENCE - AAUP | ROBINSON, TX | $6,118 | 2025 | STATE CONFERENCE DEVELOPMENT GRANT |
| EARLHAM COLLEGE- AAUP | RICHMOND, IN | $5,850 | 2025 | CHAPTER MOBILIZATION GRANT |
| MOREHOUSE COLLEGE AAUP CHAPTER | ATLANTA, GA | $5,500 | 2025 | CHAPTER MOBILIZATION GRANT |
| PENNSYLVANIA STATE CONFERENCE | ANNVILE, PA | $5,415 | 2025 | STATE CONFERENCE DEVELOPMENT GRANT |
| CALIFORNIA STATE CONFERENCE | BERKELEY, CA | $5,259 | 2025 | STATE CONFERENCE DEVELOPMENT GRANT |
| AAUP-BHSNJ | NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ | $55,000 | 2024 | CHAPTER MOBILIZATION GRANT, CONTRACT CAMPAIGN SUPPORT GRANT |
| AAUP-PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY CHAPTER | PORTLAND, OR | $25,000 | 2024 | CHAPTER MOBILIZATION GRANT |
| COLORADO STATE CONFERENCE - AAUP | BOULDER, CO | $22,900 | 2024 | CHAPTER MOBILIZATION GRANT |
| UIC UNITED FACULTY LOCAL 6456 | CHICAGO, IL | $20,000 | 2024 | CHAPTER MOBILIZATION GRANT |
| CINCINNATI STATE TECH COM COL-AAUP | CINCINNATI, OH | $19,974 | 2024 | CHAPTER MOBILIZATION GRANT |
| FACULTY ASSOCIATION OF MONMOUTH UNIV FAM | ALLENHURST, NJ | $15,000 | 2024 | CHAPTER MOBILIZATION GRANT |
| OAKLAND UNIVERSITY AAUP CHAPTER | ROCHESTER, MI | $12,000 | 2024 | CHAPTER MOBILIZATION GRANT |
| WAYNE STATE AAUP-AFT LOCAL 6075 | DETROIT, MI | $10,000 | 2024 | CHAPTER MOBILIZATION GRANT |
| GRADUATE EMPLOYEES UNION OF PORTLAND STAT | PORTLAND, OR | $10,000 | 2024 | CHAPTER MOBILIZATION GRANT |
| NEVADA FACULTY ALLIANCE | LAS VEGAS, NV | $10,000 | 2024 | CHAPTER MOBILIZATION GRANT |
| ST JOHNS UNIVERSITY - AAUP | JAMIACA, NY | $10,000 | 2024 | CHAPTER MOBILIZATION GRANT |
| UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT HEALTH CENTER | FARMINGTON, CT | $10,000 | 2024 | CHAPTER MOBILIZATION GRANT |
| UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON AAUP | SEATTLE, WA | $7,500 | 2024 | CHAPTER MOBILIZATION GRANT |
| NORWICH UNIVERSITY AAUP | NORTHFIELD, VT | $7,500 | 2024 | CHAPTER MOBILIZATION GRANT |
| UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND AAUP | WASHINGTON, DC | $7,500 | 2024 | CHAPTER MOBILIZATION GRANT |
| UNIVERSITY OF DENVER AAUP | DENVER, CO | $7,230 | 2024 | CHAPTER MOBILIZATION GRANT |
| BALL STATE AAUP | MUNCIE, IN | $7,125 | 2024 | CHAPTER MOBILIZATION GRANT |
| NORTH CAROLINA STATE CONFERENCE - AAUP | CLAYTON, NC | $6,000 | 2024 | STATE CONFERENCE DEVELOPMENT GRANT |
| AKRON-AAUP | AKRON, OH | $35,000 | 2023 | CB MOBILIZATION GRANT |
| UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT HEALTH CTR (UCHC) AAUP | FARMINGTON, CT | $30,000 | 2023 | ORGANIZING CAMPAIGN SUPPORT |
| EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY CHAP -AAUP | YPSILANTI, MI | $25,063 | 2023 | CRISIS RESPONSE FUND GRANT |
| RIDER UNIVERSITY AAUP CHAPTER | LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP, NJ | $20,000 | 2023 | CRISIS RESPONSE FUND GRANT |
| UNION COUNTY COLLEGE CHAPTER AAUP | ELIZABETH, NJ | $20,000 | 2023 | LEGAL SUPPORT |
| RUTGERS UNIVERSITY AAUP CHAPTER | NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ | $20,000 | 2023 | CRISIS RESPONSE FUND GRANT |
| MONTGOMERY COLLEGE AAUP CHAPTER | SILVER SPRING, MD | $20,000 | 2023 | CB MOBILIZATION GRANT |
| WRIGHT STATE UNIVCB CHAPTER | DAYTON, OH | $20,000 | 2023 | GRANT CB LITIGATION FUND |
| WAYNE STATE AAUP-AFT LOCAL 6075 | DETROIT, MI | $20,000 | 2023 | CB MOBILIATION FUND GRANT |
| OAKLAND UNIVERSITY AAUP CHAPTER | BRADFORD, PA | $20,000 | 2023 | LITIGATION |
| WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY AAUP | KALAMAZOO, MI | $16,299 | 2023 | GRANT; LITIGATION FUND GRANT |
| AAUP-PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY CHAPTER | PORTLAND, OR | $16,024 | 2023 | AAUP GRANT; CB MOBILIZATION FUND GRANT |
NEW YORK STATE CONFERENCE - AAUP
$32,192STATE CONFERENCE DEVELOPMENT GRANT
NEVADA FACULTY ALLIANCE
$18,707CHAPTER MOBILIZATION GRANT
OREGON STATE CONFERENCE-AAUP
$10,000STATE CONFERENCE DEVELOPMENT GRANT
ST JOHNS UNIVERSITY - AAUP
$10,000CHAPTER MOBILIZATION GRANT
AAUP-PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY CHAPTER
$10,000CHAPTER MOBILIZATION GRANT
AAUP - UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI
$10,000CHAPTER MOBILIZATION GRANT
WAYNE STATE AAUP-AFT LOCAL 6075
$10,000CHAPTER MOBILIZATION GRANT
WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY AAUP
$9,109CB LITIGATION FUND
TENNESSEE STATE CONFERENCE
$8,630STATE CONFERENCE DEVELOPMENT GRANT
OHIO STATE CONFERENCE - AAUP
$8,483STATE CONFERENCE DEVELOPMENT GRANT
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY AAUP CHAPTER
$7,500CHAPTER MOBILIZATION GRANT
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI AAUP
$7,500CHAPTER MOBILIZATION GRANT
AAUP-PENN
$7,500CHAPTER MOBILIZATION GRANT
LEWIS & CLARK CHAPTER OF THE AAUP
$7,488CHAPTER MOBILIZATION GRANT
DENVER AAUP CHAPTER
$6,500CHAPTER MOBILIZATION GRANT
TEXAS STATE CONFERENCE - AAUP
$6,118STATE CONFERENCE DEVELOPMENT GRANT
EARLHAM COLLEGE- AAUP
$5,850CHAPTER MOBILIZATION GRANT
MOREHOUSE COLLEGE AAUP CHAPTER
$5,500CHAPTER MOBILIZATION GRANT
PENNSYLVANIA STATE CONFERENCE
$5,415STATE CONFERENCE DEVELOPMENT GRANT
CALIFORNIA STATE CONFERENCE
$5,259STATE CONFERENCE DEVELOPMENT GRANT
AAUP-BHSNJ
$55,000CHAPTER MOBILIZATION GRANT, CONTRACT CAMPAIGN SUPPORT GRANT
AAUP-PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY CHAPTER
$25,000CHAPTER MOBILIZATION GRANT
COLORADO STATE CONFERENCE - AAUP
$22,900CHAPTER MOBILIZATION GRANT
UIC UNITED FACULTY LOCAL 6456
$20,000CHAPTER MOBILIZATION GRANT
CINCINNATI STATE TECH COM COL-AAUP
$19,974CHAPTER MOBILIZATION GRANT
FACULTY ASSOCIATION OF MONMOUTH UNIV FAM
$15,000CHAPTER MOBILIZATION GRANT
OAKLAND UNIVERSITY AAUP CHAPTER
$12,000CHAPTER MOBILIZATION GRANT
WAYNE STATE AAUP-AFT LOCAL 6075
$10,000CHAPTER MOBILIZATION GRANT
GRADUATE EMPLOYEES UNION OF PORTLAND STAT
$10,000CHAPTER MOBILIZATION GRANT
NEVADA FACULTY ALLIANCE
$10,000CHAPTER MOBILIZATION GRANT
ST JOHNS UNIVERSITY - AAUP
$10,000CHAPTER MOBILIZATION GRANT
UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT HEALTH CENTER
$10,000CHAPTER MOBILIZATION GRANT
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON AAUP
$7,500CHAPTER MOBILIZATION GRANT
NORWICH UNIVERSITY AAUP
$7,500CHAPTER MOBILIZATION GRANT
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND AAUP
$7,500CHAPTER MOBILIZATION GRANT
UNIVERSITY OF DENVER AAUP
$7,230CHAPTER MOBILIZATION GRANT
BALL STATE AAUP
$7,125CHAPTER MOBILIZATION GRANT
NORTH CAROLINA STATE CONFERENCE - AAUP
$6,000STATE CONFERENCE DEVELOPMENT GRANT
AKRON-AAUP
$35,000CB MOBILIZATION GRANT
UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT HEALTH CTR (UCHC) AAUP
$30,000ORGANIZING CAMPAIGN SUPPORT
EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY CHAP -AAUP
$25,063CRISIS RESPONSE FUND GRANT
RIDER UNIVERSITY AAUP CHAPTER
$20,000CRISIS RESPONSE FUND GRANT
UNION COUNTY COLLEGE CHAPTER AAUP
$20,000LEGAL SUPPORT
RUTGERS UNIVERSITY AAUP CHAPTER
$20,000CRISIS RESPONSE FUND GRANT
MONTGOMERY COLLEGE AAUP CHAPTER
$20,000CB MOBILIZATION GRANT
WRIGHT STATE UNIVCB CHAPTER
$20,000GRANT CB LITIGATION FUND
WAYNE STATE AAUP-AFT LOCAL 6075
$20,000CB MOBILIATION FUND GRANT
OAKLAND UNIVERSITY AAUP CHAPTER
$20,000LITIGATION
WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY AAUP
$16,299GRANT; LITIGATION FUND GRANT
AAUP-PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY CHAPTER
$16,024AAUP GRANT; CB MOBILIZATION FUND GRANT
Current and upcoming funding from American Association of University Professors that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: For cases involving legal issues of national significance in higher education. The fund supports faculty members and AAUP litigation efforts.
Deadline: Guidance provided in the Legal Defense Fund Application Process and Operating Guidelines; contact Foundation for timelines.
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