The Derek and Shelaine Maxfield Family Foundation concentrates its giving on large, targeted grants that blend faith-informed community support with education, youth development, and public-policy efforts. Recipients include faith organizations and private K–12 education, advocacy groups focused on health and education policy, youth mentorship and entrepreneurship programs abroad, and initiatives addressing sexual health and media-related harms. Its awards suggest the foundation prioritizes values-driven education and advocacy rather than broadly diversified small grants.
A $500,000 grant to The Policy Project for health and education advocacy is the clearest sign of how Derek and Shelaine Maxfield Family Found approaches philanthropy: the foundation favors large, targeted awards tied to policy, education, faith, and youth-focused programs. Its recent giving also includes a $300,000 unrestricted grant to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a $300,000 award to American Heritage Schools for heritage gardens, showing a mix of institutional support and project-specific funding. The pattern extends beyond Utah to organizations working on mentoring in developing countries, anti-pornography efforts, housing for widows, and services for at-risk youth. Across the grant list, the foundation’s choices point to values-driven support for schools, faith communities, and direct-service programs that serve children, families, and vulnerable populations. The grants are often substantial enough to support staffing, operating costs, equipment, or a defined initiative, rather than one-off event funding. The overall picture is of a family foundation that funds a concentrated set of causes with meaningful checks and recurring attention to education, advocacy, and social welfare.
Education and youth development appear in several different forms. The foundation gave $300,000 to American Heritage Schools for heritage gardens, $52,500 to Downtown Boxing Gym Youth Program for after-school programs for at-risk youth in Detroit, and $25,000 to Downtown Boxing Gym for youth mentorship through boxing. It also awarded $50,000 to Mothers Without Borders for education and mentorship programs. Policy and advocacy are another major theme: The Policy Project received $500,000 for health and education advocacy, while Service Women’s Action Network received $81,000 for app development and staff salary. Faith-related support includes a $300,000 unrestricted grant to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a $25,000 grant to G20 Interfaith Forum Association for interfaith global solutions.
Typical grant size sits at a $5,000 25th percentile, $27,500 median, and $61,875 75th percentile, which shows a spread from modest awards to larger commitments. The recent record includes repeat funding to several organizations, including Lifting Hands International and Freeworld, suggesting that some recipients receive support across more than one year. The foundation gives only to organizations, not individuals, and it does not make program-related investments. The grant list also shows a mix of unrestricted support and purpose-specific awards, with many grants tied to operating costs, staffing, equipment, or a named program.
$1.3M
$319K
$996K
$1.3M
Most grants fall between $5K and $62K, with a median of $28K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$28K
75th Percentile
$62K
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A small number of large, concentrated gifts (five grants totaling $1.38M) with multiple six-figure awards; mixes repeat-style support for faith and education institutions with one-off investments in advocacy and issue-specific nonprofits. Emphasis on fewer high-impact grants rather than broad, distributed funding.
Notable grantees: THE POLICY PROJECT, AMERICAN HERITAGE SCHOOLS, THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS, ACADEMY FOR CREATING ENTERPRISE, FIGHT THE NEW DRUG (FTND)
Most giving lands in Utah, which accounts for 61% of grants. Within the state, recent recipients include Salt Lake City, Provo, Lehi, Sandy, Bountiful, and Park City. Outside Utah, the foundation’s grants reach places such as Detroit, Washington, DC, New York, San Jose, Kailua Kona, Indianapolis, Nogales, Austin, West Palm Beach, and San Francisco. The recipient-country distribution shown here is entirely U.S.-based, with 55 grants in the United States.
The grant list centers on faith organizations, private K–12 education, health and education advocacy, youth mentorship, and direct-service work for vulnerable groups. Recent awards include support for schools, interfaith work, anti-pornography programming, housing for widows, and youth mentorship in the U.S. and abroad.
The grant-size distribution is fairly wide. The 25th percentile is $5,000, the median grant is $27,500, and the 75th percentile is $61,875. Recent awards also include several much larger grants, such as $500,000 and $300,000.
Yes. Utah is the top state by grant count, with 61% of grants going to recipients in the state. Recent Utah recipients include organizations in Salt Lake City, Provo, Lehi, Sandy, Bountiful, and Park City.
Yes. Lifting Hands International appears more than once, with grants in 2023 and 2025 for generators and goats for individuals in Jordan and Ukraine. Freeworld also appears in both 2023 and 2025, with awards tied to vocational training and ending generational poverty.
No. While Utah receives the largest share of grants, the recent list also includes organizations in Detroit, Washington, DC, New York, San Jose, Kailua Kona, Indianapolis, Nogales, Austin, West Palm Beach, and San Francisco.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LIFT UP VOICES INC | PARKSIDE, SO | $500,000 | 2026 | MENTORSHIP AND SCHOLARSHIPS IN PERFORMING ARTS TO AT-RISK TEENS |
| E3 RANCH FOUNDATION | FORT SCOTT, KS | $162,000 | 2026 | FIGHT SEX TRAFFICKING, SERVE VETERANS, AND PROVIDE CRISIS RESPONSE |
| G20 INTERFAITH FORUM ASSOCIATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $100,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT INTERFAITH GLOBAL SOLUTIONS |
| MOTHERS WITHOUT BORDERS | PROVO, UT | $76,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION AND MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS TO MOTHERS |
| THE INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION (PTI) | FAIRFIELD, NJ | $75,000 | 2026 | SERVE UNDESERVED POPULATIONS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES |
| HANDS ON HOUSES (THE EQUIP FOUNDATION) | KAILUA KONA, HI | $62,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT HOUSE BUILDING FOR WIDOWS |
| GORONGOSSA PROJECT | SO | $50,000 | 2026 | WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION |
| 100 HUMANITARIANS | SOUTH JORDAN, UT | $50,000 | 2026 | PREVENT FOOD SCARCITY IN KENYA |
| LIFTING HANDS INTERNATIONAL | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $45,000 | 2026 | PROVIDING GENERATORS AND GOATS FOR INDIVIDUALS IN JORDAN AND UKRAINE |
| SOCIAL MEDICINE INTERNATIONAL (HEALEX) | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $35,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE PRIMARY AND MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT TO VICTIMS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE |
| RISING STAR OUTREACH | PROVO, UT | $30,000 | 2026 | EMPOWER LEPROSY COLONIES OF INDIA |
| ROAM HUMANITARIAN | HEBER CITY, UT | $15,000 | 2026 | EMPOWER COMMUNITIES WORLDWIDE THROUGH SUSTAINABILITY PROJECTS |
| CHABAD LUBAVITCH OF UTAH | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $15,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| DAILY DOSE FOUNDATION (MALI RISING) | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $15,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN IN MALI |
| SAFE FAMILIES FOR CHILDREN | CHICAGO, IL | $15,000 | 2026 | HOSTS CHILDREN AND PROVIDES SUPPORT TO ISOLATED PARENTS |
| FAMILIES MENTORING FAMILIES | SPANISH FORK, UT | $15,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE LITERACY CENTERS AND TRAFFICKING SURVIVOR CARE |
| CHARITY VISION | PROVO, UT | $15,000 | 2026 | RESTORE CURABLE SIGHT IMPAIRMENT WORLDWIDE |
| ASHRAF ABILITY CENTER | LUGAZI, BU | $15,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES IN UGANDA |
| OMNIA INSTITUTE OF CONTEXTUAL LEADERSHIP | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS FOR RELIGIOUS AND CIVIL LEADERS |
| THE WAN FAMBUL FOUNDATION | FRANKLIN, TN | $6,500 | 2026 | PROVIDE FINANCIAL AND EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT TO FAMILIES IN SIERRA LEONE |
| BIRDS FOR SOFIA | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $5,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE MEDICAL CARE TO SHILDREN WITH GENETIC DISEASES IN EASTERN EUROPE |
| CHILDREN'S CENTER UTAH | WEST VALLEY CITY, UT | $5,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE MENTAL HEALTH CARE TREATMENT TO CHILDREN |
| ONE COMMON THREAD | ORANGEBURG, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR WORK TO WOMEN IN CENTRAL AMERICA |
| MENTORS INTERNATIONAL | KAYSVILLE, UT | $5,000 | 2026 | LIFT FAMILIES OUT OF POVERTY THROUGH ENTREPENEURSHIP MENTORING |
| THISTLE FARMS | NASHVILLE, TN | $5,000 | 2026 | HEALING WOMEN SURVIVORS OF ABUSE |
| GLOBAL ANGELS | NEW YORK, NY | $2,500 | 2026 | PROVIDE CLEAN DRINKING WATER, EDUCATION, AND HEALTHCARE |
| AMERICAN INDIAN SERVICES | LEHI, UT | $2,500 | 2026 | PROGRAMS FOR MENTORSHIPS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES |
| THE REFUGE | OREM, UT | $2,500 | 2026 | SERVE SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE |
| THE POLICY PROJECT | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $500,000 | 2025 | HEALTH AND EDUCATION ADVOCACY |
| THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS | PROVO, UT | $300,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| OK FOUNDATION (OPERTATION KIDS) | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $100,000 | 2025 | IMPROVE THE LIVES OF KIDS ACROSS THE GLOBE |
| HANDS ON HOUSES (THE EQUIP FOUNDATION) | KAILUA KONA, HI | $80,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT HOUSE BUILDING FOR WIDOWS |
| MOTHERS WITHOUT BORDERS | PROVO, UT | $50,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION AND MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS |
| RIVER OF PEACE | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $50,000 | 2025 | ENHANCE THE WELL-BEING AND STANDARD OF LIVING OF AFGHAN PEOPLECHUR |
| FREEWORLD | AUSTIN, TX | $35,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT THE END OF GENERATIONAL POVERTY |
| THE LAST MILE | SAN FRANSISCO, CA | $30,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| DAILY DOSE FOUNDATION (MALI RISING) | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $30,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN IN MALI |
| LIFTING HANDS INTERNATIONAL | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $26,000 | 2025 | PROVIDING GENERATORS AND GOATS FOR INDIVIDUALS IN JORDAN AND UKRAINE |
| DOWNTOWN BOXING GYM | DETROIT, MI | $25,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE YOUTH WITH AN OPPORTUNITY FOR MENTORSHIP THROUGH BOXING |
| AMERICAN INDIAN SERVICES | LEHI, UT | $25,000 | 2025 | PROGRAMS FOR MENTORSHIPS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES |
| G20 INTERFAITH FORUM ASSOCIATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT INTERFAITH GLOBAL SOLUTIONS |
| RISING STAR OUTREACH | PROVO, UT | $15,000 | 2025 | EMPOWER LEPROSY COLONIES OF INDIA |
| ANGEL HOUSE | DANA POINT, CA | $15,000 | 2025 | BUILDING HOMES FOR CHILDREN IN DEVELOPING NATIONS |
| MENTORS INTERNATIONAL | KAYSVILLE, UT | $15,000 | 2025 | LIFT FAMILIES OUT OF POVERTY THROUGH ENTREPRENEUSHIP MENTORING |
| SALT LAKE EDUCATION FUND | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $10,000 | 2025 | ROSE PARK ELEMENTARY |
| CARRY ON FOUNDATION | PROVO, UT | $10,000 | 2025 | PROMOTE MENTAL HEALTH |
| 100 HUMANITARIANS | SOUTH JORDAN, UT | $10,000 | 2025 | PREVENT FOOD SCARCITY IN KENYA |
| SERVICE WOMEN'S ACTION NETWORK | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,000 | 2025 | ADVOCATE FOR SERVICE WOMEN |
| THISTLE FARMS | NASHVILLE, TN | $5,000 | 2025 | HEALING WOMEN SURVIVORS OF ABUSE |
| HUNTSMAN MENTAL HEALTH FOUNDATION | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $5,000 | 2025 | PROMOTE MENTAL HEALTH |
LIFT UP VOICES INC
$500,000MENTORSHIP AND SCHOLARSHIPS IN PERFORMING ARTS TO AT-RISK TEENS
FIGHT SEX TRAFFICKING, SERVE VETERANS, AND PROVIDE CRISIS RESPONSE
G20 INTERFAITH FORUM ASSOCIATION
$100,000SUPPORT INTERFAITH GLOBAL SOLUTIONS
THE INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION (PTI)
$75,000SERVE UNDESERVED POPULATIONS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
HANDS ON HOUSES (THE EQUIP FOUNDATION)
SUPPORT HOUSE BUILDING FOR WIDOWS
GORONGOSSA PROJECT
$50,000WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION
100 HUMANITARIANS
$50,000PREVENT FOOD SCARCITY IN KENYA
PROVIDING GENERATORS AND GOATS FOR INDIVIDUALS IN JORDAN AND UKRAINE
SOCIAL MEDICINE INTERNATIONAL (HEALEX)
$35,000PROVIDE PRIMARY AND MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT TO VICTIMS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE
ROAM HUMANITARIAN
$15,000EMPOWER COMMUNITIES WORLDWIDE THROUGH SUSTAINABILITY PROJECTS
CHABAD LUBAVITCH OF UTAH
$15,000UNRESTRICTED
DAILY DOSE FOUNDATION (MALI RISING)
$15,000EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN IN MALI
HOSTS CHILDREN AND PROVIDES SUPPORT TO ISOLATED PARENTS
FAMILIES MENTORING FAMILIES
$15,000PROVIDE LITERACY CENTERS AND TRAFFICKING SURVIVOR CARE
ASHRAF ABILITY CENTER
$15,000PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES IN UGANDA
OMNIA INSTITUTE OF CONTEXTUAL LEADERSHIP
$10,000PROVIDE MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS FOR RELIGIOUS AND CIVIL LEADERS
THE WAN FAMBUL FOUNDATION
$6,500PROVIDE FINANCIAL AND EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT TO FAMILIES IN SIERRA LEONE
BIRDS FOR SOFIA
$5,000PROVIDE MEDICAL CARE TO SHILDREN WITH GENETIC DISEASES IN EASTERN EUROPE
CHILDREN'S CENTER UTAH
$5,000PROVIDE MENTAL HEALTH CARE TREATMENT TO CHILDREN
ONE COMMON THREAD
$5,000PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR WORK TO WOMEN IN CENTRAL AMERICA
LIFT FAMILIES OUT OF POVERTY THROUGH ENTREPENEURSHIP MENTORING
GLOBAL ANGELS
$2,500PROVIDE CLEAN DRINKING WATER, EDUCATION, AND HEALTHCARE
THE REFUGE
$2,500SERVE SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
$300,000UNRESTRICTED
OK FOUNDATION (OPERTATION KIDS)
$100,000IMPROVE THE LIVES OF KIDS ACROSS THE GLOBE
HANDS ON HOUSES (THE EQUIP FOUNDATION)
$80,000SUPPORT HOUSE BUILDING FOR WIDOWS
RIVER OF PEACE
$50,000ENHANCE THE WELL-BEING AND STANDARD OF LIVING OF AFGHAN PEOPLECHUR
FREEWORLD
$35,000SUPPORT THE END OF GENERATIONAL POVERTY
THE LAST MILE
$30,000UNRESTRICTED
DAILY DOSE FOUNDATION (MALI RISING)
$30,000EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN IN MALI
LIFTING HANDS INTERNATIONAL
$26,000PROVIDING GENERATORS AND GOATS FOR INDIVIDUALS IN JORDAN AND UKRAINE
PROVIDE YOUTH WITH AN OPPORTUNITY FOR MENTORSHIP THROUGH BOXING
G20 INTERFAITH FORUM ASSOCIATION
$25,000SUPPORT INTERFAITH GLOBAL SOLUTIONS
ANGEL HOUSE
$15,000BUILDING HOMES FOR CHILDREN IN DEVELOPING NATIONS
LIFT FAMILIES OUT OF POVERTY THROUGH ENTREPRENEUSHIP MENTORING
SALT LAKE EDUCATION FUND
$10,000ROSE PARK ELEMENTARY
CARRY ON FOUNDATION
$10,000PROMOTE MENTAL HEALTH
100 HUMANITARIANS
$10,000PREVENT FOOD SCARCITY IN KENYA
SERVICE WOMEN'S ACTION NETWORK
$5,000ADVOCATE FOR SERVICE WOMEN
HUNTSMAN MENTAL HEALTH FOUNDATION
$5,000PROMOTE MENTAL HEALTH