The foundation makes very large, targeted grants to national conservative advocacy and leadership organizations. Its recent giving supports religious-liberty legal work and conservative civic leadership training, indicating a priority on advancing conservative legal causes and building conservative leaders rather than broad local philanthropy.
George Jenkins Foundation Inc Co Lj Management Services Inc pairs major operating support for conservative legal and civic organizations with large local commitments in Polk County and the Lakeland area. In the recent record, one of the largest grants went to Alliance Defending Freedom for operations, and another substantial award supported The Leadership Institute’s operations. Those gifts sit alongside seven-figure support for local education and community institutions, including Hillsdale College for K-12 American classical education and Academy Prep of Lakeland for operations. The foundation’s giving shows two clear tracks. One is national conservative infrastructure: litigation, leadership training, and institutional support for groups such as Moms for America and Torch of Freedom Foundation. The other is place-based funding in Central Florida, especially Lakeland, where it backs schools, health, hunger relief, youth services, and community facilities. Multi-installment pledges also appear in the record, including repeated support for Lakeland Regional Health Foundation and United Way of Central Florida Inc. That mix suggests a funder that combines high-dollar institutional commitments with long-running local partnerships rather than many small grants.
Religious-liberty legal advocacy is one of the foundation’s clearest priorities. In 2024, it gave $2,700,000 to Alliance Defending Freedom for operations, and the same year it gave $250,000 to Torch of Freedom Foundation for operations. The pattern points to support for legal and advocacy infrastructure rather than project-limited grants. Education is another major area. The foundation awarded $1,000,000 to Hillsdale College in 2025 for the K-12 education program in support of American classical education, and it gave $910,000 to Academy Prep of Lakeland for operations. It also supported Academy Prep Foundation Inc. in 2023 and 2024. Local human services and community support appear in the record as well. United Way of Central Florida Inc. received $905,000 in 2025 for the George Jenkins End Hunger Initiative and various education programs, while Kidspack received $350,000 in 2025 to provide food to disadvantaged children in Polk County.
$6.6M
$11.8M
$6.9M
$6.8M
Most grants fall between $84K and $300K, with a median of $159K.
25th Percentile
$84K
Median
$159K
75th Percentile
$300K
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Highly concentrated: very large, likely one-off grants to a small number of national organizations rather than many small or local grants; balanced between legal advocacy and leadership-training recipients.
Notable grantees: Alliance Defending Freedom, The Leadership Institute
Typical grants are large: p25 is $83,750, the median is $158,775, and p75 is $300,000. The record includes repeated support over multiple years for several recipients, including United Way of Central Florida Inc., Lakeland Regional Health Foundation, Academy Prep of Lakeland, Viste, Hillsdale College, and Helping a Hero. The foundation also uses multi-installment pledges and matching commitments, with language in the grants list referencing installment payments, pledged totals over several years, and matching support. It has a donor advised fund connection through a $250,000 grant to Givewell Community Foundation for the benefit of the George Jenkins Donor Advised Fund.
Most grants go to Florida recipients, with 66% of grants in the HQ state. Lakeland appears frequently, including grants to Academy Prep of Lakeland, United Way of Central Florida Inc., Lakeland Regional Medical Center Foundation Inc., The YMCA, and Parker Street Ministries Inc. Outside Florida, the foundation’s largest concentrations in the recent list include Texas and Virginia, with grants to organizations in Houston, Dripping Springs, Arlington, and Mansfield. All listed grants in the provided record were to U.S. recipients.
The recent record shows support for conservative legal and civic groups, K-12 education, and Central Florida community services. Examples include Alliance Defending Freedom for operations, Hillsdale College for American classical education, and United Way of Central Florida Inc. for the George Jenkins End Hunger Initiative and education programs.
The grant-size distribution is substantial: the 25th percentile is $83,750, the median grant is $158,775, and the 75th percentile is $300,000. Recent awards also include several seven-figure grants.
Yes. The record shows repeated grants to several recipients across multiple years, including United Way of Central Florida Inc., Lakeland Regional Health Foundation, Academy Prep of Lakeland, Viste, Hillsdale College, and Helping a Hero.
Florida receives the majority of grants, with 66% of awards going to recipients in the HQ state. Lakeland is especially prominent, and the foundation also gives to organizations in Texas, Virginia, Arizona, Michigan, and other U.S. locations.
It does not fund individuals. The record shows grants to organizations, including a donor advised fund-related gift to Givewell Community Foundation for the benefit of the George Jenkins Donor Advised Fund.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA INC | LAKELAND, FL | $1,066,200 | 2026 | GEORGE JENKINS FDN YOUTH OPPORTUNITY , SUCCESS BY 6 FAMILY FUNDAMENTALS |
| ACADEMY PREP OF LAKELAND | LAKELAND, FL | $750,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION OF STUDENTS |
| LAKELAND REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION INC | LAKELAND, FL | $562,500 | 2026 | CAPITAL PLEDGE |
| YMCA OF WEST CENTRAL FLORIDA | LAKELAND, FL | $500,000 | 2026 | MATCHING CAPITAL CAMPAIGN , OPERATIONS |
| KIDSPACK | LAKELAND, FL | $350,000 | 2026 | BACKPACK PROGRAM TO HELP FEED CHILDREN |
| REDLANDS CHRISTIAN MIGRANT ASSN | WIMAUMA, FL | $300,000 | 2026 | CONSTRUCTION PREP FOR MULBERRY ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL |
| BONNET SPRINGS PARK | LAKELAND, FL | $300,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION PROGRAMING |
| VISTE | LAKELAND, FL | $300,000 | 2026 | CAPITAL FUNDING FOR CAMPUS TRANSFORMATION PROJECT |
| CITY LORE INC | NEW YORK, NY | $250,000 | 2026 | DANTE ALIGHIERI & THE DIVINE COMEDY DOCUMENTARY |
| LAKELAND CHRISTIAN SCHOOL | LAKELAND, FL | $200,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE |
| ACHIEVEMENT ACADEMY | LAKELAND, FL | $200,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT OPERATIONAL NEEDS |
| HELPING A HERO ORG | HOUSTON, TX | $183,334 | 2026 | SPONSOR FLORIDA HOME BUILDS |
| PARKER STREET MINISTRIES | LAKELAND, FL | $150,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| THE FREEDOM TOUR INC | WINTER HAVEN, FL | $150,000 | 2026 | CHURCH PURCHASE FOR DISASTER RELIEF/STORAGE |
| LIGHTHOUSE MINISTRIES INC | LAKELAND, FL | $138,000 | 2026 | ASSISTANCE FOR THE WOMAN & CHILDREN PROGRAM |
| ANCHOR HOUSE INC OF POLK COUNTY | AUBURNDALE, FL | $122,000 | 2026 | GRANT FOR EDUCATION PROGRAM |
| SALVATION ARMY | LUTZ, FL | $120,000 | 2026 | FOR USE IN THE "HALO" CHILD ENRICHMENT CENTER |
| FLORIDA CHILDREN'S MUSEUM | LAKELAND, FL | $100,000 | 2026 | DONATION TO HELP FUND TRAVEL EXHIBITS IN 2026. |
| LAKELAND VOLUNTEERS IN MEDICINE | LAKELAND, FL | $100,000 | 2026 | FUNDING ULTRASOUND EQUIPMENT FOR HELTHCARE SERVICES |
| POLK THEATER INC | LAKELAND, FL | $100,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| LAKE WALES CARE CENTER | LAKE WALES, FL | $84,294 | 2026 | SUPPORT OF C.A.R.E PLAN, STAY-AT-HOME WORK CAMPS & HOME REHAB |
| GENEVA CLASSICAL ACADEMY | LAKELAND, FL | $75,000 | 2026 | FUND SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS IN NEED 2025/2026 SCHOOL YEAR |
| PACE CENTER FOR GIRLS | TAMPA, FL | $75,000 | 2026 | MATCHING DONATION FOR TEN STORY CHALLENGE EVENT |
| LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE BLIND AND LOW VISION | TAMPA, FL | $69,000 | 2026 | TEEN TRANSITION PROGRAM AND BLIND BABIES INTERVENTION SERVICES |
| LAKELAND POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE | LAKELAND, FL | $55,000 | 2026 | PLANNING FOR NEW PAL FIELDHOUSE |
| VALOR & HONOR OUTDOORS | GREEN LEVEL, NC | $50,000 | 2026 | ASSITANCE FOR VETERANS AND FIRST RESPONDERS |
| MAGNOLIA MONTESSORI ACADEMY | LAKELAND, FL | $50,000 | 2026 | MATCHING CONTRIBUTION FOR HOUSE RENOVATION |
| CONNECTED POLK INC | LAKELAND, FL | $50,000 | 2026 | GRANT TO FUND PART-TIME WORKFORCE COORDINATOR & PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| ONE MORE CHILD | MIAMI, FL | $50,000 | 2026 | HELP WITHCOSTS FOR FAMILIES AFFECTED BY HURRICANE |
| LAKELAND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA INC | LAKELAND, FL | $50,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| COMMUNITY HAVEN FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES INC | SARASOTA, FL | $38,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE DONATION - HURRICANE REPAIRS |
| BURRO BUENO INC | LAKELAND, FL | $9,300 | 2026 | IMPROVE WATER ACCESSIBITY, MEDICAL CLINIC, CHICKEN PENS |
| HILLSDALE COLLEGE | HILLSDALE, MI | $1,000,000 | 2025 | GRANT FOR THE K-12 EDUCATION PROGRAM IN SUPPORT OF THE PROVISION OF AMERICAN CLASSICAL EDUCATION |
| ACADEMY PREP OF LAKELAND | LAKELAND, FL | $910,000 | 2025 | FOR ACADEMY PREP OF LAKELAND OPERATIONS |
| UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA INC | LAKELAND, FL | $905,000 | 2025 | GJ END HUNGER INITIATIVE AND VARIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAMS |
| LAKELAND REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION INC | LAKELAND, FL | $562,500 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| THE YMCA | LAKELAND, FL | $500,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| HELPING A HERO ORG | HOUSTON, TX | $366,666 | 2025 | SPONSORING BUILDING OF HOMES FOR VETERANS |
| KIDSPACK | LAKELAND, FL | $350,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE FOOD TO DISADVANTAGED CHILDREN IN POLK CTY |
| ONE MORE CHILD | MIAMI, FL | $300,000 | 2025 | FOSTER CARE, SINGLE MOM SUPPORT, FAMILY SUPPORT, INT'L CHILD SUPPORT |
| VISTE | LAKELAND, FL | $226,758 | 2025 | OPERATIONS AND CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| CCDF USA FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON DC, DC | $200,000 | 2025 | OPERATIONS |
| ACHIEVEMENT ACADEMY | LAKELAND, FL | $200,000 | 2025 | DONATION FOR OPERATIONS AND BIRTH TO THREE PROGRAM |
| ALLIANCE DEFENDING FREEDOM | SCOTTSDALE, AZ | $200,000 | 2025 | LEGAL DEFENSE OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM |
| LAKELAND CHRISTIAN SCHOOL | LAKELAND, FL | $200,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| ANCHOR HOUSE INC OF POLK COUNTY | AUBURNDALE, FL | $188,350 | 2025 | FUNDING FOR TUTORING AND FULL TIME THERAPIST |
| CITY LORE INC | NEW YORK, NY | $171,000 | 2025 | TO COMPLETE DANTE ALIGHIERI & THE DIVINE COMEDY DOCUMENTARY |
| LIGHTHOUSE MINISTRIES INC | LAKELAND, FL | $157,700 | 2025 | OPERATING COSTS TO INCREASE CAPACITY & NEW BEDS |
| PACE CENTER FOR GIRLS | TAMPA, FL | $150,000 | 2025 | GRANT FOR LITERACY PROGRAM |
| PARKER STREET MINISTRIES | LAKELAND, FL | $150,000 | 2025 | OPERATIONAL FUNDING |
UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA INC
$1,066,200GEORGE JENKINS FDN YOUTH OPPORTUNITY , SUCCESS BY 6 FAMILY FUNDAMENTALS
ACADEMY PREP OF LAKELAND
$750,000EDUCATION OF STUDENTS
LAKELAND REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION INC
$562,500CAPITAL PLEDGE
YMCA OF WEST CENTRAL FLORIDA
$500,000MATCHING CAPITAL CAMPAIGN , OPERATIONS
KIDSPACK
$350,000BACKPACK PROGRAM TO HELP FEED CHILDREN
REDLANDS CHRISTIAN MIGRANT ASSN
$300,000CONSTRUCTION PREP FOR MULBERRY ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL
VISTE
$300,000CAPITAL FUNDING FOR CAMPUS TRANSFORMATION PROJECT
HELPING A HERO ORG
$183,334SPONSOR FLORIDA HOME BUILDS
THE FREEDOM TOUR INC
$150,000CHURCH PURCHASE FOR DISASTER RELIEF/STORAGE
ANCHOR HOUSE INC OF POLK COUNTY
$122,000GRANT FOR EDUCATION PROGRAM
SALVATION ARMY
$120,000FOR USE IN THE "HALO" CHILD ENRICHMENT CENTER
LAKELAND VOLUNTEERS IN MEDICINE
$100,000FUNDING ULTRASOUND EQUIPMENT FOR HELTHCARE SERVICES
POLK THEATER INC
$100,000OPERATIONS
LAKE WALES CARE CENTER
$84,294SUPPORT OF C.A.R.E PLAN, STAY-AT-HOME WORK CAMPS & HOME REHAB
GENEVA CLASSICAL ACADEMY
$75,000FUND SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS IN NEED 2025/2026 SCHOOL YEAR
PACE CENTER FOR GIRLS
$75,000MATCHING DONATION FOR TEN STORY CHALLENGE EVENT
LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE BLIND AND LOW VISION
$69,000TEEN TRANSITION PROGRAM AND BLIND BABIES INTERVENTION SERVICES
LAKELAND POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE
$55,000PLANNING FOR NEW PAL FIELDHOUSE
VALOR & HONOR OUTDOORS
$50,000ASSITANCE FOR VETERANS AND FIRST RESPONDERS
MAGNOLIA MONTESSORI ACADEMY
$50,000MATCHING CONTRIBUTION FOR HOUSE RENOVATION
CONNECTED POLK INC
$50,000GRANT TO FUND PART-TIME WORKFORCE COORDINATOR & PROGRAM SUPPORT
ONE MORE CHILD
$50,000HELP WITHCOSTS FOR FAMILIES AFFECTED BY HURRICANE
LAKELAND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA INC
$50,000OPERATIONS
CHARITABLE DONATION - HURRICANE REPAIRS
BURRO BUENO INC
$9,300IMPROVE WATER ACCESSIBITY, MEDICAL CLINIC, CHICKEN PENS
GRANT FOR THE K-12 EDUCATION PROGRAM IN SUPPORT OF THE PROVISION OF AMERICAN CLASSICAL EDUCATION
ACADEMY PREP OF LAKELAND
$910,000FOR ACADEMY PREP OF LAKELAND OPERATIONS
GJ END HUNGER INITIATIVE AND VARIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAMS
LAKELAND REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION INC
$562,500CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
THE YMCA
$500,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
KIDSPACK
$350,000PROVIDE FOOD TO DISADVANTAGED CHILDREN IN POLK CTY
ONE MORE CHILD
$300,000FOSTER CARE, SINGLE MOM SUPPORT, FAMILY SUPPORT, INT'L CHILD SUPPORT
VISTE
$226,758OPERATIONS AND CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
CCDF USA FOUNDATION
$200,000OPERATIONS
ANCHOR HOUSE INC OF POLK COUNTY
$188,350FUNDING FOR TUTORING AND FULL TIME THERAPIST
PACE CENTER FOR GIRLS
$150,000GRANT FOR LITERACY PROGRAM