About George Mason University Foundation
An independent, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization established in 1966 to receive, manage, invest, and administer private gifts in support of George Mason University, advancing the university's mission and supporting students, programs, and community impact.
Focus Areas
higher educationscholarshipsresearchcapital projectsstudent support
Who They Fund
students (scholarship recipients)post‑graduate fellowsuniversity/academic faculty (eminent scholars)nonprofit or program staff (salary/benefits beneficiaries)institutions/organizations (operations recipients)
Funding Style
core/operations support
About George Mason University Foundation
George Mason University Foundation Inc. functions as the private-gift vehicle for George Mason University, and its largest recent grant was $73,505,792 to the university for operations support in 2025. That scale sits alongside repeated support for Mercatus Center, which received three of the biggest awards in the dataset across 2023 to 2025 for program support. The pattern points to a foundation centered on sustained institutional funding rather than a scattered portfolio of unrelated awards. Beyond those headline gifts, the foundation’s recent grants show support for university salaries, benefits, scholarships, eminent scholars, and specialized campus programs. Awards to George Mason University appear in several forms, including operations support, salary support, scholarship support, benefits support, and eminent scholars funding. The foundation also makes smaller program grants to affiliated or nearby organizations, such as Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, Northern Virginia Community College, and Gmu Hillel Inc. Its grantmaking is closely tied to George Mason University’s mission and academic infrastructure, with most awards landing in Virginia.
What George Mason University Foundation Funds
Higher education is the clearest thread in the recent grants. George Mason University received $11,443,119 in 2023 for operations support, followed by $10,660,411 in 2024 for operations support and $8,523,861 in 2025 for salary support. The same institution also received scholarship and benefits funding, showing support for students and staff as part of the university’s core budget. The foundation also backs research and academic programs. The Mercatus Center received $28,927,347 in 2023, $28,762,071 in 2024, and $24,613,914 in 2025, all for program support. In research funding, The Brigham and Women’s Hospital Inc. received $37,042 in 2023 for research support. Smaller grants extended to Northern Virginia Community College, University of Virginia, and Osher Lifelong Learning Institute for program support.
How George Mason University Foundation Gives
The typical grant profile is wide, with a p25 of $62,514, a median of $2,106,114, and a p75 of $10,337,046. That spread reflects both very large institutional awards and much smaller program grants. The foundation also shows recurring support over multiple years, especially for George Mason University, Mercatus Center, and the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia. It is a regular funder rather than a donor-advised fund, and it does not make grants to individuals or program-related investments.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$226.1M
Total Assets
$498.7M
Total Revenue
$145.7M
Total Expenses
$136.4M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $63K and $10.3M, with a median of $2.1M.
25th Percentile
$63K
Median
$2.1M
75th Percentile
$10.3M
Geographic Reach
Local4 states funded
About 82% of grants go to recipients in VA.
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
Leadership
TRISHANA E BOWDEN
Accepts unsolicited proposals
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