The Gordon F & Jocelyn B Linke Foundation concentrates its philanthropy on arts, culture, and historic/cultural institutions, favoring well-established national and regional organizations. Grants are sizable and targeted to institutional operating or program support rather than grassroots projects, with repeated support for marquee performing arts organizations and donations to higher education and museum/estate preservation. The foundation appears to prioritize sustaining prominent cultural venues and academic institutions over broad-based community giving.
Concentrated, small-number giving: a few relatively large grants per cycle, including repeat funding to a flagship arts organization; focused on institutional charitable support rather than many small or grassroots grants.
The Gordon F & Jocelyn B Linke Foundation’s recent grantmaking is marked by repeated $25,000 support for the Kennedy Center, alongside another $25,000 grant to Hillwood Estate & Gardens and a second-year $25,000 grant to Bowdoin College. That pattern points to a funder that backs established cultural and educational institutions with material operating-style support rather than one-off microgrants. The foundation’s grants also reach beyond a single institution type: its recent list includes a mix of performing arts, museums and historic sites, schools, and select community charities. The foundation appears to favor organizations with recognized public missions and existing infrastructure. In Washington, DC, it has supported major arts and cultural venues as well as nearby educational and civic organizations; elsewhere, it has given to institutions such as Roar Foundation in Acton, California, Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, and Ability Beyond in Chappaqua, New York. Across the list, grants are usually directed to charities, schools, and cultural organizations rather than individuals or projects with narrowly defined local footprints.
Arts and culture are central to the foundation’s giving. In 2024, it gave $25,000 to Hillwood Estate & Gardens for charity-related activities, and it also supported the Kennedy Center with another $25,000 grant in both 2023 and 2024. The same pattern extends to the Ridgefield Playhouse, which received $3,500 in 2023. Education is another clear thread. Bowdoin College received $25,000 in 2023 and $10,000 in 2024, while St Albans School received $15,000 in 2024 and American University received $2,500 in 2023. The foundation also made a $5,000 grant to the Medical College of Wisconsin in 2024. Its list also includes select community and service organizations. Grants went to Rosemont Center for $12,800 in 2023, The Friend of Fort Dupont Ice Arena for $10,000 in 2024, and Ability Beyond for $5,000 in 2024.
Typical grant sizes are modest to mid-sized: the distribution shows a p25 of $200, a median of $500, and a p75 of $2,000, while the recent list also includes several larger awards of $25,000. The pattern suggests a mix of many smaller charitable gifts and a smaller set of institutional grants. Recipients do repeat across years, including Kennedy Center, Bowdoin College, Hillwood Estate & Gardens, Roar Foundation, Haydenettes Hayden Syncho, Boys & Girls Club of Ridgefield, and Washington Winter Show. The foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments.
$165K
$3.8M
$284K
$199K
Most grants fall between $200 and $2K, with a median of $500.
25th Percentile
$200
Median
$500
75th Percentile
$2K
About 11% of grants go to recipients in DC.
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Notable grantees: Kennedy Center, Bowdoin College, Hillwood Estate & Gardens
The foundation gives nationally, with all recorded recipient grants in the United States. Washington, DC appears frequently in the recent list, including grants to Kennedy Center, Hillwood Estate & Gardens, St Albans School, and Washington Winter Show. Other recurring recipient locations include Brunswick, Maine; Ridgefield, Connecticut; and Maryland communities such as Cumberland and Potomac. Connecticut recipients make up 11% of grants, while Texas is the top state by grant count.
Its recent grants show a strong focus on arts and culture, education, and select community institutions. Named recipients include Kennedy Center, Hillwood Estate & Gardens, Bowdoin College, St Albans School, and the Ridgefield Playhouse, along with charities such as Rosemont Center and The Friend of Fort Dupont Ice Arena.
Yes. Several recipients appear more than once across 2023 and 2024, including Kennedy Center, Bowdoin College, Hillwood Estate & Gardens, Roar Foundation, Haydenettes Hayden Syncho, Boys & Girls Club of Ridgefield, and Washington Winter Show.
The grant-size distribution is p25 $200, median $500, and p75 $2,000. The recent grants list also includes larger institutional awards, such as multiple $25,000 grants.
Its giving is national, and the recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based. Washington, DC appears often in the recent grants list, and Connecticut accounts for 11% of grants.
No. The foundation does not fund individuals, and it does not make program-related investments.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HILLWOOD ESTATE MUSEUM & GARDENS | WASHINGTON, DC | $45,000 | 2026 | CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES |
| BOWDOIN COLLEGE | BRUNSWICK, ME | $35,000 | 2026 | CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES |
| RIDGEFIELD RVNA | RIDGEFIELD, CT | $11,500 | 2026 | CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES |
| HSST HAYDENETTES HAYDEN SYNCRHO | LEXINGTON, MA | $10,125 | 2026 | CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES |
| RIDGEFIELD BOYS & GIRLS CLUB | RIDGEFIELD, CT | $7,000 | 2026 | CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES |
| POPLAR SPRING ANIMAL SANCTUARY | POOLESVILLE, MD | $5,000 | 2026 | CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES |
| ROSEMOUNT CENTER | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,000 | 2026 | CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES |
| ST ALBANS SCHOOL | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,000 | 2026 | CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES |
| ROAR FOUNDATION | ACTON, CA | $5,000 | 2026 | CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES |
| CAPE CORAL ANIMAL CENTER | CAPE CORAL, FL | $3,500 | 2026 | CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITES |
| SEC SCHOLARS | WASHINGTON, DC | $2,500 | 2026 | CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES |
| ABRAHAM LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL PTA | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $2,500 | 2026 | CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES |
| MERRIMACK COLLEGE | NORTH ANDOVER, MA | $2,500 | 2026 | CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES |
| OLDE CRABS HOCKEY CLUB | DANBURY, CT | $2,500 | 2026 | CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITES |
| WASHINGTON WINTER SHOW | WASHINGTON, DC | $2,500 | 2026 | CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES |
| RUFF HAVEN | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $2,000 | 2026 | CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES |
| MEALS ON WHEELS RIDGEFIELD CT | RIDGEFIELD, CT | $1,500 | 2026 | CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES |
| RIDGEFIELD LIBRARY | RIDGEFIELD, CT | $1,500 | 2026 | CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES |
| LOVE FOR LOCHLIN | FREDERICK, MD | $1,000 | 2026 | CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITY |
| DC EDGE SYNCHRONIZED SKATING | WASHINGTON, DC | $1,000 | 2026 | CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES |
| PLYMOUTH STATE UNIVERSITY | PLYMOUTH, NH | $1,000 | 2026 | CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES |
| RISING STAR HORSE RESCUE | WILTON, CT | $1,000 | 2026 | CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES |
| CHURCH OF THE ATONEMENT | QUOGUE, NY | $1,000 | 2026 | CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES |
| CELEBRATE FREDERICK | FREDERICK, MD | $1,000 | 2026 | CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITES |
| ALLEGANY ANIMAL SHELTER | CUMBERLAND, MD | $1,000 | 2026 | CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES |
| AVON OLD FARMS SCHOOL | AVON, CT | $1,000 | 2026 | CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES |
| SUBURBAN HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | BETHESDA, MD | $1,000 | 2026 | CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES |
| FREDERICK COUNTY 4H THERAPEUTIC RID | THURMONT, MD | $1,000 | 2026 | CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES |
| CHAPIN SCHOOL | NEW YORK, NY | $500 | 2026 | CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES |
| BETHESDA CHEVY CHASE RESCUE SQUAD | BETHESDA, MD | $500 | 2026 | CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES |
| METROPOLITAN CLUB PRES FOUNDATION | DALLAS, TX | $500 | 2026 | CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES |
| RIDGEFIELD PLAYHOUSE | RIDGEFIELD, CT | $500 | 2026 | CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES |
| GLEN ECHO FIRE DEPARTMENT | BETHESDA, MD | $500 | 2026 | CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES |
| ETHEL WALKER SCHOOL | SIMSBURY, CT | $500 | 2026 | CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES |
| FREDERICK ARTS COUNCIL | FREDERICK, MD | $500 | 2026 | CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES |
| JIMMY FUNDPAN MASS CHALLENGE | BROOKLINE, MA | $500 | 2026 | CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES |
| JOHN T WALKER SCHOOL FOR BOYS | WASHINGTON, DC | $500 | 2026 | CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES |
| TASKERS CHANCE GARDEN CLUB | MYERSVILLE, MD | $375 | 2026 | CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES |
| BOWDOIN COLLEGE | BRUNSWICK, ME | $30,000 | 2025 | CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES |
| ROSEMONT CENTER | WASHINGTON, DC | $12,500 | 2025 | CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES |
| ST ALBANS SCHOOL | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,500 | 2025 | CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES |
| HAYDENETTES HAYDEN SYNCRHO | LEXINGTON, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES |
| THE PROSPECTOR | RIDGEFIELD, CT | $10,000 | 2025 | CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES |
| ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES |
| HILLWOOD MUSEUM | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2025 | CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES |
| ROAR FOUNDATION | ACTON, CA | $7,000 | 2025 | CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES |
| RIDGEFIELD BOYS & GIRLS CLUB | RIDGEFIELD, CT | $6,500 | 2025 | CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES |
| POPLAR SPRING FARMS | POOLESVILLE, MD | $5,000 | 2025 | CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES |
| RIDGEFIELD RVNA | RIDGEFIELD, CT | $3,500 | 2025 | CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES |
| WASHINGTON WINTER SHOW | WASHINGTON, DC | $3,500 | 2025 | CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES |
RIDGEFIELD RVNA
$11,500CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES
HSST HAYDENETTES HAYDEN SYNCRHO
$10,125CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES
RIDGEFIELD BOYS & GIRLS CLUB
$7,000CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES
POPLAR SPRING ANIMAL SANCTUARY
$5,000CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES
ROSEMOUNT CENTER
$5,000CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES
ST ALBANS SCHOOL
$5,000CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES
ROAR FOUNDATION
$5,000CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES
CAPE CORAL ANIMAL CENTER
$3,500CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITES
SEC SCHOLARS
$2,500CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES
ABRAHAM LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL PTA
$2,500CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES
MERRIMACK COLLEGE
$2,500CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES
OLDE CRABS HOCKEY CLUB
$2,500CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITES
WASHINGTON WINTER SHOW
$2,500CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES
MEALS ON WHEELS RIDGEFIELD CT
$1,500CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES
RIDGEFIELD LIBRARY
$1,500CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES
LOVE FOR LOCHLIN
$1,000CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITY
DC EDGE SYNCHRONIZED SKATING
$1,000CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES
PLYMOUTH STATE UNIVERSITY
$1,000CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES
RISING STAR HORSE RESCUE
$1,000CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES
CHURCH OF THE ATONEMENT
$1,000CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES
CELEBRATE FREDERICK
$1,000CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITES
ALLEGANY ANIMAL SHELTER
$1,000CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES
AVON OLD FARMS SCHOOL
$1,000CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES
FREDERICK COUNTY 4H THERAPEUTIC RID
$1,000CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES
METROPOLITAN CLUB PRES FOUNDATION
$500CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES
RIDGEFIELD PLAYHOUSE
$500CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES
GLEN ECHO FIRE DEPARTMENT
$500CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES
ETHEL WALKER SCHOOL
$500CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES
FREDERICK ARTS COUNCIL
$500CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES
JIMMY FUNDPAN MASS CHALLENGE
$500CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES
JOHN T WALKER SCHOOL FOR BOYS
$500CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES
TASKERS CHANCE GARDEN CLUB
$375CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES
ROSEMONT CENTER
$12,500CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES
ST ALBANS SCHOOL
$10,500CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES
HAYDENETTES HAYDEN SYNCRHO
$10,000CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES
THE PROSPECTOR
$10,000CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES
HILLWOOD MUSEUM
$10,000CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES
ROAR FOUNDATION
$7,000CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES
RIDGEFIELD BOYS & GIRLS CLUB
$6,500CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES
POPLAR SPRING FARMS
$5,000CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES
RIDGEFIELD RVNA
$3,500CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES
WASHINGTON WINTER SHOW
$3,500CHARITY RELATED ACTIVITIES