The foundation concentrates its giving on promoting free‑market and classical liberal economic education, directing substantial unrestricted support to a small set of national organizations that develop curricula, fellowships, and public programs. Grants are focused and strategic: most dollars go to two repeat grantees that advance economic literacy and scholar training rather than a broad portfolio of local charities. The foundation appears to prioritize sustaining institutions that train students and the public in market‑oriented ideas.
Highly concentrated: a few large, repeat grants to national policy/education organizations (multiple awards to the same two grantees), favoring sizable unrestricted support over many small, disparate gifts.
Richard Seth Staley Educational Foundation a Nevada Nonprofit Corp directs most of its giving to a narrow set of national organizations that build economic literacy, train fellows and scholars, and develop curricula and public programs around free-market and classical liberal ideas. The largest recent grants in the file go to the Foundation for Economic Education, including multiple awards of $300,000 and $320,000, showing sustained support for that institution over several years. Another major recipient is the Institute for Humane Studies, which received awards ranging from $125,000 to $150,000, again pointing to a repeated emphasis on scholar training and political economy education. The pattern is not broad-based local charity; it is concentrated institutional support for organizations that teach market-oriented ideas to students, educators, and the public. Alongside those core grants, the foundation also backs selected university and policy organizations tied to economics and education, suggesting a portfolio built around research, curriculum, and public-facing instruction rather than direct service delivery.
In economic education, the foundation gave $300,000 to the Foundation for Economic Education in 2024 and $300,000 in 2025, plus additional six-figure support in 2023, indicating steady backing for curriculum and public education work. For scholar development, it awarded $150,000 and $141,500 in 2023 to the Institute for Humane Studies, then renewed support with grants of $125,000 in 2024 and 2025 and $140,000 in 2025. The foundation also supports university-based activity: UC Davis College received $36,362 in 2025 and $19,062 in 2025, while UC Irvine College received $30,645 in 2024, $30,190 in 2023, and $23,388 in 2025. It also made $30,000 and $20,000 grants to the Heritage Foundation for public education work.
Typical grants are small relative to annual giving: the p25 grant size is $1,000, the median is $2,500, and the p75 is $4,000. The recent-grants file shows a dual pattern of many modest awards alongside a few large, repeated institutional grants. Several recipients appear across multiple years, including the Foundation for Economic Education, the Institute for Humane Studies, the Heritage Foundation, UC Irvine, and UC Davis. The foundation is classified as a regular funder and does not fund individuals or make program-related investments.
$617K
$17.3M
$739K
$953K
Most grants fall between $1K and $4K, with a median of $3K.
25th Percentile
$1K
Median
$3K
75th Percentile
$4K
About 15% of grants go to recipients in CA.
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Notable grantees: Foundation for Economic Education, Institute for Humane Studies
Grant recipients are entirely in the United States, with 226 grants and no non-U.S. recipients in the file. Colorado is the top state by grant count, even though the headquarters is in Phoenix, Arizona. Recent named recipients include Atlanta, Georgia; Arlington, Virginia; Washington, DC; Irvine and Davis, California; Santa Monica and South Gate, California; and Houston, Texas. Arizona accounts for 14% of grants to recipients in the HQ state.
It supports organizations focused on free-market and classical liberal economic education, fellowship and scholar training in political economy and libertarian thought, and public economic literacy or curriculum development. The recent grants file also includes university recipients and policy organizations tied to education and public education work.
Repeat support is a clear pattern. The Foundation for Economic Education appears multiple times across 2023, 2024, and 2025, and the Institute for Humane Studies also receives awards in more than one year. The Heritage Foundation and UC Irvine likewise recur in the recent grants list.
The typical award is small: p25 is $1,000, median grant size is $2,500, and p75 is $4,000. That sits alongside a smaller number of much larger institutional grants in the recent file.
Recipients are all in the United States, with 226 grants to U.S. organizations. Colorado has the highest grant count by state, while named recipient cities in the file include Atlanta, Arlington, Washington, Irvine, Davis, Santa Monica, South Gate, and Houston.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FOUNDATION FOR ECONOMIC EDUCATION | ATLANTA, GA | $300,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EDUCARION - PUBLIC |
| INSTITUTE FOR HUMANE STUDIES | ARLINGTON, VA | $140,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC |
| UC DAVIS COLLEGE | DAVIS, CA | $36,362 | 2026 | GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC |
| HERITAGE FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $30,000 | 2026 | SOCIAL ISSUES - GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC |
| CATO INSTITUTE | WASHINGTON, DC | $6,000 | 2026 | SOCIAL ISSUES - GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC |
| REASON FOUNDATION | SANTA MONICA, CA | $6,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC |
| AZCDL | TUCSON, AZ | $5,000 | 2026 | SOCIAL ISSUES - GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC |
| UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS M D ANDERSON CANCER CENTER SERVICES CORP | HOUSTON, TX | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC |
| FREE | CLUTE, TX | $5,000 | 2026 | SOCIAL ISSUES - GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC |
| YOUNG AMERICA FOUNDATION | HERNDON, VA | $4,500 | 2026 | GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC |
| TEEN CHALLENGE OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA | SOUTH GATE, CA | $4,000 | 2026 | SOCIAL ISSUES - GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC |
| HILLSDALE COLLEGE | HILLSDALE, MI | $4,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC |
| GOF | SPRINGFIELD, VA | $4,000 | 2026 | SOCIAL ISSUES - GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC |
| WASHINGTON POLICY CENTER | SEATTLE, WA | $3,500 | 2026 | GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC |
| COLORADO CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY | LAKEWOOD, CO | $3,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC |
| COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION | HARRISBURG, PA | $3,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC |
| LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE | ARLINGTON, VA | $3,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC |
| EMERGENT ORDER FOUNDATION | AUSTIN, TX | $3,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC |
| TURNING POINT USA | PHOENIX, AZ | $3,000 | 2026 | MEDIA - GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC |
| ADVANCING AMERICAN FREEDOM FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $3,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC |
| GRAND CANYON UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION | PHOENIX, AZ | $3,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC |
| ALZHEIMER DISEASE RESEARCH | CLARKSBERG, MD | $2,500 | 2026 | SOCIAL ISSUES - GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC |
| FOUNDATION TEACHING ECONOMICS | WASHINGTON, DC | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC |
| LUDWIG VON MISES INSTITUTE | AUBURN, AL | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC |
| NATIONAL RIGHT TO WORK LEGAL DEFENSE FOUNDATION | SPRINGFIRLD, VA | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC |
| AMERICAN INSTITUTE ECONOMIC RESEARCH | GREAT BARRINGTON, MA | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC |
| MOVING PICTURES INSTITUTE | NEW YORK, NY | $2,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC |
| ECONOMIC THINKING | SEATTLE, WA | $2,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC |
| CONVENANT HOUSE | LOS ANGELES, CA | $2,000 | 2026 | SOCIAL ISSUES - GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC |
| GOLDWATER INSTITUTE | PHOENIX, AZ | $2,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC |
| CHILDREN OF THE NIGHT | LOS ANGELES, CA | $1,750 | 2026 | SOCIAL ISSUES - GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC |
| INSTITUTE FOR JUSTICE | TEMPE, AZ | $1,750 | 2026 | SOCIAL ISSUES - GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC |
| INDEPENDENT INSTITUTE | OAKLAND, CA | $1,500 | 2026 | GENERAL EDUCARION - PUBLIC |
| FEDERALIST SOCIETY | WASHINGTON, DC | $1,500 | 2026 | GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC |
| CLARE BOOTH LUCE CENTER FOR CONSERVATIVE WOMEN | HERNDON, VA | $1,500 | 2026 | GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC |
| PHOENIX RESTORATION CHURCH | PHOENIX, AZ | $1,500 | 2026 | SOCIAL ISSUES - GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC |
| MACKINAC CENTER | MIDLAND, MI | $1,500 | 2026 | GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC |
| WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT | TOPEKA, KS | $1,500 | 2026 | SOCIAL ISSUES - GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC |
| ACCURACY IN MEDIA | WASHINGTON, DC | $1,500 | 2026 | MEDIA - GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC |
| PACIFIC LEGAL FOUNDATION | SACRAMENTO, CA | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC |
| JUDICIAL WATCH | WASHINGTON, DC | $1,000 | 2026 | MEDIA - GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC |
| CITY OF HOPE CANCER CENTER | DUARTE, CA | $1,000 | 2026 | SOCIAL ISSUES - GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC |
| YOUTH FOR CHRIST | ENGLEWOOD, CO | $1,000 | 2026 | SOCIAL ISSUES - GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC |
| HFJ | LAS VEGAS, NV | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC |
| CHILDHELP USA | SCOTTSDALE, AZ | $1,000 | 2026 | SOCIAL ISSUES - GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC |
| SALVATION ARMY | PHOENIX, AZ | $1,000 | 2026 | SOCIAL ISSUES - GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC |
| CAPITAL RESEARCH | WASHINGTON, DC | $1,000 | 2026 | SOCIAL ISSUES - GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC |
| FOUNDATION FOR ECONOMIC EDUCATION | ATLANTA, GA | $300,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EDUCARION - PUBLIC |
| INSTITUTE FOR HUMANE STUDIES | ARLINGTON, VA | $125,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC |
| UC IRVINE COLLEGE | IRVINE, CA | $23,388 | 2025 | GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC |
UC DAVIS COLLEGE
$36,362GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC
GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC
AZCDL
$5,000SOCIAL ISSUES - GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS M D ANDERSON CANCER CENTER SERVICES CORP
$5,000GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC
FREE
$5,000SOCIAL ISSUES - GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC
TEEN CHALLENGE OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
$4,000SOCIAL ISSUES - GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC
GOF
$4,000SOCIAL ISSUES - GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC
COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION
$3,000GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC
TURNING POINT USA
$3,000MEDIA - GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC
GRAND CANYON UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION
$3,000GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC
ALZHEIMER DISEASE RESEARCH
$2,500SOCIAL ISSUES - GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC
FOUNDATION TEACHING ECONOMICS
$2,500GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC
LUDWIG VON MISES INSTITUTE
$2,500GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC
AMERICAN INSTITUTE ECONOMIC RESEARCH
$2,500GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC
ECONOMIC THINKING
$2,000GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC
GOLDWATER INSTITUTE
$2,000GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC
CHILDREN OF THE NIGHT
$1,750SOCIAL ISSUES - GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC
INSTITUTE FOR JUSTICE
$1,750SOCIAL ISSUES - GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC
FEDERALIST SOCIETY
$1,500GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC
CLARE BOOTH LUCE CENTER FOR CONSERVATIVE WOMEN
$1,500GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC
PHOENIX RESTORATION CHURCH
$1,500SOCIAL ISSUES - GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC
CITY OF HOPE CANCER CENTER
$1,000SOCIAL ISSUES - GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC
YOUTH FOR CHRIST
$1,000SOCIAL ISSUES - GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC
HFJ
$1,000GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC
CHILDHELP USA
$1,000SOCIAL ISSUES - GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC
SALVATION ARMY
$1,000SOCIAL ISSUES - GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC
CAPITAL RESEARCH
$1,000SOCIAL ISSUES - GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC
UC IRVINE COLLEGE
$23,388GENERAL EDUCATION - PUBLIC