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    5. 85 Fund

    85 Fund

    ActiveCrime & Legal-Related
    Fort Worth, TX8176614087
    EIN (Tax ID): 20-2466871Latest Form 990:

    About 85 Fund

    The 85 Fund primarily bankrolls conservative public-policy infrastructure, legal advocacy for religious and free‑speech claims, and free‑market think tanks and networks. A large share of its assets flows to intermediary vehicles and national conservative institutions, with additional targeted support for state policy shops and faith-based causes. The foundation’s pattern suggests strategic, influence-focused philanthropy aimed at shaping policy, law, and civic institutions rather than direct service delivery.

    Focus Areas

    Funding of conservative public‑policy think tanks and advocacy groups (e.g., Manhattan Institute, Club for Growth Foundation)Legal defense and religious‑freedom organizations (e.g., Becket Fund, Fidelis Center, Foundation for Individual Rights in Education)Intermediary and donor‑advised/regranting vehicles (large transfers to Donors Trust and similar intermediaries)State policy networks and legislative influence (ALEC, Maine Policy Institute, Freedom Foundation)Market‑oriented policy research in health and environment (Health Markets Policy Network, Pacific Research Institute, PERC)

    Who They Fund

    501(c)(3) public charities

    About 85 Fund

    A $92,050,000 grant to Donors Trust in 2024 is the clearest sign of how The 85 Fund operates: it channels very large sums through intermediary vehicles as well as directly to conservative legal, policy, and advocacy institutions. The foundation’s recent awards also include $39,000,000 to Knights of Columbus Charitable Fund in 2025, showing that its giving is not limited to one intermediary but extends to other large regranting or charitable vehicles. Across the recent grants list, The 85 Fund supports organizations working on religious liberty, free speech, free-market policy, and state-level legislative influence. The Federalist Society, Becket Fund for Religious Freedom, Club for Growth Foundation, Ethics and Public Policy Center, and American Legislative Exchange Counsel each appear in the record, often with repeated support over multiple years. That pattern points to a funder that backs institutions with durable policy and legal infrastructure rather than short-term project grants. Its portfolio also reaches market-oriented research groups and advocacy organizations such as Paragon Health Institute, Pacific Research Institute for Public Policy, and Manhattan Institute for Public Research Inc. The grant record suggests a strategic, institution-building approach centered on policy development, litigation, and network support.

    What 85 Fund Funds

    In policy advocacy, The 85 Fund gave $2,300,000 to Federalist Society in 2023 and $1,500,000 to Club for Growth Foundation in 2025, alongside repeated support for Ethics and Public Policy Center. Those awards place legal and public-policy infrastructure at the center of the foundation’s giving. Religious-freedom work is another clear thread. The fund gave $400,000 in both 2024 and 2025 to Becket Fund For Religious Rreedom, and $925,000 in 2025 to Fidelis Center for Law and Policy. That pairing shows sustained support for organizations tied to legal advocacy on faith-related issues. The 85 Fund also backs policy research. It awarded $1,000,000 in 2025 to Paragon Health Institute and $400,000 in 2024 to Pacific Research Institute for Public Policy. A separate $450,000 grant to Manhattan Institute for Public Research Inc in 2023 extends that research-oriented pattern into broader market and civic policy work.

    How 85 Fund Gives

    Typical awards are sizable: the recent-grants list shows a 25th percentile of $47,500, a median of $110,000, and a 75th percentile of $350,000. At the high end, the foundation makes very large general-support transfers, especially to intermediary organizations. The record also shows repeat giving to the same organizations across multiple years, including Donors Trust, Club for Growth Foundation, Ethics and Public Policy Center, Paragon Health Institute, American Legislative Exchange Counsel, and Becket Fund For Religious Rreedom. That repetition suggests multi-year support rather than one-off awards. The 85 Fund is classified as a Pure DAF Provider, and the grants are listed as general support to 501(c)(3) public charities and other tax-exempt nonprofit organizations.

    Financial Snapshot

    Annual Giving

    $118.2M

    Total Assets

    $2.8M

    Total Revenue

    $168.5M

    Total Expenses

    $169.7M

    Typical Grant Size

    Most grants fall between $48K and $350K, with a median of $110K.

    25th Percentile

    $48K

    Median

    $110K

    75th Percentile

    $350K

    Geographic Reach

    Regional20 states funded

    About 7% of grants go to recipients in VA.

    Funding intensity
    Low
    High
    Headquarters

    Leadership

    Carrie Severino

    Deep Analysis

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    Privacy PolicyTerms of ServiceSystem Status
    2025
    Total assets: $2.8M
    3 filings on record
    Find their full 990 filing →
    See If You're a Fit — FreeFree account · instant fit score · similar funders
    tax-exempt nonprofit organizations

    Giving Approach

    Highly concentrated and strategic: a small number of very large grants (notably a dominant transfer to Donors Trust) combined with repeated multi-year support to national conservative legal and policy organizations and state policy groups. Mix of intermediaries and direct funding, with many repeat grantees and an emphasis on influence-building rather than broad, distributed charitable grants.

    Funding Style

    unrestricted/general operating supportnon-program-specific fundingorganizational sustainability/capacity supportrestricted to 501(c)(3) activities

    Notable grantees: Donors Trust, Ethics and Public Policy Center, Federalist Society, Knights of Columbus Charitable Fund, American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC)

    Topics

    general operating support (no thematic/program focus)organizational infrastructure and core expensesadministrative and overhead funding

    Where 85 Fund Makes Grants

    Giving is US-only in the recent-grants file, with all 116 grants going to recipients in the United States. The strongest concentration by recipient location is Virginia, the top state by grant count. Alexandria, VA appears repeatedly through Donors Trust, while Arlington, VA appears through Paragon Health Institute and American Legislative Exchange Counsel. Other recurring recipient cities include Washington, DC, New York City, and New Haven. The foundation’s Texas footprint is limited in the recent record, with 6% of grants going to recipients in Texas, including Flower Mound.

    Frequently Asked Questions About 85 Fund

    What kinds of organizations does The 85 Fund support?

    The recent grant record centers on conservative public-policy infrastructure, legal advocacy, religious-freedom organizations, and market-oriented research groups. Named recipients include Federalist Society, Becket Fund For Religious Rreedom, Club for Growth Foundation, Ethics and Public Policy Center, Paragon Health Institute, and Pacific Research Institute for Public Policy.

    Does The 85 Fund give repeated support to the same organizations?

    Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Donors Trust, Club for Growth Foundation, Ethics and Public Policy Center, Paragon Health Institute, American Legislative Exchange Counsel, and Becket Fund For Religious Rreedom. That pattern points to recurring support rather than isolated awards.

    What is the typical grant size?

    The recent-grants distribution shows a 25th percentile of $47,500, a median of $110,000, and a 75th percentile of $350,000. The fund also makes much larger general-support grants to intermediary and policy institutions at the top end of the list.

    Where does The 85 Fund give most often?

    Virginia is the top state by grant count. Recipients in Alexandria and Arlington account for much of that concentration, while every grant in the recent file goes to a US recipient.

    What is The 85 Fund’s grantmaking style?

    The fund is classified as a Pure DAF Provider and its recent awards are listed as general support. The pattern favors institutional and infrastructure support, with large transfers to intermediary vehicles and repeated grants to policy, legal, and advocacy organizations.

    Accepts unsolicited proposals
    Latest 990 Filing

    2025

    Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.

    Recent Grants

    Most recent grants reported to the IRS.

    RecipientLocationAmountYearPurpose
    Donors TrustAlexandria, VA$67,900,0002025General Support
    Knights of Columbus Charitable FundNew Haven, CT$39,000,0002025General Support
    Club for Growth FoundationWashington, DC$1,500,0002025General Support
    Ethics and Public Policy CenterWashington, DC$1,325,0002025General Support
    Hawthorn Foundation IncNew York City, NY$1,100,0002025General Support
    Paragon Health InstituteArlington, VA$1,000,0002025General Support
    Fidelis Center for Law and PolicyMadison, WI$925,0002025General Support
    Maine Policy InstitutePortland, ME$760,0002025General Support
    Triton Research InstituteWest Bridgewater, MA$500,0002025General Support
    The Tikvah FundNew York, NY$450,0002025General Support
    American Legislative Exchange CounselArlington, VA$429,8812025General Support
    Becket Fund For Religious RreedomWashington, DC$400,0002025General Support
    Center for Individual RightsWashington, DC$350,0002025General Support
    National Center for Public policyWashington, DC$300,0002025General Support
    Smart Approaches to Marijuana INCAlexandria, VA$300,0002025General Support
    Independent Womans ForumWashington, DC$250,0002025General Support
    Central Fund of IsraelCedarhurst, NY$250,0002025General Support
    Library of CongressWashington, DC$250,0002025General Support
    Eagles' WingsClarence, NY$180,0002025General Support
    Georgia Community FoundationPeachtree Corners, GA$110,0002025General Support
    The Heritage FoundationWashington, DC$110,0002025General Support
    Americans for Limited GovernmentFairfax, VA$110,0002025501c3 Activities Only
    Youth Leadership FoundationWashington, DC$100,0002025General Support
    Cornell UniversityIthaca, NY$80,0002025General Support
    National Civic Art SocietyWashington, DC$75,0002025General Support
    Americans for Limited Govt Research FoundationFairfax, VA$70,0002025General Support
    Legal Insurection FoundationWarwick, RI$50,0002025General Support
    Conscience ProjectMcClean, VA$50,0002025General Support
    Pacific Research Institute for Public PolicyPasadena, CA$45,0002025General Support
    The Free State FoundationPotomac, MD$40,0002025General Support
    Elm Institute IncNew Haven, CT$25,0002025General Support
    American Accountability FoundationWashington, DC$25,0002025General Support
    American Juris LinkPhoenix, AZ$25,0002025General Support
    Council For National PolicyWashington, DC$25,0002025501c3 Activities Only
    Family Research CouncilWashington, DC$20,3002025General Support
    State Policy NetworkArlington, VA$20,0002025General Support
    Faith Freedom CoalitionDuluth, GA$10,0002025501c3 Activities Only
    Health Markets Policy NetworkWashington, DC$6,0002025General Support
    Young Americans for Liberty FoundationAustin, TX$6,0002025General Support
    Donors TrustAlexandria, VA$92,050,0002024General Support
    Club for Growth FoundationWashington, DC$1,500,0002024General Support
    Ethics and Public Policy CenterWashington, DC$1,325,0002024General Support
    Federalist SocietyWashington, DC$750,0002024General Support
    Hawthorn Foundation IncNew York City, NY$600,0002024General Support
    American Legislative Exchange CounselArlington, VA$576,0312024General Support
    Turning Point USAIndianapolis, IN$515,0002024General Support
    Center for Law and PolicyWashington, DC$425,0002024General Support
    Pacific Research Institute for Public PolicyPasadena, CA$400,0002024General Support
    Independent Womans ForumWashington, DC$350,0002024General Support
    Center for Equal OpportunityFalls Church, VA$325,0002024General Support

    Donors Trust

    $67,900,000
    Alexandria, VA2025

    General Support

    Knights of Columbus Charitable Fund

    $39,000,000
    New Haven, CT2025

    General Support

    Club for Growth Foundation

    $1,500,000
    Washington, DC2025

    General Support

    Ethics and Public Policy Center

    $1,325,000
    Washington, DC2025

    General Support

    Hawthorn Foundation Inc

    $1,100,000
    New York City, NY2025

    General Support

    Paragon Health Institute

    $1,000,000
    Arlington, VA2025

    General Support

    Fidelis Center for Law and Policy

    $925,000
    Madison, WI2025

    General Support

    Maine Policy Institute

    $760,000
    Portland, ME2025

    General Support

    Triton Research Institute

    $500,000
    West Bridgewater, MA2025

    General Support

    The Tikvah Fund

    $450,000
    New York, NY2025

    General Support

    American Legislative Exchange Counsel

    $429,881
    Arlington, VA2025

    General Support

    Becket Fund For Religious Rreedom

    $400,000
    Washington, DC2025

    General Support

    Center for Individual Rights

    $350,000
    Washington, DC2025

    General Support

    National Center for Public policy

    $300,000
    Washington, DC2025

    General Support

    Smart Approaches to Marijuana INC

    $300,000
    Alexandria, VA2025

    General Support

    Independent Womans Forum

    $250,000
    Washington, DC2025

    General Support

    Central Fund of Israel

    $250,000
    Cedarhurst, NY2025

    General Support

    Library of Congress

    $250,000
    Washington, DC2025

    General Support

    Eagles' Wings

    $180,000
    Clarence, NY2025

    General Support

    Georgia Community Foundation

    $110,000
    Peachtree Corners, GA2025

    General Support

    The Heritage Foundation

    $110,000
    Washington, DC2025

    General Support

    Americans for Limited Government

    $110,000
    Fairfax, VA2025

    501c3 Activities Only

    Youth Leadership Foundation

    $100,000
    Washington, DC2025

    General Support

    Cornell University

    $80,000
    Ithaca, NY2025

    General Support

    National Civic Art Society

    $75,000
    Washington, DC2025

    General Support

    Americans for Limited Govt Research Foundation

    $70,000
    Fairfax, VA2025

    General Support

    Legal Insurection Foundation

    $50,000
    Warwick, RI2025

    General Support

    Conscience Project

    $50,000
    McClean, VA2025

    General Support

    Pacific Research Institute for Public Policy

    $45,000
    Pasadena, CA2025

    General Support

    The Free State Foundation

    $40,000
    Potomac, MD2025

    General Support

    Elm Institute Inc

    $25,000
    New Haven, CT2025

    General Support

    American Accountability Foundation

    $25,000
    Washington, DC2025

    General Support

    American Juris Link

    $25,000
    Phoenix, AZ2025

    General Support

    Council For National Policy

    $25,000
    Washington, DC2025

    501c3 Activities Only

    Family Research Council

    $20,300
    Washington, DC2025

    General Support

    State Policy Network

    $20,000
    Arlington, VA2025

    General Support

    Faith Freedom Coalition

    $10,000
    Duluth, GA2025

    501c3 Activities Only

    Health Markets Policy Network

    $6,000
    Washington, DC2025

    General Support

    Young Americans for Liberty Foundation

    $6,000
    Austin, TX2025

    General Support

    Donors Trust

    $92,050,000
    Alexandria, VA2024

    General Support

    Club for Growth Foundation

    $1,500,000
    Washington, DC2024

    General Support

    Ethics and Public Policy Center

    $1,325,000
    Washington, DC2024

    General Support

    Federalist Society

    $750,000
    Washington, DC2024

    General Support

    Hawthorn Foundation Inc

    $600,000
    New York City, NY2024

    General Support

    American Legislative Exchange Counsel

    $576,031
    Arlington, VA2024

    General Support

    Turning Point USA

    $515,000
    Indianapolis, IN2024

    General Support

    Center for Law and Policy

    $425,000
    Washington, DC2024

    General Support

    Pacific Research Institute for Public Policy

    $400,000
    Pasadena, CA2024

    General Support

    Independent Womans Forum

    $350,000
    Washington, DC2024

    General Support

    Center for Equal Opportunity

    $325,000
    Falls Church, VA2024

    General Support