The George Edward Durell Foundation concentrates its funding on conservative-leaning higher education and public policy organizations that promote free‑market ideas and Christian civic engagement. A large share of support goes to a single flagship beneficiary (Hillsdale College) for forums and programming, with additional grants to think tanks and religiously oriented intermediaries. The foundation favors national institutions advancing classical liberal or Judeo-Christian civil society initiatives rather than broad local charity work.
The George Edward Durell Foundation’s largest recent commitments cluster around Hillsdale College’s Free Market Forum, including $500,000 grants in 2023 and 2024 and additional $250,000 support in 2025. That pattern points to a funder that backs policy-oriented convenings and academic programming, not broad local charity. The foundation also gave $200,000 to Mercatus Center for academic fellowship programs and $175,000 to Acton Institute for general program support, showing a consistent interest in institutions that connect higher education, free-market thought, and civic formation. Its recent grants also extend to intermediary and network organizations that translate those ideas into public-facing programming. National Christian Foundation received multiple gifts for Columbus-focused mission and culture work, while Intercollegiate Studies Institute was funded for PPE programming and related support. The George Edward Durell Foundation’s giving is largely institutional, often tied to named programs, forums, fellowships, and leadership initiatives rather than unrestricted community grants. The recipient list also includes Ohio-based faith and civic organizations such as The Buckeye Institute, Forge Leadership Network, The Refuge, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and Center for Christian Virtue, reinforcing a portfolio centered on Christian civic engagement and policy education.
A major theme in the foundation’s recent grantmaking is free-market public policy education. It awarded $200,000 to Mercatus Center for academic fellowship programs and another $50,000 for the same purpose in 2025, indicating repeated support for fellowship-based policy training. A second line of giving supports philosophy and economics education. Intercollegiate Studies Institute received $75,000 for PPE program funding and $50,000 for the Philosophy, Politics, and Economics Program, along with $25,000 for digital marketing and Williams College-related support. The foundation also funds Christian civic and leadership networks. Acton Institute received $125,000 for its Acton University mini grants program and $100,000 for Columbus leadership, mini-grants, FMF, and CASE. Forge Leadership Network received $50,000 in 2025 for general operating support, building on smaller prior-year grants.
$628K
$30.5M
$1.6M
$1.2M
Most grants fall between $5K and $25K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$25K
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeSign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Concentrated, large-dollar giving with repeat payments to a small set of national grantees; emphasis on programmatic support for events and fellowships rather than many small community grants.
Notable grantees: Hillsdale College, Mercatus Center, Acton Institute, National Christian Foundation
Typical grants cluster around a median of $10,000, with the 25th percentile at $5,000 and the 75th percentile at $25,000. The recent list shows a strong concentration of recurring support: Hillsdale College appears across multiple years with repeated Free Market Forum funding, and Mercatus Center, National Christian Foundation, Acton Institute, Intercollegiate Studies Institute, and Forge Leadership Network also recur. The foundation gives through program support, general operating support, and event or convening support, with several grants earmarked for specific initiatives. It is a private foundation with $30,547,122 in assets and annual grants of $3,901,000.
The foundation’s grants are geographically concentrated in the United States, with 100% of recent grants going to U.S. recipients. Ohio appears prominently, including Columbus, Dayton, Dublin, and local grants in the Columbus metro area. Michigan is the top state by grant count, driven by repeated support for Hillsdale College in Hillsdale and Acton Institute in Grand Rapids. Other recipient cities include Arlington, Wilmington, Kansas City, and Alpharetta.
Recent grants show a focus on free-market policy and academic programming, Christian civic institutions, and higher-education organizations. Examples include Mercatus Center for academic fellowship programs, Hillsdale College for the Free Market Forum, and Intercollegiate Studies Institute for PPE programming.
Yes. National Christian Foundation received multiple grants for Columbus-related mission and culture work, and Acton Institute, Center for Christian Virtue, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and The Refuge also appear in the recent grants list.
The grant-size distribution shows a 25th percentile of $5,000, a median of $10,000, and a 75th percentile of $25,000. The recent list also includes larger program commitments such as $500,000 to Hillsdale College and $200,000 to Mercatus Center.
Several grantees receive support in multiple years. Hillsdale College appears repeatedly from 2023 through 2025, and Acton Institute, National Christian Foundation, Intercollegiate Studies Institute, Forge Leadership Network, and Mercatus Center also recur across the recent grants list.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HILLSDALE COLLEGE | HILLSDALE, MI | $250,000 | 2025 | 2ND HALF OF SUPPORT FOR 2024 FREE MARKET FORUM |
| HILLSDALE COLLEGE | HILLSDALE, MI | $250,000 | 2025 | 1ST HALF OF SUPPORT FOR 2024 FREE MARKET FORUM |
| NATIONAL CHRISTIAN FOUNDATION | COLUMBUS, OH | $140,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF THE FOR COLUMBUS FUND - MISSION INCREASE |
| ACTON INSTITUTE | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $100,000 | 2025 | COLUMBUS LEADERSHIP;MINI-GRANTS;FMF;CASE |
| MERCATUS CENTER | ARLINGTON, VA | $50,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT ACADEMIC FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMS |
| FORGE LEADERSHIP NETWORK | DAYTON, OH | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL CHRISTIAN FOUNDATION | COLUMBUS, OH | $50,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF FAITH FOR CULTURE |
| THE GLOBAL ORPHAN PROJECT INC | KANSAS CITY, MO | $50,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF CARE PORTAL |
| INTERCOLLEGIATE STUDIES INSTITUTE | WILMINGTON, DE | $25,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF DIGITAL MARKETING & WILLIAMS COLLEGE |
| FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES | DUBLIN, OH | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| PREVENTION ACTION ALLIANCE | COLUMBUS, OH | $15,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF G.A.P. NETWORK |
| PREVENTION ACTION ALLIANCE | COLUMBUS, OH | $12,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF G.A.P. NETWORK |
| LIVING ON THE EDGE | SUWANEE, GA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CENTRAL OHIO YOUTH FOR CHRIST | COLUMBUS, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT DTQ & CAMPUS LIFE MINISTRIES |
| FOR COLUMBUS | COLUMBUS, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT COLUMBUS DISCIPLESHIP NETWORK |
| WORTHINGTON CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS | WORTHINGTON, OH | $7,500 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF GREATER THINGS CAMPAIGN & PLAN |
| LIFEWISE ACADEMY | HILLIARD, OH | $7,500 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF LIFEWISE VISION FUND |
| GRACEHAVEN INC | COLUMBUS, OH | $7,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FESTA MINISTRIES | HILLIARD, OH | $5,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FAMILY ESL PROGRAM |
| FOR COLUMBUS | COLUMBUS, OH | $5,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT COLUMBUS DISCIPLESHIP NETWORK |
| ARCHWAY INSTITUTE | PUNTA GORDA, FL | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| GLOBAL VILLAGE VINEYARD CHURCH | COLUMBUS, OH | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| DARE2SHARE | ARVADA, CO | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CANINE COMPANIONS - NORTH CENTRAL REGION | NEW ALBANY, OH | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FESTA MINISTRIES | HILLIARD, OH | $5,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FAMILY ESL PROGRAM |
| FESTA MINISTRIES | HILLIARD, OH | $5,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF CITY REACHING LUNCHEON |
| INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIPS INC | COLUMBUS, OH | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| YOUNG LIFE | WEST CHESTER, OH | $5,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI MINISTRY |
| PREVENTION ACTION ALLIANCE | COLUMBUS, OH | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE ADDICT'S PARENT UNITED | COLUMBUS, OH | $3,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF PARENT'S ANNUAL EVENT |
| FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES | DUBLIN, OH | $2,500 | 2025 | SUPPORT WHOLE IN ONE PROGRAM |
| CENTER FOR CHRISTIAN VIRTUE | COLUMBUS, OH | $2,500 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF ESSENTIAL SUMMIT EVENT |
| FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES | DUBLIN, OH | $2,500 | 2025 | SUPPORT WHOLE IN ONE PROGRAM |
| HILLSDALE COLLEGE | HILLSDALE, MI | $500,000 | 2024 | 2023 FREE MARKET FORUM |
| MERCATUS CENTER | ARLINGTON, VA | $200,000 | 2024 | ACADEMIC FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMS |
| NATIONAL CHRISTIAN FOUNDATION | COLUMBUS, OH | $130,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT OF FOR COLUMBUS OHIO INCREASE PROJECT |
| ACTON INSTITUTE | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $125,000 | 2024 | ACTON UNIVERSITY MINI GRANTS PROGRAM |
| INTERCOLLEGIATE STUDIES INSTITUTE | WILMINGTON, DE | $50,000 | 2024 | PHILOSOPHY, POLITICS, AND ECONOMICS PROGRAM |
| NATIONAL CHRISTIAN FOUNDATION | ALPHARETTA, GA | $50,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT OF FAITH FOR CULTURE |
| THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE | COLUMBUS, OH | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FORGE LEADERSHIP NETWORK | DAYTON, OH | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE REFUGE INC | COLUMBUS, OH | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CENTER FOR CHRISTIAN VIRTUE | COLUMBUS, OH | $20,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT OF CHURCH AMBASSADOR NETWORK |
| FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES | DUBLIN, OH | $20,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT OF VARIOUS PROGRAMS |
| PREVENTION ACTION ALLIANCE | COLUMBUS, OH | $10,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT G.A.P. NETWORK |
| NATIONAL CHRISTIAN FOUNDATION | COLUMBUS, OH | $10,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR THE GLOBAL VILLAGE FUND |
| LIVING ON THE EDGE | SUWANEE, GA | $10,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR THE PRIMEMOVERS MINISTRY |
| PREVENTION ACTION ALLIANCE | COLUMBUS, OH | $7,500 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FESTA MINISTRIES | HILLIARD, OH | $5,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT OF 3-GENERATION FAMILY ESL PROGRAM |
| GRACEHAVEN INC | COLUMBUS, OH | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
NATIONAL CHRISTIAN FOUNDATION
$140,000SUPPORT OF THE FOR COLUMBUS FUND - MISSION INCREASE
ACTON INSTITUTE
$100,000COLUMBUS LEADERSHIP;MINI-GRANTS;FMF;CASE
GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
NATIONAL CHRISTIAN FOUNDATION
$50,000SUPPORT OF FAITH FOR CULTURE
SUPPORT OF DIGITAL MARKETING & WILLIAMS COLLEGE
PREVENTION ACTION ALLIANCE
$15,000SUPPORT OF G.A.P. NETWORK
PREVENTION ACTION ALLIANCE
$12,000SUPPORT OF G.A.P. NETWORK
CENTRAL OHIO YOUTH FOR CHRIST
$10,000SUPPORT DTQ & CAMPUS LIFE MINISTRIES
FOR COLUMBUS
$10,000SUPPORT COLUMBUS DISCIPLESHIP NETWORK
WORTHINGTON CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS
$7,500SUPPORT OF GREATER THINGS CAMPAIGN & PLAN
LIFEWISE ACADEMY
$7,500SUPPORT OF LIFEWISE VISION FUND
FESTA MINISTRIES
$5,000SUPPORT FAMILY ESL PROGRAM
FOR COLUMBUS
$5,000SUPPORT COLUMBUS DISCIPLESHIP NETWORK
ARCHWAY INSTITUTE
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
GLOBAL VILLAGE VINEYARD CHURCH
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
FESTA MINISTRIES
$5,000SUPPORT FAMILY ESL PROGRAM
FESTA MINISTRIES
$5,000SUPPORT OF CITY REACHING LUNCHEON
INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIPS INC
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
YOUNG LIFE
$5,000SUPPORT OF UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI MINISTRY
PREVENTION ACTION ALLIANCE
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
THE ADDICT'S PARENT UNITED
$3,000SUPPORT OF PARENT'S ANNUAL EVENT
NATIONAL CHRISTIAN FOUNDATION
$130,000SUPPORT OF FOR COLUMBUS OHIO INCREASE PROJECT
ACTON INSTITUTE
$125,000ACTON UNIVERSITY MINI GRANTS PROGRAM
PHILOSOPHY, POLITICS, AND ECONOMICS PROGRAM
THE REFUGE INC
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
PREVENTION ACTION ALLIANCE
$10,000SUPPORT G.A.P. NETWORK
NATIONAL CHRISTIAN FOUNDATION
$10,000SUPPORT FOR THE GLOBAL VILLAGE FUND
PREVENTION ACTION ALLIANCE
$7,500GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
FESTA MINISTRIES
$5,000SUPPORT OF 3-GENERATION FAMILY ESL PROGRAM