The Searle Freedom Trust makes focused, large-scale grants to organizations that produce state-level public policy research and advocacy. Its single reported grant funds the State Policy Network, indicating a preference for supporting research infrastructure that advances free‑market and limited‑government policy ideas at the state level. The foundation appears to prioritize capacity-building for policy research rather than broad charitable or social service work.
Highly concentrated giving: a single, large grant to a national intermediary (State Policy Network) that supports state-level policy research and allied think tanks.
The Searle Freedom Trust C/o Kinship LLC’s recent grantmaking is built around large grants to state-policy infrastructure and free-market policy organizations. Its biggest reported awards go to State Policy Network, including $1,312,000 in 2024 and $885,650 in 2025, showing sustained support for a national research and advocacy network that works at the state level. The foundation also backs major policy institutions such as the American Enterprise Institute, which received $1,000,000 in 2023, $1,000,000 in 2024, and $1,100,000 in 2025, and George Mason University Foundation, which received $700,000 in 2023, $700,000 in 2024, and $1,000,000 in 2025 for education and outreach. Other large recipients include the Foundation for Government Accountability, Tax Foundation, Competitive Enterprise Institute, and Pacific Legal Foundation. Across these grants, the pattern is concentrated and institutional: it supports organizations that produce research, advocacy, litigation, journalism, and education tied to limited-government and market-oriented policy ideas. The scale is substantial, with annual grants of $63,246,802 and total assets of $22,377,003 on file.
State-level public policy research is a central theme. The foundation gave $1,312,000 to State Policy Network in 2024 and another $885,650 in 2025 for research, underscoring support for the infrastructure behind state policy work. It also funded the Foundation for Government Accountability twice at $800,000 in 2024 and $800,000 in 2025, with additional $600,000 support in 2023 for education and outreach. Litigation is another clear lane: Pacific Legal Foundation received $500,000 in 2025 and $500,000 in 2024, plus $450,000 in 2023. In higher-education and public-facing work, George Mason University Foundation received $1,000,000 in 2025 and $700,000 in both 2023 and 2024 for education and outreach.
The reported grant-size distribution is large and steady: the 25th percentile is $100,000, the median is $150,000, and the 75th percentile is $250,000. The recent record shows repeated awards to the same organizations across multiple years, including State Policy Network, American Enterprise Institute, George Mason University Foundation, Foundation for Government Accountability, Tax Foundation, Competitive Enterprise Institute, and Pacific Legal Foundation. That points to recurring institutional support rather than one-off grants. The foundation funds organizations directly and does not fund individuals. It also does not make program-related investments.
$18.9M
$22.4M
$4.3M
$21.5M
Most grants fall between $100K and $250K, with a median of $150K.
25th Percentile
$100K
Median
$150K
75th Percentile
$250K
About 3% of grants go to recipients in DC.
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Notable grantees: State Policy Network
Grant recipients are entirely U.S.-based, with 304 grants going to U.S. organizations. The top state by grant count is California, while only 3% of grants go to recipients in Wisconsin, the foundation’s headquarters state. Recent recipients cluster in Washington, DC; Arlington, VA; Fairfax, VA; Naples, FL; and Sacramento, CA. The list also includes recipients in Potomac, MD; Peachtree Corners, GA; Clemson, SC; New York, NY; and Alexandria, VA.
Its recent grants go mainly to organizations tied to state-level public policy research and advocacy, including research institutions, litigation groups, and education-and-outreach organizations. The pattern includes repeated funding for State Policy Network, American Enterprise Institute, Foundation for Government Accountability, Tax Foundation, Competitive Enterprise Institute, and Pacific Legal Foundation.
The typical grant size is fairly high: the 25th percentile is $100,000, the median is $150,000, and the 75th percentile is $250,000. Recent awards also include several seven-figure grants, such as $1,312,000 to State Policy Network and $1,100,000 to American Enterprise Institute.
Yes. Several recipients appear across multiple years, including American Enterprise Institute in 2023, 2024, and 2025; George Mason University Foundation in 2023, 2024, and 2025; and State Policy Network in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Foundation for Government Accountability, Tax Foundation, Competitive Enterprise Institute, and Pacific Legal Foundation also recur.
All reported grants go to U.S. recipients. California is the top state by grant count, while Washington, DC; Arlington, VA; Fairfax, VA; Naples, FL; and Sacramento, CA appear repeatedly in the recent grants list. Only 3% of grants go to recipients in Wisconsin.
No. The foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments. Its recent record shows direct grants to organizations instead, including research, litigation, education and outreach, and journalism recipients.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE | WASHINGTON, DC | $1,100,000 | 2025 | RESEARCH |
| GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | FAIRFAX, VA | $1,000,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION AND OUTREACH |
| STATE POLICY NETWORK | ARLINGTON, VA | $885,650 | 2025 | RESEARCH |
| FOUNDATION FOR GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY | NAPLES, FL | $800,000 | 2025 | RESEARCH |
| PACIFIC LEGAL FOUNDATION | SACRAMENTO, CA | $500,000 | 2025 | LITIGATION |
| COMPETITIVE ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE | WASHINGTON, DC | $500,000 | 2025 | RESEARCH |
| CENTER FOR INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS | WASHINGTON, DC | $500,000 | 2025 | JOURNALISM |
| TAX FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $400,000 | 2025 | RESEARCH |
| PHILANTHROPY ROUNDTABLE | WASHINGTON, DC | $400,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION AND OUTREACH |
| GEORGIA CENTER FOR OPPORTUNITY | PEACHTREE CORNERS, GA | $400,000 | 2025 | RESEARCH |
| COMMITTEE TO UNLEASH PROSPERITY | POTOMAC, MD | $400,000 | 2025 | RESEARCH |
| NEW CIVIL LIBERTIES ALLIANCE | WASHINGTON, DC | $400,000 | 2025 | JOURNALISM |
| TEXAS PUBLIC POLICY FOUNDATION | AUSTIN, TX | $380,000 | 2025 | JOURNALISM |
| DEFENSE OF FREEDOM INSTITUTE | ALEXANDRIA, VA | $350,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION AND OUTREACH |
| EMERGENT ORDER FOUNDATION | AUSTIN, TX | $300,000 | 2025 | FELLOWSHIPS |
| FRANKLIN NEWS FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $300,000 | 2025 | FELLOWSHIPS |
| INSTITUTE FOR JUSTICE | ARLINGTON, VA | $300,000 | 2025 | JOURNALISM |
| AMERICA FIRST POLICY INSTITUTE | WASHINGTON, DC | $300,000 | 2025 | RESEARCH |
| VMTS EDUCATION INC | BROOKLYN, NY | $300,000 | 2025 | FELLOWSHIPS |
| NATIONAL TAXPAYERS UNION FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $300,000 | 2025 | JOURNALISM |
| REASON FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $300,000 | 2025 | FELLOWSHIPS |
| MOVING PICTURE INSTITUTE | NEW YORK, NY | $300,000 | 2025 | FELLOWSHIPS |
| REAL CLEAR FOUNDATION | NORTHBROOK, IL | $300,000 | 2025 | FILM AND NEW MEDIA |
| FEDERALIST SOCIETY | WASHINGTON, DC | $295,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION AND OUTREACH |
| PROPERTY AND ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH CENTER | BOZEMAN, MT | $275,000 | 2025 | JOURNALISM |
| AMERICAN LEGISLATIVE EXCHANGE COUNCIL | ARLINGTON, VA | $250,000 | 2025 | RESEARCH |
| PARENTS DEFENDING EDUCATION | ARLINGTON, VA | $250,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION AND OUTREACH |
| STATE POLICY NETWORK | ARLINGTON, VA | $250,000 | 2025 | RESEARCH |
| ECONOMIC POLICY INNOVATION CENTER | WASHINGTON, DC | $250,000 | 2025 | RESEARCH |
| TEXAS PUBLIC POLICY FOUNDATION | AUSTIN, TX | $250,000 | 2025 | RESEARCH |
| NAPOLITAN INSTITUTE | MCKINNEY, TX | $250,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION AND OUTREACH |
| INDEPENDENT CENTER | ALEXANDRIA, VA | $250,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION AND OUTREACH |
| FEDERALIST SOCIETY | WASHINGTON, DC | $248,500 | 2025 | EDUCATION AND OUTREACH |
| HAMILTON LINCOLN LAW INSTITUTE | WASHINGTON, DC | $225,000 | 2025 | JOURNALISM |
| GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | FAIRFAX, VA | $225,000 | 2025 | RESEARCH |
| PROPERTY AND ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH CENTER | BOZEMAN, MT | $225,000 | 2025 | RESEARCH |
| PACIFIC LEGAL FOUNDATION | SACRAMENTO, CA | $200,000 | 2025 | JOURNALISM |
| GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | FAIRFAX, VA | $200,000 | 2025 | FILM AND NEW MEDIA |
| GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | FAIRFAX, VA | $200,000 | 2025 | JOURNALISM |
| CATO INSTITUTE | WASHINGTON, DC | $200,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION AND OUTREACH |
| MANHATTAN INSTITUTE | NEW YORK, NY | $200,000 | 2025 | RESEARCH |
| SAGAMORE INSTITUTE | INDIANAPOLIS, IN | $200,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION AND OUTREACH |
| MANHATTAN INSTITUTE | NEW YORK, NY | $200,000 | 2025 | RESEARCH |
| GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY | WASHINGTON, DC | $185,000 | 2025 | ONLINE EDUCATION |
| BUCKEYE INSTITUTE | COLUMBUS, OH | $150,000 | 2025 | LITIGATION |
| DAILY CALLER NEWS FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $150,000 | 2025 | FELLOWSHIPS |
| AMERICAN TRANSPARENCY | HINSDALE, IL | $150,000 | 2025 | LITIGATION |
| TEXAS PUBLIC POLICY FOUNDATION | AUSTIN, TX | $150,000 | 2025 | FILM AND NEW MEDIA |
| CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT THOUGHT | BALA CYNWYD, PA | $125,000 | 2025 | FELLOWSHIPS |
| INSTITUTE FOR THE AMERICAN WORKER | HAMILTON, VA | $125,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION AND OUTREACH |
AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE
$1,100,000RESEARCH
GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$1,000,000EDUCATION AND OUTREACH
STATE POLICY NETWORK
$885,650RESEARCH
FOUNDATION FOR GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY
$800,000RESEARCH
PACIFIC LEGAL FOUNDATION
$500,000LITIGATION
COMPETITIVE ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE
$500,000RESEARCH
CENTER FOR INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS
$500,000JOURNALISM
TAX FOUNDATION
$400,000RESEARCH
PHILANTHROPY ROUNDTABLE
$400,000EDUCATION AND OUTREACH
GEORGIA CENTER FOR OPPORTUNITY
$400,000RESEARCH
COMMITTEE TO UNLEASH PROSPERITY
$400,000RESEARCH
NEW CIVIL LIBERTIES ALLIANCE
$400,000JOURNALISM
TEXAS PUBLIC POLICY FOUNDATION
$380,000JOURNALISM
DEFENSE OF FREEDOM INSTITUTE
$350,000EDUCATION AND OUTREACH
EMERGENT ORDER FOUNDATION
$300,000FELLOWSHIPS
FRANKLIN NEWS FOUNDATION
$300,000FELLOWSHIPS
INSTITUTE FOR JUSTICE
$300,000JOURNALISM
AMERICA FIRST POLICY INSTITUTE
$300,000RESEARCH
VMTS EDUCATION INC
$300,000FELLOWSHIPS
NATIONAL TAXPAYERS UNION FOUNDATION
$300,000JOURNALISM
REASON FOUNDATION
$300,000FELLOWSHIPS
MOVING PICTURE INSTITUTE
$300,000FELLOWSHIPS
REAL CLEAR FOUNDATION
$300,000FILM AND NEW MEDIA
FEDERALIST SOCIETY
$295,000EDUCATION AND OUTREACH
PROPERTY AND ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH CENTER
$275,000JOURNALISM
AMERICAN LEGISLATIVE EXCHANGE COUNCIL
$250,000RESEARCH
PARENTS DEFENDING EDUCATION
$250,000EDUCATION AND OUTREACH
STATE POLICY NETWORK
$250,000RESEARCH
ECONOMIC POLICY INNOVATION CENTER
$250,000RESEARCH
TEXAS PUBLIC POLICY FOUNDATION
$250,000RESEARCH
NAPOLITAN INSTITUTE
$250,000EDUCATION AND OUTREACH
INDEPENDENT CENTER
$250,000EDUCATION AND OUTREACH
FEDERALIST SOCIETY
$248,500EDUCATION AND OUTREACH
HAMILTON LINCOLN LAW INSTITUTE
$225,000JOURNALISM
GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$225,000RESEARCH
PROPERTY AND ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH CENTER
$225,000RESEARCH
PACIFIC LEGAL FOUNDATION
$200,000JOURNALISM
GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$200,000FILM AND NEW MEDIA
GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$200,000JOURNALISM
CATO INSTITUTE
$200,000EDUCATION AND OUTREACH
MANHATTAN INSTITUTE
$200,000RESEARCH
SAGAMORE INSTITUTE
$200,000EDUCATION AND OUTREACH
MANHATTAN INSTITUTE
$200,000RESEARCH
GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY
$185,000ONLINE EDUCATION
BUCKEYE INSTITUTE
$150,000LITIGATION
DAILY CALLER NEWS FOUNDATION
$150,000FELLOWSHIPS
AMERICAN TRANSPARENCY
$150,000LITIGATION
TEXAS PUBLIC POLICY FOUNDATION
$150,000FILM AND NEW MEDIA
CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT THOUGHT
$125,000FELLOWSHIPS
INSTITUTE FOR THE AMERICAN WORKER
$125,000EDUCATION AND OUTREACH