The Stanton Foundation concentrates large, strategic gifts to higher-education institutions and security-focused organizations, with a secondary but significant interest in K-9 / working dog programs. Its funding pattern favors research, policy, and capacity-building at elite universities and international security fora, often supporting organizations repeatedly and at multi-million-dollar levels. Grants span the U.S. and Europe, indicating an interest in transatlantic security policy and academic research networks.
Concentrated, high-dollar grants with frequent repeat funding to a small set of core grantees; cross-border focus on U.S. and European institutions; primarily large, program- or research-oriented awards rather than many small community grants.
The Stanton Foundation C/o Baker Tilly has made repeated multimillion-dollar grants to a small set of universities, security-policy institutions, and K-9 organizations. Two $15,000,000 grants to Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2025 stand out alongside an $8,486,121 grant to the Hertie School Centre for International Security in Berlin in 2024, showing a pattern of large, targeted support rather than broad dispersal. The foundation also backed the Stanton K-9 Foundation with $6,921,200 and $5,384,174 in 2025, placing working-dog programs among its defining interests. Higher-education recipients appear frequently, including Harvard University, Case Western Reserve University, Ohio State University, Vanderbilt University, and the University of Georgia. The grant descriptions are uniformly framed as being made “to achieve charitable purpose,” but the recipient mix suggests a focus on research, policy, and organizational capacity. International security is another clear thread: the Hertie School Centre for International Security and the Munich Security Conference both received large grants, linking the foundation’s giving to transatlantic policy work as well as academic research networks.
In higher education and research, the foundation gave $15,000,000 to Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2025 and $2,900,000 to Harvard University in 2024, with additional support for Case Western Reserve University, Ohio State University, Vanderbilt University, and the University of Georgia. Security policy is another major area: Hertie School Centre for International Security received $8,486,121 in 2024, and the Munich Security Conference received $2,148,504 in the same year. The foundation also funds K-9 and working-dog work at scale, including two 2025 grants to Stanton K-9 Foundation totaling more than $12 million. Public and state university systems are also part of the portfolio, as shown by grants to CSU Foundation and George Mason University.
Typical grant size is $15,400 at the 25th percentile, $43,500 at the median, and $117,750 at the 75th percentile, though the recent record includes much larger strategic gifts. The foundation is a regular funder rather than a donor-advised fund and does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. Its recent grants show repeat relationships across multiple years, including recipients such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard University, George Mason University, University of Georgia, Case Western Reserve University, and Atlanta Humane Society. The grant language is usually unrestricted in tone, with awards described as being made to achieve charitable purpose.
$28.3M
$0
$845K
$30.9M
Most grants fall between $15K and $118K, with a median of $44K.
25th Percentile
$15K
Median
$44K
75th Percentile
$118K
About 4% of grants go to recipients in MA.
Top 10 recipient countries by grant volume for Stanton Foundation C/O Baker Tilly.
| Rank | Country | Grants | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United StatesDomestic | 540 | $165.2M | 95.4% |
| 2 | United Kingdom |
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Notable grantees: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanton K-9 Foundation, Hertie School Centre for International Security, Munich Security Conference, Harvard University
Grantmaking is national, but it is concentrated in Massachusetts, which accounts for the largest share of grant activity. Recent awards also land in Georgia, Ohio, Virginia, Colorado, Tennessee, Illinois, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, and Washington, DC. Outside the United States, grants reached Berlin and Muenchen in Germany, plus smaller recipient counts in the UK, Canada, Australia, the Netherlands, Brazil, and the Cayman Islands. New York is the headquarters city, but only 4% of grants went to recipients in that state.
Its recent grants go mainly to universities, security-policy organizations, and K-9 or working-dog groups. Examples in the grant list include Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the Hertie School Centre for International Security, the Munich Security Conference, and the Stanton K-9 Foundation.
Yes. Several recipients appear across multiple years, including Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard University, George Mason University, University of Georgia, Case Western Reserve University, Ohio State University, Vanderbilt University, and Atlanta Humane Society.
The typical grant size is $15,400 at the 25th percentile, $43,500 at the median, and $117,750 at the 75th percentile. Recent grants also include much larger awards, such as $15,000,000 to Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Its grant activity is national, with the highest concentration in Massachusetts. The recent grants list also shows awards in Georgia, Ohio, Virginia, Colorado, Tennessee, Illinois, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Washington, DC, and locations in Europe.
Yes. Recent international grants include $8,486,121 to the Hertie School Centre for International Security in Berlin and $2,148,504 to the Munich Security Conference in Muenchen, Germany. The recipient country distribution also includes grants in the UK, Canada, Australia, the Netherlands, Brazil, and the Cayman Islands.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
| 6 |
| $482K |
1.1% |
| 3 | Germany | 4 | $11M | 0.7% |
| 4 | Brazil | 3 | $300K | 0.5% |
| 5 | South Korea | 3 | $201K | 0.5% |
| 6 | Australia | 2 | $155K | 0.3% |
| 7 | Canada | 2 | $136K | 0.3% |
| 8 | Ireland | 2 | $128K | 0.3% |
| 9 | Czech Republic | 2 | $83K | 0.3% |
| 10 | Netherlands | 1 | $154K | 0.2% |
Recipient country reflects the grantee's headquarters per IRS 990-PF and Schedule F filings, not the program's implementation country.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE FIRST AMENDMENT STANTON FOUNDATION | BOSTON, MA | $19,800,000 | 2026 | TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| MIT CNSP | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $500,000 | 2026 | TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| DUKE UNIVERSITY | DURHAM, NC | $345,000 | 2026 | TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA FOUNDATION | ATHENS, GA | $300,500 | 2026 | TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA | LINCOLN, NE | $300,500 | 2026 | TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY | PHOENIX, AZ | $300,500 | 2026 | TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY | NASHVILLE, TN | $300,500 | 2026 | TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY | DALLAS, TX | $300,500 | 2026 | TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| CORNELL UNIVERSITY | ITHACA, NY | $300,500 | 2026 | TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS | URBANA, IL | $300,500 | 2026 | TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| TULANE UNIVERSITY | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $300,500 | 2026 | TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY | ST LOUIS, MO | $300,500 | 2026 | TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY | FAIRFAX, VA | $300,500 | 2026 | TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| TOWN OF ACTON | ACTON, MA | $250,000 | 2026 | TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| TOWN OF ASHLAND | ASHLAND, MA | $250,000 | 2026 | TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| TOWN OF WESTBOROUGH | WESTBOROUGH, MA | $250,000 | 2026 | TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| TOWN OF ANDOVER | ANDOVER, MA | $250,000 | 2026 | TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| TOWN OF PLYMOUTH | PLYMOUTH, MA | $250,000 | 2026 | TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| TOWN OF HUDSON | HUDSON, MA | $250,000 | 2026 | TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY | BOSTON, MA | $219,393 | 2026 | TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| TOWN OF WEST STOCKBRIDGE | WEST STOCKBRIDGE, MA | $208,200 | 2026 | TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| CENTER FOR INTEGRITY | LITTLE ROCK, AR | $163,000 | 2026 | TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| AVMF | SCHAUMBURG, IL | $149,699 | 2026 | TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| TULANE UNIVERSITY | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $130,000 | 2026 | TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| JOURNAL OF FREE SPEECH LAW | LOS ANGELES, CA | $120,000 | 2026 | TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| CARNEGIE ENDOWMENT | WASHINGTON, DC | $90,000 | 2026 | TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY | WASHINGON, DC | $90,000 | 2026 | TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| THE BROOKINGS INSTITUTION | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $90,000 | 2026 | TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGGY | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $89,997 | 2026 | TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| UNIVERSITY OF DENVER | DENVER, CO | $89,973 | 2026 | TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $89,296 | 2026 | TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| CENTER FOR INTEGRITY | LITTLE ROCK, AR | $81,500 | 2026 | TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| CITY OF WESLACO | WESLACO, TX | $80,000 | 2026 | TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| IT TAKES A VILLAGE ANIMAL RESCUE & RESOURCES | MUSCATINE, IA | $80,000 | 2026 | TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| ONSLOW COUNTY VAN | JACKSONVILLE, NC | $80,000 | 2026 | TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| A PATH 4 PAWS DOG RESCUE | LAS VEGAS, NV | $80,000 | 2026 | TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| SOUTHERN PINES | HATTIESBURG, MS | $80,000 | 2026 | TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| START RESCUE | VALLEY VILLAGE, CA | $80,000 | 2026 | TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| RUFF START RESCUE | PRINCETON, MN | $80,000 | 2026 | TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY | UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY, NE | $77,890 | 2026 | TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| AUSTRALIA NATIONAL UNIVERSITY | ACTON | $77,000 | 2026 | TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY | PHOENIX, AZ | $60,000 | 2026 | TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| VIRGINIA POLYTECHNICAL INSTITUTE | BLACKSBURG, VA | $59,746 | 2026 | TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| AAVMC | WASHINTON, DC | $50,000 | 2026 | TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| HARVARD ALUMNI FOR FREE SPEECH INC | BONITA SPRINGS, FL | $50,000 | 2026 | TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| THE FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | TALLAHASSEE, FL | $50,000 | 2026 | TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| CENTER FOR INTEGRITY | LITTLE ROCK, AR | $40,750 | 2026 | TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| GIGI'S SHELTER | CANAL WINCHESTER, OH | $40,000 | 2026 | TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| TOWN OF BREWSTER | BREWSTER, MA | $30,496 | 2026 | TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY | COLUMBUS, OH | $30,000 | 2026 | TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
THE FIRST AMENDMENT STANTON FOUNDATION
$19,800,000TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE
MIT CNSP
$500,000TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE
UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA
$300,500TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE
TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE
SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY
$300,500TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
$300,500TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE
TULANE UNIVERSITY
$300,500TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE
GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY
$300,500TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE
TOWN OF ACTON
$250,000TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE
TOWN OF ASHLAND
$250,000TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE
TOWN OF WESTBOROUGH
$250,000TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE
TOWN OF ANDOVER
$250,000TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE
TOWN OF PLYMOUTH
$250,000TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE
TOWN OF HUDSON
$250,000TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE
TOWN OF WEST STOCKBRIDGE
$208,200TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE
CENTER FOR INTEGRITY
$163,000TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE
TULANE UNIVERSITY
$130,000TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE
JOURNAL OF FREE SPEECH LAW
$120,000TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE
CARNEGIE ENDOWMENT
$90,000TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE
JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
$90,000TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE
THE BROOKINGS INSTITUTION
$90,000TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE
CENTER FOR INTEGRITY
$81,500TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE
CITY OF WESLACO
$80,000TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE
IT TAKES A VILLAGE ANIMAL RESCUE & RESOURCES
$80,000TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE
ONSLOW COUNTY VAN
$80,000TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE
A PATH 4 PAWS DOG RESCUE
$80,000TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE
SOUTHERN PINES
$80,000TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE
START RESCUE
$80,000TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE
RUFF START RESCUE
$80,000TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE
UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY
$77,890TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE
AUSTRALIA NATIONAL UNIVERSITY
$77,000TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE
VIRGINIA POLYTECHNICAL INSTITUTE
$59,746TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE
AAVMC
$50,000TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE
HARVARD ALUMNI FOR FREE SPEECH INC
$50,000TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE
CENTER FOR INTEGRITY
$40,750TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE
GIGI'S SHELTER
$40,000TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE
TOWN OF BREWSTER
$30,496TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE
THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
$30,000TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE