The American Exceptionalism Institute is primarily a political funder that directs large, targeted gifts to conservative electoral and policy organizations, with a strong emphasis on state-level battleground activity. Its grants overwhelmingly support PACs, candidate/leadership funds, and right-leaning policy networks and values groups, often funding the same organizations repeatedly to influence elections and state policy. Giving is strategic and campaign-oriented rather than broad-based philanthropy, with occasional support for local civic or public-safety initiatives that align with its priorities.
Concentrated, high-dollar giving to a small set of recipients (multiple seven- and six-figure gifts); mix of repeat funding for core grantees and one-off large gifts to state PACs, with a clear election-cycle and policy-influence orientation.
A defining feature of American Exceptionalism Institute’s recent giving is its repeated use of large general-support grants to PACs and policy groups tied to conservative state-level organizing. In 2024, it gave $3,250,000 to American Policy Coalition for general support and $3,000,000 to Saving Arizona PAC for general support, setting the tone for a grant program built around campaign-oriented infrastructure rather than broad charitable funding. The pattern continues across 2023 to 2025, with substantial awards to entities such as More Choices America, Illinois Opportunity Project, Better Nevada PAC, and Georgia Action Fund. The foundation’s portfolio is concentrated in organizations that appear to support elections, advocacy, and values-based policy work. Some grants are restricted, but many are labeled general support, suggesting flexible funding for recipient operations. Recipients are overwhelmingly U.S.-based, and the grant list shows recurring support for several organizations over multiple years. Alongside the larger electoral and policy grants, the foundation also backs smaller civic or public-safety oriented efforts, including local PACs and advocacy groups that align with its broader conservative priorities.
American Exceptionalism Institute funds several linked cause areas within conservative political and policy work. In state-level electoral activity, it gave $3,000,000 to Saving Arizona PAC for general support and $1,000,000 to Better Nevada PAC for general support, showing a strong preference for battleground-style organizing. Its policy-network giving includes $2,000,000 to Illinois Opportunity Project for restricted support and $525,000 to American Principles Project for restricted support. The foundation also funds candidate and leadership infrastructure, including $475,000 to Hold the Line PAC for general support and $100,000 to LA Leadership Fund for general support. Family and values-oriented advocacy appears as well. Examples include $405,000 to Americans Keep Country First for general support and $150,000 to Americans United for Values for general support. These grants sit alongside smaller awards to related organizations, indicating a consistent emphasis on conservative messaging and coalition-building.
Typical grant sizes are substantial: the 25th percentile is $100,000, the median is $397,500, and the 75th percentile is $831,250. The recent grant list also shows repeated awards to the same recipients across years, including More Choices America, LA Leadership Fund, Friends of Brett Lindstrom, and Old Line Leadership PAC, indicating ongoing relationships rather than one-off support. Most grants are structured as general support, with some restricted awards mixed in. The foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments.
$4.8M
$1M
$2.9M
$2.5M
Most grants fall between $100K and $831K, with a median of $398K.
25th Percentile
$100K
Median
$398K
75th Percentile
$831K
About 43% of grants go to recipients in VA.
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Notable grantees: More Choices America, American Policy Coalition, Saving Arizona PAC, Illinois Opportunity Project, American Principles Project
Giving is regional and heavily centered on Virginia, which accounts for 43% of grants. Recipient locations cluster in the Washington, DC area and Virginia cities such as Alexandria and Arlington, alongside other U.S. political hubs including Chicago, Las Vegas, Oklahoma City, and Omaha. The grant list is entirely domestic, with 28 grants to U.S. recipients. That pattern fits a funder that concentrates on state and national advocacy organizations rather than cross-border grantmaking.
It primarily funds conservative PACs, candidate and leadership funds, and right-leaning policy and advocacy organizations. Recent grants include general-support awards to American Policy Coalition, Saving Arizona PAC, and Better Nevada PAC, plus restricted support for Illinois Opportunity Project and American Principles Project.
The foundation’s grant-size distribution is large: the 25th percentile is $100,000, the median is $397,500, and the 75th percentile is $831,250. Recent grants range from $15,000 to $3,250,000.
Yes. The recent grant list shows multiple awards to the same organizations across years, including More Choices America, LA Leadership Fund, Friends of Brett Lindstrom, and Old Line Leadership PAC. That pattern suggests ongoing support for selected organizations.
Virginia is the top state by grant count, with 43% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. Recipient cities also cluster in Alexandria, Arlington, and Washington, DC, with additional grants to places such as Chicago, Las Vegas, Oklahoma City, and Omaha.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| More Choices America | Sheridan, WY | $2,297,500 | 2025 | General Support |
| More Choices America | Sheridan, WY | $2,297,500 | 2025 | General Support |
| LA Leadership Fund | Washington, DC | $100,000 | 2025 | General Support |
| LA Leadership Fund | Washington, DC | $100,000 | 2025 | General Support |
| Old Line Leadership PAC | Alexandria, VA | $15,000 | 2025 | General Support |
| Old Line Leadership PAC | Alexandria, VA | $15,000 | 2025 | General Support |
| American Policy Coalition | Alexandria, VA | $3,250,000 | 2024 | General Support |
| Saving Arizona PAC | Arlington, VA | $3,000,000 | 2024 | General Support |
| Affordable Energy Fund PAC | Alexandria, VA | $650,000 | 2024 | General Support |
| Safe Streets Safe Co | Arlington, VA | $500,000 | 2024 | General Support |
| Hold the Line PAC | Gulfport, MS | $475,000 | 2024 | General Support |
| Advance OK PAC | Washington, DC | $417,266 | 2024 | General Support |
| Americans Keep Country First | Washington, DC | $405,000 | 2024 | General Support |
| Advancing Freedom | Oklahoma City, OK | $390,000 | 2024 | General Support |
| American Values First | Washington, DC | $300,000 | 2024 | General Support |
| Defend US PAC | Arlington, VA | $250,000 | 2024 | General Support |
| Americans United for Values | Washington, DC | $150,000 | 2024 | General Support |
| Conserv Policy Network | Alexandria, VA | $150,000 | 2024 | General Support |
| American Jobs and Growth PAC | Arlington, VA | $75,000 | 2024 | General Support |
| Conserv Policy Project | Arlington, VA | $50,000 | 2024 | General Support |
| Friends of Brett Lindstrom | Omaha, NE | $33,250 | 2024 | General Support |
| 1907 PAC | Alexandria, VA | $25,000 | 2024 | General Support |
| Illinois Opportunity Project | Chicago, IL | $2,000,000 | 2023 | Restricted |
| Better Nevada PAC | Las Vegas, NV | $1,000,000 | 2023 | General Support |
| Georgia Action Fund | Washington, DC | $925,000 | 2023 | General Support |
| A Public Voice | Thornville, OH | $800,000 | 2023 | General Support |
| American Principles Project | Arlington, VA | $525,000 | 2023 | Restricted |
| Friends of Brett Linstrom | Omaha, NE | $170,000 | 2023 | General Support |
More Choices America
$2,297,500General Support
More Choices America
$2,297,500General Support
LA Leadership Fund
$100,000General Support
LA Leadership Fund
$100,000General Support
Old Line Leadership PAC
$15,000General Support
Old Line Leadership PAC
$15,000General Support
American Policy Coalition
General Support
Saving Arizona PAC
$3,000,000General Support
Affordable Energy Fund PAC
$650,000General Support
Safe Streets Safe Co
$500,000General Support
Hold the Line PAC
$475,000General Support
Advance OK PAC
$417,266General Support
Americans Keep Country First
$405,000General Support
Advancing Freedom
$390,000General Support
American Values First
$300,000General Support
Defend US PAC
$250,000General Support
Americans United for Values
$150,000General Support
Conserv Policy Network
$150,000General Support
American Jobs and Growth PAC
$75,000General Support
Conserv Policy Project
$50,000General Support
Friends of Brett Lindstrom
$33,250General Support
1907 PAC
$25,000General Support
Illinois Opportunity Project
$2,000,000Restricted
Better Nevada PAC
$1,000,000General Support
Georgia Action Fund
$925,000General Support
A Public Voice
$800,000General Support
American Principles Project
$525,000Restricted
Friends of Brett Linstrom
$170,000General Support