The Gleason Family Foundation gives almost exclusively to a single national education advocacy organization, funding efforts to raise awareness and promote school choice. Their grants indicate a strategic, concentrated commitment to influencing K–12 education policy and public opinion at the national level through one principal intermediary.
Highly concentrated: all funding directed to one national grantee across multiple grants, indicating repeat, large-scale support for a single advocacy partner rather than distributed or grassroots giving.
Notable grantees: National School Choice Awareness Foundation
A single national education advocacy intermediary accounts for the clearest signal in the Gleason Family Foundation’s recent giving: the foundation made multiple seven-figure and high six-figure general-support grants to the National School Choice Awareness Foundation across 2023, 2024, and 2025. That pattern points to a funder that is not broadly diversified across causes, but instead has sustained, concentrated support for school-choice messaging and related K–12 policy work. The foundation’s other recent grants reinforce that picture. It has given repeated general-support funding to the Institute for Justice, EdChoice, and Relay Graduate School of Education, all organizations connected to school choice, education policy, or education-system alternatives. The funding style is overwhelmingly unrestricted or general support, which suggests a preference for backing core organizational capacity rather than project-specific line items. Recent grant sizes range from small awards to very large ones, but the center of gravity is clear: recurring support to a narrow set of national intermediaries. The result is a grantmaking profile defined less by breadth than by repetition, long-running relationships, and policy-oriented education advocacy.
Education advocacy is the dominant theme. The foundation gave $500,000 to the Institute for Justice for general support, a grant that fits its broader pattern of backing organizations involved in school-choice and education-policy efforts. It also awarded $400,000 to EdChoice for general support, showing continued support for a national group associated with school-choice promotion. A second thread is communications and public awareness. The foundation provided $250,000 to Choice Media for general support, aligning with the way its larger grants support awareness and advocacy infrastructure rather than direct service delivery. The portfolio also includes education-adjacent capacity building. It gave $500,000 to Relay Graduate School of Education for general support, and $260,000 to Rochester Institute of Technology - Kgcoe for general support. Together, those grants show a mix of policy, messaging, and institutional support within a narrow K–12 education frame.
Typical grants cluster around a median of $75,000, with a lower quartile of $3,625 and an upper quartile of $147,500, though the recent list also includes repeated $400,000 and $500,000 awards and much larger multi-million-dollar grants. The pattern is highly recurring: the same organizations appear across multiple years, especially the National School Choice Awareness Foundation, which receives repeated general-support funding in 2023, 2024, and 2025. The foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments. The grant language is consistently broad—general support—rather than project-specific.
$10.9M
$116.7M
$9.2M
$13M
Most grants fall between $4K and $148K, with a median of $75K.
25th Percentile
$4K
Median
$75K
75th Percentile
$148K
About 26% of grants go to recipients in NY.
Top 2 recipient countries by grant volume for Gleason Family Foundation.
| Rank | Country | Grants | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United StatesDomestic | 190 | $166.6M | 96.0% |
| 2 | Mexico |
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Grantmaking is national, but it is not evenly distributed. The top state by grant count is Colorado, while 27% of grants go to recipients in California, the HQ state. Among named recipient cities, Aventura, Florida appears repeatedly because of the National School Choice Awareness Foundation. Other recurring locations include Arlington, Virginia; Indianapolis, Indiana; and Rochester, New York. The country distribution is almost entirely U.S.-based, with 162 grants in the United States and 6 in Mexico.
Its recent grantmaking is centered on national education advocacy, especially school choice awareness, charter schools, vouchers, and alternative K–12 schooling options. The largest recent grants go to the National School Choice Awareness Foundation for general support, and other recurring recipients include the Institute for Justice and EdChoice.
The recent grants are overwhelmingly described as general support. That includes repeated awards to the National School Choice Awareness Foundation, as well as general-support grants to the Institute for Justice, Relay Graduate School of Education, and EdChoice.
Yes. The National School Choice Awareness Foundation appears repeatedly across 2023, 2024, and 2025, with multiple general-support grants in each of those years. The Institute for Justice and EdChoice also recur across several years.
The foundation gives nationally, with the highest grant count in Colorado. California, the HQ state, receives 27% of grants. Recent recipient cities include Aventura, Arlington, Indianapolis, New York, Rochester, Ocean Grove, and Boone.
The median grant size is $75,000, with a lower quartile of $3,625 and an upper quartile of $147,500. Recent awards also include repeated $400,000 and $500,000 grants, plus larger multimillion-dollar general-support grants.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
| 8 |
| $900K |
4.0% |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NATIONAL SCHOOL CHOICE AWARENESS FOUNDATION | AVENTURA, FL | $4,650,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL SCHOOL CHOICE AWARENESS FOUNDATION | AVENTURA, FL | $4,395,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| INSTITUTE FOR JUSTICE | ARLINGTON, VA | $500,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| EDCHOICE | INDIANAPOLIS, IN | $400,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| RIT - KATE GLESON COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING | ROCHESTER, NY | $260,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SAMARITAN'S PURSE | BOONE, NC | $250,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS | SAN LEANDRO, CA | $200,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP CORPORATION | CHICAGO, IL | $31,110 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FACE | FALL RIVER, MA | $6,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GLEASON FUNDED LIFE BENEFIT PLAN | PINE GROVE, CA | $4,920 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| DIXON MONTESSORI CHARTER SCHOOL | DIXON, CA | $3,500 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HORIZONS AT THE HARLEY SCHOOL | ROCHESTER, NY | $2,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HARLEY SCHOOL | ROCHESTER, NY | $2,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UNITED WAY OF GREATER ROCHESTER INC | ROCHESTER, NY | $1,500 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT, MATCHING GRANTS |
| BUFFALO SEMINARY | BUFFALO, NY | $1,500 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| DMAC ENTERPRISES | LAKEWOOD, WA | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN | WASHINGTON, DC | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ELMWOOD FRANKLIN SCHOOL | BUFFALO, NY | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UNITED WAY OF GREATER ROCHESTER INC | ROCHESTER, NY | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PASADENA HUMANE | PASADENA, CA | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ELMWOOD FRANKLIN SCHOOL | BUFFALO, NY | $500 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT, MATCHING GRANTS |
| NATIONAL SCHOOL CHOICE AWARENESS FOUNDATION | AVENTURA, FL | $9,550,723 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| INSTITUTE FOR JUSTICE | ARLINGTON, VA | $500,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ED CHOICE | INDIANAPOLIS, IN | $400,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ROCHESTER INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY-KGCOE | ROCHESTER, NY | $260,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PACIFIC LEGAL FOUNDATION | SACRAMENTO, CA | $175,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| REASON FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL RIGHT TO WORK LEGAL DEFENSE | SPRINGFIELD, VA | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ASSOC OF AMERICAN EDUCATORS FOUNDATION | ALEXANDRIA, VA | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MANHATTAN INSTITUTE FOR POLICY RESEARCH | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS BAY AREA | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP CORPORATION | CHICAGO, IL | $53,860 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LOS NINOS DEL CAPITAN AC | CABO SAN LUCAS | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FACE | FALL RIVER, MA | $6,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| DIXON MONTESSORI CHARTER SCHOOL | DIXON, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GLEASON FUNDED LIFE BENEFIT PLAN | PINE GOVE, CA | $4,920 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MATCHING GRANTS | PINE GOVE, CA | $1,550 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HORIZONS AT THE HARLEY SCHOOL | ROCHESTER, NY | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FOODLINK INC | ROCHESTER, NY | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LISA PARKERS PUPPIES | DURANGO, CO | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ELMWOOD FRANKLIN SCHOOL | BUFFALO, NY | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HARLEY SCHOOL | ROCHESTER, NY | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UNITED WAY OF GREATER ROCHESTER INC | ROCHESTER, NY | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL SCHOOL CHOICE AWARENESS FOUNDATION | AVENTURA, FL | $5,981,481 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL SCHOOL CHOICE AWARENESS FOUNDATION | AVENTURA, FL | $4,977,767 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL SCHOOL CHOICE AWARENESS FOUNDATION | AVENTURA, FL | $3,438,261 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL SCHOOL CHOICE AWARENESS FOUNDATION | AVENTURA, FL | $2,277,848 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL SCHOOL CHOICE AWARENESS FOUNDATION | AVENTURA, FL | $710,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| INSTITUTE FOR JUSTICE | ARLINGTON, VA | $500,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL SCHOOL CHOICE AWARENESS FOUNDATION | AVENTURA, FL | $500,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
NATIONAL SCHOOL CHOICE AWARENESS FOUNDATION
$4,650,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NATIONAL SCHOOL CHOICE AWARENESS FOUNDATION
$4,395,000GENERAL SUPPORT
INSTITUTE FOR JUSTICE
$500,000GENERAL SUPPORT
EDCHOICE
$400,000GENERAL SUPPORT
RIT - KATE GLESON COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
$260,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SAMARITAN'S PURSE
$250,000GENERAL SUPPORT
AMERICAN RED CROSS
$200,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP CORPORATION
$31,110GENERAL SUPPORT
FACE
$6,000GENERAL SUPPORT
GLEASON FUNDED LIFE BENEFIT PLAN
$4,920GENERAL SUPPORT
DIXON MONTESSORI CHARTER SCHOOL
$3,500GENERAL SUPPORT
HORIZONS AT THE HARLEY SCHOOL
$2,000GENERAL SUPPORT
HARLEY SCHOOL
$2,000GENERAL SUPPORT
UNITED WAY OF GREATER ROCHESTER INC
$1,500GENERAL SUPPORT, MATCHING GRANTS
BUFFALO SEMINARY
$1,500GENERAL SUPPORT
DMAC ENTERPRISES
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ELMWOOD FRANKLIN SCHOOL
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
UNITED WAY OF GREATER ROCHESTER INC
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
PASADENA HUMANE
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ELMWOOD FRANKLIN SCHOOL
$500GENERAL SUPPORT, MATCHING GRANTS
NATIONAL SCHOOL CHOICE AWARENESS FOUNDATION
$9,550,723GENERAL SUPPORT
INSTITUTE FOR JUSTICE
$500,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ED CHOICE
$400,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ROCHESTER INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY-KGCOE
$260,000GENERAL SUPPORT
PACIFIC LEGAL FOUNDATION
$175,000GENERAL SUPPORT
REASON FOUNDATION
$150,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NATIONAL RIGHT TO WORK LEGAL DEFENSE
$150,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ASSOC OF AMERICAN EDUCATORS FOUNDATION
$150,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MANHATTAN INSTITUTE FOR POLICY RESEARCH
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT
AMERICAN RED CROSS BAY AREA
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP CORPORATION
$53,860GENERAL SUPPORT
LOS NINOS DEL CAPITAN AC
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FACE
$6,000GENERAL SUPPORT
DIXON MONTESSORI CHARTER SCHOOL
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
GLEASON FUNDED LIFE BENEFIT PLAN
$4,920GENERAL SUPPORT
MATCHING GRANTS
$1,550GENERAL SUPPORT
HORIZONS AT THE HARLEY SCHOOL
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FOODLINK INC
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
LISA PARKERS PUPPIES
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ELMWOOD FRANKLIN SCHOOL
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
HARLEY SCHOOL
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
UNITED WAY OF GREATER ROCHESTER INC
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NATIONAL SCHOOL CHOICE AWARENESS FOUNDATION
$5,981,481GENERAL SUPPORT
NATIONAL SCHOOL CHOICE AWARENESS FOUNDATION
$4,977,767GENERAL SUPPORT
NATIONAL SCHOOL CHOICE AWARENESS FOUNDATION
$3,438,261GENERAL SUPPORT
NATIONAL SCHOOL CHOICE AWARENESS FOUNDATION
$2,277,848GENERAL SUPPORT
NATIONAL SCHOOL CHOICE AWARENESS FOUNDATION
$710,000GENERAL SUPPORT
INSTITUTE FOR JUSTICE
$500,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NATIONAL SCHOOL CHOICE AWARENESS FOUNDATION
$500,000GENERAL SUPPORT