Foundations / Wisconsin
The Searle Freedom Trust
Preselected recipients only Madison, Wisconsin · EIN 367244615
The Searle Freedom Trust is a private foundation in Madison, Wisconsin. In tax year 2024 it gave $18.9 million in 80 grants; the typical grant was $200,000 and the largest $1.1 million. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2024.
- Grants paid, 2024$18.9 million
- Number of grants80
- Typical grant$200,000
- Largest grant$1.1 million
- Assets$19.8 million
- New grantees25%
Giving in 2024 was down from $20.0 million the year before.
25% of its 2024 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a mix of repeat and new grantees.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|
| 2023 | $20.0 million | 102 | $39.5 million |
|---|
| 2024 | $18.9 million | 80 | $19.8 million |
|---|
How to apply
The Searle Freedom Trust says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.
IRS filings on ProPublica
What The Searle Freedom Trust funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 16 states, the most to District of Columbia.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|
| District of Columbia | 21 | $5.9 million |
|---|
| Virginia | 15 | $4.6 million |
|---|
| California | 10 | $1.7 million |
|---|
| Texas | 5 | $1.3 million |
|---|
| New York | 8 | $1.3 million |
|---|
| Illinois | 8 | $1.1 million |
|---|
| Florida | 1 | $800,000 |
|---|
| Maryland | 2 | $525,000 |
|---|
| Montana | 2 | $500,000 |
|---|
| Georgia | 1 | $400,000 |
|---|
Grants paid in 2024
The 40 largest of 80 grants| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|
American Enterprise Institute
Washington, DC | Research | $1.1 million |
|---|
George Mason University Foundation
Fairfax, VA | Education and outreach | $1.0 million |
|---|
State Policy Network
Arlington, VA | Research | $885,650 |
|---|
Foundation for Government Accountability
Naples, FL | Research | $800,000 |
|---|
Center for Individual Rights
Washington, DC | Journalism | $500,000 |
|---|
Pacific Legal Foundation
Sacramento, CA | Litigation | $500,000 |
|---|
Competitive Enterprise Institute
Washington, DC | Research | $500,000 |
|---|
Philanthropy Roundtable
Washington, DC | Education and outreach | $400,000 |
|---|
New Civil Liberties Alliance
Washington, DC | Journalism | $400,000 |
|---|
Committee to Unleash Prosperity
Potomac, MD | Research | $400,000 |
|---|
Georgia Center for Opportunity
Peachtree Corners, GA | Research | $400,000 |
|---|
Tax Foundation
Washington, DC | Research | $400,000 |
|---|
Texas Public Policy Foundation
Austin, TX | Journalism | $380,000 |
|---|
Defense of Freedom Institute
Alexandria, VA | Education and outreach | $350,000 |
|---|
Emergent Order Foundation
Austin, TX | Fellowships | $300,000 |
|---|
Moving Picture Institute
New York, NY | Fellowships | $300,000 |
|---|
Reason Foundation
Los Angeles, CA | Fellowships | $300,000 |
|---|
Franklin News Foundation
Chicago, IL | Fellowships | $300,000 |
|---|
VMTS Education Inc
Brooklyn, NY | Fellowships | $300,000 |
|---|
Real Clear Foundation
Northbrook, IL | Film and new media | $300,000 |
|---|
Institute for Justice
Arlington, VA | Journalism | $300,000 |
|---|
National Taxpayers Union Foundation
Washington, DC | Journalism | $300,000 |
|---|
America First Policy Institute
Washington, DC | Research | $300,000 |
|---|
Federalist Society
Washington, DC | Education and outreach | $295,000 |
|---|
Property and Environment Research Center
Bozeman, MT | Journalism | $275,000 |
|---|
Independent Center
Alexandria, VA | Education and outreach | $250,000 |
|---|
Napolitan Institute
McKinney, TX | Education and outreach | $250,000 |
|---|
Parents Defending Education
Arlington, VA | Education and outreach | $250,000 |
|---|
American Legislative Exchange Council
Arlington, VA | Research | $250,000 |
|---|
Economic Policy Innovation Center
Washington, DC | Research | $250,000 |
|---|
State Policy Network
Arlington, VA | Research | $250,000 |
|---|
Texas Public Policy Foundation
Austin, TX | Research | $250,000 |
|---|
Federalist Society
Washington, DC | Education and outreach | $248,500 |
|---|
Hamilton Lincoln Law Institute
Washington, DC | Journalism | $225,000 |
|---|
George Mason University Foundation
Fairfax, VA | Research | $225,000 |
|---|
Property and Environment Research Center
Bozeman, MT | Research | $225,000 |
|---|
Cato Institute
Washington, DC | Education and outreach | $200,000 |
|---|
Sagamore Institute
Indianapolis, IN | Education and outreach | $200,000 |
|---|
George Mason University Foundation
Fairfax, VA | Film and new media | $200,000 |
|---|
George Mason University Foundation
Fairfax, VA | Journalism | $200,000 |
|---|
Officers and trustees
- D Gideon Searle
Trustee - Michael D Searle
Family Advisor - Steven F Hayward
Grant Advisor - Kimberly O Dennis
Executive Director - Stephen Moore
Grant Advisor - James Piereson
Grant Advisor - Kinship Trust Company LLC
Trustee - Ethan O Meers
Family Advisor
As listed in Part VIII of the 2024 filing.
Questions people ask
Does The Searle Freedom Trust accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does The Searle Freedom Trust give?
$18.9 million in tax year 2024, across 80 grants, with a typical grant of $200,000.
Who runs The Searle Freedom Trust?
Its 2024 filing lists D Gideon Searle (Trustee), Michael D Searle (Family Advisor), Steven F Hayward (Grant Advisor) and Kimberly O Dennis (Executive Director) among 8 officers and trustees.
What does The Searle Freedom Trust fund?
Based on its grants, mainly science and research, education and arts and culture.
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