Skip to content
Plinth

· Private foundation

Fortress Foundation Inc

Its FY2024 filing reports that it funds preselected organizations and did not take unsolicited requests; check the foundation's own site before ruling it out.

$68k
Granted FY2024still arriving
8
Grants FY2024still arriving
5
States reached
$36k
Largest
01What you fund
0193% classified

What you funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year — across FY20172024.

Religion$445kHuman Services$178kInternational$88kEnvironment$80kEducation$69kHealth$60kArts & Culture$23kHousing & Shelter$15kOther$0
02FY2024 · 8 grants

Where the money goes

Your grants by size, and where they go.

By grant size · FY2024

  • Under $10k5 grants · $5k
  • $10k–50k3 grants · $62k
$1,200
Median grant
5
States reached
$308k
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
Individual grant recipient$36,425
ST MARY'S COLLEGE$13,720
LONGVIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL$12,298
MAPS GLOBAL FELLOWSHIP$1,200
MISSIONARY CHURCH ECR CRISIS RELIEF$1,200
COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL$1,032
CIRCLE CITY RELIEF$1,000
PHARE WARRIOR$800
02The need
03

Do your dollars go where the need is?

Each grant placed by the hardship in its grantee’s ZIP, then read against the area’s typical level.

show:

Your human-services grants (FY17–23, $12k) land where the poverty rate runs at 10%, against an area that typically sits at 11%. 12% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Your grants skew toward lower-need ZIPs.

area typical 11%CHRIST'S HOPE INTERNATIONAL: $3k → 10%FORGIVEN WARRIOR: $258 → 19%CHRIST'S HOPE INTERNATIONAL: $3k → 10%DADCAMP: $800 → 15%CHRIST'S HOPE INTERNATIONAL: $3k → 10%DADCAMP: $13 → 15%CHRIST'S HOPE INTERNATIONAL: $3k → 10%CIRCLE CITY RELIEF: $450 → 16%0%20%40%50%more need →
grant to an above-average-need area below average· circle size = grant amount

Matched: human-services grants are those whose grantee’s IRS cause code is Human Services. Placed by people below the poverty linein the grantee’s ZIP, averaged from the tracts in that ZIP; grantee ZIP can differ from where services are delivered.

Which US states your grants reach

WA
MN
IL
MI
IN
OH
CA
CO
MO
WV
VA
MD
DC
TX

US grants placed by each grantee’s ZIP, which can differ from where services are actually delivered. Need from public data — U.S. Census/ACS, CDC PLACES, Eviction Lab, USDA — shown as context about the area, never attributed to your giving.

03Your edge
repeat funding

Who you back again

Which organizations you funded more than once, and which you funded a single time. Each grantee is matched to its own filings.

56%of every dollar goes to organizations you’ve funded before.
$589k · 19 repeat orgs$462k to everyone else

And the relationships you keep tend to grow: grantees you re-up on have seen median revenue of +82% since the first grant, against +18% for the ones you funded once.

19 repeat relationships — 5 still active in FY2024, 14 since wound down; 3 grantees were first funded in FY2024 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

19
31

Total granted

$589k
$423k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+82%
+18%

Still filing today

42%
32%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2024, 43% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $39k went to new ones.

50%100%’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24
RenewedFirst-time

Where new relationships form · theme of each grantee’s first grant

’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24
Human ServicesReligionInternationalEducationFood & NutritionYouth DevelopmentOther

First-time = a grantee’s first year in your filing window; renewed = funded in an earlier year too. As a portfolio matures the renewed share naturally climbs — once funded, an org stays “renewable” — so the signal is the years that buck it (a new-grantee intake wave). The earliest year is left-censored: relationships that predate the data read as “new.” Theme is the grantee’s IRS cause.

Backed again, and grew

  • A1
    ASCENT 121 INC
    4× · 2017–2020 · $170k · revenue +99%
  • PW
    PHARE WARRIOR
    4× · 2021–2024 · $116k · revenue +762% · 44% of their budget
  • IJ
    INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE MISSION
    3× · 2017–2019 · $45k · revenue +82%

Funded once

  • MR
    MERCY ROAD CHURCH
    one grant, 2018 · $175k
  • WI
    WAYFINDERS INC NFP
    one grant, 2022 · $80k
  • IC
    INDIGENT CARE
    one grant, 2022 · $43k

Repeat = funded in two or more distinct years; growth and survival are read from each grantee’s own subsequent IRS filings.

04Your field

The map has a center of gravity: the average direction from the rest of the sector toward the organizations the foundation funds — the shape of its giving. Scoring every nonprofit along that direction surfaces the ones that look most like the portfolio. These are the closest matchesthat aren’t grantees — a resemblance in what they say they do, not a recommendation.

1
Christianity Today International

Christianity Today is a global community inspired by evangelical conviction to advance the stories and ideas of the kingdom of God. Our mission is to elevate the storytellers and sages of the global church.

Religion
2
Youth for Christ International Ministries

As part of the body of Christ, to see that every young person in every people group in every nation has the opportunity to make an informed decision to be a follower of Jesus Christ and become a part of the local church.

Religion
3
Biglife International Inc

Biglife international inc. empowers believers worldwide to reach and disciple their own people for jesus christ.

Recreation & Sports
4
Christian Mission for the United Nations Community

Christian Mission for the United Nations Community is a ministry aimed at leading the head of every nation and other top leaders to faith in Jesus Christ and helping them to walk in dependence upon God as they discharge the…

5
International Commission Inc

Equipping and enabling believers worldwide to conduct church-based evangelism projects to reach unbelievers and make disciples.

Religion
6
Freedom in Christ Ministries

To provide resources, training, and continuing support to leaders in the us and around the world in order that they may help others find freedom in christ.

Religion
7
Christar International Inc

Christar international serves as a catalyst to the network of christar ministries by facilitating and encouraging partnerships with churches who sen dout men and women who proclaim the gospel for life-giving transformation in communitiesw…

Religion
8
Mission Without Borders International

The organization is dedicated to reaching people for christ through an international network of christians who journey with the poor and marginalized, bringing practical and spiritual support with hope of a better future,(continued on…

International
9
Global Outreach International Inc

To get the good news to every nation this generation by showing and sharing god's love by providing opportunities and supporting christian missionaries in over fifty seven countries around the world.

International
10
International Christian Ministries Inc

Train, equip, and disciple pastors and church leaders to serve the Church and fulfill the great commission.

Religion
11
Christian Healthcare Ministries Inc

To glorify god, show christian love, and experience god's presence as christians share each other's medical bills.

Religion
12
Dallas International University

As a christian university, we provide education and research opportunities preparing global leaders to partner with local communities.

Education

For reference, the grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Commission to Every Nation and the most unlike its peers is Forgiven Warrior Inc. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.

For each theme you fund, this compares how the sector’s money is shifting with how your own giving is shifting.

← shrinkinggrowing →↓ leaning in → pulling backsteadyIndependent K-8 SchoolsCommunity Health CentersSubstance Abuse TreatmentFaith-Based Liberal Arts Co…Food Pantries & AssistanceChristian Missionary Organi…Domestic Violence Crisis Se…
the sector your giving your giving is ahead of the sector the sector’s ahead of you· dot size = how much the theme matters to each side
Ordered by the change in your giving — leaning in on top, pulling back at the bottom. The bar between the two dots is how out of step you are with the sector. Hover any row for detail.

Sector change and giving change are each shown relative to their own range, growing (right) or shrinking (left); both normalized, so inflation isn’t mistaken for growth.

Your grantees are a median of 29 years old; the field is 20. You back the established end — and your money leans older still.

THE FIELDby orgYOUR GRANTEESby number19%9%<5yr13%18%5–10yr18%23%10–20yr14%27%20–35yr13%0%35–55yr23%23%55yr+
THE FIELDby orgYOUR MONEYby value19%34%<5yr13%29%5–10yr18%13%10–20yr14%19%20–35yr13%0%35–55yr23%5%55yr+

The field is 19% startups (under 5 years old) — 9% of your grantees by number, and just 34% of your money.

Closures · last 5 years

The orgs you fund almost never close 0.0% lost their exemption, against 10% of the field you don’t fund.

orgs you fund
0.0%0/27
the rest of the field
10%
4,324/41,968

Age = years since IRS exemption (a founding proxy). “Closed” = auto-revocation for 3 years of non-filing — a floor on closure, not proof, and bigger established orgs lapse least. Association, not causation.

04the grantee network

21 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2025.

Each one resolved to its own IRS returns and tracked year by year — your grant beside their revenue from every source. Association, dated; never a causal claim.

Counted here: distinct organizations you funded across 20172025, not grant rows in a single year — so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 21 of the 54 grantees resolved in that span have returns of their own we could reconcile; the rest are funded organizations whose filings we could not track year by year.

1
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
4
Early backer (in before they grew)
19/21
Grantees still filing
18/21
Grew since you first funded

Where your money sits — by cause, then by grantee

MERCY ROAD CHURCH — $175,338 · OtherMERCY ROAD CHURCHWAYFINDERS INC NFP — $80,285 · OtherWAYFINDERS INC NFPINDIGENT CARE — $43,287 · OtherINDIGENT CAREIndividual grant recipient — $40,000 · OtherIndividual grant recipientIndividual grant recipient — $36,425 · OtherIndividual grant recipientBLACKBIRD MISSION CHURCH INC — $33,600 · OtherBLACKBIRD MISSION CHURCH INCBLACKBIRD MISSIONS — $32,000 · OtherBLACKBIRD MISSIONSST MARY'S COLLEGE — $30,570 · OtherTHE WELL CHURCH — $24,975 · OtherSTRONGWALK MINISTRIES — $20,000 · Other+26 more — $68,529 · Other+26 moreASCENT 121 INC — $170,000 · Human ServicesASCENT 121 INCCHRISTS HOPE U S A INC — $10,944 · Human ServicesCHRISTS HOPE U S A …+3 more — $3,157 · Human ServicesPHARE WARRIOR — $115,572 · ReligionPHARE WARRIORBIBLICA INC — $27,500 · ReligionBIBLICA INCBack 2 Back Ministries Inc — $17,500 · ReligionBack 2 Back Minis…+1 more — $2,000 · ReligionINTERNATIONAL JUSTICE MISSION — $45,000 · InternationalLIFESONG FOR ORPHANS INC — $6,250 · InternationalCompassion International Incorporated — $4,740 · International+1 more — $307 · InternationalLongview Christian School Inc — $31,592 · EducationBETHEL UNIVERSITY INC — $5,000 · EducationHOME RUN MINISTRIES — $1,500 · EducationFOOD 4 SOULS INC — $15,000 · Food & NutritionTHE FILM COLLABORATIVE INC — $10,000 · Arts & Culture
Other$585,009Human Services$184,101Religion$162,572International$56,297Education$38,092Food & Nutrition$15,000Arts & Culture$10,000

Each org by its size and your share of it — top-left is where you’re load-bearing

25%50%75%100%$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ your share of their budgetASCENT 121 INC — $170,000 over 4y, 7.3% of budgetPHARE WARRIOR — $115,572 over 4y, 44% of budgetINTERNATIONAL JUSTICE MISSION — $45,000 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetLongview Christian School Inc — $31,592 over 3y, 0.4% of budgetBIBLICA INC — $27,500 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetBack 2 Back Ministries Inc — $17,500 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetFOOD 4 SOULS INC — $15,000 over 1y, 10% of budgetCHRISTS HOPE U S A INC — $10,944 over 4y, 0.2% of budgetTHE FILM COLLABORATIVE INC — $10,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetLIFESONG FOR ORPHANS INC — $6,250 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetFELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES — $5,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetBETHEL UNIVERSITY INC — $5,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetCIRCLE CITY RELIEF INC — $2,086 over 3y, 0.4% of budgetCOMMISSION TO EVERY NATION — $2,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetTexas Health Resources — $1,896 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetHOME RUN MINISTRIES — $1,500 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetDADCAMP INC — $813 over 2y, 0.2% of budgetWORLD VISION INC — $307 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetProgress House — $50 over 1y, 0.0% of budget
Go grantee by grantee — a decade per org, and how each moved after you funded them

A decade per grantee — revenue shaded, your grants as bars, all rows on one timeline.

  • Who funds ASCENT 121 INC
  • Who funds PHARE WARRIOR
  • Who funds INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE MISSION
  • Who funds Longview Christian School Inc
  • Who funds BIBLICA INC
  • Who funds Back 2 Back Ministries Inc
  • Who funds FOOD 4 SOULS INC
  • Who funds CHRISTS HOPE U S A INC
  • Who funds THE FILM COLLABORATIVE INC
  • Who funds LIFESONG FOR ORPHANS INC
  • Who funds FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES
  • Who funds BETHEL UNIVERSITY INC
  • Who funds Compassion International Incorporated
  • Who funds CIRCLE CITY RELIEF INC
  • Who funds COMMISSION TO EVERY NATION
  • Who funds Texas Health Resources
  • Who funds HOME RUN MINISTRIES

The grantmakers whose grantees overlap with yours far more than size alone predicts. Each orbits closer the stronger the alignment; the arcs between them show where they also fund each other. Here it reads as a tightly interlocked camp — most of these funders back each other's grantees too.

Natl Christian Charitable Fdn IncGA12.1× affinity12 shared granteesties to 8 of 8Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: Natl Christian Charitable Fdn Inc · Raymond James Charitable Endowment Fund · Renaissance Charitable Foundation Inc · National Philanthropic Trust · Donor Advised Charitable Giving Inc · Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program · Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund · American Online Giving Foundation Inc · Amazonsmile Foundation

Affinity is a Gamma-Poisson posterior co-funding rate, re-centered on the typical rate, so thin evidence shrinks toward no signal. A research starting point: overlap is association, not proof of shared intent.

Government reliance of your grantees

Every dot is one organization Fortress Foundation Inc funds. Left–right is the share of its income from government; up–down is the share from you. Bigger dots raise more. Filter to federal or a single department — and drag the year to watch it move.

2024
202122232425
no gov · 00%3%13%28%50%your share of their income ↑0%4%8%11%15%share of the org’s income from government
    no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
    0get no government money at all
    3report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
    0rely on government for over half their income
    ⤢ axis zoomed · 0–15%
    typical government reliance, FY2025

    Government income is each org’s traced federal awards (USASpending — grants and contracts) plus state payments (open checkbooks) as a share of its total revenue (IRS Form 990); the self-reported government-grant line (990 line 1e) is carried for cross-check: a grantee that reports government grants we could not trace to a source is left off the chart rather than shown as receiving none. An association, not a claim that your grant caused the public funding. Coverage is precision-first — a floor, not a census; state records exist for 9 states, so a grantee outside them shows no state figure (dimmed) rather than a false zero. Federal award amounts are obligations, which can span years, so a single-year share is indicative. 990 filings lag 12–24 months.

    05Through Plinth

    Warm introductions · Powered by PlinthPlus

    How do I get to Fortress Foundation Inc?

    Find your warmest path to Fortress Foundation Inc through trustees and officers whose names appear on both boards. Search for your organization and Plinth traces the shortest route it can evidence.

    Each link is a name appearing on two organizations’ public IRS 990 filings, matched on that name and, where the filings support it, on location. A same-state match has geographic support, which is a second matching feature rather than confirmation that the two are one person; a cross-state one is the likeliest to be two people who share a name. Every hop shows its tier, low-confidence and distant paths are held back rather than guessed, and it is worth confirming the person before you use the introduction.

    On method. Every financial figure here is read directly from IRS e-file XML — your own 990/990-PF and the multi-year returns of the 54 grantees we resolved across every year we hold, several hundred filings in all (a different count from the grant rows on the cover, which are one fiscal year)— each linked to its source. Grantee achievements and outcomes are each organization’s own program-service reporting (Form 990, Part III); we read these as association with sustained funding — the foundation is one of several forces — suppress low-confidence name matches rather than guess, and say so where a figure rests on a single grant or filing. Not everything on this page is a filed figure, and the difference matters. Filed is what you reported on your return. Official is another government record about an organization, such as a federal award or a charity register, joined by name where no shared identifier exists. Resolved is an identity we worked out where the filing named a recipient without an EIN, kept only above a measured confidence threshold. Computed is arithmetic over those, like themes, portfolio clusters and co-funder strength. Context is a statistic about a place rather than about an organization, which is what the need overlay is: it describes the area a grantee’s address sits in, not where its work lands. Inferred is drawn by a model from text, like the partnerships read out of public news and organization websites. Each is labeled where it appears. How we build these →

    Generated from your IRS Form 990-PF e-file return for fiscal year 2024, released 2024. Filings run roughly 12–24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

    Source object · view filing

    More from the funding graph