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Mlg Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

Mlg Foundation

Its FY2025 filing reports that it funds preselected organizations and did not take unsolicited requests; check the foundation's own site before ruling it out.

$28k
Granted FY2025still arriving
23
Grants FY2025still arriving
12
States reached
$15k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
05Through PlinthRead
01What it funds
01100% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2017 to 2025.

Community Improvement$158kHuman Services$138kPublic Benefit$31kInternational$29kCivil Rights$5kFood & Nutrition$4kEducation$3kPublic Safety & Disaster$2kOther$0
02FY2025 · 23 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2025

  • Under $10k22 grants · $13k
  • $10k–50k1 grant · $15k
$200
Median grant
12
States reached
$469k
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
CIRCLE PINES CENTER$15,000
CO-OP RHODY$8,000
CENTER FOR ECONOMIC DEMOCRACY INC$1,000
DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS USA$750
INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE$750
NATIONAL NETWORK OF ABORTION FUNDS$400
UNICEF$300
NAACP LEGAL DEFENSE & EDUCATION FUND$250
OXFAM AMERICA$250
NEW ISRAEL FUND$216
DIRECT RELIEF$200
AMERICAN INDIAN COLLEGE FUND$200
BRENNAN CENTER FOR JUSTICE AT NYU SCHOOL OF LAW$150
ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND$125
UNITED NEGRO COLLEGE FUND$100
02The need
03

Does the money reach high-need areas?

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

show:

Its human-services grants (FY20–25, $5k) land where the poverty rate runs at 16%, against an area that typically sits at 11%. 98% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 11%WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT: $50 → 14%CHARITY NAVIGATOR: $15 → 7%LISTEN COMMUNITY SERVICES: $50 → 10%LISTEN COMMUNITY SERVICES: $25 → 10%WORLD FOOD PROGRAM: $2k → 14%WORLD FOOD PROGRAM: $1k → 14%WORLD FOOD PROGRAM: $500 → 14%WORLD FOOD PROGRAM: $200 → 14%FOCUS HOPE: $100 → 21%WE THE PEOPLE OF DETROIT: $1k → 21%WE THE PEOPLE OF DETROIT: $206 → 21%WE THE PEOPLE OF DETROIT: $200 → 21%WE THE PEOPLE OF DETROIT: $100 → 21%WE THE PEOPLE OF DETROIT: $50 → 21%0%20%40%50%more need →
grant to an above-average-need area below average· circle size = grant amount
How this is measured
Matched: human-services grants are those whose grantee’s IRS cause code is Human Services. Placed by people below the poverty line in the grantee’s ZIP, averaged from the tracts in that ZIP.

Which US states its grants reach

VT
NH
ND
IL
WI
MI
NY
MA
OR
SD
PA
NJ
RI
CA
CO
VA
MD
DC
TX
FL
How this is measured
US grants placed by each grantee’s ZIP, which can differ from where services are delivered. Need from public data (U.S. Census/ACS, CDC PLACES, Eviction Lab, USDA), shown as context about the area, never attributed to the funder’s giving.
03Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

Organizations funded in more than one year, against those funded once.

96%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$362k · 38 repeat orgs$14k to everyone else

Grantees it renews have grown median revenue +35% since the first grant, against +19% for those funded once.

38 repeat relationships: 19 still active in FY2025, 19 since wound down; 3 grantees were first funded in FY2025 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

38
18

Total granted

$362k
$6k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+35%
+19%

Still filing today

76%
78%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2025, 71% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $8k went to new ones.

50%100%’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
RenewedFirst-time

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

’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
InternationalHuman ServicesCivil RightsEducationCommunity ImprovementHousing & ShelterOther
How this is measured
First-time means a grantee’s first year in the filing window; renewed means funded in an earlier year too. The renewed share climbs naturally as a portfolio matures, so the signal is a year that bucks it (a wave of new grantees). 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

  • CP
    CIRCLE PINES CENTER
    6× · 2017–2025 · $137k · revenue +48%
  • CENTER FOR ECONOMIC DEMOCRACY INC
    5× · 2021–2025 · $13k · revenue +63%
  • MEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES USA INC
    7× · 2017–2025 · $8k · revenue +98%

Funded once

  • NH
    New Hampshire Democracy Fund
    one grant, 2024 · $3k · revenue 0%
  • United States Association for UNHCRgraduated
    one grant, 2017 · $1k · revenue +67%
  • IG
    Individual grant recipient
    one grant, 2020 · $500
How this is measured

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

04Its field

Closest unfunded matches

The nonprofits that most resemble its grantees but are not funded by it, scored along the direction from the rest of the field toward the portfolio. A resemblance in what they say they do, not a recommendation.

1
Actionaid Usa

Actionaid is an international network building a just, equitable, and sustainable world in solidarity with communities on the frontlines of poverty and injustice. actionaid usa is the u.s. branch of actionaid international, which works in…

Social Science
2
World Resources Institute

Wri is committed to creating change that improves people's lives and ensures the natural world can thrive. (see schedule o)wri's bold vision requires a formula for success we call "count it. change it. scale it.":- count it: our work is…

International
3
Waterorg

Water.org's goal is to bring safe water and sanitation to the world through access to small, affordable loans.

International
4
Counterpart International Inc

For over 60 years, counterpart international has partnered with communities worldwide to turn local ideas into lasting solutions, connecting local vision with global opportunity. (continued on schedule o)we believe people closest to the…

International
5
Women Donors Network

Women donors network advances a just, equitable, and sustainable world through the power of philanthropy, women's leadership, and collective and individual action.

Philanthropy
6
The Water Research Foundation

The purpose of the water research foundation (wrf) is a definitive research organization to advance the science of all things water to better meet the evolving needs of its subscribers and the water sector. to engage exclusively in…

Environment
7
Co-Impact Philanthropic Funds Inc

Philanthropic collaborative focused on improving lives through just & inclusive systems change.

Philanthropy
8
American Flood Coalition Inc

To drive transformational adaptation to protect communities across the country from higher seas, stronger storms, and more frequent flooding.

Environment
9
International Aids Vaccine Initiative Inc

A nonprofit scientific research organization that develops vaccines and antibodies for hiv, tuberculosis, and emerging infectious diseases.

International
10
Nuru International

Nuru is a global collective that enables inclusive and sustainable prosperity by identifying communities at the stability tipping point, strengthening rural livelihoods and market systems, and fostering stabilizing connections that repair…

International
11
The Union of Concerned Scientists Inc

The union of concerned scientists puts rigorous, independent science into action, developing solutions and advocating for a healthy, safe, and just future.

International
12
Cdp North America Inc

Cdp north america, inc. 's ("cdp-na") vision for the future is a thriving economy that works for people and planet in the long term. we focus investors and companies on taking urgent action to build a truly sustainable economy by measuring…

Environment
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Human Rights Watch Inc; the most unlike its peers is Vermont Public Radio. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
04the grantee network

48 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2026.

Each grant beside the grantee’s revenue from every source, year by year.

How this is measured

Counted here: distinct organizations funded across 2017 to 2026, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 48 of the 60 grantees resolved in that span have returns of their own we could reconcile.

Each grantee is resolved to its own IRS returns. Association, dated; never a causal claim.

0
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
4
Early backer (in before they grew)
46/48
Grantees still filing
33/48
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

CIRCLE PINES CENTER: $136,800 · OtherCIRCLE PINES CENTERIndividual grant recipient: $27,500 · OtherIndividual grant recipientCO-OP RHODY: $8,000 · Other+25 more: $8,474 · OtherCENTER FOR COMMUNITY BASED ENTERPRISE: $137,510 · Community ImprovementCENTER FOR COMMUNITY BASED ENTERPRISECENTER FOR ECONOMIC DEMOCRACY INC: $12,500 · Community ImprovementCENTER FOR ECONOMIC DEMOCRACY INCMEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES USA INC: $8,250 · InternationalUNITED STATES FUND FOR UNICEF: $4,852 · InternationalOXFAM-AMERICA INC: $4,500 · InternationalInternational Rescue Committee INC: $3,000 · InternationalDIRECT RELIEF: $2,250 · InternationalHIAS INC: $1,900 · InternationalHUMAN RIGHTS WATCH INC: $1,400 · InternationalAMNESTY INTERNATIONAL OF THE USA INC: $1,050 · InternationalUnited States Association for UNHCR: $1,000 · International+6 more: $863 · InternationalREFUGEE & IMMIGRANT CENTER FOR EDUCATION & LEGAL SERVICES: $3,780 · Civil RightsNew Hampshire Democracy Fund: $3,000 · Civil RightsNAACP LEGAL DEFENSE & EDUC FUND INC: $500 · Civil Rights+1 more: $50 · Civil RightsFRIENDS OF THE WORLD FOOD PROGRAM INC: $3,200 · Human ServicesWe the People of Detroit: $1,556 · Human Services+4 more: $240 · Human ServicesAMERICAN INDIAN COLLEGE FUND: $1,050 · EducationUNITED NEGRO COLLEGE FUND INC: $950 · EducationWILLIAM J BRENNAN CENTER FOR JUSTICE INC: $300 · EducationALTERNATIVES FOR GIRLS: $750 · Housing & ShelterCOTS: $561 · Housing & Shelter
Other$180,774Community Improvement$150,010International$29,065Civil Rights$7,330Human Services$4,996Education$2,300Housing & Shelter$1,311

Each grantee by its size and the funder’s share of it; top left is load-bearing

25%50%75%100%$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetCENTER FOR COMMUNITY BASED ENTERPRISE: $137,510 over 3y, 18% of budgetCIRCLE PINES CENTER: $136,800 over 6y, 7.5% of budgetCENTER FOR ECONOMIC DEMOCRACY INC: $12,500 over 5y, 0.1% of budgetMEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES USA INC: $8,250 over 7y, 0.0% of budgetUNITED STATES FUND FOR UNICEF: $4,852 over 6y, 0.0% of budgetOXFAM-AMERICA INC: $4,500 over 6y, 0.0% of budgetREFUGEE & IMMIGRANT CENTER FOR EDUCATION & LEGAL SERVICES: $3,780 over 4y, 0.0% of budgetFRIENDS OF THE WORLD FOOD PROGRAM INC: $3,200 over 4y, 0.0% of budgetNew Hampshire Democracy Fund: $3,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetInternational Rescue Committee INC: $3,000 over 4y, 0.0% of budgetDIRECT RELIEF: $2,250 over 5y, 0.0% of budgetHIAS INC: $1,900 over 4y, 0.0% of budgetWe the People of Detroit: $1,556 over 5y, 0.1% of budgetHUMAN RIGHTS WATCH INC: $1,400 over 4y, 0.0% of budgetAMNESTY INTERNATIONAL OF THE USA INC: $1,050 over 5y, 0.0% of budgetAMERICAN INDIAN COLLEGE FUND: $1,050 over 6y, 0.0% of budgetUnited States Association for UNHCR: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetUNITED NEGRO COLLEGE FUND INC: $950 over 6y, 0.0% of budgetNATIONAL NETWORK OF ABORTION FUNDS INC: $800 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetGLEANERS COMMUNITY FOOD BANK OF SOUTHEASTERN MICHIGAN: $800 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetALTERNATIVES FOR GIRLS: $750 over 7y, 0.0% of budgetJ STREET EDUCATION FUND INC: $620 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetCOTS: $561 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetNAACP LEGAL DEFENSE & EDUC FUND INC: $500 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetDEMOCRACY NOW PRODUCTIONS INC: $300 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetWILLIAM J BRENNAN CENTER FOR JUSTICE INC: $300 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetNEW ISRAEL FUND: $288 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND INCORPORATED: $250 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetGLOBAL FUND FOR WOMEN INC: $200 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetDETROIT RIVERFRONT CONSERVANCY INC: $200 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetFUND FOR EQUAL JUSTICE INC: $200 over 1y, 0.4% of budgetTHE SENTENCING PROJECT: $200 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetNEW JEWISH NARRATIVE INC: $175 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetCONCORD FEMINIST HEALTH CENTER: $100 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetEQUAL JUSTICE AMERICA INC: $100 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetWORLD RELIEF CORP OF NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF EVANGELICALS: $100 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetFOCUSHOPE: $100 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetLISTEN Lebanon in Service to Each Neighbor: $75 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetLISTEN Love is Sharing the Exceptional Needs: $50 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetGLOBAL JUSTICE CENTER: $50 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetWOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT INC: $50 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetFINCA INTERNATIONAL INC: $50 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetNATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION: $25 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetMICHIGAN HUMANE SOCIETY: $25 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetInterfaith Worker Justice: $25 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetCharity Navigator: $15 over 1y, 0.0% of budget
Grantee by grantee: a decade per organization, before and after funding

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

Co-funders

Grantmakers whose grantees overlap with this funder’s far more than size alone predicts. Closer means stronger alignment; arcs show where they also fund each other. Here they form a tightly interlocked group: most of these funders back each other's grantees too.

The Ford FoundationThe Kresge FoundationImpactassetsincRenaissance Charitabl…National Philanthropi…Network for GoodVanguard Charitable E…American Online Givin…Fidelity Investments …Donor Advised Charita…Amazonsmile Foundation
The Ford FoundationNY16.3× affinity6 shared granteesties to 10 of 10Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: The Ford Foundation · The Kresge Foundation · Impactassetsinc · Renaissance Charitable Foundation Inc · National Philanthropic Trust · Network for Good · Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program · American Online Giving Foundation Inc · Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund · Donor Advised Charitable Giving Inc · Amazonsmile Foundation

How this is measured
Affinity is a Gamma-Poisson posterior co-funding rate, re-centered on the typical rate, so thin evidence shrinks toward no signal. Overlap is association, not proof of shared intent.

How much its grantees rely on government

Each dot is one organization Mlg Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from Mlg Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 20%1%3%6%10%funder's share of their income ↑0%25%50%75%100%share of the org’s income from government →median 67%
  • Hias Inc: 88% of income from government
  • World Relief Corp of National Association of Evangelicals: 67% of income from government
  • Wounded Warrior Project Inc: 0% of income from government
  • Oxfam-America Inc: 0% of income from government
no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
2get no government money at all
7report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
2rely on government for over half their income
typical government reliance, FY20–25
How this is measured
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 a grant caused the public funding. Coverage is precision-first, a floor rather than 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 to 24 months.
05Through Plinth

Warm introductions · Powered by PlinthPlus

How do I get to Mlg Foundation?

Find your warmest path to Mlg Foundation 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 from IRS e-file XML, the funder’s own 990/990-PF, and from the multi-year returns of the 60 grantees we resolved, each linked to its source. Grantee outcomes are each organization’s own program-service reporting (Form 990, Part III), read as association with funding, never as caused by it. Low-confidence name matches are suppressed rather than guessed. How we build these →

How this is measured
Each figure carries one of six labels. Filed is what the funder reported on its 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.

Generated from the IRS Form 990-PF e-file return for fiscal year 2025, released 2025. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

Source object · view filing

Play a game based on Mlg’s filings →

More from the funding graph

The unnamed billions
grants reported with no recipient in the public record
The regranting layer
51% of grant dollars land in the regranting layer
The DAF merry-go-round
$9.7B circulates between donor-advised funds
The endowment market
who holds foundation money, and what just moved
The camps
funders cluster by geography, not ideology
By state
where grant money is based, and what stays home