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The Free Lunch Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

The Free Lunch Foundation

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.

$47k
Granted FY2024still arriving
13
Grants FY2024still arriving
7
States reached
$17k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
01What it funds
0196% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2017 to 2024.

Animals$287kEducation$120kHealth$104kEnvironment$102kYouth Development$96kPhilanthropy$91kArts & Culture$79kHuman Services$11kOther$0
02FY2024 · 13 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2024

  • Under $10k11 grants · $21k
  • $10k–50k2 grants · $27k
$1,000
Median grant
7
States reached
$77k
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
AMERICAN BIRD CONSERVANCY$16,500
HOLE FOOD RESCUE$10,000
FIRST IN FAMILY$7,500
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF WILDLIFE ART$3,500
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF JACKSON HOLE$2,700
COALITION FOR LIBERTY$2,000
CORNELL UNIVERSITY LAB OF ORNITHOLOGY$1,000
DANCER'S WORKSHOP OF JACKSON HOLE$1,000
OFF SQUARE THEATRE$1,000
MAYO CLINIC FOUNDATION$1,000
G&G OVEREND SCHOLARSHIP FUND$500
STATE OF IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY$500
PROVINCETOWN MA LIONS CLUB$150
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 (FY17–17, $500) land where the poverty rate runs at 16%, against an area that typically sits at 8%. 100% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 8%HOME FOR LITTLE WANDERERS: $500 → 16%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

ME
MT
MN
IL
WI
NY
MA
WY
IN
PA
CA
UT
CO
MO
VA
AZ
KS
NC
DC
GA
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.

79%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$676k · 27 repeat orgs$180k to everyone else

27 repeat relationships: 6 still active in FY2024, 21 since wound down; 6 grantees were first funded in FY2024 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

27
36

Total granted

$676k
$160k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+70%
+80%

Still filing today

70%
33%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2024, 54% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $21k 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
EducationArts & CultureEnvironmentPublic BenefitHuman ServicesHealthOther
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

  • AB
    American Bird Conservancy
    6× · 2017–2024 · $271k · revenue +54%
  • RB
    Ron Burton Training Village Inc
    5× · 2017–2022 · $95k · revenue +447%
  • AF
    ALLIANCE FOR CHOICE IN EDUCATION
    2× · 2020–2021 · $60k · revenue +100%

Funded once

  • AA
    ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION
    one grant, 2018 · $99k
  • JH
    JACKSON HOLE LAND TRUST
    one grant, 2019 · $11k · revenue -33%
  • HB
    HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL
    one grant, 2021 · $10k
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
Tucson Audubon Society

Inspire people to enjoy and protect birds through recreation, education, conservation, and restoration of the environment, upon which we all depend.

Animals
2
Harvard Conservation Trust

To preserve the unique character and natural resources of harvard.

Environment
3
Teton Regional Land Trust Inc

The mission of the teton regional land trust is to conserve working farms and ranches, fish and wildlife habitat, and scenic open spaces in eastern idaho for this and future generations.

Environment
4
The Land Trust for Tennessee Inc

To conserve the unique character of tennessee's natural and historic landscapes and sites for future generations.

Environment
5
The Trustees of Princeton University

Research, education and general - princeton university is a private not-for-profit, non-sectarian institution of higher learning with approximately 5,700 undergraduate and 3,300 graduate students. 2,500 students graduated in the 2024-2025…

Education
6
Grand Teton Association

The mission of the association is to inspire "deeper connection, better understanding, and enduring support for our public lands."

Arts & Culture
7
Wilson College

Wilson college empowers students to be confident and critical thinkers, creative visionaries, effective communicators, honorable leaders, and agents of justice.

Education
8
Conservation Legacy

Conservation legacy engages future leaders who protect, restore, and enhance our nation's lands through community-based service.in 2024, conservation legacy engaged 2,524 participants who completed over 1.5 million service hours on public…

Youth Development
9
President and Trustees of Bates College

Bates is a college of the liberal arts and sciences, and is a coeducational, nonsectarian, residential college with special commitments to academic rigor, and to assuring in all of its efforts the dignity of each individual, and access to…

Education
10
Wild Rockies Field Institute Inc

To broaden the nature of a liberal arts education; teach critical thinking about social & environmental issues; foster understanding of & respect for natural & human communities; & cultivate a sense of place that encourages personal,…

Education
11
Wyoming Outdoor Council

The wyoming outdoor council's mission is to protect wyoming's environment and quality of life now and for future generations.

Environment
12
The Montana Land Reliance

The mission of the montana land reliance (mlr) is to partner with landowners to provide permanent protection for private lands that are significant for agricultural production, fish and wildlife habitat, and open space.

Environment
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Community Foundation of Jackson Hole; the most unlike its peers is National Museum of Wildlife Art of the United States. 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

34 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. 34 of the 70 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)
14
Early backer (in before they grew)
34/34
Grantees still filing
30/34
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION: $99,400 · OtherALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATIONRon Burton Training Village Inc: $95,000 · OtherRon Burton Training Village IncIndividual grant recipient: $12,500 · OtherTENNESSEE WILLIAMS FESTIVAL: $11,500 · Other+45 more: $92,986 · Other+45 moreAmerican Bird Conservancy: $270,500 · AnimalsAmerican Bird ConservancyALLIANCE FOR CHOICE IN EDUCATION: $60,000 · EducationALLIANCE FOR…WICHITA COLLEGIATE SCHOOL: $22,500 · EducationWICHITA COLL…Park City Education Foundation: $20,000 · EducationPark City Ed…+4 more: $3,850 · EducationJACKSON HOLE CONSERVATION ALLIANCE: $55,000 · EnvironmentJACKSON HOLE…THE TRURO CONSERVATION TRUST: $20,000 · EnvironmentTHE TRURO CO…JACKSON HOLE LAND TRUST: $11,000 · EnvironmentJACKSON HOLE…MASSACHUSETTS AUDUBON SOCIETY INC: $10,700 · EnvironmentMASSACHUSETT…RUFFED GROUSE SOCIETY: $4,000 · EnvironmentCOMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF JACKSON HOLE: $89,200 · PhilanthropyCOMMUNITY …NATIONAL MUSEUM OF WILDLIFE ART OF THE UNITED STATES: $27,000 · Arts & CultureOFF SQUARE THEATRE COMPANY: $17,780 · Arts & CultureBALLET WICHITA INC: $5,250 · Arts & CulturePROVINCETOWN TENNESSEE WILLIAMS THEATER FESTIVAL INC: $4,500 · Arts & Culture+2 more: $2,750 · Arts & CultureHole Food Rescue: $10,000 · Food & Nutrition
Other$311,386Animals$270,500Education$106,350Environment$100,700Philanthropy$89,200Arts & Culture$57,280Food & Nutrition$10,000

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 budgetAmerican Bird Conservancy: $270,500 over 6y, 0.7% of budgetRon Burton Training Village Inc: $95,000 over 5y, 0.7% of budgetCOMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF JACKSON HOLE: $89,200 over 8y, 0.1% of budgetALLIANCE FOR CHOICE IN EDUCATION: $60,000 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetNATIONAL MUSEUM OF WILDLIFE ART OF THE UNITED STATES: $27,000 over 6y, 0.2% of budgetWICHITA COLLEGIATE SCHOOL: $22,500 over 3y, 0.1% of budgetTHE TRURO CONSERVATION TRUST: $20,000 over 2y, 1.2% of budgetPark City Education Foundation: $20,000 over 3y, 0.5% of budgetOFF SQUARE THEATRE COMPANY: $17,780 over 8y, 1.6% of budgetJACKSON HOLE LAND TRUST: $11,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetMASSACHUSETTS AUDUBON SOCIETY INC: $10,700 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetHole Food Rescue: $10,000 over 1y, 0.6% of budgetJUDICIAL WATCH INC: $7,000 over 4y, 0.0% of budgetBALLET WICHITA INC: $5,250 over 2y, 1.7% of budgetPROVINCETOWN TENNESSEE WILLIAMS THEATER FESTIVAL INC: $4,500 over 2y, 2.3% of budgetRUFFED GROUSE SOCIETY: $4,000 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetTHE EVERGLADES TRUST INC: $2,500 over 2y, 0.2% of budgetNo One Left Behind: $2,500 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetCOALITION FOR LIBERTY INC: $2,000 over 1y, 0.8% of budgetTETON LITERACY CENTER: $1,850 over 3y, 0.1% of budgetSedona International Film Festival & Workshop: $1,750 over 3y, 0.1% of budgetTETON COUNTY SHERIFF'S AUXILIARY: $1,500 over 2y, 0.5% of budgetTETON RAPTOR CENTER: $1,140 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetMANHATTAN INSTITUTE FOR POLICY RESEARCH INC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetHOLY CROSS COLLEGE INC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetNAVY SEAL FOUNDATION INC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetTURNING POINT USA INC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetTETON YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetSt John's Health Foundation: $500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetHOFFMAN INSTITUTE FOUNDATION: $500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetThe President and Trustees of Colby College: $500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetTHE HOME FOR LITTLE WANDERERS INC: $500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetMENTAL HEALTH & RECOVERY SERVICES OF JACKSON HOLE: $100 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.

  • Who funds American Bird Conservancy ↗
  • Who funds Ron Burton Training Village Inc ↗
  • Who funds COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF JACKSON HOLE ↗
  • Who funds ALLIANCE FOR CHOICE IN EDUCATION ↗
  • Who funds JACKSON HOLE CONSERVATION ALLIANCE ↗
  • Who funds NATIONAL MUSEUM OF WILDLIFE ART OF THE UNITED STATES ↗
  • Who funds WICHITA COLLEGIATE SCHOOL ↗
  • Who funds THE TRURO CONSERVATION TRUST ↗
  • Who funds Park City Education Foundation ↗
  • Who funds OFF SQUARE THEATRE COMPANY ↗
  • Who funds JACKSON HOLE LAND TRUST ↗
  • Who funds MASSACHUSETTS AUDUBON SOCIETY INC ↗
  • Who funds Hole Food Rescue ↗
  • Who funds JUDICIAL WATCH INC ↗
  • Who funds BALLET WICHITA INC ↗
  • Who funds PROVINCETOWN TENNESSEE WILLIAMS THEATER FESTIVAL INC ↗
  • Who funds RUFFED GROUSE SOCIETY ↗
  • Who funds THE EVERGLADES TRUST INC ↗
  • Who funds No One Left Behind ↗
  • Who funds COALITION FOR LIBERTY INC ↗
  • Who funds TETON LITERACY CENTER ↗
  • Who funds Sedona International Film Festival & Workshop ↗
  • Who funds TETON COUNTY SHERIFF'S AUXILIARY ↗
  • Who funds TETON RAPTOR CENTER ↗
  • Who funds MANHATTAN INSTITUTE FOR POLICY RESEARCH INC ↗

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.

Community Foundation …Kenneth and Caroline …The Brooks FoundationPerkins Charitable Fo…First Interstate Banc…Nelson Family Foundat…The Alan J Hirschfiel…Robert S & Grayce B K…Karl M Johnson Founda…Hughes Charitable Fou…Hughes Charitable Fou…Giving Brands
Community Foundation of Jackson HoleWY21.7× affinity8 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: Community Foundation of Jackson Hole · Kenneth and Caroline Taylor Family Foundation · The Brooks Foundation · Perkins Charitable Foundation · First Interstate BancSystem Foundation Inc · Nelson Family Foundation · The Alan J Hirschfield Family Foundation · Robert S & Grayce B Kerr Foundation · Karl M Johnson Foundation · Hughes Charitable Foundation · Hughes Charitable Foundation · Giving Brands

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 The Free Lunch Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from The Free Lunch Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 30%0%1%3%5%funder's share of their income ↑0%15%30%45%60%share of the org’s income from government →median 38%
  • The Home for Little Wanderers Inc: 38% of income from government
  • Massachusetts Audubon Society Inc: 1% of income from government
no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
3get no government money at all
13report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
0rely on government for over half their income
⤢ axis zoomed · 0–60%
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.

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 70 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 2024, released 2024. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

Source object · view filing

Play a game based on Free Lunch’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