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The Rodel Foundation at a glanceAlso receives grants: funding profile →

· Private foundation

The Rodel 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.

$2.0M
Granted FY2024still arriving
17
Grants FY2024still arriving
6
States reached
$1.4M
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
05Through PlinthRead
01What it funds
0199% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2019 to 2024.

Public Benefit$3.0MSocial Science$2.6MYouth Development$2.2MEnvironment$2.2MEducation$1.0MCivil Rights$601kCommunity Improvement$525kInternational$260kOther$0
02FY2024 · 17 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2024

  • Under $10k1 grant · $5k
  • $10k–50k9 grants · $160k
  • $50k–250k6 grants · $450k
  • $250k+1 grant · $1.4M
$25,000
Median grant
6
States reached
$64M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
RODEL INSTITUTE$1,390,000
SOCIAL GOOD FUND$100,000
THE BREAKTHROUGH INSTITUTE$100,000
ASPEN INSTITUTE$75,000
DEMOCRACY A JOURNAL OF IDEAS$75,000
HOFFMAN INSTITUTE FOUNDATION$50,000
THIRD WAY INSTITUTE$50,000
UC BERKELEY FOUNDATION$25,000
CLEAN AIR TASK FORCE$25,000
AHA$20,000
THE PHILANTHROPY WORKSHOP$20,000
ECOFLIGHT$20,000
TRIBAL TRUST FOUNDATION$15,000
ASPEN CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES$15,000
COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS$10,000
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 (FY19–19, $500) land where the poverty rate runs at 14%, against an area that typically sits at 10%. 100% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 10%ANGELS FOSTER CARE-SANTA BARBARA: $500 → 14%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

NY
MA
PA
CA
CO
VA
DE
AZ
DC
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.

93%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$12M · 30 repeat orgs$916k to everyone else

Grantees it renews have grown median revenue +70% since the first grant, against +19% for those funded once.

30 repeat relationships: 15 still active in FY2024, 15 since wound down; 1 grantees were first funded in FY2024 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

30
11

Total granted

$12M
$906k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+70%
+19%

Still filing today

73%
82%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2024, 99% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $10k went to new ones.

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

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

’19’20’21’22’23’24
EnvironmentEducationPhilanthropyArts & CultureCivil RightsSocial ScienceOther
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

  • THE ASPEN INSTITUTE INC
    6× · 2019–2024 · $2.6M · revenue +192%
  • RI
    RODEL INSTITUTE
    3× · 2022–2024 · $2.5M · revenue +94% · 48% of their budget
  • TB
    The Breakthrough Institute
    5× · 2019–2024 · $880k · revenue +56%

Funded once

  • NC
    NATIONAL CONSTITUTION CENTERgraduated
    one grant, 2019 · $200k · revenue +88%
  • HA
    HETERODOX ACADEMYgraduated
    one grant, 2020 · $150k · revenue +341%
  • ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND INCORPORATEDgraduated
    one grant, 2019 · $140k · revenue +139%
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
Third Way

To research and develop centrist policy ideas.

Civil Rights
2
American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research

The american enterprise institute is a community of scholars and supporters committed to expanding liberty, increasing individual opportunity, and strengthening free enterprise. aei pursues these ideals through independent thinking and the…

Social Science
3
Center for Strategic and International Studies

The center for strategic and international studies (csis) is a bipartisan, nonprofit policy research organization dedicated to advancing practical ideas to address the world's greatest challenges.

International
4
Competitive Enterprise Institute

Competitive enterprise institute (cei) is a non-profit public policy organization dedicated to the principles of free enterprise and limited government. we believe that consumers are best helped not by government regulation but by being…

—
5
Open Markets Institute

The open markets institute works to help people relearn how to use competition policy to build stronger democracies, more just and equitable societies, more innovative and sustainable economies, and a more secure and peaceful world.

Education
6
E3G Third Generation Environmentalism

E3g is a leading international not-for-profit think tank specialising in climate diplomacy harnessing expertise in the politics and economics of climate change.

Environment
7
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
8
Peter G Peterson Institute for International Economics

The peterson institute for international economics (piie) is an independent nonprofit, nonpartisan research organization dedicated to strengthening prosperity and human welfare in the global economy through expert analysis and practical…

Social Science
9
Common Future

Common future is a network of pioneering leaders across the u.s. and canada who work deeply within their communities to create alternative approaches to business, philanthropy, and investing. we envision an economy that has transitioned…

Community Improvement
10
Manhattan Institute for Policy Research Inc

The manhattan institute is a community of scholars, journalists, activists, and civic leaders dedicated to advancing opportunity, individual liberty, and the rule of law in america and its great cities.

Public Benefit
11
Institute for State Effectiveness

The institute for state effectiveness seeks to close the governance gap and advance inclusive growth so that states and markets deliver to citizens. ise advances practical approaches to strengthen capacity for transformation, through…

International
12
Institute for New Global Politics Inc

The Institute for New Global Politics is a California-based educational nonprofit corporation organized and operated exclusively for charitable purposes. It is an independent and nonpartisan thinktank dedicated to educating the general…

International
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is The Aspen Institute Inc; the most unlike its peers is Rodel Leadership Institute. 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

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

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 2025, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 35 of the 45 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.

4
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
11
Early backer (in before they grew)
35/35
Grantees still filing
25/35
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

RODEL LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE: $2,216,991 · OtherRODEL LEADERSHIP INSTITUTETHE SEMINAR NETWORK TRUST: $400,000 · OtherTHE SEMINAR NETWORK TRUSTUNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA FOUNDATION - NICD: $150,000 · OtherUC BERKELEY FOUNDATION: $150,000 · OtherAHA: $120,000 · Other+13 more: $555,500 · Other+13 moreRODEL INSTITUTE: $2,548,000 · PhilanthropyRODEL INSTITUTE+3 more: $146,500 · Philanthropy+3 moreTHE ASPEN INSTITUTE INC: $2,622,228 · Social ScienceTHE ASPEN INSTITUTE IN…The Breakthrough Institute: $880,000 · EnvironmentThe Breakthrough I…CLEAN AIR TASK FORCE INC: $505,000 · EnvironmentCLEAN AIR TASK FOR…THE ENERGY FOR GROWTH HUB INC: $200,000 · EnvironmentTHE ENERGY FOR GRO…ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND INCORPORATED: $140,000 · EnvironmentENVIRONMENTAL DEFE…ECOFLIGHT: $120,000 · EnvironmentECOFLIGHTASPEN CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES: $110,000 · Environment+4 more: $107,500 · EnvironmentHOFFMAN INSTITUTE FOUNDATION: $250,000 · EducationDEMOCRACY A JOURNAL OF IDEAS INC: $175,000 · EducationCONTINA IMPACT: $150,000 · EducationHETERODOX ACADEMY: $150,000 · EducationTHE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK: $125,000 · EducationSOCIAL GOOD FUND INC: $100,000 · Education+2 more: $40,000 · EducationTHIRD WAY INSTITUTE: $601,000 · Civil RightsSAVE DEMOCRACY INC: $100,000 · Civil RightsNATIONAL CONSTITUTION CENTER: $200,000 · Arts & CultureTRIBAL TRUST FOUNDATION INC: $70,000 · Arts & Culture
Other$3,592,491Philanthropy$2,694,500Social Science$2,622,228Environment$2,062,500Education$990,000Civil Rights$701,000Arts & Culture$270,000

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 budgetTHE ASPEN INSTITUTE INC: $2,622,228 over 6y, 0.7% of budgetRODEL INSTITUTE: $2,548,000 over 3y, 48% of budgetRODEL LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE: $2,216,991 over 3y, 100% of budgetThe Breakthrough Institute: $880,000 over 5y, 7.8% of budgetTHIRD WAY INSTITUTE: $601,000 over 4y, 1.9% of budgetCLEAN AIR TASK FORCE INC: $505,000 over 5y, 1.7% of budgetHOFFMAN INSTITUTE FOUNDATION: $250,000 over 5y, 0.7% of budgetNATIONAL CONSTITUTION CENTER: $200,000 over 1y, 0.9% of budgetTHE ENERGY FOR GROWTH HUB INC: $200,000 over 4y, 2.8% of budgetDEMOCRACY A JOURNAL OF IDEAS INC: $175,000 over 3y, 15% of budgetCONTINA IMPACT: $150,000 over 3y, 6.9% of budgetHETERODOX ACADEMY: $150,000 over 1y, 7.0% of budgetENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND INCORPORATED: $140,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetTHE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK: $125,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetECOFLIGHT: $120,000 over 6y, 2.4% of budgetASPEN CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES: $110,000 over 6y, 0.4% of budgetSOCIAL GOOD FUND INC: $100,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetMILLENNIAL ACTION PROJECT DBA FUTURE CAUCUS: $100,000 over 2y, 3.6% of budgetSAVE DEMOCRACY INC: $100,000 over 1y, 37% of budgetRODEL CHARITABLE FOUNDATION - DE: $75,000 over 1y, 1.3% of budgetTRIBAL TRUST FOUNDATION INC: $70,000 over 6y, 65% of budgetCOUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS INC: $60,000 over 6y, 0.0% of budgetTHE PHILANTHROPY WORKSHOP INC DBA FORWARD GLOBAL: $46,500 over 3y, 0.4% of budgetThe Third Way Foundation Inc: $45,000 over 2y, 0.2% of budgetSUSTAINABLE SETTINGS: $27,500 over 3y, 6.5% of budgetTHE DISCOVERY LAND COMPANY FOUNDATION: $25,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetSANTA BARBARA POLICE ACTIVITIES LEAGUE INC: $25,000 over 5y, 1.3% of budgetMassachusetts Institute of Technology: $20,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetBRIDGE ALLIANCE EDUCATION FUND: $20,000 over 2y, 1.6% of budgetResources for the Future Inc: $15,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetHIGH COUNTRY NEWS: $15,000 over 3y, 0.1% of budgetGIRLS INCORPORATED OF GREATER SANTA BARBARA: $12,500 over 2y, 0.3% of budgetCASA DEL HERRERO: $10,000 over 1y, 0.4% of budgetANGELS FOSTER CARE OF SANTA BARBARA: $500 over 1y, 0.1% 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 William & Flora H…Jewish Community Fede…Rodel Charitable Foun…Bernard and Anne Spit…Santa Barbara Foundat…Jewish Communal FundRockefeller Philanthr…Alex C Walker Educati…Alice Tweed Tuohy Fou…Breakthrough Energy F…Catena FoundationAnn Jackson Family Fo…
The William & Flora Hewlett FoundationCA22.4× affinity9 shared granteesties to 10 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation · Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco the Peninsula Marin & Sonoma · Rodel Charitable Foundation - De · Bernard and Anne Spitzer Charitable Trust · Santa Barbara Foundation · Jewish Communal Fund · Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors Inc · Alex C Walker Educational & Charitable · Alice Tweed Tuohy Foundation · Breakthrough Energy Foundation · Catena Foundation · Ann Jackson Family 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 The Rodel Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from The Rodel Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 30%6%25%56%100%funder's share of their income ↑0%10%20%30%40%share of the org’s income from government →median 35%
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology: 35% of income from government
  • Rodel Charitable Foundation - De: 20% of income from government
no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
3get no government money at all
6report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
0rely on government for over half their income
⤢ axis zoomed · 0–40%
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 The Rodel Foundation?

Find your warmest path to The Rodel 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 45 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 Rodel’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