THE SEARLE FREEDOM TRUST

Supporting OrganizationIRS data 2022–2024

MADISON, WIEIN 367244615 Website

Annual Giving

$18.9M-6% YoY

Grants

Median Grant

$200K

Organizations Funded

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Foundation Overview

Mission

The Searle Freedom Trust was founded by Daniel C. Searle in 1998 to foster research and education on public policy issues that affect individual freedom and economic liberty. Through its grantmaking the foundation seeks to develop solutions to the country's most important and challenging domestic policy issues.

Focus Areas

public policy researchtax policyeconomic policyenvironmental policy researcheducation policyconstitutional law and civil libertieslegal advocacyjournalism and investigative reporting

Grant Types

research grantsfellowshipslitigation fundingeducation and outreach grantsjournalism/media grantsfilm and new media production grantsonline education grants

Funded Initiatives

The foundation primarily invests in scholarship that results in the publication of books, journal articles, and policy papers. Funding is typically provided in the form of research grants, fellowships, and other types of targeted project support.

How to Apply

The Searle Freedom Trust is preparing to close its doors and is no longer accepting unsolicited proposals. Organizations that have been invited to submit a proposal may do so through their application portal.

Based on publicly available information from the foundation's 990 filings and website.

Giving History

2024-6%

$18.9M

Grants

Median

$200K

States

2023-18%

$20.0M

Grants

102

Median

$125K

States

2022

$24.4M

Grants

120

Median

$150K

States

Grant Size Distribution

$200K

Typical Grant (Median)

$535

Smallest

$100K

25th Pctile

$300K

75th Pctile

$1.1M

Largest

Excludes grants ≤ $5K. Half fall between $100K and $300K.

Largest Recent Grants

$1.1M

2024

AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE

DC · RESEARCH

$1.0M

2024

GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION

VA · EDUCATION AND OUTREACH

$886K

2024

STATE POLICY NETWORK

VA · RESEARCH

$800K

2024

FOUNDATION FOR GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY

FL · RESEARCH

$500K

2024

PACIFIC LEGAL FOUNDATION

CA · LITIGATION

Geographic Focus

$5.9M21 grants

$4.6M15 grants

$1.7M10 grants

$1.3M5 grants

$1.3M8 grants

Top states by total grant dollars. Based on IRS filing data.

Financial Overview

YearTotal AssetsGrants Paid

2024

$22.4M

$18.9M(84.3%)

2023

$54.5M

$20.0M(36.7%)

2022

$76.9M

$24.4M(31.7%)

Grants paid shown as percentage of total assets

Network Intelligence

Funding follows networks, not keywords

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Data sourced from IRS 990 and 990-PF filings and publicly available foundation websites. Grant data, financial figures, and organizational details reflect historical filings and may not represent current operations or funding priorities. Verify directly with the foundation before applying. See an issue? Let us know.