The Phase Foundation
Germantown, MD · EIN 52-1611434. Reported 204 grants totalling $1,466,000 to 113 recipients across tax years 2021-2025. This foundation did not tell the IRS it funds only preselected organizations.
Does this foundation accept applications?
Yes -- on its own tax return. Form 990-PF asks every private foundation whether it makes grants only to organizations it selects itself. Of the 91,758 foundations in our data that made a grant and answered, 78% said yes -- and applying to those is wasted effort. The Phase Foundation did not check that box on its most recent filing, which puts it in the minority that is at least open to being approached.
How big are its grants?
The median grant is $4,000. Half of everything it gave fell between $2,000 and $5,000; the smallest was $1,000 and the largest $150,000. If you are asking for materially more than the top of that range, you are asking the wrong foundation.
Every organization it funded
This is the complete list from its filings, largest first. Recipients are grouped by name and state as they were written on the returns, so an organization entered under two different names appears twice. Years funded is the number of separate tax years in which that name received money.
| Organization | Location | Total received | Grants | Years funded | Last |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmer Eye Institute (fund for Johns Hopkins Med) | Baltimore, MD | $450,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Wilmer Eye Institute | Bethesda, MD | $114,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Prospect Hill Cemetery | Bristow, VA | $44,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Second Chance Wildlife Center | Gaitherburg, MD | $40,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Partner for Surgery | Mclean, VA | $37,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Samaritan's Purse | Boone, NC | $36,500 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Fund for Johns Hopkins Medicine | Baltimore, MD | $30,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Woodworkers for Children Charity | Laytonsville, MD | $27,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Hope House | Washington, DC | $26,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Eastern Shore Chapel (chapel Pantry) | Virginia Beach, VA | $25,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| University of the Cumberlands | Williamsburg, KY | $25,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Horizon Day Camp | Baltimore, MD | $24,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Red Wiggler Foundation Inc | Germantown, MD | $22,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Housing Unlimited | Silver Spring, MD | $21,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Project Animal Aid | Boulder, CO | $21,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Armenia School Foundation | Glendale, CA | $19,500 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Wildlife Veterinary Care | Boyce, VA | $16,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| A Wider Circle | Kensington, MD | $15,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Big Life Foundation USA | Ridgefield, WA | $15,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Heroes Helping Heroes | Baltimore, MD | $14,000 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| Hillsdale College | Hillsdale, MI | $14,000 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| Project Vets | Boulder, CO | $14,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Rx Partnership | Richmond, VA | $12,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Wanada Automobile Dealers Education Institute | Washington, DC | $12,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Alice Lloyd College | Pippa Passes, KY | $11,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Montgomery Hospice Inc | Rockville, MD | $11,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Wanada Automobile Dealer Education Institute | Washington, DC | $11,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Big Life Foundation | Ridgefield, WA | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Colonial Williamsburg Foundation | Williamsburg, VA | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Elephant Aid International | Attapulgus, GA | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Hopeful Ways | Getzville, NY | $9,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Stratford Hall | Stratford, VA | $9,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Als Assoc Dcmdva Chapter | Rockville, MD | $8,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| American Red Cross of the National Capital Region | Arlington, VA | $8,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Integrated Living Opportunities | Washington, DC | $8,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| International Fund for Animal Welfare | Yarmouthport, MA | $8,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Metropolitan Washington Ear | Silver Spring, MD | $8,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless | Rockville, MD | $8,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Salvation Army National Capital Area | Washington, DC | $8,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Montgomery County Humane Society | Rockville, MD | $7,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Rockville Science Center | Rockville, MD | $7,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Treatment & Leaning Centers | Rockville, MD | $7,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Condor Project | Washington, DC | $6,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| St Mary's Healthcare System for Children | Bayside, NY | $6,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Wayne Opportunity Center | Goldsboro, NC | $6,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Weta | Arlington, VA | $6,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Berea College | Berea, KY | $5,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating | Annapolis, MD | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Community Forklift | Edmonston, MD | $5,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Conquer Cancer | Alexandria, VA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Conquer Cancer Foundation | Alexandria, VA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Cornerstone Montgomery | Rockville, MD | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Great and Small | Boyds, MD | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Greater DC Diaper Bank | Washington, DC | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Hope and a Home | Washington, DC | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Maryland Zoo in Baltimore | Baltimore, MD | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Medstar Montgomery Medical Center | Olney, MD | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Northern Colorado Friends of Ferals | Fort Collins, CO | $5,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Petey Greene Program | Princeton, NJ | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Ps You Are Fabulous | Frederick, MD | $5,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Robert E Lee Memorial Association | Stratford, VA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Suburban Hopsital Foundation | Bethesda, MD | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Suited for Change | Washington, DC | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Wesley Housing | Alexandria, VA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Westminster Ingleside Foundation | Rockville, MD | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation | Wynnewood, PA | $4,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Cci Health and Wellness | Silver Spring, MD | $4,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Leukemia & Lymphoma Society | Alexandria, VA | $4,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Promise Landing Farm | Upper Marlboro, MD | $4,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| 4MONTGOMERY'S Kids | Bethesda, MD | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Alex's Lemonade Stand | Wynnewood, PA | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Als Therapy Development Inst | Watertown, MA | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Animal Rescue of the Rockies | Aurora, CO | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Baltimore Animal Rescue & Care Shelter | Baltimore, MD | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Community Free Clinic | Hagerstown, MD | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Fellowship Place Inc | New Haven, CT | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Friends of Lackota Animal Sanctuary | Nunn, CO | $3,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Gaithersburg Help | Gaithersburg, MD | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Pet Helpers | Charleston, SC | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Rainbow Place Shelter for Homeless Women | Rockville, MD | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Society of St Andrew | Salisbury, MD | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Tlc-Treatment & Learning Centers | Rockville, MD | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Union Rescue Mission of Western MD | Cumberland, MD | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| American Kidney Fund | Rockville, MD | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Bishop John T Walker School for Boys | Washington, DC | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Bonzeb Inc | Gresham, OR | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Chimp Haven | Keithville, LA | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Diener School | North Bethesda, MD | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Engera USA | Las Vegas, NV | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| February Star Sanctuary | Brunswick, MD | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Furever Feline Cat Rescue | Milwaukie, OR | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Hearing the Call | Ft Wayne, IN | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Help Me See | Jersey City, NJ | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Holy Cross Health Foundation | Silver Spring, MD | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Hope for Children Ministries | Brentwood, MD | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Hope for Children Ministries | St Francis, WI | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| House of Ruth | Washington, DC | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Kennedy Krieger Institue | Baltimore, MD | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Kennedy Krieger Institute | Baltimore, MD | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Live and Let Live Farm | Chichester, NH | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Marian Manor Assisted Living | Virginia Beach, VA | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Mary's Center | Washington, DC | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Matthew Larson Fndt for Pediatric Brain Tumors | Franklin Lakes, NJ | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Negotiation Works | Washington, DC | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Nicalove | Rye, NH | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Ramps Rva | Richmond, VA | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Ready Willing & Working | Washington, DC | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Sun Sounds of Arizona Foundation | Flagstaff, AZ | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Vet Treks Foundation | Fort Collins, CO | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Wildlife Rescue League | Falls Church, VA | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Agenacare Community Medicine | Glenarden, MD | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Arthritis Foundation | Washington, DC | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Zoological Society of Nj | West Orange, NJ | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
45 of 113 (40%) received money in more than one year over the 5 years we hold.
Measured the way we measure every foundation -- what share of one year's grantees are funded again the next -- this one retains 52%, across 4 year-to-year transitions. The median foundation retains about 67%, so this one is less consistent than most. This measures how often it paid the same organizations again. It says nothing about whether it would consider a new one.
What the money was for
Taken verbatim from the purpose field of its filings. This is the closest thing to a statement of what this foundation cares about, in its own words.
- Wilmer Eye Institute (fund for Johns Hopkins Med)
To fund research into treatment of retinal degeneration. - Wilmer Eye Institute
To fund Wilmer Eye Institute. - Fund for Johns Hopkins Medicine
TO FUND CUSTOM DESIGNED HIPAA PROTECTED DATABASE PLATFORM TO SECURELY HOUSE GENETIC INFO. - Samaritan's Purse
To fund disaster relief efforts after 2024's catastrophic flooding in North Carolina. - Prospect Hill Cemetery
TO FUND REPAIRS OF ROADWAYS & WALKWAYS ON CEMETERY GROUNDS. - A Wider Circle
TO FUND BEDS, FURNITURE, AND OTHER ESSENTIALS FOR FAMILIES LIVING IN POVERTY.
What kind of organizations it funds
By the activity category the IRS assigns each recipient, for the 135 grants where we could match the recipient to a registered organization. The categories are the IRS's. The match, made from the name and address on the return, is ours.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants | Total | Median grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 59 | $320,000 | $5,000 |
| 2022 | 43 | $270,000 | $3,000 |
| 2023 | 31 | $276,000 | $4,000 |
| 2024 | 31 | $300,000 | $4,000 |
| 2025 | 40 | $300,000 | $3,000 |
Tax years, not calendar years, and the most recent year is usually incomplete -- filings arrive about a year late, so a low final year means late paperwork rather than a foundation winding down.
Where its money goes
62% of its giving went to organizations in Maryland. If your organization is based elsewhere, look in the recipient list for grants to your area before writing.
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Funders that support the same organizations
These funders gave to organizations this one also funded -- some private foundations, some community foundations and other grantmaking charities. Shared grantees are a sign of overlapping priorities and nothing more: they do not show that any of these funders would consider a new organization. Each page says what its filings show.
How to approach this foundation
- Check you are its size. The median grant is $4,000. A request many times that size asks for something it has rarely or never given.
- Check you are in its geography. Its giving is concentrated in Maryland.
- Read the recipient list above for organizations like yours. If nothing on it resembles your work, that is a real answer, and a cheap one to get.
- Look up the current filing before writing. The 990-PF names the foundation's officers and, where one exists, its application procedure. We link it below.
Related guides
Where these numbers come from
Everything above is taken from The Phase Foundation's own Form 990-PF filings, which the IRS publishes in bulk. We used 5 returns (tax years 2021-2025). Grant figures are from its returns. Matching recipients to registered organizations, their IRS classifications, the retention rate and the funders that support the same organizations are our own calculations, described in how we build this.
Address of record on the latest return: 2 Executive Park Ct, Germantown, MD, 20874. This is the address the foundation gave the IRS; many small foundations file through an accountant or a bank trust department, so it may not be where post to a programme officer should go.
EIN 52-1611434 · See the original filings on ProPublica · How we build this
Is something here wrong about your foundation? Email [email protected] and we will correct it.