The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation is an American philanthropic nonprofit organization established in 1934 by Alfred P. Sloan Jr., president and chief executive officer of General Motors. Based in New York City, the Foundation is an independent entity with no formal relationship to General Motors. It operates as a grantmaking institution supporting original research and education across multiple disciplines.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$2.2B
+2.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$89.0M
-0.8% YoY
Grant Count
522
-0.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$171K
-0.1% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation's mission is to improve the welfare of all through the advancement of scientific knowledge. The Foundation makes grants primarily to support original research and education related to science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and economics.
The Foundation believes that these fields—and the scholars and practitioners who work in them—are chief drivers of the nation's health and prosperity. It operates from the conviction that a reasoned, systematic understanding of the forces of nature and society, when applied inventively and wisely, can lead to a better world for all.
The Foundation acknowledges the complex history of the wealth it stewards and believes this history imposes a responsibility to use its grantmaking diligently in the service of the public good.
Grantmaking
The Foundation makes grants to support original projects with high expected return to society that are led by outstanding individuals or teams and for which funding from the private sector, government, or other foundations is not yet widely available.
Grant Range
$98,000
Ready to take the next step with Alfred P Sloan Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily on California, New York, and Massachusetts.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $2.17 billion
- Total Revenue: $189 million
- Total Expenses: $110 million
- Total Liabilities: $105 million
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $2.12 billion
- Total Revenue: $118.4 million
- Total Expenses: $119.2 million
The Foundation has maintained tax-exempt status since February 1934 (EIN: 13-1623877).
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $2,173,558,178 | $2,116,962,267 | $2,056,912,312 |
| Revenue | $189,111,556 | $118,438,028 | $118,541,925 |
| Expenses | $109,585,787 | $119,175,597 | $110,822,424 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $104,675,446 | $103,083,683 | $104,108,839 |
| Net Investment Income | $124,089,849 | $68,124,700 | $73,451,677 |
| Distributable Amount | $105,092,422 | $102,059,746 | $104,476,627 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
13 open opportunities from Alfred P Sloan Foundation
Alfred P. Sloan Economics Grant Program
ALFRED P SLOAN FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Research Fellowship Grant
ALFRED P SLOAN FOUNDATION
Amount
US $75,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Alfred P. Sloan Foundation: Exploratory Grantmaking in Technology Grant
ALFRED P SLOAN FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Key Personnel:
- Adam Falk – Trustee/President
- Frederick Henderson – Trustee/Chairman
- Ruth Brenner – Treasurer/Secretary/Senior Vice President Finance & Operations
Board of Trustees:
- Cynthia Barnhart
- Bonnie L Bassler
- Francine Berman
- Judith Chevalier
- Thad Hill
- Paul Jacobson
- Ray Jayawardhana
- Jeff Knight
- Michael Purugganan
- Valerie Smith
- Susan Tierney
The Foundation employs approximately 37–38 staff members.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADAM FALK | TRUSTEE/PRESIDENT | 40 | $1,210,275 |
| RUTH BRENNER | TREASURER/SECRETARY/SR VP FINANCE & OP | 40 | $552,275 |
| CYNTHIA BARNHART | TRUSTEE | 2 | $25,000 |
| BONNIE L BASSLER | TRUSTEE | 2 | $25,000 |
| FRANCINE BERMAN | TRUSTEE | 2 | $25,000 |
| JUDITH CHEVALIER | TRUSTEE | 2 | $31,500 |
| FREDERICK HENDERSON | TRUSTEE/CHAIRMAN | 4 | $37,500 |
| THAD HILL | TRUSTEE (AS OF JULY 2024) | 2 | $10,000 |
| PAUL JACOBSON | TRUSTEE | 2 | $32,000 |
| RAY JAYAWARDHANA | TRUSTEE | 2 | $25,000 |
| JEFF KNIGHT | TRUSTEE | 2 | $34,500 |
| MICHAEL PURUGGANAN | TRUSTEE | 2 | $25,000 |
| VALERIE SMITH | TRUSTEE | 2 | $25,000 |
| SUSAN TIERNEY | TRUSTEE | 2 | $29,000 |
| DIANA WAGNER | TRUSTEE | 2 | $29,000 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Foundation has announced recent grantees and initiatives including:
2025 grantees from the Energy System Interactions RFP
Announcing the 2025 Grantees from the Energy System Interactions ...Investment in early-career scholarship on AI and scientific research
Grants supporting the Sloan Digital Sky Survey V (SDSS-V) for astrophysical research
2026 Sloan Research FellowsSupport for residential energy research expansion and diversification
Collaboration with the Sundance Institute on Science in Film initiatives
Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and Sundance Institute Name Winners of ...Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Launa Beuhler Foundation for
BROOKLYN, NY
Assets
$2K
Grants
4
Total Given
$20K
Uw E J Madden Mem Open Hearts Club 10-214880
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$1.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$307K
Hindy's Foundation
BROOKLYN, NY
Assets
$142K
Grants
8
Total Given
$225K
Jeanne & Thomas Hardy Family Foundation
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$3K
Grants
3
Total Given
$3K
Ramsleg Foundation
BRIGHTWATERS, NY
Assets
$543
Grants
1
Total Given
$500
Druckenmiller Foundation
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$1.8B
Grants
58
Total Given
$135.7M
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Alfred P Sloan Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities