Blavatnik Family Foundation 2020
The Blavatnik Family Foundation is a private, independent 501(c)(3) foundation established in 2018 and based in New York City. The foundation was created by Sir Leonard Blavatnik, founder and chairman of Access Industries, a global investment group. The foundation advances innovation, discovery, and creativity to create a better world through strategic philanthropic investments.
Financial Overview
From 2022 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
-100.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$62.7M
-44.5% YoY
Grant Count
50
-58.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$1.3M
+32.0% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Blavatnik Family Foundation 2020 reported a distributable amount of $437K for 2022 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission centers on the belief that science, education, arts and culture, and history hold the key to improving the human condition.
Primary funding areas include:
- Scientific Research & Discovery – Early-stage scientific research with potential to redefine human health
- Higher Education – Support for prestigious educational institutions and future leaders
- Arts and Culture – Promotion and preservation of world-class arts and cultural institutions
- Jewish Causes & History – Support for Jewish historical preservation and related organizations
- Humanitarian Relief & Social Justice – Aid to organizations serving underprivileged and marginalized communities
- Racial Justice – Arts, education, and criminal justice reform programs
Grantmaking
The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant proposals. However, it maintains an active grant program:
Grant Range
** Typical awards range from $130 to $18,575,000, with recent major gifts including a $25 million lead gift to establish the Blavatnik Center for Virtual Production at the USC School of Cinematic Arts.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds institutions and organizations in:
- New York
- Massachusetts
- District of Columbia
- United Kingdom
- Israel
- International humanitarian efforts (including Ukraine)
The foundation maintains a global perspective, supporting prestigious institutions across multiple countries while also supporting local organizations in the United States.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Blavatnik Family Foundation (EIN: 81-2444350)
- Total Assets (2023): $98.9 million
- Total Revenue (2023): $123 million
- Total Expenses (2023): $72.4 million
- Total Liabilities (2023): $1.15 million
- Total Giving (2024): $43.7 million
Blavatnik Family Foundation 2020 (EIN: 85-1345780)
- Total Assets: $0
- Total Giving (2022): $62.7 million
- Status: Filed final return as of 2022
| Metric | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | $65,220,111 |
| Revenue | $14,146 | $178,400,895 |
| Expenses | $65,234,257 | $113,180,784 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $62,743,235 | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | $178,391,895 |
| Distributable Amount | $437,253 | $6,149,624 |
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 2022
Grant Size Distribution
100 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2022 grants, the largest include National Philantropic Trust ($48,981,285), The New York Academy of Science ($5,200,917), WMG BFF Social Justice Fund ($1,408,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN BALLET THEATER NEW YORK, NY | SUPPORT FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS | $500,000 |
| ARTS CONNECTION INC NEW YORK, NY | support literacy, communication, creativity, collaboration and critical thinking THROUGH THE ARTS | $50,000 |
| COLEL CHABAD BROOKLYN, NY | SUPPORT FOR JEWISH COMMUNITY | $636,250 |
| AHA FOUNDATION INC New York, NY | support to end honor violence | $30,000 |
| ALVIN AILEY DANCE FOUNDATION Inc New York, NY | Support for the art of dance | $550,000 |
| AMERICA GIVES INC New York, NY | Supports and raises awareness of other charitable organizations and programs located in the United States, Israel, and other countries. | $150,000 |
| AMERICANS FOR OXFORD INC New York, NY | Support for education | $300,000 |
| Birthright Israel Foundation New York, NY | Supports Travel to Israel | $1,000,000 |
| CALIFORNIA FOOD AID INC Beverly Hills, CA | Supports Feeding Children | $5,000 |
| Charities Aid Foundation of America Alexandria, VA | Support for world issues | $80,019 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Sir Leonard Blavatnik – Founder
- Lady Emily Blavatnik – Co-Chair
- Alex Blavatnik – Senior Advisor
- Sir Michael Pakenham – Senior Advisor
- Peter Thoren – Executive Vice President, Head of Family Office
- Lisa Shields – Executive Vice President
Compensation Overview
From 2022 IRS filing
From 2022 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sigmund D Heller | Trustee | — | — |
| ALEXANDER BLAVATNIK | Trustee | — | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**Virtual Production Center at USC** – The foundation made a $25 million lead gift to establish the Blavatnik Center for Virtual Production at the USC School of Cinematic Arts, announced in June 2025. The 15,000 square foot center will feature two stages with wraparound LED panel walls, performance capture systems, camera tracking, lighting systems, classrooms, and labs equipped with real-time 3D design software.
The Warner Music Group / Blavatnik Family Foundation $100 Million Social**Social Justice Partnership** – Since 2020, the foundation has partnered with Warner Music Group to make grants for racial justice-focused arts, education, and criminal justice reform programs, expanding the foundation's support to include smaller organizations alongside its traditional focus on large, prestigious institutions.
The Warner Music Group / Blavatnik Family Foundation $100 Million Social**Humanitarian Support** – The foundation actively supports charitable organizations providing aid to displaced Ukrainians and humanitarian supplies to Israel.
**Ongoing Support** – The foundation maintains long-term support for organizations including the Fresh Air Fund (since 2014), Planned Parenthood, and other cultural and educational institutions globally.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Blavatnik Family Foundation 2020 fund?
The foundation's mission centers on the belief that science, education, arts and culture, and history hold the key to improving the human condition. Primary funding areas include: • **Scientific Research & Discovery** – Early-stage scientific research with potential to redefine human health • **Higher Education** – Support for prestigious educational institutions and future leaders • **Arts and Culture** – Promotion and preservation of world-class arts and cultural institutions • **Jewish Cause…
How do I apply for a grant from Blavatnik Family Foundation 2020?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant proposals. However, it maintains an active grant program: **Blavatnik National Awards for Young Scientists** – The foundation offers nominations-based awards for young scientists, with nominations accepted from invited institutions only. **Grant Range:** Typical awards range from $130 to $18,575,000, with recent major gifts including a $25 million lead gift to establish the Blavatnik Center for Virtual Production at the USC School of Cinematic Ar…
Where does Blavatnik Family Foundation 2020 make grants?
The foundation primarily funds institutions and organizations in: • New York • Massachusetts • District of Columbia • United Kingdom • Israel • International humanitarian efforts (including Ukraine) The foundation maintains a global perspective, supporting prestigious institutions across multiple countries while also supporting local organizations in the United States.
What size grants does Blavatnik Family Foundation 2020 award?
In 2022, Blavatnik Family Foundation 2020 awarded 50 grants totaling $62.7M — an average of about $1.3M per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Blavatnik Family Foundation 2020 required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2022, Blavatnik Family Foundation 2020 reported a distributable amount of $437K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Blavatnik Family Foundation 2020's EIN?
Blavatnik Family Foundation 2020's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 85-1345780. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2022.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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