Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences
Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences is a private foundation, based in Washington, DC. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $1.5M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 8 grants totaling $9.0M. Net investment income was $217K.
Key facts about Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences
In short: Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences gave $9.0M across 8 grants in 2025 (avg $1.1M), mostly in District of Columbia. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 46-2026488
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $8,988,012
- Grants made (2025)
- 8
- Average grant
- $1,123,502
- Median grant
- $600,000
- Total assets
- $1,458,740
- Primary geography
- District of Columbia (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$1.5M
-30.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$9.0M
-0.1% YoY
Grant Count
8
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$1.1M
-0.1% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences reported a distributable amount of $304K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
How Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+0%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences
Ready to take the next step with Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 8 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $7.5M (2023) to $12.0M (2021). In 2025 it made 8 grants totaling $9.0M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 8 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was David Liu ($3.0M). Together the top 8 received $9.0M.
Grant Size Distribution
31 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $1–5M range: 26 grants of 31 (84%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| David Liu Washington, DC | 2025 Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences | $3,000,000 |
| Stephen Hauser Washington, DC | 2025 Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences | $1,500,000 |
| Alberto Ascherio Washington, DC | 2025 Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences | $1,500,000 |
| Jens Juul Holst Washington, DC | 2025 Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences | $600,000 |
| Lotte Bjerre Knudsen Washington, DC | 2025 Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences | $600,000 |
| Joel Habener Washington, DC | 2025 Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences | $600,000 |
| Svetlana Mojsov Washington, DC | 2025 Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences | $600,000 |
| Daniel Drucker Washington, DC | 2025 Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences | $588,012 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,458,740 | $2,087,974 | $3,421,698 |
| Revenue | $12,849,255 | $12,748,204 | $14,846,831 |
| Expenses | $14,033,691 | $14,196,204 | $13,751,137 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $13,663,550 | $14,179,128 | $12,188,783 |
| Net Investment Income | $217,255 | $244,204 | $2,605 |
| Distributable Amount | $303,919 | $345,171 | $210,088 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS April 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS April 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS April 18, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 15, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 13, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences is led by Yuri B. Milner, Director & President on every filing since 2020; 2 of 8 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Yuri B. Milner
Director & President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Simon Peter Worden
Foundation Chairman
On filings since 2020
7 hrs/week
$35K (2020) → $57K (2025)
Huda Zoghbi
Director & Board Chairman
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Karl Johansson
Director
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
$15K (2020) → $11K (2025)
Anne Wojcicki
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Breck Hancock
Director & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark Zuckerberg
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James A. Hutchinson
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Cornelia Bargmann (2020–2022) — Director & Board Chairman
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $57K, to Simon Peter Worden (Foundation Chairman). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences
How much does Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences give each year?
Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences gave $9.0M across 8 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $9.0M across 8 grants.
What is Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences's typical grant size?
Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences's median grant in 2025 was $600,000, and its average grant was $1,123,502, across 8 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences give grants?
Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences gives mostly in District of Columbia: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (8 grants).
Does Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 8 grants with a stated purpose on Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "2025 Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences" (8 grants).
Who are Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences's largest grantees?
Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences's largest 2025 grantees include David Liu ($3,000,000), Stephen Hauser ($1,500,000) and Alberto Ascherio ($1,500,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 67% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences?
Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences reported $1.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $13.7M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $304K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences's EIN?
Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-2026488. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Here's the math on researching Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
NCRC Community Development Fund Inc
Washington, DC
NCRC Community Development Fund supports affordable housing and homeownership, small businesses—especially minority-owned, women-owned, and low-income businesses—and certain nonprofit programs that provide capital or services to underserved communities. Its listed awards range from $5,000 to $50,000, though typical giving is not stated; it serves communities across the U.S., with some programs focused on Illinois. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$55.6M
Grants
2,666
Total Given
$149.3M
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
Washington, DC
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation funds competitive projects that conserve or restore fish, wildlife, plants, and habitats, including habitat restoration, species recovery, and coastal and watershed resilience; it does not fund advocacy or litigation. It works across all 50 states and U.S. territories, with a 2024 median grant of $81,584 and awards ranging from $5,169 to $29 million. Applications are made through specific grant programs and their requests for proposals; whether unsolicited requests are accepted is not stated.
Assets
$3.6B
Grants
1,286
Total Given
$464.4M
Greater Washington Community Foundation
Washington, DC
The Greater Washington Community Foundation supports nonprofits and community initiatives across areas including education, health, human services, arts, economic development, and workforce development, with a focus on equity and economic justice. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,000 to $9.1 million, with a median of $20,000; it centers its work on DC, Montgomery and Prince George’s counties, and Northern Virginia. It accepts applications through scheduled competitive grant rounds and some solicited, invite-only opportunities; donor-recommended grants are not open to applicants.
Assets
$518.3M
Grants
1,417
Total Given
$116.9M
Corporation for Public Broadcasting
Washington, DC
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting supported public radio and television stations, programming, infrastructure, and related services across the United States. Its 2026 grants had a median of $22,300, though awards ranged widely; CPB’s 2025 filing was marked as its final return, and the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
—
Grants
555
Total Given
$175.8M
AARP
Washington, DC
AARP funds organizations working on aging-related issues, including technology access, caregiving, legal services, research, and community programs. Its 2024 grants ranged from $5,020 to $7.4 million, with a median of $15,000; reported grant dollars were concentrated in New York, Washington, DC, and Colorado. The profile does not state whether AARP accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$13.1B
Grants
688
Total Given
$35.8M
City First Enterprises Inc
Washington, DC
City First Enterprises supports affordable housing, small businesses, nonprofits, commercial real estate, clean energy, and homeownership through lending and some grant programs, primarily in the Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia region. Its typical grant size is not specified; one DC-administered program offers eligible businesses up to $500,000 in down-payment assistance. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$86.3M
Grants
2
Total Given
$769K
Frontstream Global Fund
Washington, DC
FrontStream Global Fund distributes donations raised through workplace giving, corporate philanthropy, and other fundraising activities to donor-designated IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) charities across the United States. Its 2025 grants had a median of $13,714 and ranged from $5,003 to $358,589. It distributes funds according to donor recommendations; unsolicited requests are not addressed in the information provided.
Assets
$421K
Grants
556
Total Given
$13.4M
Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America
Washington, DC
PhRMA funds advocacy, public education, and health-related organizations and initiatives aligned with its biopharmaceutical policy goals; its 2024 grants had a median of $20,000, though amounts varied widely. Grants went mainly to organizations in Washington, DC, Connecticut, California, Virginia, and New York. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$349.0M
Grants
461
Total Given
$41.4M
The Pew Charitable Trusts
Washington, DC
The Pew Charitable Trusts funds evidence-based work in public policy, research, health, communities, civic life, and conservation, with a particular commitment to Philadelphia and grants across the United States and internationally. Its 2025 median grant was $75,000, though awards ranged widely; applications are invited through specific opportunities, but the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests generally.
Assets
$1.5B
Grants
535
Total Given
$140.6M
National Children's Alliance Inc
Washington, DC
National Children’s Alliance funds Children’s Advocacy Centers, multidisciplinary teams, and state chapters to build or expand services for children affected by abuse, including equipment and technology needs. Its 2024 grants ranged from $5,131 to $375,352, with a median of $34,579, and support organizations at the state and local levels across the United States. It solicits applications through RFPs and an online process; equipment and technology applications are accepted on a rolling basis while funding is available.
Assets
$17.2M
Grants
458
Total Given
$24.4M
The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz
Washington, DC
The Cafritz Foundation funds 501(c)(3) public charities serving the District of Columbia, Prince George’s or Montgomery Counties, Arlington or Fairfax Counties, or Alexandria or Falls Church, in arts and humanities, community services, education, environment, and health. Its 2025 grants ranged from $100 to $1.2 million, with a median of $35,000, and it accepts unsolicited requests for general operating and project support; capital requests require an invitation.
Assets
$636.1M
Grants
451
Total Given
$23.7M
More Funders in District of Columbia
Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences down — hundreds of funders to go?