Chuck Noll Foundation for Brain Injury Research
The Chuck Noll Foundation is a Pittsburgh-based public charity, listed as a Form 990 filer, that awards grants for research on brain injuries occurring primarily in sports activities. Its stated work also includes supporting education related to brain injuries and sports-related concussions.
Chuck Noll Foundation for Brain Injury Research at a glance
In short: Chuck Noll Foundation for Brain Injury Research gave $875K across 10 grants in 2025 (avg $88K), mostly in Pennsylvania. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $875,000
- +38.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 10
- +66.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $87,500
- -16.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $75,000
- Total assets
- $3,240,973
- +6.9% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (91% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Chuck Noll Foundation for Brain Injury Research
- Contact
Mailing address: 3400 South Water Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203
Phone: (412) 432-7800
Website: https://chucknollfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Chuck Noll Foundation for Brain Injury Research
Early Career Researcher Grants
Chuck Noll Foundation for Brain Injury Research
Amount
$125,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Early Career Researcher Grants
Chuck Noll Foundation for Brain Injury Research
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Innovative Research Program
Chuck Noll Foundation for Brain Injury Research
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Chuck Noll Foundation for Brain Injury Research funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
26 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 15 grants of 26 (58%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Innovative Research Program is described as having a United States and international scope. In 2025, 91% of grant dollars went to recipients in Pennsylvania, 6% to West Virginia, and 3% to Missouri.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 10 itemized grants.
Cities
How Chuck Noll Foundation for Brain Injury Research gives
- Giving grew 93% from 2022 to 2025. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $379K (2021) to $875K (2025). In 2025 it made 10 grants totaling $875K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 10 grants to individuals Recipients not named | — | $875,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $3,240,973 | $1,291,023 | $1,249,176 | $875,000 | 10 | $120,230 |
| 2024 | $3,031,258 | $1,951,779 | $983,155 | $630,000 | 6 | $90,471 |
| 2023 | $2,118,391 | $1,064,817 | $987,096 | $600,000 | 2 | $55,912 |
| 2022 | $1,722,448 | $1,154,701 | $802,408 | $452,589 | 4 | $20,974 |
| 2021 | $1,180,509 | $349,715 | $633,485 | $379,100 | 4 | $24,616 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is to address the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of brain injuries occurring primarily in sports activities, chiefly by providing grants to nonprofit tax-exempt organizations for brain injury research. It also describes supporting research and education related to brain injuries and treatment of sports-related concussions.
Its website says it makes grants only to organizations designated by the IRS as 501(c)(3) nonprofits; it also describes fiscal sponsorship as an option. Research priorities include sports-related brain injury and concussion, including prevention, diagnosis, treatment, neuroimaging and biomarkers, and innovative treatment approaches. The foundation also accepts requests for related educational activities such as seminars, symposiums, and publications.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 10 grants totaling $875,000. Individual grants ranged from $25,000 to $300,000, with a median of $75,000. All 10 itemized grants were designated for brain injury research. The largest awards were $300,000 to UPMC–The University of Pittsburgh for Dr. Mandal’s research, $125,000 to Carnegie Mellon University for Dr. Mahon’s research, and $100,000 each to UPMC–The University of Pittsburgh for Kraig Smith’s research and to Pennsylvania State University for Dr. Kraft’s research. Other 2025 recipients included West Virginia University, Barnes Jewish Hospital–Washington University in St. Louis, and additional UPMC–The University of Pittsburgh researchers.
The foundation’s website describes a review process in which its National Science Advisory Committee reviews and scores proposals, with awards approved by the board. Its 2024 request for proposals invited research proposals on prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of brain trauma applicable to sports injuries. That cycle’s deadline was September 17, 2024, and is past. The guidelines for that cycle called for a 5–10 page proposal in PDF format with a cover page identifying the research, investigators, institution, and grant manager, and describing the research purpose, relevance, and proposed use of funds. The foundation stated that it would not fund indirect costs. Its filing narrative says that recipients of multiyear grants must submit progress reports before additional payments are made.
The website also describes early-career awards for researchers within five years of completing a PhD or equivalent, postdoctoral fellowship, or— for MDs—residency. Current postdoctoral fellows may apply. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to brain injury research and be affiliated with an accredited research institution in the Pittsburgh region. Indirect costs are not funded.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Arthur J. Rooney II as director and president; Tony Quatrini as director and secretary; Merrill Hoge, Jerome Bettis, John Siebart, Dusty Elias Kirk, Russ Swank, and Tracy Warden as directors; John Denny as executive director; and Robert Denove as treasurer.
Chuck Noll Foundation for Brain Injury Research is led by Arthur J. Rooney II, Director & President on every filing since 2021; none of the 11 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Arthur J. Rooney II
Director & President
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Denny
Executive Director
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dusty Elias Kirk
Director
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Siebart
Director
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Merrill Hoge
Director
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tony Quatrini
Director & Secretary
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jerome Bettis
Director
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Russ Swank
Director
On filings since 2024
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tracy Warden
Director
On filings since 2024
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert Denove
Treasurer
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Douglas K. Stuver
Assistant Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Robert J. Tyler Jr. (2021) — Assistant Secretary & Treasurer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Chuck Noll Foundation for Brain Injury Research
How much does Chuck Noll Foundation for Brain Injury Research give each year?
Chuck Noll Foundation for Brain Injury Research gave $875K across 10 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $630K across 6 grants.
What is Chuck Noll Foundation for Brain Injury Research's typical grant size?
Chuck Noll Foundation for Brain Injury Research's median grant in 2025 was $75,000, and its average grant was $87,500, across 10 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Chuck Noll Foundation for Brain Injury Research give grants?
Chuck Noll Foundation for Brain Injury Research gives mostly in Pennsylvania: 91% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was West Virginia (6%).
Does Chuck Noll Foundation for Brain Injury Research give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 10 grants with a stated purpose on Chuck Noll Foundation for Brain Injury Research's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Brain Injury Research" (10 grants).
How large is Chuck Noll Foundation for Brain Injury Research?
Chuck Noll Foundation for Brain Injury Research reported $3.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.3M.
What does Chuck Noll Foundation for Brain Injury Research fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to address the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of brain injuries occurring primarily in sports activities, chiefly by providing grants to nonprofit tax-exempt organizations for brain injury research. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Chuck Noll Foundation for Brain Injury Research?
Chuck Noll Foundation for Brain Injury Research has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check chucknollfoundation.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Chuck Noll Foundation for Brain Injury Research's EIN?
Chuck Noll Foundation for Brain Injury Research's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-3755463. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 11, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS January 12, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS February 16, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS March 4, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS March 9, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Live grants for the work Chuck Noll Foundation for Brain Injury Research funds
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