Coherent II-VI Foundation
Coherent II-VI Foundation is a private foundation based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Its programs support students pursuing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), including undergraduate scholarships and graduate-level research support.
Coherent II-VI Foundation at a glance
In short: Coherent II-VI Foundation gave $1.4M across 51 grants in 2024 (avg $27K), top state Illinois. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,394,714
- -19.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 51
- -8.9% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $27,347
- -12.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $8,842,260
- +18.9% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Illinois (23% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Coherent II-VI Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The 2024 filing lists Richard W. Purnell as the application contact and says to see an attached sheet for forms and materials. The foundation states that it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Its stated scholarship restriction is that awards are intended for qualified high-school applicants in locations where Coherent Corp. maintains a plant or manufacturing facility.
- Review Cycle
- July 15.
- Deadline
- July 15.
- Contact
Application contact: Richard W Purnell
Mailing address: 321 Foxcroft Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15220
Phone: (412) 996-5236
Email: rpurnell@co26fdn.org
Website: https://coherent.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Coherent II-VI Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was University of Illinois ($109K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $964K.
Organizations only. It also paid 37 individual scholarships ($350,500), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
268 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 206 grants of 268 (77%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 grant dollars were distributed among recipients in multiple states. The largest state shares were Illinois (23%), New York (21%), Pennsylvania (13%), Ohio (12%), and Michigan (8%). The foundation’s stated scholarship restriction refers to high-school applicants in locations where Coherent Corp. maintains a plant or manufacturing facility.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 51 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Coherent II-VI Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−17%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 183% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.3M (2020) to $2.0M (2022). In 2024 it made 51 grants totaling $1.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| University of Buffalo a Albany, NY | Block Gift | $95,000 |
| University of Buffalo B Albany, NY | Block Gift | $95,000 |
| University of California Santa Barb Santa Barbara, CA | Block Gift | $95,000 |
| University of Chicago Chicago, IL | Block Gift | $95,000 |
| University of Illinois Chicago, IL | Block Gift | $95,000 |
| University of Illinois Urbana Champ Chicago, IL | Block Gift | $95,000 |
| University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI | Block Gift | $95,000 |
| The Ohio State University Columbus, OH | Block Gift | $95,000 |
| University of Rochester Rochester, NY | Block Gift | $95,000 |
| University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX | Block Gift | $95,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Coherent II-VI Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $8,842,260 | $3,973,500 | $1,899,036 | $1,394,714 | 51 | $1,805,145 | $2,764,182 | $983,909 |
| 2023 | $7,437,681 | $2,182,971 | $2,217,275 | $1,739,870 | 56 | $2,150,977 | $816,908 | $657,501 |
| 2022 | $7,816,011 | $2,805,081 | $2,505,579 | $1,974,199 | 61 | $478,151 | $1,722,338 | $883,971 |
| 2021 | $8,787,833 | $1,507,974 | $2,198,018 | $1,677,588 | 52 | $424,095 | $442,196 | $1,219,510 |
| 2020 | $8,948,236 | $2,844,205 | $1,801,438 | $1,293,392 | 48 | — | $2,750,432 | $856,292 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Coherent II-VI Foundation reported a distributable amount of $984K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is to encourage and enable students to pursue careers in STEM while maintaining a standard of excellence. Its two primary programs are undergraduate student scholarships and block gifts for graduate students. The foundation has also described support for mini-conferences, early education initiatives, and postdoctoral fellowships.
In 2024, it made block-gift grants to universities and other institutions. Among the grantees described in their own words, the University of Chicago says its mission is to sustain excellence in communicating and creating knowledge and fostering a community of scholars and students. The University of Rochester describes its mission as providing higher education, research, and charitable patient care services. The Ohio State University describes its mission as cultivating an engaged Buckeye alumni community, while the University of Michigan grantee’s stated mission is to represent and advocate for its member physicians.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 51 grants totaling $1,394,714. Grant amounts ranged from $5,000 to $95,000, with a median of $10,000. Its largest listed grants included $95,000 each to the University of Buffalo A, University of Buffalo B, University of California Santa Barbara, University of Chicago, University of Illinois, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Michigan, The Ohio State University, University of Rochester, and University of Texas at Austin. Each was designated as a “BLOCK GIFT.”
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Richard W. Purnell as executive director; Carl J. Johnson as chairman emeritus and director; Marc Y. E. Pelaez as chairman and director; Elgin Eissler and J. D. Brookhart as directors; Holly S. McCann as secretary; and Young Kai Chen as director.
Coherent II-VI Foundation is led by Richard W. Purnell, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 1 of 7 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Richard W. Purnell
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$246K (2020) → $201K (2024)
Marc Y. E. Pelaez
Chairman & Director
Director → Chairman & Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Carl J. Johnson
Chairman Emeritus & Director
Chairman & Director → Chairman Emeritus & Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Elgin Eissler
Director
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
J. D. Brookhart
Director
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Young Kai Chen
Director
On filings since 2023
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Holly S. McCann Esquire
Secretary
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $201K, to Richard W Purnell (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Coherent II-VI Foundation
How much does Coherent II-VI Foundation give each year?
Coherent II-VI Foundation gave $1.4M across 51 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.7M across 56 grants.
What is Coherent II-VI Foundation's typical grant size?
Coherent II-VI Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $27,347, across 51 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Coherent II-VI Foundation give grants?
Coherent II-VI Foundation's top state is Illinois, with 23% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were New York (21%) and Pennsylvania (13%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (4 grants) and Albany, NY (2 grants).
Does Coherent II-VI Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 51 grants with a stated purpose on Coherent II-VI Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Scholarship" (37 grants) and "Block Gift" (13 grants).
Who are Coherent II-VI Foundation's largest grantees?
Coherent II-VI Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include University of Illinois ($108,664 across 2 grants), University of Buffalo a ($95,000) and University of Buffalo B ($95,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 37 individual scholarships ($350,500), which are not listed by name. Together they received 21% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Coherent II-VI Foundation?
Coherent II-VI Foundation reported $8.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.8M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $984K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Coherent II-VI Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to encourage and enable students to pursue careers in STEM while maintaining a standard of excellence. Its two primary programs are undergraduate student scholarships and block gifts for graduate students. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Coherent II-VI Foundation?
The 2024 filing lists Richard W. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Coherent II-VI Foundation's EIN?
Coherent II-VI Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-8824719. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Coherent II-VI Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD
Johns Hopkins University funds a broad range of education, research, health, and community-related work, with 2025 grants ranging from $5,500 to nearly $95 million and a median of $100,000; many of the largest awards were sub-awards. Its grants went to organizations across the U.S., with the largest shares in California and Maryland, and the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$25.3B
Grants
813
Total Given
$594.1M
The Simons Foundation Inc
New York, NY
The Simons Foundation funds research and public engagement in mathematics and the physical, life, autism, and neuroscience sciences. In 2024, it made 1,727 grants, with a median award of $72,000 and amounts ranging from $1,480 to $20 million, supporting organizations in the U.S. and internationally. It states that it funds only preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$4.5B
Grants
1,727
Total Given
$272.0M
American Chemical Society
Washington, DC
The American Chemical Society funds chemistry research, education, scholarships, fellowships, student activities, and related projects through programs for researchers, institutions, educators, students, and ACS groups. In 2024, grants ranged from $5,200 to $504,691, with a median of $31,252; funding supports U.S. and international research, though some programs are limited to U.S.-based applicants. The profile does not state whether ACS accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$2.2B
Grants
341
Total Given
$22.4M
American Heart Association Inc
Dallas, TX
The American Heart Association funds basic, clinical, behavioral, translational and population research on cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and brain health, along with research training and education programs. In 2025 it awarded 833 grants totaling about $198 million; amounts ranged from $5,000 to nearly $9.93 million, with a median of $20,000. Research awards are for eligible U.S.-based nonprofit institutions, and the profile describes a formal proposal process but does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$2.0B
Grants
833
Total Given
$198.2M
The David and Lucile Packard Foundation
Los Altos, CA
The David and Lucile Packard Foundation funds charitable organizations working on just societies, healthy families and communities, and a healthy natural world, including climate solutions, ocean conservation, and science. Its 2024 grants had a median of $150,000, and half of grant dollars went to California recipients. It accepts unsolicited requests, but less than 1% of its grants come from them.
Assets
$8.5B
Grants
1,029
Total Given
$350.0M
The Pittsburgh Foundation
Pittsburgh, PA
The Pittsburgh Foundation funds nonprofits working in basic needs, equity and social justice, environmental action, arts and culture, and economic mobility, with most opportunities for organizations in Allegheny County or primarily serving its residents. Its 2024 grants had a median amount of about $18,600, though awards varied widely. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.5B
Grants
1,132
Total Given
$64.0M
More similar funders
More Funders in Pennsylvania
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Coherent II-VI Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/coherent-ii-vi-foundation-morg_a7e83b2c1ad04653ad059badc4fd8db1
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_208824719_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Coherent II-VI Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/coherent-ii-vi-foundation-morg_a7e83b2c1ad04653ad059badc4fd8db1},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Coherent II-VI Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Coherent II-VI Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?