The Cornell University Foundation is a donor-advised fund based in Ithaca, New York, that provides charitable giving services for Cornell University alumni and friends. Established in 1986, it functions as a supporting organization of Cornell University and operates as a public charity under 501(c)(3) status. The foundation facilitates thoughtful, informed charitable decisions by allowing contributors to make grants to various causes while receiving tax benefits.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$185.6M
+5.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$13.3M
-44.7% YoY
Grant Count
64
-27.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$207K
-24.0% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Cornell University Foundation provides a service for Cornell alumni and friends who wish to make charitable gifts through the structure of a donor-advised fund. The organization provides allocations to Cornell University and other charitable organizations.
Primary funding focus areas include:
- Education
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
- Human Services
- Arts and Creative Writing
- Historic Buildings
Grantmaking
Notable grants made in 2024 include:
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's grant-making focuses primarily on New York, California, and Massachusetts.
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (2024):
- Total assets: $185,600,925
- Total revenues: $18,772,800
- Total expenses: $14,835,161
- Average grant amount: Data not specified in sources
- Median grant amount: Data not specified in sources
Financial Rating: The foundation received an 85% score from Charity Navigator, earning a Three-Star rating. This score reflects strong performance in accountability and finance, with the organization demonstrating adherence to rigorous standards including comprehensive financial statements and absence of material asset diversion.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $185,600,925 | $176,829,852 | $167,185,531 |
| Revenue | $18,772,800 | $40,953,921 | $18,329,237 |
| Expenses | $14,835,161 | $25,513,764 | $28,449,495 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $10,391,537 | $11,173,664 | $989,653 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Cornell University ($9,233,114), Tumblehome Inc ($800,000), Ymca of the Capital District ($500,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| CORNELL UNIVERSITY | IN FURTHERANCE OF THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION | $9,233,114 |
| TUMBLEHOME INC | IN FURTHERANCE OF THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION | $800,000 |
| YMCA OF THE CAPITAL DISTRICT | IN FURTHERANCE OF THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION | $500,000 |
| SARATOGA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER INC | IN FURTHERANCE OF THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION | $350,000 |
| SKIDMORE COLLEGE | IN FURTHERANCE OF THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION | $302,500 |
| ST PETER'S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | IN FURTHERANCE OF THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION | $250,000 |
| UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO FOUNDATION | IN FURTHERANCE OF THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION | $150,000 |
| STEM NEXT OPPORTUNITY FUND | IN FURTHERANCE OF THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION | $150,000 |
| BRUNSWICK SCHOOL INC | IN FURTHERANCE OF THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION | $120,000 |
| VENTANA SCHOOL | IN FURTHERANCE OF THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION | $120,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| NELSON SCHAENEN JR | TRUSTEE | 0.3 | — |
| DAVID C COSTINE | TRUSTEE | 0.3 | — |
| TRACY CARY | TRUSTEE | 0.3 | — |
| CARINE HAILS | TRUSTEE | 0.3 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Recent philanthropic activity at Cornell University includes significant gifts facilitated through donor networks:
Largest gift in university history names Cornell David A. Duffield CollegeA $371.5 million gift from billionaire alumnus David Duffield, the largest gift in Cornell University's history, which names the David A. Duffield College of Engineering
Largest gift in university history names Cornell David A. Duffield CollegeA $15 million grant boosting postdoctoral research across four colleges
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Cornell University Foundation fund?
The Cornell University Foundation provides a service for Cornell alumni and friends who wish to make charitable gifts through the structure of a donor-advised fund. The organization provides allocations to Cornell University and other charitable organizations. Primary funding focus areas include: • Education • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking • Human Services • Arts and Creative Writing • Historic Buildings
How do I apply for a grant from Cornell University Foundation?
**Financial Scale:** • Total assets: $185,600,925 (as of 2024) • Total giving: $13,553,754 (most recent fiscal year) • Typical award range: $5,360 to $18,024,112 **Recent Grant Activity:** Notable grants made in 2024 include: • Cornell University: $9,233,114 • Tumblehome: $800,000 • CDYMCA: $500,000 **Application Process:** Donors with Cornell University Foundation Donor-Advised Fund accounts can make grants through an online form. Grants must be made to organizations that are tax-exempt under …
Where does Cornell University Foundation make grants?
The foundation's grant-making focuses primarily on New York, California, and Massachusetts.
What size grants does Cornell University Foundation award?
In 2024, Cornell University Foundation awarded 64 grants totaling $13.3M — an average of about $207K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Cornell University Foundation's EIN?
Cornell University Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 22-2848738. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Cornell University Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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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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