Cornell University Foundation
The Cornell University Foundation is a public charity based in Ithaca, New York. Formed in 1986, it is a donor-advised fund that provides a service for Cornell alumni and friends who wish to make charitable gifts through a donor-advised fund. It provides allocations to Cornell University and other charitable organizations.
Cornell University Foundation at a glance
In short: Cornell University Foundation gave $20.8M across 78 grants in 2025 (avg $266K). 47% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $20,750,672
- +56.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 78
- +21.9% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $266,034
- +28.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $27,500
- Total assets
- $198,346,615
- +6.9% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 47% first-time grantees (37 of 78, 2025)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Cornell University Foundation
- Contact
Mailing address: 130 East Seneca St 400, Ithaca, NY 14850
Phone: (607) 254-1550
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Cornell University Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Cornell University ($12.1M). Together the top 10 received $17.5M.
Grant Size Distribution
455 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 278 grants of 455 (61%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2025 filing reports that 100% of grant dollars went to recipients in an unspecified state.
Is Cornell University Foundation open to new grantees?
47%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 37 of 78 grantees (47%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $66K; repeat grants $446K. How we count
Medians: $15K first-time, $45K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $13.3M (2024) to $48.3M (2021). In 2025 it made 78 grants totaling $20.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Cornell University | In Furtherance of the Organization's Tax Exempt Mission | $12,072,105 |
| Massachusetts General Hospital | In Furtherance of the Organization's Tax Exempt Mission | $1,345,000 |
| STEM Next Opportunity Fund | In Furtherance of the Organization's Tax Exempt Mission | $850,000 |
| Tumblehome Inc | In Furtherance of the Organization's Tax Exempt Mission | $800,000 |
| Saratoga Performing Arts Center Inc | In Furtherance of the Organization's Tax Exempt Mission | $750,000 |
| YMCA of the Capitol District | In Furtherance of the Organization's Tax Exempt Mission | $500,000 |
| Skidmore College | In Furtherance of the Organization's Tax Exempt Mission | $352,500 |
| Saratoga County Arts Council Inc | In Furtherance of the Organization's Tax Exempt Mission | $300,000 |
| Hudson Headwaters Health Network | In Furtherance of the Organization's Tax Exempt Mission | $275,000 |
| Glens Falls Hospital Foundation | In Furtherance of the Organization's Tax Exempt Mission | $250,000 |
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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 | $198,346,615 | $27,921,987 | $22,507,832 | $20,750,672 | 78 | $15,082,425 |
| 2024 | $185,600,925 | $18,772,800 | $14,835,161 | $13,272,407 | 64 | $10,391,537 |
| 2023 | $176,829,852 | $40,953,921 | $25,513,764 | $24,011,780 | 88 | $11,173,664 |
| 2022 | $167,185,531 | $18,329,237 | $28,449,495 | $27,008,599 | 106 | $989,653 |
| 2021 | $179,755,016 | $29,213,548 | $50,034,952 | $48,294,483 | 119 | $19,359,710 |
| 2020 | $167,213,316 | $39,071,947 | $33,365,879 | $32,805,104 | 119 | $4,109,677 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is to provide a donor-advised fund service for Cornell alumni and friends who wish to make charitable gifts through that structure. Its filing describes allocations to Cornell University and other charitable organizations. The foundation states that staff verify recipients’ 501(c)(3) status, but that it has no procedure to monitor how grant funds are used in the United States.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 78 grants totaling $20,750,672. Grant amounts ranged from $5,600 to $12,072,105, with a median of $27,500. The largest grant was $12,072,105 to Cornell University. Other large grants included $1,345,000 to Massachusetts General Hospital, $850,000 to STEM Next Opportunity Fund, $800,000 to Tumblehome Inc., and $750,000 to Saratoga Performing Arts Center Inc. The listed grants were described as being in furtherance of the organization’s tax-exempt mission.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Nelson Schaenen Jr., David C Costine, Tracy Cary, and Carine Hails as trustees.
Cornell University Foundation's 2025 filing lists 4 officers; none of the 4 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
David C. Costine
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nelson Schaenen Jr.
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tracy Cary
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Carine Hails
Trustee
On filings since 2023
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Wendell L. Bryce (2020–2023) — Trustee
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.
Frequently asked questions about Cornell University Foundation
How much does Cornell University Foundation give each year?
Cornell University Foundation gave $20.8M across 78 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $13.3M across 64 grants.
What is Cornell University Foundation's typical grant size?
Cornell University Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $27,500, and its average grant was $266,034, across 78 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Cornell University Foundation that year got $66K on average.
Who are Cornell University Foundation's largest grantees?
Cornell University Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Cornell University ($12,072,105), Massachusetts General Hospital ($1,345,000) and STEM Next Opportunity Fund ($850,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 69% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Cornell University Foundation?
Cornell University Foundation reported $198.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $27.9M.
What does Cornell University Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to provide a donor-advised fund service for Cornell alumni and friends who wish to make charitable gifts through that structure. Its filing describes allocations to Cornell University and other charitable organizations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Cornell University Foundation?
Cornell University Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
Where does Cornell University Foundation make grants?
The 2025 filing reports that 100% of grant dollars went to recipients in an unspecified state.
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 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 13, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 12, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 12, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 14, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 1, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 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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Figures come from Cornell University 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.
Cornell University Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?