Direct Relief
Direct Relief is a public charity based in Santa Barbara, California. Founded in 1948, it works to improve health and lives by mobilizing medical resources for people affected by poverty or emergency situations.
Direct Relief at a glance
In short: Direct Relief gave $337.4M across 1,367 grants in 2025 (avg $247K), top state South Carolina. 22% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $337,409,816
- -0.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 1,367
- +19.4% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $246,825
- -17.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $65,007
- Total assets
- $1,292,290,030
- +9.0% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 22% first-time grantees (287 of 1,299, 2025)
- Primary geography
- South Carolina (15% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- 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 Direct Relief
- Contact
Mailing address: 6100 Wallace Becknell Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93117
Phone: (805) 964-4767
Website: https://directrelief.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Direct Relief funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Welvista ($41.1M). Together the top 10 received $97.8M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($11,062), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
6,410 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 2,672 grants of 6,410 (42%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Direct Relief’s 2023 filing describes community health support in the United States and 92 other countries in fiscal year 2024, and disease prevention and treatment support in 53 countries. Its U.S. charitable medicine program serves community health centers and nonprofit clinics in all 50 states.
In 2025, the largest shares of reported grant dollars by recipient state went to South Carolina (15%), Texas (12%), North Carolina (10%), Florida (9%), and California (8%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 1,367 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Direct Relief open to new grantees?
22%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 287 of 1,299 grantees (22%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $113K; repeat grants $301K. How we count
Medians: $39K first-time, $80K 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 $241.7M (2022) to $349.3M (2023). In 2025 it made 1,367 grants totaling $337.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Welvista Columbia, SC | Support to us clinics & health centers for low-income, uninsured patients | $41,102,617 |
| NC Medassist Charlotte, NC | Support to us clinics & health centers for low-income, uninsured patients | $16,690,834 |
| St Vincent De Paul Pharmacy - Dallas Dallas, TX | Support to us clinics & health centers for low-income, uninsured patients | $10,850,115 |
| Communityhealth Chicago, IL | Support to us clinics & health centers for low-income, uninsured patients | $5,475,365 |
| Clinica Esperanza Hope Clinic Providence, RI | Support to us clinics & health centers for low-income, uninsured patients | $4,497,221 |
| The Agape Clinic Dallas, TX | Support to us clinics & health centers for low-income, uninsured patients | $4,426,535 |
| Direct Relief Foundation Santa Barbara, CA | Intercompany Transfer of Funds | $4,335,895 |
| Lloyd F Moss Free Clinic Pharmacy Fredericksburg, VA | Support to us clinics & health centers for low-income, uninsured patients | $3,468,408 |
| Church Hill Medical Mission Church Hill, TN | Support to us clinics & health centers for low-income, uninsured patients | $3,326,082 |
| St Vincent De Paul Charitable Pharmacy Cincinnati Cincinnati, OH | Support to us clinics & health centers for low-income, uninsured patients | $3,255,635 |
Ready to take the next step with Direct Relief?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Direct Relief’s finance page says that all fundraising expenses have been covered by earnings from a bequest and other legacy gifts since 2007, and that designated contributions for specific programs and emergency responses are used only for expenses related to those purposes.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,292,290,030 | $2,398,998,642 | $2,307,002,152 | $337,409,816 | 1,367 | $9,604,622 |
| 2024 | $1,186,035,572 | $2,383,379,388 | $2,365,599,490 | $340,370,461 | 1,145 | $11,234,987 |
| 2023 | $1,170,526,870 | $2,266,763,483 | $2,071,171,227 | $349,318,874 | 1,110 | $6,317,844 |
| 2022 | $958,254,246 | $2,218,136,536 | $2,253,265,073 | $241,748,457 | 1,210 | $310,742 |
| 2021 | $992,717,205 | $1,929,697,287 | $1,903,454,935 | $311,735,280 | 1,578 | $2,560,850 |
| 2020 | $968,151,460 | $1,999,565,510 | $1,559,819,795 | $304,652,135 | 1,664 | $1,274,736 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Direct Relief’s stated mission is to improve the health and lives of people affected by poverty or emergency situations by mobilizing and providing essential medical resources for their care.
Its programs include community health, disaster response, and disease prevention and treatment. In its fiscal year 2024 program description, Direct Relief reported providing material and financial support to more than 2,400 community health providers in 93 countries. It also reported providing partners in 53 countries with 68.8 million courses of medication.
The 2025 filing lists substantial support for safety-net clinics and pharmacies. The grantees’ own descriptions illustrate the kinds of organizations receiving support: Welvista says it provides donated and purchased prescription medication to uninsured people and oral health care to low-income children; NC MedAssist describes a nonprofit pharmacy program for poor, vulnerable, and uninsured North Carolina residents; and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Charitable Pharmacy of North Texas says it provides free health-sustaining prescription medications to lower-income, uninsured Texans.
Direct Relief’s Fund for Health Equity provides financial support to community health centers, free and charitable clinics, educational institutions, and other grassroots organizations working to close health gaps. The fund prioritizes organizations addressing factors such as housing, employment, transportation, and access to healthcare.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, Direct Relief reported 1,367 grants totaling $337,409,816. Grant amounts ranged from $5,132 to $41,102,617, with a median of $65,007. The largest award was $41,102,617 to Welvista for support to U.S. clinics and health centers serving low-income, uninsured patients. Other large grants included $16,690,834 to NC MedAssist and $10,850,115 to St. Vincent de Paul Pharmacy in Dallas, both for the same stated purpose. Direct Relief also reported a $4,335,895 transfer to Direct Relief Foundation.
The organization’s application page describes a partner network for healthcare facilities. Eligible partner facilities order from Direct Relief’s pharmaceutical inventory online; orders are reviewed by a Direct Relief pharmacist and delivered free of charge. The page also refers prospective partners to eligibility information and identifies healthcare provider support, hand-carry donations, individual assistance, and ReplenishRx.
The 2023 filing narrative says that, except in some emergency responses, grant recipients sign memorandums of understanding outlining responsibilities. Reporting requirements vary by project and may be monthly, quarterly, or annual, with a final report due at completion. Direct Relief also says it may conduct site visits to check compliance with project proposals.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Mark Linehan as chair; Harry McMahon as vice chair and committee chair; Annalisa Pizzarello as secretary and committee chair; and Thomas Sturgess as treasurer and committee chair. It also lists Laurie Siegel and Mark Schwartz as assistant secretary and assistant treasurer, respectively, and committee chairs; Emma Carrasco and Mary Dwyer, PhD, as committee chairs; and Adam Cooper and Henrietta Holsman Fore as directors.
Direct Relief is led by Thomas E. Tighe, Chief Executive Officer since 2021 (on filings since 2020); 8 of 25 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Thomas E. Tighe
Chief Executive Officer
President & CEO → Chief Executive Officer, 2021
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$508K (2020) → $1M (2025)
Amy Weaver
Chief Executive Officer
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Byron Scott - Interim Ceo
President & COO
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$484K (2025)
James McGonigle
Committee Chair
Committee Chair → Director, 2022
Director → Committee Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mark Linehan
Chair
Vice Chair & Committee Chair → Vice Chair, 2022
Vice Chair → Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mark Schwartz
Assistant Treasurer & Committee Chair
Director → Committee Chair, 2024
Committee Chair → Assistant Treasurer & Committee Chair, 2025
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Thomas Sturgess
Treasurer & Committee Chair
Committee Chair → Assistant Treasurer & Committee Chair, 2022
Assistant Treasurer & Committee Chair → Treasurer & Committee Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Annalisa Pizzarello
Secretary & Committee Chair
Assistant Secretary → Assistant Secretary & Committee Chair, 2024
Assistant Secretary & Committee Chair → Secretary & Committee Chair, 2025
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Harry McMahon
Vice Chair & Committee Chair
Committee Chair → Assistant Treasurer & Committee Chair, 2023
Assistant Treasurer & Committee Chair → Vice Chair & Committee Chair, 2025
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mary Dwyer PhD
Committee Chair
Director → Committee Chair, 2024
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Laurie Siegel
Assistant Secretary & Committee Chair
Director → Assistant Secretary & Committee Chair, 2025
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Emma Carrasco
Committee Chair
New on the 2025 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth Toro MD MPH
Director
Director → Committee Chair, 2024
Committee Chair → Director, 2025
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marla Salmon Scd Rn Faan
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Adam Cooper
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Heitham Hassoun MD
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Henrietta Holsman Fore
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Perry Siatis Esq.
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tom Strickland
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Adan Grouman
Vice President
Director → Vice President, 2025
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$211K (2020) → $277K (2025)
Doug Froelich
Vice President & Operations
Vice President of Operations → Director of Operations, 2024
Director of Operations → Vice President & Operations, 2025
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$157K (2020) → $261K (2025)
Heather Bennett
Vice President & Community Engagement
Vice President, Partnerships & Philanthropy → Chief of Staff, 2024
Chief of Staff → Vice President & Community Engagement, 2025
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$185K (2020) → $316K (2025)
Donald Roane - Vp
Corporation Engagement & Strategy
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$258K (2024) → $275K (2025)
Brent Reginald Baldwin - Vp
Legal & Regulatory Affairs
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$263K (2025)
Jonathan Steiner - Senior
Vice President of Finance & CFO
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$369K (2025)
Former officers (27)
- Former: Dawn Long (2020–2024) — Senior Vice President & COO
- Former: James Selbert (2020–2024) — Committee Chair
- Former: Jonathan Steiner (2020–2024) — Vice President of Finance & CFO
- Former: Pamela Gann (2020–2024) — Committee Chair
- Former: Siri Marshall (2020–2024) — Secretary & Committee Chair
- Former: Stayce D. Harris (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Byron Scott Md - Vice Chair (2024) — President & COO
- Former: Harry McMahon Asst Treasthru (2024) — V. Chair & Committee Ch.
- Former: Zahra Nahar-Moore - Director (2024) — Legal & Regulatory Affairs
- Former: Andrew Schroeder (2020–2023) — Vice President, Research & Analysis
- Former: Bhupi Singh (2020–2023) — Executive Vice President & Senior Advisor
- Former: Byron Scott MD (2020–2023) — Vice Chair
- Former: Donald Roane (2020–2023) — Vice President, Corporate Engagement & Strategy
- Former: Jamie Ruffing PhD (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Evan Marwell (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Tim Wertner (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Jane Olson (2020–2022) — Assistant Secretary & Committee Chair
- Former: Steve Weintraub (2020–2022) — Committee Chair
- Former: Bitsy Becton-Bacon (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Charles Fenzi MD (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Linda Gluck (2020–2021) — Treasurer & Committee Chair
- Former: Louis Buglioli (2021) — Director
- Former: David A. Brown (2020) — Director
- Former: Elizabeth Green RN (2020) — Director
- Former: Lou Buglioli (2020) — Director
- Former: Patrick Fitzgerald (2020) — Director
- Former: Steven Amerikaner (2020) — Director
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 $1.0M, to Thomas Tighe (Chief Executive Officer (Thru 12/24)). 8 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Direct Relief
How much does Direct Relief give each year?
Direct Relief gave $337.4M across 1,367 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $340.4M across 1,145 grants.
What is Direct Relief's typical grant size?
Direct Relief's median grant in 2025 was $65,007, and its average grant was $246,825, across 1,367 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Direct Relief that year got $113K on average.
Where does Direct Relief give grants?
Direct Relief's top state is South Carolina, with 15% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Texas (12%) and North Carolina (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were Los Angeles, CA (37 grants), San Juan, PR (17 grants), Santa Barbara, CA (14 grants) and Dallas, TX (13 grants).
Does Direct Relief give general operating support?
Occasionally: 0% of Direct Relief's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (2 of 1,367) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Los Angeles County Wildfires Repsonse" (54 grants), "Fund for Health Equity" (52 grants) and "Hurricane Helene Response" (31 grants).
Who are Direct Relief's largest grantees?
Direct Relief's largest 2025 grantees include Welvista ($41,102,617), NC Medassist ($16,953,834 across 2 grants) and St Vincent De Paul Pharmacy - Dallas ($10,850,115), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($11,062), which are not listed by name. Together they received 20% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Direct Relief?
Direct Relief reported $1.3B in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $2.4B.
What does Direct Relief fund?
Direct Relief’s stated mission is to improve the health and lives of people affected by poverty or emergency situations by mobilizing and providing essential medical resources for their care. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Direct Relief?
Direct Relief has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check directrelief.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Direct Relief's EIN?
Direct Relief's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-1831116. 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 January 11, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS March 9, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS January 25, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS February 6, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 10, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS February 13, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Direct Relief's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Direct Relief funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/direct-relief-morg_27b36b4aab004e75b18451e1d628f2cd
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_951831116_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Direct Relief funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/direct-relief-morg_27b36b4aab004e75b18451e1d628f2cd},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. 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 Direct Relief'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.
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