The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center is a nonprofit research institute headquartered in Saint Louis, Missouri. Founded in 1998, the organization operates as a 501(c)(3) public charity focused on advancing plant science through research, education, and outreach. The Center employs approximately 478 staff members and operates research facilities across multiple countries, positioning Saint Louis as a global center for plant science innovation.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$625.7M
+3.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$6.4M
-10.6% YoY
Grant Count
28
-9.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$229K
-1.0% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Center's mission is to improve the human condition through plant science by:
- Feeding the hungry and improving human health
- Preserving and renewing the environment
- Enhancing the Saint Louis region as a world center for plant science
Primary research and program areas include:
- Plant science research, educational outreach, and training
- Food security and environmental sustainability initiatives
- The Institute for International Crop Improvement
- Field research operations, including a 62-acre field research site with 23 active projects
- The Subterranean Influences on Nitrogen and Carbon (SINC) Center, focused on plant-bacteria nutrient exchange and elemental uptake
- Phenotyping systems development and core facility operations
- Biological and life science research
Grantmaking
The Center awards grants to support agricultural innovation and scientific advancement:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Primary funding focus areas include Missouri, Minnesota, and Kansas. The Center operates research projects internationally across seven countries.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of fiscal year 2023:
- Total assets: $602,402,435
- Total revenues: $65,680,473
- Total expenses: $64,163,875
- Total liabilities: $15,900,000
The organization maintains strong financial health with a four-star rating based on accountability and finance metrics.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $625,668,262 | $602,402,435 | $583,977,985 |
| Revenue | $63,779,784 | $65,680,473 | $48,059,784 |
| Expenses | $67,771,092 | $64,163,875 | $59,342,714 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $20,405,529 | $17,607,431 | $402,866 |
| 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
131 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- President: Giles Oldroyd
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS PENNY PENNINGTON | CHAIR | 4 | — |
| MS RUTH E KIM | DIRECTOR AND CORPORATE SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| DR LISA AINSWORTH | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DR BENJAMIN OLA AKANDE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MR TEDDY BEKELE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SENATOR ROY BLUNT | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MS SARA YANG BOSCO | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MR BLACKFORD F BRAUER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MR LEE BROUGHTON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DR PATRICK O BROWN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MR JOHANNES BURLIN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MS MARILYN K BUSH | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DR MUN Y CHOI | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MS DESIREE COLEMAN-FRY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MR CHRISTOPHER B DANFORTH | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MR STEVEN M FOX | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MR JAMES L JOHNSON III | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DR ROBERT J JONES | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MR WESLEY JONES | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MS JACKIE JOYNER-KERSEE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MR SANJEEV KRISHNAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MS ANN C MARR | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DR ANDREW D MARTIN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MR JOHN F MCDONNELL | EMERITUS DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MS ANNA E MCKELVEY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MR THOMAS MELZER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MR WILLIAM L POLK JR | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DR ROBERT REITER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MR MICHAEL RINEY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MR TODD R SCHNUCK | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DR PETER WYSE JACKSON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DR JAMES CARRINGTON | PRESIDENT AND CEO | 40 | $760,086 |
| MR HAROLD DAVIES | COO AND V.P. FOR FINANCE | 40 | $356,299 |
| MS DIANE MOLESKI | ASSISTANT SECRETARY | 40 | $134,013 |
| MS ELLEN ATWELL | CONTROLLER | 40 | $140,789 |
| MR DJUAN COLEMAN | V.P. OF FINANCE | 40 | $142,584 |
| DR REBECCA BART | V.P. FOR RESEARCH | 40 | $261,983 |
| MR MICHAEL BANDER | V.P. FOR DEVELOPMENT | 40 | $254,125 |
| MS ANNA DIBBLE | V.P. FOR PEOPLE AND CULTURE | 40 | $229,667 |
| DR DONALD MACKENZIE | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF IICI | 40 | $276,974 |
| MR TOM LAURITA | CEO OF DTC | 40 | $270,248 |
| DR KEITH SLOTKIN | PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR | 40 | $260,429 |
| DR JAMES UMEN | PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR | 40 | $237,540 |
| MR TODD HORNBURG | V.P. OF FACILITIES | 40 | $228,008 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Recent research highlights include:
Installation of 404 minirhizotrons at the field research site with plans for additional phenotyping systems development
Identification of a new protein complex in plants that regulates temperature response by the circadian clock, led by Dr. Dmitri A. Nusinow
Discovery of a new gene in green algae controlling sex determination by Dr. James Umen's research team
Department of Energy grant funding for research into sorghum photosynthesis
Danforth Center Scientist Leads New Department of Energy Grant to UnlockCollaborative crop research initiatives with external funding partners focused on soil and water health
Contact Information
Address: 975 N Warson Road, Saint Louis, MO 63132-2918
Phone: 314-587-1000
Website: danforthcenter.org
Email: info@danforthcenter.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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