Dr Miriam & Sheldon G Adelson
Dr Miriam & Sheldon G Adelson is a private foundation based in Needham, Massachusetts. Its website says the foundation was established in 2007 and that its primary purpose is to strengthen the State of Israel and the Jewish people; its 2024 filing lists substantial grants for medical research.
Dr Miriam & Sheldon G Adelson at a glance
In short: Dr Miriam & Sheldon G Adelson gave $40.8M across 38 grants in 2024 (avg $1.1M), top state California. 3% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $40,804,682
- +15.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 38
- +2.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $1,073,807
- +12.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $674,036
- Total assets
- $714,299
- -47.8% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 3% first-time grantees (1 of 38, 2024)
- Primary geography
- California (31% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Dr Miriam & Sheldon G Adelson
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Invitation Only
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and says it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Applications are by invitation through Fluxx.io, with materials submitted via that platform. The filing lists medical research within funded diseases as a restriction on awards.
- Review Cycle
- None listed.
- Deadline
- None listed.
- Contact
Application contact: Andrea Swiman
Mailing address: 300 First Ave, Needham, MA 02494
Phone: (781) 972-5900
Website: https://adelsonfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Dr Miriam & Sheldon G Adelson funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was University of California Los Angeles ($5.0M). Together the top 10 received $25.9M.
Grant Size Distribution
187 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $250–500K range: 66 grants of 187 (35%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s guidelines describe its charitable organizations as located primarily in Israel and the United States. In 2024, the largest reported shares of grant dollars went to recipients in California (31%), Massachusetts (21%), Texas (9%), and Maryland (9%); another 15% is listed with an unspecified state.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 38 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Dr Miriam & Sheldon G Adelson open to new grantees?
3%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 1 of 38 grantees (3%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $801K; repeat grants $1.1M. How we count
Medians: $801K first-time, $649K repeat.
- 97% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+10%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $34.5M (2022) to $51.2M (2020). In 2024 it made 38 grants totaling $40.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| University of California Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA | Medical Research | $4,982,102 |
| MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston, TX | Medical Research | $3,353,535 |
| Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD | Medical Research | $3,133,485 |
| Dana Farber Cancer Institute Brookline, MA | Medical Research | $2,936,328 |
| The Broad Institute Cambridge, MA | Medical Research | $2,655,976 |
| The Regents of the University of California SF San Francisco, CA | Medical Research | $2,491,738 |
| St Johns Cancer Institute Santa Monica, CA | Medical Research | $1,773,025 |
| University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA | Medical Research | $1,599,745 |
| Weizmann Institute of Science | Medical Research | $1,505,877 |
| Oregon Health and Science University Portland, OR | Medical Research | $1,494,586 |
Ready to take the next step with Dr Miriam & Sheldon G Adelson?
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 | $714,299 | $42,114,321 | $42,768,420 | $40,804,682 | 38 | $42,444,335 | $39,878 | $140,085 |
| 2023 | $1,368,398 | $37,618,546 | $37,093,371 | $35,317,339 | 37 | $36,776,661 | $37,150 | $132,134 |
| 2022 | $851,025 | $27,248,902 | $36,222,827 | $34,502,087 | 37 | $35,748,513 | $12,308 | $171,596 |
| 2021 | $9,824,950 | $46,333,953 | $38,255,134 | $36,957,488 | 37 | $37,872,146 | — | $169,636 |
| 2020 | $1,753,932 | $51,601,302 | $52,857,690 | $51,193,931 | 38 | — | — | $54,420 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Dr Miriam & Sheldon G Adelson reported a distributable amount of $140K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated primary purpose is to strengthen Israel and the Jewish people. Its guidelines list the program categories above and say it makes grants to public charities and certain other qualified nonprofit organizations. The guidelines also say it generally does not contribute to capital projects or provide endowment funding.
The 2024 filing identifies medical research as the purpose for each of its listed largest grants. Among the supported organizations, the Broad Institute describes its mission as advancing biomedicine through research into disease and its treatment, while Johns Hopkins University describes its work as spanning education and research across fields including medicine, public health, and engineering. Other supported organizations describe missions that include scientific research, higher education, patient care, and advancing human health.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 38 grants totaling $40,804,682. Grant amounts ranged from $170,934 to $4,982,102, with a median of $674,036.
Its largest 2024 grants included $4,982,102 to the University of California, Los Angeles; $3,353,535 to MD Anderson Cancer Center; $3,133,485 to Johns Hopkins University; $2,936,328 to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; and $2,655,976 to the Broad Institute. Each was designated for medical research.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Dr. Miriam Adelson as trustee and Steven Garfinkel as vice president and general counsel. The foundation’s website identifies Dr. Miriam and Sheldon G. Adelson as its founders and Sheldon G. Adelson, who died in 2021, as a founding trustee.
Dr Miriam & Sheldon G Adelson's 2024 filing lists 2 officers; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Miriam Adelson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Steven Garfinkel
Vice President & General Counsel
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Sheldon G. Adelson Dec (2020–2021) — Trustee
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.
Frequently asked questions about Dr Miriam & Sheldon G Adelson
How much does Dr Miriam & Sheldon G Adelson give each year?
Dr Miriam & Sheldon G Adelson gave $40.8M across 38 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $35.3M across 37 grants.
What is Dr Miriam & Sheldon G Adelson's typical grant size?
Dr Miriam & Sheldon G Adelson's median grant in 2024 was $674,036, and its average grant was $1,073,807, across 38 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Dr Miriam & Sheldon G Adelson that year got $801K on average.
Where does Dr Miriam & Sheldon G Adelson give grants?
Dr Miriam & Sheldon G Adelson's top state is California, with 31% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Massachusetts (21%) and Texas (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were Los Angeles, CA (3 grants), Boston, MA (3 grants), Philadelphia, PA (3 grants) and Houston, TX (2 grants).
Does Dr Miriam & Sheldon G Adelson give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 38 grants with a stated purpose on Dr Miriam & Sheldon G Adelson's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Medical Research" (38 grants).
Who are Dr Miriam & Sheldon G Adelson's largest grantees?
Dr Miriam & Sheldon G Adelson's largest 2024 grantees include University of California Los Angeles ($4,982,102), MD Anderson Cancer Center ($3,353,535) and Johns Hopkins University ($3,133,485), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 28% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Dr Miriam & Sheldon G Adelson?
Dr Miriam & Sheldon G Adelson reported $714K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $42.4M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $140K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Dr Miriam & Sheldon G Adelson fund?
The foundation’s stated primary purpose is to strengthen Israel and the Jewish people. Its guidelines list the program categories above and say it makes grants to public charities and certain other qualified nonprofit organizations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Dr Miriam & Sheldon G Adelson?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and says it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Dr Miriam & Sheldon G Adelson's EIN?
Dr Miriam & Sheldon G Adelson's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-7023433. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Dr Miriam & Sheldon G Adelson accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Dr Miriam & Sheldon G Adelson funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Alamo Kiwanis Club Charities Funding Request Due October 31, 2026
- Women's Health Fund Grants Circle of Friends: Up to $2,000; Women's Giving Circle: In excess of $2,000 · Due October 31, 2026
- Besse Johnson & George Blanton Allen Memorial Foundation Grant Average grant $1,000–$5,000 · Due October 31, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Dr Miriam & Sheldon G Adelson's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Conquer Cancer Foundation of the American Society of Clinical Oncology
Alexandria, VA
Conquer Cancer funds cancer research, professional education, and quality-care initiatives, with awards to universities, hospitals, and cancer centers in the U.S. and through international programs. Its 2024 grants ranged from $50,000 to $7.68 million, with a median of $100,000; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$120.7M
Grants
39
Total Given
$17.4M
American Lung Association
Chicago, IL
The American Lung Association funds research on lung disease, lung cancer, tobacco use, and air quality, primarily through defined research-award programs for investigators at eligible U.S. nonprofit institutions. Recent grants ranged from $25,000 to $825,000, with a median of about $201,000; applications are submitted through specified award mechanisms, and the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$225.7M
Grants
51
Total Given
$13.5M
Alzheimer's Disease & Related Disorders Association Inc
Chicago, IL
The Alzheimer’s Association funds Alzheimer’s and dementia research, including basic, clinical, social and behavioral studies, and supports care, prevention, early detection, awareness, and advocacy. In 2025, its 79 grants ranged from $10,000 to $13.3 million, with a median of $270,750; research opportunities are open to U.S. and international researchers.
Assets
$523.7M
Grants
79
Total Given
$73.3M
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA
CHOP primarily funds pediatric research at universities, hospitals, and research organizations, and also supports employee-led health projects in communities served by CHOP and its Care Network in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. In 2025, it awarded 138 grants totaling about $50.3 million; the median grant was about $115,000, with awards ranging from about $5,800 to $14 million. The profile does not state whether CHOP accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$9.1B
Grants
138
Total Given
$50.3M
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
Seatle, WA
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center funds cancer and infectious disease research, along with Washington community-led projects in cancer prevention, screening, education, and care access. Research grants vary widely (the 2025 median was about $118,000); its community awards were up to $15,000, and Tribal Community Grants up to $50,000 plus indirect costs. Community programs are focused on Washington State; whether unsolicited requests are accepted is not stated.
Assets
$3.6B
Grants
139
Total Given
$88.2M
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, TN
Vanderbilt University Medical Center supports medical and scientific research, health and educational programs, and related institutional purposes, with grants to universities, medical centers, and research organizations. Its 2025 grants had a median of about $116,000, though awards ranged widely; recipients were based across the U.S., with the most funding going to Tennessee. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$7.8B
Grants
246
Total Given
$125.1M
More similar funders
More Funders in Massachusetts
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Dr Miriam & Sheldon G Adelson funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 31, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/dr-miriam-and-sheldon-g-adelson-morg_461795ae6d4347b590700db94a8285e4
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_047023433_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Dr Miriam \& Sheldon G Adelson funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/dr-miriam-and-sheldon-g-adelson-morg_461795ae6d4347b590700db94a8285e4},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-31. 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 Dr Miriam & Sheldon G Adelson'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.
Dr Miriam & Sheldon G Adelson down — hundreds of funders to go?