Elmer and Mamdouha Bobst Foundation
The Elmer and Mamdouha Bobst Foundation is a private family foundation incorporated in New York in 1968. Based in Harrison, New York, the foundation was established by Elmer H. Bobst, a prominent pharmaceutical company executive and philanthropist, and his wife Mamdouha El-Sayed Bobst. The foundation supports higher education, hospitals, and children and social services.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$24.3M
+2.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$180K
-34.5% YoY
Grant Count
5
-44.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$36K
+17.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Elmer and Mamdouha Bobst Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.2M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary giving focuses on:
- Higher education
- Hospitals
- Children and social services
- Human services
- Philanthropy and voluntarism
The foundation has demonstrated particular commitment to educational institutions and medical research, with notable support for library development and science education.
Grantmaking
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in California, Virginia, and New York.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
- Total Assets: $24,324,163
- Total Annual Giving: $180,000
- Tax-Exempt Status: Since September 1968
- EIN: 13-2616114
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $24,324,163 | $23,657,208 | $23,075,148 |
| Revenue | $1,020,717 | $1,124,001 | $62,953 |
| Expenses | $353,762 | $541,941 | $532,573 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $259,260 | $447,756 | $451,798 |
| Net Investment Income | $926,215 | $1,029,816 | — |
| Distributable Amount | $1,171,574 | $1,132,199 | $1,134,598 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
31 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include The Richard Nixon Foundation ($150,000), National Parks of New York Harbor Conservancy ($15,000), Friends of the American University of Afghanistan ($5,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| FRIENDS OF THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF AFGHANISTAN ALEXANDRIA, VA | GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES | $5,000 |
| MANE STREAM INC OLDWICK, NJ | GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES | $5,000 |
| NATIONAL PARKS OF NEW YORK HARBOR CONSERVANCY NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES | $15,000 |
| THE RICHARD NIXON FOUNDATION YORBA LINDA, CA | GRAND STRATEGY SUMMIT | $5,000 |
| THE RICHARD NIXON FOUNDATION YORBA LINDA, CA | RESEARCH FOR AN EDUCATIONAL BOOK | $150,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Founders:
Elmer H. Bobst (1896-1978): A prominent pharmaceutical company executive and noted philanthropist. In 1944, when he retired from Roche-Nutley, he was one of the nation's highest paid corporate executives. In 1945, he took charge of the William Warner Company, which later became Warner-Lambert and ultimately merged with Pfizer in 2000. In 1968, he served as an advisor to the White House on health issues. He was a leader in the war on cancer and a driving force behind President Nixon's signing of the National Cancer Act in 1971. He was a trustee of New York University.
Mamdouha El-Sayed Bobst (1925-2015): Born in Tripoli, Lebanon, she graduated from the American University of Beirut in 1947 and earned a master's degree in public health education from the University of California-Berkeley. She began her career in Libya as a health adviser to the government and helped develop the national public health program. She was appointed as a Lebanese delegate to the United Nations, one of only a few women to hold such a position at that time. She married Elmer Bobst in 1961 and took over as president of the foundation after his death in 1978.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOHN H CARLEY | PRESIDENT & DIRECTOR | 5 | — |
| EDWARD F COX | TREASURER, SECRETARY & DIRECTOR | 5 | — |
| PATRICIA NIXON COX | DIRECTOR | 5 | — |
| CHRISTOPHER COX | DIRECTOR | 5 | — |
Contact Information
Address: 500 Mamaroneck Avenue, Suite 301, Harrison, NY 10528-1648
Telephone: 212-286-2600
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Elmer and Mamdouha Bobst Foundation fund?
The foundation's primary giving focuses on: • Higher education • Hospitals • Children and social services • Human services • Philanthropy and voluntarism The foundation has demonstrated particular commitment to educational institutions and medical research, with notable support for library development and science education.
How do I apply for a grant from Elmer and Mamdouha Bobst Foundation?
**Grant Amounts:** Typical awards range from $2,500 to $150,000. **Total Annual Giving:** $180,000 (based on most recent filing) **Geographic Distribution:** The foundation's grant-making is concentrated primarily in California, Virginia, and New York.
Where does Elmer and Mamdouha Bobst Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in California, Virginia, and New York.
What size grants does Elmer and Mamdouha Bobst Foundation award?
In 2024, Elmer and Mamdouha Bobst Foundation awarded 5 grants totaling $180K — an average of about $36K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Elmer and Mamdouha Bobst Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Elmer and Mamdouha Bobst Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.2M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Elmer and Mamdouha Bobst Foundation's EIN?
Elmer and Mamdouha Bobst Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-2616114. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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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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