Gordon E and Betty I Moore Foundation
The Gordon E and Betty I Moore Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation based in Palo Alto, California. Established in 2001, it is one of the largest foundations in the United States, ranking in the top 1% of all foundations by asset size. The foundation fosters path-breaking scientific discovery, environmental conservation, patient care improvements, and preservation of the special character of the Bay Area.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$11.5B
+31.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$403.0M
+0.3% YoY
Grant Count
920
-3.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$438K
+3.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Gordon E and Betty I Moore Foundation reported a distributable amount of $458.0M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's grantmaking focuses on four primary areas:
- Science: Including the Curiosity-Driven Science Initiative, Emergent Phenomena in Quantum Systems Initiative, and Experimental Physics Investigators Initiative
- Environmental Conservation: Including the Andes-Amazon Initiative, Arctic Ocean Initiative, Conservation and Markets Initiative, and Wildfire Resilience Initiative
- San Francisco Bay Area: Local conservation and community initiatives
- Patient Care: Supporting improvements in diagnostic excellence and healthcare leadership
Beyond grantmaking, the foundation engages directly in charitable activities including convening groups of experts, other foundations, and grantees to discuss policy and research trends; providing technical assistance to grantees and partners; and conducting research to inform and advance funded areas.
Grantmaking
Grant Range
and Range**: The foundation made 920 grants with a median award of $200,000. Grant amounts range from $50,000 to $20,000,000.
Review Cycle
March 2, 2026)
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in California, the District of Columbia, and New York.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $11.5 billion (as of 2024)
Annual Revenue: $2.66 billion (2024)
Annual Expenses: $483 million (2024)
Total Liabilities: $80.8 million (2024)
Asset Growth: Total assets have grown from $5.4 billion in 2011 to $11.5 billion in 2024.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $11,522,694,235 | $8,766,258,805 | $8,278,661,283 |
| Revenue | $2,663,649,577 | $371,750,377 | $654,188,442 |
| Expenses | $483,168,830 | $485,577,761 | $456,107,917 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $451,499,875 | $457,892,978 | $435,661,606 |
| Net Investment Income | $434,464,285 | $552,304,306 | $371,926,256 |
| Distributable Amount | $457,961,953 | $410,990,247 | $427,835,444 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
9 open opportunities from Gordon E and Betty I Moore Foundation
Environmental Conservation: Andes-Amazon Initiative
GORDON E AND BETTY I MOORE FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Environmental Conservation: Conservation and Financial Markets Initiative Grants
GORDON E AND BETTY I MOORE FOUNDATION
Amount
US $100,000 - US $8,000,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Environmental Conservation: Marine Conservation Initiative
GORDON E AND BETTY I MOORE FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Asociacion Para La Conservacion De La Cuenca Amazonica ($2,600,000), Amazon Conservation Association ($800,000), Associacao Sumauma Organizacao De Comunicacao E Projetos Sociais ($800,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 10000 DEGREES SAN RAFAEL, CA | EMPLOYEE OR TRUSTEE RECOMMENDED GIFT FOR GENERAL OPERATIONAL SUPPORT. | $2,000 |
| ACTIVATE GLOBAL INC BERKELEY, CA | IN SUPPORT OF FELLOWSHIPS FOR SCIENTIST-ENTREPRENEURS TO TRANSFORM THEIR DISCOVERIES INTO APPLICATIONS THAT WILL BENEFIT SOCIETY. | $442,488 |
| ADC RESEARCH INSTITUTE WASHINGTON, DC | EMPLOYEE OR TRUSTEE RECOMMENDED GIFT FOR GENERAL OPERATIONAL SUPPORT. | $100 |
| AFRICAN PARKS FOUNDATION OF AMERICA WASHINGTON, DC | EMPLOYEE OR TRUSTEE RECOMMENDED GIFT FOR GENERAL OPERATIONAL SUPPORT. | $500 |
| AFTERSCHOOL ALLIANCE WASHINGTON, DC | TO SUPPORT COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH CONVENING FOR THE COLLECTIVE FOR YOUTH EMPOWERMENT IN STEM AND SOCIETY. | $50,000 |
| AGAPE FARMHANDS SAN RAFAEL, CA | EMPLOYEE OR TRUSTEE RECOMMENDED GIFT FOR GENERAL OPERATIONAL SUPPORT. | $1,000 |
| AID FOR THREATENED WILDLIFE - FRANKFURT ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY PERU | TO SECURE THE CONSERVATION AND EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF 4.5 MILLION HECTARES IN THE PURUS LANDSCAPE, PERU. | $500,000 |
| AID FOR THREATENED WILDLIFE - FRANKFURT ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY PERU | TO SUPPORT THE EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF BAHUAJA SONENE NATIONAL PARK, PERU THROUGH IMPROVED SURVEILLANCE AND CONTROL AND THE PROMOTION OF CONSERVATION-COMPATIBLE ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES IN ITS BUFFER ZONE. | $270,000 |
| ALASKA BERING SEA CRABBERS SEATTLE, WA | IN SUPPORT OF BUILDING THE RESILIENCE OF FISHERIES IN THE U.S. BERING SEA. | $135,000 |
| ALASKA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION ANCHORAGE, AK | IN SUPPORT OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN INDIGENOUS MONITORING PROGRAM ON THE U.S. BERING AND CHUKCHI COASTS. | $170,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board and Trustees (as of 2024):
- Harvey V. Fineberg, Trustee & President
- Kenneth Moore, Trustee & Chair
- John Hennessy, Trustee & Vice Chair
- Rosina Bierbaum, Trustee
- John Dabiri, Trustee
- Kathleen Justice-Moore, Trustee
- Hilary Krane, Trustee
- Jonathan Levin, Trustee
- Kristen Moore, Trustee
- Steven Moore, Trustee
- Ellen Ochoa, Trustee
- Pardis Sabeti, Trustee (as of November 2024)
Investment Management Committee:
- Edward E. Penhoet
- Ken Siebel
Staff: The foundation employs 98 staff members and is governed by 16 officers and trustees.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROSINA BIERBAUM | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| JOHN DABIRI | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| KENNETH MOORE | TRUSTEE & CHAIR | 2 | — |
| JOHN HENNESSY | TRUSTEE & VICE CHAIR | 1 | — |
| KATHLEEN JUSTICE-MOORE | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| HILARY KRANE | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| JONATHAN LEVIN | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| KRISTEN MOORE | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| STEVEN MOORE | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| ELLEN OCHOA | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| PARDIS SABETI | TRUSTEE - AS OF 11/2024 | 1 | — |
| EDWARD E PENHOET | INVESTMENT MGMT COMMITTEE | 0.5 | — |
| KEN SIEBEL | INVESTMENT MGMT COMMITTEE | 0.5 | — |
| HARVEY V FINEBERG | TRUSTEE & PRESIDENT | 45 | $1,305,630 |
| SASHA ABRAMS | GEN COUNSEL & SECRETARY | 45 | $736,480 |
| DENISE STRACK | CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER | 45 | $4,368,816 |
Contact Information
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Gordon E and Betty I Moore Foundation fund?
The foundation's grantmaking focuses on four primary areas: • **Science**: Including the Curiosity-Driven Science Initiative, Emergent Phenomena in Quantum Systems Initiative, and Experimental Physics Investigators Initiative • **Environmental Conservation**: Including the Andes-Amazon Initiative, Arctic Ocean Initiative, Conservation and Markets Initiative, and Wildfire Resilience Initiative • **San Francisco Bay Area**: Local conservation and community initiatives • **Patient Care**: Supporti…
How do I apply for a grant from Gordon E and Betty I Moore Foundation?
**Grant Size and Range**: The foundation made 920 grants with a median award of $200,000. Grant amounts range from $50,000 to $20,000,000. **Recent Grant Activity**: The foundation demonstrates active grantmaking, with recent awards including a $20,000,000 grant to The Broad Institute in support of a unique technology platform and associated resources for immersive educational experiences and pandemic response. **Open Opportunities**: Current grant programs include: • NAM Scholars in Diagnostic…
Where does Gordon E and Betty I Moore Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in California, the District of Columbia, and New York.
What size grants does Gordon E and Betty I Moore Foundation award?
In 2024, Gordon E and Betty I Moore Foundation awarded 920 grants totaling $403.0M — an average of about $438K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Gordon E and Betty I Moore Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Gordon E and Betty I Moore Foundation reported a distributable amount of $458.0M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Gordon E and Betty I Moore Foundation's EIN?
Gordon E and Betty I Moore Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 94-3397785. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Gordon E and Betty I Moore Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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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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