Igem Foundation Inc
The international genetically engineered machine (IGEM) foundation is dedicated to education and competition, advancement of synthetic biology, and the development of open community and collaboration. The Igem Foundation fosters scientific research and education through organizing and operating the IGEM competition, the premier student synthetic biology competition. It also fosters scientific research and education by establishing and operating the registry of standard biological parts, a community collection of biological components. The organization promotes the advancement of science and education by developing an open community of students and practitioners in schools, laboratories, research institutes, and industry. The IGEM community has a long history of involving students and the public in the development of the new field of synthetic biology.
Igem Foundation Inc at a glance
- Total assets
- $1,716,033
- +63.6% vs 2023
- Revenue (2024)
- $6,496,323
- +7.7% vs 2023
- Net investment income (2024)
- $19,654
- +108.2% vs 2023
- Expenses (2024)
- $6,292,382
- -14.2% vs 2023
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Igem Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
1 grant across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 1 grant of 1 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2023, annual grant giving ranged from $10K (2023) to $17K (2020). In 2023 it made 1 grant totaling $10K.
Hatched bars: grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Maggenix Mandeville, LA | Startup Showcase Winner - Prize | $10,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1,716,033 | $6,496,323 | $6,292,382 | — | — | $19,654 |
| 2023 | $1,048,801 | $6,029,844 | $7,332,251 | $10,000 | 1 | $9,438 |
| 2022 | $2,021,042 | $5,016,663 | $7,418,776 | — | — | $17,344 |
| 2021 | $4,229,953 | $5,084,700 | $3,098,049 | — | — | $7,260 |
| 2020 | $2,299,321 | $3,326,433 | $2,637,934 | $16,500 | Total only | $2,528 |
"Total only": grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
About Igem Foundation Inc
Based on IRS filings
Igem Foundation Inc is a public charity focused on Science & Technology, based in Cambridge, MA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $1.7M in total assets. Net investment income was $20K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Igem Foundation Inc is led by Nemanja Stijepovic, President & CEO since 2024 (on filings since 2023); none of the 11 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Nemanja Stijepovic
President & CEO
Executive Vice President & COO → President & CEO, 2024
On filings since 2023
20 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Randall Rettberg
President & Director
CEO, President & Director → Chairman & President, 2023
Chairman & President → President & Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
$150K (2020) → $0 (2024)
Ariel Lindner
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Drew Endy
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
King Chow
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Richard Johnson
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Cumbers
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Pam Silver
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Megan Palmer
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Thomas Knight
Treasurer
Treasurer & Director → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nan Zhang
Executive Vice President
New on the 2024 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Meagan Lizarazo (2020–2023) — Former Clerk, COO & Vice President
- Former: King Chownone (2023) — Director
- Former: Pamela Silver (2020–2022) — Director
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2023 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2023 filing was $168K, to Meagan Lizarazo (Former Clerk/COO/VP).
Frequently asked questions about Igem Foundation Inc
How large is Igem Foundation Inc?
Igem Foundation Inc reported $1.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $6.5M.
What is Igem Foundation Inc?
Igem Foundation Inc is a public charity focused on Science & Technology, based in Cambridge, MA. It holds $1.7M in total assets as of 2024.
Where does Igem Foundation Inc operate?
Igem Foundation Inc has awarded grants in Louisiana.
What is Igem Foundation Inc's EIN?
Igem Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 45-2313408. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS March 7, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Igem Foundation Inc funds
Science & Technology Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Igem Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Igem Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?