J Craig Venter Institute
J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI) is a Form 990 public charity based in La Jolla, California. It conducts genomic research and supports work in human health, environmental sustainability, synthetic biology, and scientific tools and technology.
Key facts about J Craig Venter Institute
In short: J Craig Venter Institute gave $1.5M across 10 grants in 2024 (avg $153K), top state Ohio. 50% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 52-1842938
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,532,891
- Grants made (2024)
- 10
- Average grant
- $153,289
- Median grant
- $88,304
- New grantees (estimate)
- 50% first-time grantees (5 of 10, 2024; small sample)
- Total assets
- $39,462,295
- Primary geography
- Ohio (24% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$39.5M
-19.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.5M
-36.5% YoY
Grant Count
10
-16.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$153K
-23.7% YoY
Is J Craig Venter Institute open to new grantees?
50%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 5 of 10 grantees (50%) were first-time recipients. With only 10 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 10 points. First grants averaged $172K; repeat grants $135K. How we count
Medians: $198K first-time, $79K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 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.
Mission & Focus Areas
JCVI’s mission is to advance the science of genomics and develop insights and answers about disease, health, and the environment for the benefit of all. Its website identifies human health, environmental sustainability, synthetic biology, and technology as core areas. Its 2024 filing also describes projects in areas including antibiotic-resistant infections, bacteriophage therapeutics, bioinformatics resources, waste valorization, minimal-cell biology, genome transplantation, Long COVID, and organoid research.
JCVI’s 2024 grants were identified as research subgrants. Recipients included universities, a hospital, research foundations, and a national-security research organization. For example, Emory University describes its mission as creating, preserving, teaching, and applying knowledge in the service of humanity. Case Western Reserve University describes itself as an independent, research-oriented university with strengths including health, engineering, arts and sciences, law, management, and social work. Rhode Island Hospital says it is committed to delivering health with care.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, JCVI reported 10 grants totaling $1,532,891. Grant amounts ranged from $10,089 to $354,924, with a median of $88,304. The grants were described as research subgrants and, according to JCVI’s filing, were pass-through awards from federal or non-federal grants or contracts received by the institute. JCVI says it monitors expenses against approved budgets through regular invoice review.
The largest 2024 grants were $354,924 to Emory University, $350,485 to Case Western Reserve University, $264,577 to The Geneva Foundation, $197,818 to Regents of the University of California San Diego, and $98,012 to Duke University. Other recipients included Rhode Island Hospital ($78,596), Northwestern University ($75,371), the University of Maryland ($70,249), Lawrence Livermore National Security LLC ($32,770), and the Cleveland VA Medical Research and Education Foundation ($10,089).
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 grant dollars were distributed among recipients in multiple states. The largest shares went to Ohio (24%), Georgia (23%), Washington (17%), California (15%), and North Carolina (6%). The listed recipients also included organizations in Rhode Island, Illinois, and Maryland.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 10 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.5M (2024) to $2.9M (2022). In 2024 it made 10 grants totaling $1.5M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Emory University ($355K). Together the top 10 received $1.5M.
Grant Size Distribution
71 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 25 grants of 71 (35%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Emory University Atlanta, GA | Research Subgrant | $354,924 |
| Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, OH | Research Subgrant | $350,485 |
| The Geneva Foundation Seattle, WA | Research Subgrant | $264,577 |
| Regents U of CA San Diego La Jolla, CA | Research Subgrant | $197,818 |
| Duke University Charlotte, NC | Research Subgrant | $98,012 |
| Rhode Island Hospital Providence, RI | Research Subgrant | $78,596 |
| Northwestern University Evanston, IL | Research Subgrant | $75,371 |
| University of Maryland College Park, MD | Research Subgrant | $70,249 |
| Lawrence Livermore National Security LLC Livermore, CA | Research Subgrant | $32,770 |
| Cleveland Va Medical Research and Education Foundation Cleveland, OH | Research Subgrant | $10,089 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $39,462,295 | $14,407,483 | $19,604,869 | $1,532,891 (10 grants) |
| 2023 | $48,982,028 | $15,132,739 | $21,845,674 | $2,412,163 (12 grants) |
| 2022 | $56,307,767 | $1,132,512 | $23,314,207 | $2,890,979 (18 grants) |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $39,462,295 | $48,982,028 | $56,307,767 |
| Revenue | $14,407,483 | $15,132,739 | $1,132,512 |
| Expenses | $19,604,869 | $21,845,674 | $23,314,207 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,524,575 | $18,333 | $-15,395,627 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 4, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 30, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 5, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 5, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists John Craig Venter as chairman and chief executive officer; Heather Kowalski as chief operating officer; and Rudy Ruggles as vice chairman and trustee. Other listed trustees were Richmond Wolf, Meredith Perry, David Brenner, and Amin Badr-El-Din. Katharine Wardle was listed as treasurer and vice president of finance; Julie G. Adelson as secretary and vice president of legal affairs; and Antony G. Peake as vice president of research administration.
J Craig Venter Institute is led by Venter John Craig, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer since 2024 (on filings since 2020); 11 of 16 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Venter John Craig
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
Chairman & CEO → Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$1.2M (2020) → $1.2M (2024)
Singh Indresh
Director & Informatics
Senior Software Engineer → Director & Informatics, 2024
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$206K (2021) → $207K (2024)
Badr-El-Din Amin PhD
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ruggles Rudy
Vice Chairman & Trustee
Trustee → Vice Chairman & Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Wolf Richmond
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brenner David
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Perry Meredith
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kowalski Heather
Chief Operating Officer
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$449K (2020) → $359K (2024)
Mullen Jill
Senior Vice President of Philanthropy
Senior Vice President of Philanthropy & Strategic Alliances → Senior Vice President of Philanthropy, 2021
On filings since 2020
32 hrs/week
$350K (2020) → $282K (2024)
Peake Antony G.
Vice President Research Administration
Vice President for Research Administration → Vice President for Research Administrator, 2021
Vice President for Research Administrator → Vice President Research Administration, 2022
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$295K (2020) → $302K (2024)
Stayeas Timothy V
Network Team Lead
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$214K (2020) → $213K (2024)
Fouts Derrick
Professor
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$216K (2021) → $215K (2024)
Wardle Katharine
Treasurer & Vice President of Finance
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$140K (2023) → $260K (2024)
Adelson Julie G.
Secretary & Vice President Leg Affairs
New on the 2024 filing
20 hrs/week
$197K (2024)
Vashee Sanjay
Professor
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$207K (2024)
Yumul Mary C.
Vice President of Human Resources
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$252K (2024)
Former officers (14)
- Former: Adelson Julie (2020–2023) — Vice President, Leg. Affrs & General Counsel
- Former: Norrby Erling (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Scheuermann Richard H. (2020–2023) — Director & La Jolla Campus
- Former: Stout Martin (2020–2023) — Chief Technology Officer
- Former: Wei Wu (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Yumul Mary (2020–2023) — Vice President of Human Resources
- Former: Shadfan Aida (2023) — Vice President of Finance
- Former: McGrory Jack (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Nelson Karen (2020–2021) — President
- Former: Friedman Robert M. (2020) — Vice President for Policy & Univ. Relations
- Former: Horowitzreena (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Kirkness Ewen (2020) — Professor
- Former: Knight Jessie (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Pratte Edward (2020) — Director of Security
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 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $1.2M, to Venter John Craig (Chairman & Chief Executive Officer). 11 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: 4120 Capricorn Lane, La Jolla, CA 92037
Phone: (858) 200-1800
Website: https://jcvi.org
Frequently asked questions about J Craig Venter Institute
How much does J Craig Venter Institute give each year?
J Craig Venter Institute gave $1.5M across 10 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $2.4M across 12 grants.
What is J Craig Venter Institute's typical grant size?
J Craig Venter Institute's median grant in 2024 was $88,304, and its average grant was $153,289, across 10 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from J Craig Venter Institute that year got $172K on average.
Where does J Craig Venter Institute give grants?
J Craig Venter Institute's top state is Ohio, with 24% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Georgia (23%) and Washington (17%). The most frequent recipient cities were Cleveland, OH (2 grants).
Does J Craig Venter Institute give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 10 grants with a stated purpose on J Craig Venter Institute's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Research Subgrant" (10 grants).
Who are J Craig Venter Institute's largest grantees?
J Craig Venter Institute's largest 2024 grantees include Emory University ($354,924), Case Western Reserve University ($350,485) and The Geneva Foundation ($264,577), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 63% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is J Craig Venter Institute?
J Craig Venter Institute reported $39.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $14.4M.
What does J Craig Venter Institute fund?
JCVI’s mission is to advance the science of genomics and develop insights and answers about disease, health, and the environment for the benefit of all. Its website identifies human health, environmental sustainability, synthetic biology, and technology as core areas. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from J Craig Venter Institute?
J Craig Venter Institute has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check jcvi.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is J Craig Venter Institute's EIN?
J Craig Venter Institute's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 52-1842938. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
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