Julian Schwinger Foundation For Physics

Private foundation · Grantmaker Los Angeles, CA EIN: 68-0503244

Julian Schwinger Foundation For Physics is a private foundation, based in Los Angeles, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $19.3M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 4 grants totaling $256K. Net investment income was $261K.

Julian Schwinger Foundation For Physics at a glance

In short: Julian Schwinger Foundation For Physics gave $256K across 4 grants in 2024 (avg $64K), top state California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

Annual giving (2024)
$256,428
-51.4% vs 2023
Grants made (2024)
4
-33.3% vs 2023
Average grant
$64,107
-27.1% vs 2023
Median grant
$76,501
Total assets
$19,287,301
+2.1% vs 2023
Primary geography
California (36% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.

How to apply to Julian Schwinger Foundation For Physics

Who Julian Schwinger Foundation For Physics funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 4 recipients in 2024

CalTech University: $93KCalTech University$93KUniversity of Maryland: $92KUniversity of Maryland$92KDelft University of Technology: $62KDelft University of Technology$62KUtrecht University: $11KUtrecht University$11K

The largest 2024 recipient was CalTech University ($93K). Together the top 4 received $256K.

Grant Size Distribution

25 grants across all recorded years

8<$50K8$50–100K5$100–250K1$250–500K3$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 8 grants of 25 (32%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

6states

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 4 itemized grants.

Cities

Los AngelesNew YorkAustinBlacksburgCollege ParkLemontPasadena

How Julian Schwinger Foundation For Physics gives

  • Giving fell 66% from 2021 to 2024. Method
  • In 2024 it paid out 55% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method

From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.

Giving History

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$500K$1M$1.5M3 grants2020 4 grants2021 8 grants2022 6 grants2023 4 grants2024

From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $256K (2024) to $1.2M (2022). In 2024 it made 4 grants totaling $256K.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
CalTech University Pasadena, CAPhysics Research$92,638
University of Maryland College Park, MDPhysics Research$91,500
Delft University of Technology Physics Research$61,501
Utrecht University Physics Research$10,789
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Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsQualifying DistributionsNet Investment IncomeDistributable Amount
2024$19,287,301$960,028$569,663$256,4284$339,668$261,201$620,139
2023$18,896,936$1,179,234$1,078,577$527,3696$634,919$113,498$614,489
2022$18,796,279$1,660,530$1,919,555$1,205,0028$1,268,564$77,808$696,003
2021$19,055,304$2,226,531$1,166,636$760,0004$821,295$368,382$513,808
2020$17,995,409$910,380$1,002,799$532,4813—$84,293$541,266

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Julian Schwinger Foundation For Physics reported a distributable amount of $620K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Julian Schwinger Foundation For Physics is led by Seth Putterman PhD, President & CEO on every filing since 2020; all 6 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • Seth Putterman PhD

    President & CEO

    On filings since 2020

    3 hrs/week

    $36K (2020) → $36K (2024)

  • Berthold-Georg Englert PhD

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    2 hrs/week

    $24K (2020) → $24K (2024)

  • Edward T Yu

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    $12K (2020) → $12K (2024)

  • Lester L Deraad Jr. PhD

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    $12K (2020) → $12K (2024)

  • Y Jack Ng PhD

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    $12K (2020) → $12K (2024)

  • Gil Refael

    Director

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    $12K (2021) → $12K (2024)

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

Seth Putterman PHD — President & CEO: $36KSeth Putterman PHDPresident & CEO$36KBerthold-Georg Englert PHD — Director: $24KBerthold-Georg Englert…Director$24KLester L Deraad Jr PHD — Director: $12KLester L Deraad Jr PHDDirector$12KY Jack Ng PHD — Director: $12KY Jack Ng PHDDirector$12KEdward T Yu — Director: $12KEdward T YuDirector$12KGil Refael — Director: $12KGil RefaelDirector$12K

The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $36K, to Seth Putterman PHD (President & CEO). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.

Frequently asked questions about Julian Schwinger Foundation For Physics

How much does Julian Schwinger Foundation For Physics give each year?

Julian Schwinger Foundation For Physics gave $256K across 4 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $527K across 6 grants.

What is Julian Schwinger Foundation For Physics's typical grant size?

Julian Schwinger Foundation For Physics's median grant in 2024 was $76,501, and its average grant was $64,107, across 4 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

Where does Julian Schwinger Foundation For Physics give grants?

Julian Schwinger Foundation For Physics's top state is California, with 36% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest state was Maryland (36%).

Does Julian Schwinger Foundation For Physics give general operating support?

Not in 2024: none of the 4 grants with a stated purpose on Julian Schwinger Foundation For Physics's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Physics Research" (4 grants).

How large is Julian Schwinger Foundation For Physics?

Julian Schwinger Foundation For Physics reported $19.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $340K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $620K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.

What is Julian Schwinger Foundation For Physics's EIN?

Julian Schwinger Foundation For Physics's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 68-0503244. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.

Data update history

(1)

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

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The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open

Figures come from Julian Schwinger Foundation For Physics'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.

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