Lightcone Foundation
To serve as a charitable and educational organization, supporting the charitable mission of the future of life foundation, primarily via grantmaking.
Lightcone Foundation at a glance
In short: Lightcone Foundation gave $33.8M across 4 grants in 2024 (avg $8.5M), mostly in Pennsylvania. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $33,833,000
- +178.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 4
- -20.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $8,458,250
- +248.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $6,329,000
- Total assets
- $174,375,915
- -4.3% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (62% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Lightcone Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Future of Life Institute ($21.1M). Together the top 4 received $33.8M.
Grant Size Distribution
10 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $1–5M range: 5 grants of 10 (50%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 4 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2022 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $10.0M (2022) to $33.8M (2024). In 2024 it made 4 grants totaling $33.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Future of Life Institute Narbreth, PA | Charitable work in support of the future of life foundation's mission | $21,050,000 |
| Silicon Valley Community Foundation Mountain View, CA | Charitable work in support of the future of life foundation's mission | $8,500,000 |
| Improve the News Foundation New Castle, DE | Charitable work in support of the future of life foundation's mission | $4,158,000 |
| Beneficial Ai Foundation Wilmington, DE | Charitable work in support of the future of life foundation's mission | $125,000 |
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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 | $174,375,915 | $9,723,116 | $34,080,020 | $33,833,000 | 4 | $9,723,116 |
| 2023 | $182,181,800 | $2,990,256 | $12,541,185 | $12,150,000 | 5 | $-3,668,275 |
| 2022 | $147,693,240 | $163,342,236 | $10,000,000 | $10,000,000 | 1 | $754,569 |
About Lightcone Foundation
Based on IRS filings
Lightcone Foundation is a public charity focused on Science & Technology, based in Sparks, NV. IRS filing data is available from 2022 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $174.4M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 4 grants totaling $33.8M. Net investment income was $9.7M.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Lightcone Foundation is led by Max Tegmark, Board President on every filing since 2022; none of the 4 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Max Tegmark
Board President
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jaan Tallinn
Director
On filings since 2022
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Anthony Aguirre
Board Secretary
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mihaela Chita-Tegmark
Board Treasurer
On filings since 2022
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2022–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Lightcone Foundation
How much does Lightcone Foundation give each year?
Lightcone Foundation gave $33.8M across 4 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $12.2M across 5 grants.
What is Lightcone Foundation's typical grant size?
Lightcone Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $6,329,000, and its average grant was $8,458,250, across 4 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Lightcone Foundation give grants?
Lightcone Foundation gives mostly in Pennsylvania: 62% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were California (25%) and Delaware (13%).
Does Lightcone Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 4 grants with a stated purpose on Lightcone Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
How large is Lightcone Foundation?
Lightcone Foundation reported $174.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $9.7M.
What is Lightcone Foundation?
Lightcone Foundation is a public charity focused on Science & Technology, based in Sparks, NV. It holds $174.4M in total assets as of 2024.
What is Lightcone Foundation's EIN?
Lightcone Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 92-0636259. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2022–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(4)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS February 11, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 5, 2026)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 5, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal year 2022
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Figures come from Lightcone Foundation'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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