NFX
NFX is a Detroit, Michigan-based public charity that funds scientific and medical research to advance treatments for neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). Founded in 2017 as NF Forward by Jennifer and Dan Gilbert, it rebranded as NFX in 2025.
NFX at a glance
In short: NFX gave $14.7M across 18 grants in 2024 (avg $819K), top state Pennsylvania. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $14,742,234
- +176.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 18
- +200.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $819,013
- -7.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $411,764
- Total assets
- $10,349,543
- -43.7% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (21% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
How to apply to NFX
- Invitation Only
-
NFX accepts applications for support by invitation only; its website does not describe a general application process or required materials.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1074 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48226-1906
Phone: (313) 373-3977
Website: https://nfxdetroit.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who NFX funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Children's Hospital of Philadelphia ($3.0M). Together the top 10 received $11.9M.
Grant Size Distribution
33 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $250–500K range: 13 grants of 33 (39%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
NFX is based in Detroit, Michigan. Its 2024 grants went to recipients in multiple states. By share of grant dollars, Pennsylvania received 21%, California 20%, Massachusetts 12%, Ohio 11%, and New York 10%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 18 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How NFX gives
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $2.7M (2021) to $14.7M (2024). In 2024 it made 18 grants totaling $14.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Philadelphia, PA | Support for Neurofibromatosis Research | $3,023,731 |
| Stanford University Redwood City, CA | Support for Neurofibromatosis Research | $2,492,685 |
| Children's Tumor Foundation New York, NY | Support for Neurofibromatosis Research | $1,500,000 |
| University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, AL | Support for Neurofibromatosis Research | $1,184,294 |
| Washington University St. Louis, MO | Support for Neurofibromatosis Research | $887,596 |
| Children's Hospital Corporation Boston, MA | Support for Neurofibromatosis Research | $859,027 |
| Battelle Memorial Institute Columbus, OH | Support for Neurofibromatosis Research | $619,262 |
| University of Massachusetts Worcester, MA | Support for Neurofibromatosis Research | $537,597 |
| The General Hospital Corporation Boston, MA | Support for Neurofibromatosis Research | $427,713 |
| University of California San Francisco San Francisco, CA | Support for Neurofibromatosis Research | $395,815 |
Ready to take the next step with NFX?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $10,349,543 | $6,883,911 | $15,111,434 | $14,742,234 | 18 | $2,158 |
| 2023 | $18,398,741 | $9,521,090 | $5,386,586 | $5,331,337 | 6 | $1,315 |
| 2022 | $14,506,455 | $8,115,909 | $4,721,535 | $4,681,984 | 3 | $29,585 |
| 2021 | $11,092,671 | $8,373,465 | $3,278,799 | $2,709,676 | 3 | $17,559 |
| 2020 | $7,251,040 | $6,859,079 | $5,443,291 | $5,368,029 | 3 | $26 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
NFX’s stated aim is to drive high-impact research to discover and develop targeted treatments for NF1, with a vision of treatments tailored to each person’s experience. Its 2024 filing describes its purpose as advancing research toward a cure for neurofibromatosis.
The 2024 grants listed in the filing all state their purpose as support for neurofibromatosis research. Recipients include research institutions and hospitals, as well as the Children’s Tumor Foundation. The foundation describes its own mission as driving research, expanding knowledge, and advancing care for the NF community, with a vision to end NF. NFX’s website also identifies the Children’s Tumor Foundation as an organization it supports.
Grantmaking
In 2024, NFX reported 18 grants totaling $14,742,234. The median grant was $411,764; grants ranged from $326,633 to $3,023,731. Its largest reported awards were $3,023,731 to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, $2,492,685 to Stanford University, $1,500,000 to the Children’s Tumor Foundation, and $1,184,294 to the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Each was designated for neurofibromatosis research.
NFX’s 2024 filing says grantees must submit annual reports detailing their use of grant funds and the scientific progress of funded projects.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Jennifer Gilbert as president and Matthew Rizik as treasurer and secretary, with Jeffrey Morganroth as a director. NFX’s website identifies Jennifer Gilbert and Matt Rizik as board members and lists Jeff Morganroth as general counsel of Rock Family of Companies.
NFX is led by Jennifer Gilbert, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Jennifer Gilbert
President
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeffrey Morganroth
Director
Board Member → Director, 2024
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Matthew Rizik
Treasurer & Secretary
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Laura Grannemann (2022) — Executive Director
- Former: Joyce Keller (2020–2021) — Executive 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.
Frequently asked questions about NFX
How much does NFX give each year?
NFX gave $14.7M across 18 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $5.3M across 6 grants.
What is NFX's typical grant size?
NFX's median grant in 2024 was $411,764, and its average grant was $819,013, across 18 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does NFX give grants?
NFX's top state is Pennsylvania, with 21% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were California (20%) and Massachusetts (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were Columbus, OH (3 grants) and Boston, MA (2 grants).
Does NFX give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 18 grants with a stated purpose on NFX's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Support for Neurofibromatosis Research" (18 grants).
Who are NFX's largest grantees?
NFX's largest 2024 grantees include Children's Hospital of Philadelphia ($3,023,731), Stanford University ($2,492,685) and Children's Tumor Foundation ($1,500,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 48% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is NFX?
NFX reported $10.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $6.9M.
What does NFX fund?
NFX’s stated aim is to drive high-impact research to discover and develop targeted treatments for NF1, with a vision of treatments tailored to each person’s experience. Its 2024 filing describes its purpose as advancing research toward a cure for neurofibromatosis. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from NFX?
NFX accepts applications for support by invitation only; its website does not describe a general application process or required materials. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is NFX's EIN?
NFX's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 82-1672519. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
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 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 8, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 13, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in NFX's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
The Gilbert Family Foundation
Detroit, MI
The Gilbert Family Foundation funds Detroit community opportunity—including housing stability, economic mobility, public spaces, and arts and culture—as well as neurofibromatosis research. Its 2024 grants ranged from $500 to $19.2 million, with a median of about $162,000; most grant dollars went to Michigan, especially Detroit-focused work. It does not accept unsolicited requests, though it sometimes issues requests for proposals.
Assets
$53.1M
Grants
140
Total Given
$112.9M
Yale University
New Haven, CT
Yale University funds sponsored research, education and institutional programs, student aid, and charitable or community support, with 2025 grants ranging from $3,000 to $14.3 million and a median of about $136,000. Grants went to recipients in multiple states, with the largest shares in Connecticut, California, Massachusetts, New York, and Pennsylvania. The information does not state whether Yale accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$58.9B
Grants
364
Total Given
$168.2M
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD
Johns Hopkins University funds a broad range of education, research, health, and community-related work, with 2025 grants ranging from $5,500 to nearly $95 million and a median of $100,000; many of the largest awards were sub-awards. Its grants went to organizations across the U.S., with the largest shares in California and Maryland, and the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$25.3B
Grants
813
Total Given
$594.1M
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
New York, NY
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society funds MS research worldwide, along with services, education, advocacy, and professional training for people affected by MS and their care communities. In 2025, its grants ranged from $6,000 to $1.62 million, with a median of about $156,000. It lists active research and training opportunities; whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$189.2M
Grants
92
Total Given
$23.2M
Emory University
Atlanta, GA
Emory University primarily funds research and subcontract work for universities, hospitals, research organizations, and other organizations, across a range of academic and health-related fields. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,500 to $19.1 million, with a median of about $97,000; 41% of grant dollars went to Georgia recipients. The profile does not state whether Emory accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$24.9B
Grants
362
Total Given
$183.7M
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, TN
Vanderbilt University Medical Center supports medical and scientific research, health and educational programs, and related institutional purposes, with grants to universities, medical centers, and research organizations. Its 2025 grants had a median of about $116,000, though awards ranged widely; recipients were based across the U.S., with the most funding going to Tennessee. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$7.8B
Grants
246
Total Given
$125.1M
More similar funders
More Funders in Michigan
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). NFX funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/nfx-morg_b85ade48ba74461c981a7d5ffd02765b
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_821672519_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{NFX funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/nfx-morg_b85ade48ba74461c981a7d5ffd02765b},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from NFX'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.
NFX down — hundreds of funders to go?