The Ono Pharma Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in 2017 and designated as a 501(c)(3) organization. Based in New York, NY, the foundation operates as the philanthropic arm of Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., a Japan-based pharmaceutical company. The foundation maintains offices in Lawrenceville, New Jersey and employs a small team focused on advancing scientific research and innovation.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$14.8M
+68.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.1M
-10.0% YoY
Grant Count
12
-14.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$259K
+5.0% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Ono Pharma Foundation's primary mission is to support scientist Principal Investigators with creative ideas in selected scientific research fields, seeking discoveries and solutions that develop high-impact science. The foundation's core initiative is the Ono Pharma Breakthrough Science Initiative Awards program, which focuses on supporting innovative research in Chemical Biology with the goal of transforming human health.
Primary funding focus areas include:
- Chemical Biology research
- Education
- Professional Societies & Associations
- Robotics
Grantmaking
The Ono Initiative Grant is the foundation's primary funding vehicle. Key details include:
How to Apply
**: Principal Investigators at nominated institutions submit Letters of Intent and proposals; institutions nominate PIs, but only the PI may submit applications
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds research in California, Massachusetts, and Wisconsin, with opportunities available to institutions in the United States and Canada.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of January 2025:
- Total Assets: $14,793,826
- Total Revenues: $9,516,421
- Total Expenses: $3,534,351
- Total Giving: $3,105,000
- Number of Employees: 2
As of January 2024:
- Total Assets: $8,810,000
- Total Revenues: $220,957
- Total Expenses: $3,510,000
The foundation experienced significant revenue growth between 2024 and 2025, with grants and contributions increasing from approximately $221,000 to $9.5 million.
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $14,793,826 | $8,805,186 | $12,448,698 |
| Revenue | $9,516,421 | $220,957 | $287,144 |
| Expenses | $3,534,351 | $3,513,018 | $3,324,120 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $3,533,633 | $3,870,463 | $4,427,747 |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
79 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Ono Pharma Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include Harvard University Dr Jarad Mason ($345,000), Northwestern University Dr Xiaoyu Zhang ($345,000), Stanford University Dr Bianxiao Cui ($345,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| BROAD INSTITUTE OF HARVARD & MIT DR XIAO WANG CAMBRIDGE, MA | THE ONO PHARMA BREAKTHROUGH SCIENCE INTITIATIVE AWARDS PROGRAM | $172,500 |
| SALK INSTITUTE FOR BIOLOGICAL STUDIES DR ALAN SAGHATELIAN LA JOLLA, CA | THE ONO PHARMA BREAKTHROUGH SCIENCE INTITIATIVE AWARDS PROGRAM | $172,500 |
| STANFORD UNIVERSITY DR ELIZABETH SATTELY REDWOOD CITY, CA | THE ONO PHARMA BREAKTHROUGH SCIENCE INTITIATIVE AWARDS PROGRAM | $172,500 |
| HARVARD UNIVERSITY DR JARAD MASON CAMBRIDGE, MA | THE ONO PHARMA BREAKTHROUGH SCIENCE INTITIATIVE AWARDS PROGRAM | $345,000 |
| NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY DR XIAOYU ZHANG EVANSTON, IL | THE ONO PHARMA BREAKTHROUGH SCIENCE INTITIATIVE AWARDS PROGRAM | $345,000 |
| STANFORD UNIVERSITY DR BIANXIAO CUI STANFORD, CA | THE ONO PHARMA BREAKTHROUGH SCIENCE INTITIATIVE AWARDS PROGRAM | $345,000 |
| UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELESDR KERIANN BACKUS LOS ANGELES, CA | THE ONO PHARMA BREAKTHROUGH SCIENCE INTITIATIVE AWARDS PROGRAM | $345,000 |
| THE SCRIPPS RESEARCH INSTITUTEDR MIA HUANG LA JOLLA, CA | THE ONO PHARMA BREAKTHROUGH SCIENCE INTITIATIVE AWARDS PROGRAM | $345,000 |
| REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGANDR AMANDA GARNER ANN ARBOR, MI | THE ONO PHARMA BREAKTHROUGH SCIENCE INTITIATIVE AWARDS PROGRAM | $345,000 |
| STANFORD UNIVERSITY DR STEVEN BANIK STANFORD, CA | THE ONO PHARMA BREAKTHROUGH SCIENCE INTITIATIVE AWARDS PROGRAM | $172,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Hirotaka Mizuno: President
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| TETSUYA SUGIYAMA | DIRECTOR | 2.1 | — |
| TORU MARUYAMA | TREASURER | 5.7 | — |
| ERICA WEINBERG | SECRETARY | 0.35 | $7,585 |
| HIROTAKA MIZUNO | PRESIDENT | 2.4 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation announced its 2025 awardees, continuing its commitment to supporting breakthrough science initiatives. Recent grantees have included notable researchers such as Dr. Xiao Wang of the Broad Institute of Harvard & MIT.
Ono Pharma Foundation \u2013 Breakthrough Science Initiative Awards Program\Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Ono Pharma Foundation fund?
The Ono Pharma Foundation's primary mission is to support scientist Principal Investigators with creative ideas in selected scientific research fields, seeking discoveries and solutions that develop high-impact science. The foundation's core initiative is the Ono Pharma Breakthrough Science Initiative Awards program, which focuses on supporting innovative research in Chemical Biology with the goal of transforming human health. Primary funding focus areas include: • Chemical Biology research • E…
How do I apply for a grant from Ono Pharma Foundation?
The Ono Initiative Grant is the foundation's primary funding vehicle. Key details include: • **Grant Amount**: Up to $1,035,000 over three years • **Typical Award Range**: $172,500–$345,000 • **Application Process**: Principal Investigators at nominated institutions submit Letters of Intent and proposals; institutions nominate PIs, but only the PI may submit applications • **Recent Activity**: The foundation made 14 grants in the most recent reporting period The foundation prioritizes supportin…
Where does Ono Pharma Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds research in California, Massachusetts, and Wisconsin, with opportunities available to institutions in the United States and Canada.
What size grants does Ono Pharma Foundation award?
In 2025, Ono Pharma Foundation awarded 12 grants totaling $3.1M — an average of about $259K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Ono Pharma Foundation's EIN?
Ono Pharma Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-5299703. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Ono Pharma Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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