Research Foundation of the City University of New York
The Research Foundation of the City University of New York (RFCUNY) is a New York-based nonprofit educational corporation and public charity, founded in 1963. It provides fiscal and administrative support for CUNY research and sponsored programs, helping CUNY researchers, faculty, and staff carry out projects supported by external funding.
Research Foundation of the City University of New York at a glance
In short: Research Foundation of the City University of New York gave $42.4M across 261 grants in 2025 (avg $162K), mostly in New York. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $42,368,826
- -22.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 261
- +0.4% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $162,333
- -23.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $90,848
- Total assets
- $650,099,139
- -0.3% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- New York (69% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Research Foundation of the City University of New York
- Contact
Mailing address: 230 West 41St Street, New York, NY 10036
Phone: (212) 417-8580
Website: https://rfcuny.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Research Foundation of the City University of New York funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was MTX Group Inc ($2.2M). Together the top 10 received $13.0M.
Organizations only. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($273,383), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
521 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 174 grants of 521 (33%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 69% of grant dollars went to recipients in New York, followed by Texas (6%), New Jersey (4%), Pennsylvania (3%), and the District of Columbia (2%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 261 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Research Foundation of the City University of New York gives
- 69% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2025). 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 2024 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $42.4M (2025) to $54.8M (2024). In 2025 it made 261 grants totaling $42.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| MTX Group Inc Frisco, TX | Research | $2,151,487 |
| Catholic Charities Communities Services Goshen, NY | Research | $2,138,222 |
| Help Social Service Corporation New York, NY | Research | $1,752,407 |
| The Trustees of Columbia in the City of NY New York, NY | Research | $1,435,488 |
| Make the Road New York Brentwood, NY | Research | $1,169,428 |
| Bronx Community College Early Childhood Ctr Bronx, NY | Research | $1,048,286 |
| Public Policy Lab Inc Brooklyn, NY | Research | $982,875 |
| New York University-Sponsored PRGMS New York, NY | Research | $879,528 |
| IDEAS42 Washington, DC | Research | $734,156 |
| Fund for the City of New York Inc New York, NY | Research | $683,388 |
Ready to take the next step with Research Foundation of the City University of New York?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $650,099,139 | $667,697,898 | $665,088,993 | $42,368,826 | 261 | $7,009,302 |
| 2024 | $652,289,162 | $673,014,824 | $665,311,047 | $54,780,614 | 260 | $6,853,282 |
| 2023 | $580,593,127 | $600,333,510 | $592,838,098 | — | — | $3,184,809 |
| 2022 | $512,515,904 | $518,290,887 | $514,798,703 | — | — | $258,623 |
| 2021 | $439,317,076 | $501,643,850 | $498,715,234 | — | — | $222,278 |
| 2020 | $422,222,226 | $547,502,335 | $543,321,202 | — | — | $1,830,685 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
RFCUNY’s stated mission includes receiving, holding, and administering gifts, grants, and contracts; financing studies and research across fields of intellectual inquiry; and supporting CUNY’s educational and community-service objectives. Its program descriptions encompass externally funded basic and applied research and development, sponsored instruction and training, and other sponsored activities that benefit the public or community sectors.
The 2025 filing lists grants for research. Recipients included universities and research institutions, as well as community and public-policy organizations. Make the Road New York describes its mission as building the power of immigrant and working-class communities to achieve dignity and justice. The Public Policy Lab says it designs policies and programs to help poor and marginalized Americans build better lives. The Fund for the City of New York says it works to improve the performance of government and nonprofit organizations.
Grantmaking
The 2025 filing lists 261 grants totaling $42,368,826. Grant amounts ranged from $5,087 to $2,151,487, with a median of $90,848.
Among the largest listed grants were $2,151,487 to MTX Group Inc. for research; $2,138,222 to Catholic Charities Communities Services for research; $1,752,407 to Help Social Service Corporation for research; and $1,435,488 to the Trustees of Columbia in the City of New York for research. Other notable recipients included Make the Road New York ($1,169,428), Bronx Community College Early Childhood Center ($1,048,286), Public Policy Lab ($982,875), and New York University–Sponsored Programs ($879,528).
RFCUNY’s website describes post-award fiscal and administrative support for CUNY-sponsored projects and pre-proposal support that helps CUNY faculty and students identify and obtain external funding.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Felix Matos Rodriguez as chairperson and Joshua Brumberg as vice chair. It also lists Abel Valenzuela Jr, Ayman El-Mohandes, Chauncy H Lennon, David Jeruzalmi, Kenneth Adams, Larry Johnson, Lesley Davenport, and Michelle J Anderson as board members.
Research Foundation of the City University of New York is led by Hector R. Cordero-Guzman, President since 2023 (on filings since 2022); 14 of 30 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Hector R. Cordero-Guzman
President
Interim President → President, 2023
On filings since 2022
35 hrs/week
$305K (2023) → $320K (2025)
Felix Matos Rodriguez
Chairperson
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marc V. Shaw
Cuny Project Director
On filings since 2020
35 hrs/week
$285K (2020) → $274K (2025)
Doliski A. Mozeleski
Associate Grants Director - City College
On filings since 2020
35 hrs/week
$251K (2020) → $326K (2025)
Jacek Olszewski
Chief Information Officer
On filings since 2020
35 hrs/week
$216K (2020) → $231K (2025)
Jerry F. Steele
Former Chief Operating Officer
Chief Operating Officer → Chief Operating Officer -, 2023
Chief Operating Officer - → Former Chief Operating Officer, 2024
On filings since 2020
35 hrs/week
$250K (2020) → $124K (2025)
Gavita D. Harris
Chief Financial Officer
Chief Financial Officer - → Chief Financial Officer, 2023
On filings since 2022
35 hrs/week
$202K (2022) → $241K (2025)
Karen Goldstein
Executive Legal Counsel
Senior Associate Counsel → Executive Legal Counsel, 2025
On filings since 2022
35 hrs/week
$233K (2022) → $272K (2025)
Matthew R. Drost
Chief Counsel & Secretary
Chief Counsel & Secretary - → Chief Counsel & Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2023
35 hrs/week
$161K (2023) → $213K (2025)
William Keller
Board Member
Board Member- → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2023
0.2 hrs/week
$214 (2023) → $0 (2025)
Annette C. Piecora
Chief Human Resources Officer
Chief Human Resources Officer - → Chief Human Resources Officer, 2025
On filings since 2024
35 hrs/week
$222K (2024) → $233K (2025)
Elizabeth Verostek
Former Chief Operating Officier
Chief Operating Officer - → Former Chief Operating Officier, 2025
On filings since 2024
35 hrs/week
$59K (2024) → $116K (2025)
Sarah G. Kulkarni
Associate Director
Project Director → Associate Director, 2025
On filings since 2024
35 hrs/week
$223K (2024) → $256K (2025)
Xiaole Jiang
Board Member - Grad Student
On filings since 2024
0.2 hrs/week
$31K (2024) → $31K (2025)
Dean A. Fuleihan
Senior Fellow
New on the 2025 filing
35 hrs/week
$250K (2025)
Mindaugas Paunksnis
Chief Operating Officer -
New on the 2025 filing
35 hrs/week
$71K (2025)
David Jeruzalmi
Board Member
On filings since 2020
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lesley Davenport
Board Member
On filings since 2020
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Neil Stahl
Board Member
On filings since 2020
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Steven Penrod
Board Member
On filings since 2020
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ayman El-Mohandes
Board Member
On filings since 2022
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kenneth Adams
Board Member
On filings since 2022
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michelle J. Anderson
Board Member
On filings since 2022
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Richardo Otheguy
Board Member
On filings since 2022
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ruth Noemi Colon
Board Member
On filings since 2022
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Abel Valenzuela Jr.
Board Member
Board Member- → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2023
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Chauncy H. Lennon
Board Member
Board Member- → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2023
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rochelle Rives
Board Member
Board Member- → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2023
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joshua Brumberg
Vice Chair
Vice Chair- → Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2024
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Larry Johnson
Board Member
Board Member - → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2024
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (22)
- Former: Robin L. Garrell (2021–2024) — Vice Chair -
- Former: Thomas A. Isekenegbe (2022–2024) — Board Member -
- Former: Kyung Hur (2024) — Interim Chief Operating Officer -
- Former: Lisa M. Destefano (2024) — Director of Research Policy & Indirect Cost -
- Former: Jarnee M. Bramlette (2020–2023) — Former Chief Financial Officer & Interim President
- Former: Jeffrey I. Slonim (2020–2023) — Chief Counsel & Secretary-
- Former: John Mogulescu (2020–2023) — Cuny Senior University Dean for Academic Affairs
- Former: Sami Sauma (2020–2023) — Board Member-Grad Student
- Former: Sherry M. Cleary (2021–2023) — Rf Project Director
- Former: Wendy E. Patitucci (2023) — Senior Director of Hr
- Former: Laurence F. Mucciolo (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Roderick A. Hurley (2022) — Board Member-Grad Student
- Former: Edward Kalaydjian (2020–2021) — Former Chief Financial Officer - Retired
- Former: Gayle M. Horwitz (2020–2021) — Interim President
- Former: James Muyskens (2020–2021) — Vice Chair-
- Former: Loretta Brancaccio-Taras (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: William J. Fritz (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Angela P. Clarke (2021) — Assistant Director of Grants & Contracts- Retired
- Former: Cass C. Conrad (2020) — Rf Dean - Cuny Central
- Former: Rachelle F. Scott (2020) — Senior Supervisor Councelor - Hunter College
- Former: Richard Rothbard (2020) — Former Officer - Retired
- Former: Scott E. Evenbeck (2020) — Board Member - Retired
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $326K, to Doliski a Mozeleski (Associate Grants Director - City College). 14 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Research Foundation of the City University of New York
How much does Research Foundation of the City University of New York give each year?
Research Foundation of the City University of New York gave $42.4M across 261 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $54.8M across 260 grants.
What is Research Foundation of the City University of New York's typical grant size?
Research Foundation of the City University of New York's median grant in 2025 was $90,848, and its average grant was $162,333, across 261 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Research Foundation of the City University of New York give grants?
Research Foundation of the City University of New York gives mostly in New York: 69% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Texas (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (74 grants), Brooklyn, NY (26 grants), Bronx, NY (19 grants) and Philadelphia, PA (4 grants).
Does Research Foundation of the City University of New York give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 261 grants with a stated purpose on Research Foundation of the City University of New York's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Research" (261 grants).
Who are Research Foundation of the City University of New York's largest grantees?
Research Foundation of the City University of New York's largest 2025 grantees include MTX Group Inc ($2,151,487), Catholic Charities Communities Services ($2,138,222) and Help Social Service Corporation ($1,752,407), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($273,383), which are not listed by name. Together they received 14% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Research Foundation of the City University of New York?
Research Foundation of the City University of New York reported $650.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $667.7M.
What does Research Foundation of the City University of New York fund?
RFCUNY’s stated mission includes receiving, holding, and administering gifts, grants, and contracts; financing studies and research across fields of intellectual inquiry; and supporting CUNY’s educational and community-service objectives. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Research Foundation of the City University of New York?
Research Foundation of the City University of New York has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check rfcuny.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Research Foundation of the City University of New York's EIN?
Research Foundation of the City University of New York's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-1988190. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 12, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 12, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Research Foundation of the City University of New York's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Robin Hood Foundation
New York, NY
Robin Hood funds effective poverty-fighting programs serving low-income New Yorkers, including work in education, health, employment, housing, and household support, primarily across New York City’s five boroughs. Its 2024 grants had a median of about $309,000, with amounts ranging from $17,000 to $5.36 million. It does not accept unsolicited requests, but eligible organizations can submit an expression of interest and apply to periodic funding opportunities.
Assets
$334.5M
Grants
249
Total Given
$126.3M
The New York Community Trust
New York, NY
The New York Community Trust funds nonprofit programs in areas such as arts, education, health, the environment, workforce development, and youth development, including projects that improve services, build organizational capacity, or advance policy and systems change. Its competitive grants mainly serve New York City, Long Island, and Westchester, with some national and international environmental funding; the 2024 median grant was $20,000. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$3.5B
Grants
2,748
Total Given
$193.8M
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
The Ford Foundation
New York, NY
The Ford Foundation funds organizations and initiatives working to reduce inequality and advance social justice, including work on civic engagement, civil rights, climate justice, disability rights, and technology and society. In 2024, its grants ranged from $45 to $15 million, with a median of $100,000, supporting work in the U.S. and internationally. It says most grants are identified by the foundation and it does not accept unsolicited proposals by mail, email, or phone; limited opportunities may be offered separately.
Assets
$17.5B
Grants
4,007
Total Given
$844.7M
The Simons Foundation Inc
New York, NY
The Simons Foundation funds research and public engagement in mathematics and the physical, life, autism, and neuroscience sciences. In 2024, it made 1,727 grants, with a median award of $72,000 and amounts ranging from $1,480 to $20 million, supporting organizations in the U.S. and internationally. It states that it funds only preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$4.5B
Grants
1,727
Total Given
$272.0M
Local Initiatives Support Corporation
New York, NY
LISC funds affordable housing, community development, small businesses, and related efforts that strengthen inclusive communities, providing grants as well as loans, equity, and technical assistance across the country. Its 2024 grants had a median award of $40,000, though amounts varied widely. Application access is program-specific: for its Rhode Island child care facilities planning grants, applicants are instructed to consult program staff before submitting a request.
Assets
$1.6B
Grants
1,119
Total Given
$102.8M
More Funders in New York
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Research Foundation of the City University of New York funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 4, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/research-foundation-of-the-city-university-of-new-york-morg_6e02220911784c6c819a81c3bac80c99
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_131988190_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Research Foundation of the City University of New York funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/research-foundation-of-the-city-university-of-new-york-morg_6e02220911784c6c819a81c3bac80c99},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-04. 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 Research Foundation of the City University of New York'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.
Research Foundation of the City University of New York down — hundreds of funders to go?