Research Foundation of the City University of New York
The Research Foundation of the City University of New York (RFCUNY) is a private, not-for-profit educational corporation chartered by the State of New York in 1963. Based in New York City at 230 West 41st Street, 7th Floor, the organization operates as a separate legal entity from CUNY, governed by its own Board of Directors and management team. RFCUNY serves as the administrative and financial backbone for sponsored research and external funding across the CUNY system.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$652.3M
+12.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$54.8M
Grant Count
260
Avg Grant Size
$211K
Mission & Focus Areas
RFCUNY receives, holds, and administers gifts, grants, and contracts; acts as trustee of educational and charitable trusts; finances the conduct of studies and research in all fields of intellectual inquiry; and assists in developing facilities in support of CUNY's educational and community service objectives.
The organization supports CUNY faculty and staff in two primary capacities: identifying and obtaining external support from government and private sponsors (pre-award services), and administering all funded programs (post-award administration).
Primary program areas include:
- Organized Research — externally funded research activities (basic and applied) and development activities, including research training
- Instruction/Training — sponsored teaching and training activities offered for credit or non-credit
Grantmaking
RFCUNY functions primarily as an administrator of sponsored programs rather than a traditional grantmaker. The organization provides post-award administration of sponsored programs for CUNY and other non-profit organizations.
Ready to take the next step with Research Foundation of the City University of New York?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total assets: $652,289,162
- Total revenues: $673,014,824
- Total expenses: $665,311,047
- Total liabilities: $443,726,911
- Net assets/fund balances: $136,866,216
As of 2023:
- Total assets: $580,593,127
- Total liabilities: $444,000,000
- Gross receipts from all sources: $618,759,602
Tax Status:
- 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization
- Tax-exempt since June 1982
- EIN: 13-1988190
- Required to file IRS Form 990
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $652,289,162 | $580,593,127 | $512,515,904 |
| Revenue | $673,014,824 | $600,333,510 | $518,290,887 |
| Expenses | $665,311,047 | $592,838,098 | $514,798,703 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $6,853,282 | $3,184,809 | $258,623 |
| 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 2024
Grant Size Distribution
50 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Jarnee M. Bramlette — Interim President & Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
- Phone: 212-417-8587
- Email: Jarnee_Bramlette@rfcuny.org
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ABEL VALENZUELA JR | BOARD MEMBER | 0.2 | — |
| AYMAN EL-MOHANDES | BOARD MEMBER | 0.2 | — |
| CHAUNCY H LENNON | BOARD MEMBER | 0.2 | — |
| DAVID JERUZALMI | BOARD MEMBER | 0.2 | — |
| FELIX MATOS RODRIGUEZ | CHAIRPERSON | 0.3 | — |
| JOSHUA BRUMBERG | VICE CHAIR- as of 10/02/23 | 0.2 | — |
| KENNETH ADAMS | BOARD MEMBER | 0.2 | — |
| LARRY JOHNSON | BOARD MEMBER - as of 08/09/23 | 0.2 | — |
| LESLEY DAVENPORT | BOARD MEMBER | 0.2 | — |
| MICHELLE J ANDERSON | BOARD MEMBER | 0.2 | — |
| NEIL STAHL | BOARD MEMBER | 0.2 | — |
| RICHARDO OTHEGUY | BOARD MEMBER | 0.2 | — |
| ROBIN GARRELL | VICE CHAIR - thru 09/29/23 | 0.3 | — |
| ROCHELLE RIVES | BOARD MEMBER | 0.2 | — |
| RUTH NOEMI COLON | BOARD MEMBER | 0.2 | — |
| STEVEN PENROD | BOARD MEMBER | 0.2 | — |
| THOMAS A ISEKENEGBE | BOARD MEMBER - thru 08/20/23 | 0.2 | — |
| WILLIAM KELLER | BOARD MEMBER | 0.2 | — |
| XIAOLE JIANG | BOARD MEMBER - GRAD STUDENT | 0.2 | $30,518 |
| ANNETTE C PIECORA | CHIEF HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER - as of 11/20/2023 | 35 | $222,428 |
| ELIZABETH VEROSTEK | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER - 09/2023 THRU 02/2024 | 35 | $59,193 |
| GAVITA D HARRIS | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 35 | $229,991 |
| HECTOR R CORDERO-GUZMAN | PRESIDENT | 35 | $320,389 |
| JACEK OLSZEWSKI | CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER | 35 | $224,092 |
| KYUNG HUR | INTERIM CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER - 07/2023 THRU 09/2023 | 35 | $167,857 |
| MATTHEW R DROST | CHIEF COUNSEL & SECRETARY | 35 | $210,739 |
| DOLISKI A MOZELESKI | ASSOCIATE GRANTS DIRECTOR - CITY COLLEGE | 35 | $284,864 |
| KAREN GOLDSTEIN | SENIOR ASSOCIATE COUNSEL | 35 | $258,108 |
| LISA M DESTEFANO | DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH POLICY AND INDIRECT COST - thru 9/2023 | 35 | $253,761 |
| MARC V SHAW | CUNY PROJECT DIRECTOR | 35 | $273,541 |
| SARAH G KULKARNI | PROJECT DIRECTOR | 35 | $223,346 |
| JERRY F STEELE | FORMER CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER | 35 | $357,538 |
Recent Activity
Recent developments and announcements
RFCUNY has announced new administrative tools and processes, including the introduction of a Stipend Request system to streamline grant administration.
RF CUNY - Introducing the Stipend RequestThe PSC-CUNY Research Award Program, administered through RFCUNY, continues to accept applications for faculty research support.
PSC-CUNY Research Award Program is Now Accepting Applications - 2025 | HunterThe organization maintains detailed grant award agreement procedures and review processes available through its website.
RF Grant Award Agreements - RFCUNY.orgSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Launa Beuhler Foundation for
BROOKLYN, NY
Assets
$2K
Grants
4
Total Given
$20K
Uw E J Madden Mem Open Hearts Club 10-214880
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$1.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$307K
Hindy's Foundation
BROOKLYN, NY
Assets
$142K
Grants
8
Total Given
$225K
Jeanne & Thomas Hardy Family Foundation
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$3K
Grants
3
Total Given
$3K
Ramsleg Foundation
BRIGHTWATERS, NY
Assets
$543
Grants
1
Total Given
$500
Druckenmiller Foundation
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$1.8B
Grants
58
Total Given
$135.7M
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Research Foundation of the City University of New York on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities