Rita Allen Foundation Inc
Rita Allen Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Princeton, New Jersey. Established in 1953, it supports early-career biomedical research, collaborative work to advance inclusive engagement with science and civic life, and efforts to strengthen philanthropic practice.
Rita Allen Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Rita Allen Foundation Inc gave $5.5M across 101 grants in 2024 (avg $55K), top state California. 32% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $5,515,657
- -18.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 101
- -26.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $54,610
- +10.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $203,250,624
- +7.0% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 32% first-time grantees (25 of 77, 2024)
- Primary geography
- California (20% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Rita Allen Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 116, Princeton, NJ 08542-1116
Phone: (609) 683-8010
Website: https://ritaallen.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Rita Allen Foundation Inc
Who Rita Allen Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Stanford University ($400K across 4 grants). Together the top 10 received $2.2M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($50,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
658 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 339 grants of 658 (52%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, the largest shares of grant dollars went to recipients in California (20%), New York (19%), Massachusetts (14%), Connecticut (8%), and New Jersey (6%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 101 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Rita Allen Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
32%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 25 of 77 grantees (32%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $63K; repeat grants $76K. How we count
Medians: $50K first-time, $50K repeat.
- 55% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−6%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 91% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 $5.5M (2024) to $7.3M (2022). In 2024 it made 101 grants totaling $5.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Multiplier San Francisco, CA | Civic Science Funders Collaborative | $200,000 |
| Brandeis University (Wm) Waltham, MA | Annual Support | $190,000 |
| Researchamerica Alexandria, VA | Stac task force to advance U.S. competitiveness in the 21st century | $175,000 |
| Harvard Medical School Boston, MA | Rita Allen Foundation Scholars Program | $110,000 |
| Harvard University Cambridge, MA | Rita Allen Foundation Scholars Program | $110,000 |
| Rutgers the State University of New Jersey Piscataway, NJ | Rita Allen Foundation Scholars Program | $110,000 |
| The Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD | Rita Allen Foundation Scholars Program | $110,000 |
| University of California San Francisco San Francisco, CA | Rita Allen Foundation Scholars Program | $110,000 |
| University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI | Rita Allen Foundation Scholars Program | $110,000 |
| Rockedu Science Outreach at the Rockefeller University New York, NY | Civic Science Associate | $105,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $203,250,624 | $18,487,555 | $10,103,795 | $5,515,657 | 101 | $8,702,104 | $15,620,229 | $9,590,368 |
| 2023 | $189,867,123 | $8,340,526 | $10,562,214 | $6,760,118 | 137 | $9,567,484 | $7,724,600 | $8,840,212 |
| 2022 | $175,627,317 | $7,613,238 | $11,248,065 | $7,330,612 | 141 | $9,895,993 | $6,407,814 | $9,309,656 |
| 2021 | $219,012,203 | $23,878,841 | $9,836,624 | $5,863,599 | 130 | $8,291,475 | $23,683,499 | $10,010,242 |
| 2020 | $192,154,107 | $6,416,455 | $10,093,012 | $6,523,547 | 149 | — | $5,205,448 | $8,390,002 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Rita Allen Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $9.6M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation says it supports early-career biomedical scholars doing pioneering research, invests in collaborative efforts to advance inclusive engagement with science, communities, and civic life, and develops knowledge and networks to make philanthropy go further.
Its Scholars Program funds basic biomedical research in cancer, immunology, and neuroscience; pain research is supported through the Rita Allen Foundation Award in Pain. Scholars grants can provide up to $110,000 per year for a maximum of five years. The Award in Pain provides $50,000 per year for up to three years, according to the Foundation’s program information. The Foundation also identifies Civic Science and philanthropic practice and exploration as grantmaking domains.
The Foundation’s 2024 grants included support for universities and research and civic-science organizations. For example, grantee Multiplier describes its mission as accelerating initiatives focused on a healthy, sustainable, resilient, and equitable world. Ciencia Puerto Rico describes its work as promoting civic engagement and democratizing science, science education, and professional development. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own missions.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the Foundation reported 101 grants totaling $5,515,657. Itemized grants ranged from $50 to $200,000, with a median of $50,000.
Among the largest grants were $200,000 to Multiplier for the Civic Science Funders Collaborative, $190,000 to Brandeis University for annual support, and $175,000 to ResearchAmerica for the STAC Task Force to Advance U.S. Competitiveness in the 21st Century. The Foundation also awarded $110,000 each to Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Rutgers University, Johns Hopkins University, the University of California San Francisco, and the University of Michigan for the Rita Allen Foundation Scholars Program.
The Foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. It periodically hosts open Letters of Inquiry processes for specific topic areas, with opportunities announced on its website. The Scholars Program is by invitation: eligible institutions submit a nomination letter of inquiry, and a nominated candidate subsequently submits a proposal and supporting materials. The Foundation’s published guidelines specify that one candidate per eligible institution may be nominated annually. The Scholars Award in Pain has a separate application process.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing listed William F. Gadsden as chairperson of the board and Elizabeth G. Christopherson as president and CEO. Other listed directors were Andrew K. Golden, Landon Y. Jones, Rodney Priestley, Samuel S-H Wang, and Sivan Hong. Kari A. Williams was listed for finance and as treasurer. Katherine Belyi was listed as secretary/knowledge through July 2024, and Elizabeth A. Fisher as secretary/project management from December 2024.
Rita Allen Foundation Inc is led by Elizabeth G. Christopherson, President & CEO since 2021 (on filings since 2020); 8 of 13 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Elizabeth G. Christopherson
President & CEO
Director, President & CEO → President & CEO, 2021
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$482K (2020) → $585K (2024)
William F. Gadsden
Chairperson of the Board
Director & Chairperson of the Board → Chairperson of the Board, 2021
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$7K (2020) → $7K (2024)
Rodney Priestley PhD
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$500 (2020) → $4K (2024)
Samuel S-H Wang PhD
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$4K (2020) → $4K (2024)
Carl Nathan MD
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
$4K (2023) → $4K (2024)
Andrew K. Golden
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Landon Y. Jones
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sivan Hong
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
The Honorable Thomas H. Kean
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Nirenberg PhD
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kari A. Williams
Finance & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$161K (2020) → $190K (2024)
Katherine Belyi
Secretary & Knowledge
Secretary & Communications → Secretary, Prgms & Knwl, 2021
Secretary, Prgms & Knwl → Secretary & Knowledge, 2023
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$104K (2020) → $123K (2024)
Elizabeth A. Fisher
Secretary & Project Management
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$97K (2024)
Former officers (2)
- Former: Geneva Overholser (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Robbert Dijkgraaf PhD (2020–2021) — 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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $585K, to Elizabeth G Christopherson (President & CEO). 8 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Rita Allen Foundation Inc
How much does Rita Allen Foundation Inc give each year?
Rita Allen Foundation Inc gave $5.5M across 101 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $6.8M across 137 grants.
What is Rita Allen Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Rita Allen Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $50,000, and its average grant was $54,610, across 101 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Rita Allen Foundation Inc that year got $63K on average.
Where does Rita Allen Foundation Inc give grants?
Rita Allen Foundation Inc's top state is California, with 20% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were New York (19%) and Massachusetts (14%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (11 grants), Boston, MA (9 grants), Washington, DC (8 grants) and Philadelphia, PA (7 grants).
Does Rita Allen Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 24% of Rita Allen Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (24 of 101) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Rita Allen Foundation Scholars Program" (30 grants), "Civic Science Fellow" (12 grants) and "Project Support" (4 grants).
Who are Rita Allen Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Rita Allen Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Stanford University ($400,000 across 4 grants), Yale University ($300,000 across 3 grants) and Researchamerica ($275,000 across 3 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($50,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 18% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Rita Allen Foundation Inc?
Rita Allen Foundation Inc reported $203.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $8.7M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $9.6M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Rita Allen Foundation Inc fund?
The Foundation says it supports early-career biomedical scholars doing pioneering research, invests in collaborative efforts to advance inclusive engagement with science, communities, and civic life, and develops knowledge and networks to make philanthropy go further. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Rita Allen Foundation Inc?
Rita Allen Foundation Inc does not accept unsolicited proposals, according to Grantable's research on its published guidelines. Check ritaallen.org for any change to that policy.
What is Rita Allen Foundation Inc's EIN?
Rita Allen Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-6116429. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Rita Allen Foundation Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Rita Allen Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/rita-allen-foundation-inc-morg_b041735e290d4f918ed1ea674734f380
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_136116429_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Rita Allen Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/rita-allen-foundation-inc-morg_b041735e290d4f918ed1ea674734f380},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. 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 Rita Allen Foundation Inc'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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