Robert and Virginia Shiller Foundation
The Robert and Virginia Shiller Foundation is a private family foundation established by Nobel Prize-winning economist Robert Shiller and clinical psychologist Virginia Shiller. Based in Belmont, Massachusetts, the foundation operates as an invitation-only funder that makes discretionary grants to preselected charitable organizations without accepting unsolicited applications.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$603K
+24.2% YoY
Grant Count
14
+100.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$43K
-37.9% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation does not specify formal subject areas of focus but has demonstrated support across education, philanthropy, voluntarism and grantmaking, and human services. For the Shillers, sharing their wealth and supporting social programs is described as "a core part of their life philosophy," though the foundation is noted as "still evolving" in its mission and focus.
Grantmaking
The foundation makes discretionary grants to preselected organizations and does not operate formal grant programs.
Grant Range
$1,000–$350,000
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds projects across numerous U.S. cities and states, with emphasis on Connecticut and the Northeast. Geographic reach includes Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Washington, DC. The foundation has also made grants internationally in London and Oxford.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (2024):
- Total assets: $14,509,954
- Total giving: $602,500
- Total revenues: $986,001
- Total expenses: $678,512
Assets & Revenue (2023):
- Total assets: $14,202,465
- Total revenues: $2,963,061
- Total expenses: $512,237
Investment Performance:
- Investment income and dividends (2024): $542,614 (19.7% increase from 2023)
The foundation maintains a giving rate of approximately 4.2% of assets.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| 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 2024
Grant Size Distribution
144 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Weta ($350,000), Yale-new Haven Hospital ($100,000), Propublica ($50,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| CAMP SUNSHINE CASCO, ME | TO ASSIST THE RECIPIENT IN CARRYING OUT ITS CHARITABLE PURPOSE. | $1,000 |
| GIVE KIDS THE WORLD VILLAGE KISSIMMEE, FL | TO ASSIST THE RECIPIENT IN CARRYING OUT ITS CHARITABLE PURPOSE. | $1,500 |
| HAMDEN HALL COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL HAMDEN, CT | TO ASSIST THE RECIPIENT IN CARRYING OUT ITS CHARITABLE PURPOSE. | $2,500 |
| HOLE IN THE WALL GANG NEW HAVEN, CT | TO ASSIST THE RECIPIENT IN CARRYING OUT ITS CHARITABLE PURPOSE. | $2,500 |
| MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY CAMBRIDGE, MA | TO ASSIST THE RECIPIENT IN CARRYING OUT ITS CHARITABLE PURPOSE. | $5,000 |
| PROPUBLICA NEW YORK, NY | TO ASSIST THE RECIPIENT IN CARRYING OUT ITS CHARITABLE PURPOSE. | $50,000 |
| WETA ARLINGTON, VA | TO ASSIST THE RECIPIENT IN CARRYING OUT ITS CHARITABLE PURPOSE. | $350,000 |
| GOOD FOOD INSTITUTE WASHINGTON, DC | TO ASSIST THE RECIPIENT IN CARRYING OUT ITS CHARITABLE PURPOSE. | $30,000 |
| AMERICAN FOUNDATION PHOENIX, AZ | TO ASSIST THE RECIPIENT IN CARRYING OUT ITS CHARITABLE PURPOSE. | $25,000 |
| YALE-NEW HAVEN HOSPITAL NEW HAVEN, CT | TO ASSIST THE RECIPIENT IN CARRYING OUT ITS CHARITABLE PURPOSE. | $100,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is managed by trustees Robert Shiller, Virginia Shiller, and Derek Shiller, who all serve without compensation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROBERT SHILLER | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| VIRGINIA SHILLER | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| DEREK SHILLER | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Robert and Virginia Shiller Foundation fund?
The foundation does not specify formal subject areas of focus but has demonstrated support across education, philanthropy, voluntarism and grantmaking, and human services. For the Shillers, sharing their wealth and supporting social programs is described as "a core part of their life philosophy," though the foundation is noted as "still evolving" in its mission and focus.
How do I apply for a grant from Robert and Virginia Shiller Foundation?
The foundation makes discretionary grants to preselected organizations and does not operate formal grant programs. **Grant Characteristics:** • Annual giving: $500,000–$603,000 • Grant range: $1,000–$350,000 • Median grant: $5,000 • Number of grants: Approximately 14–30 grants annually • Application policy: Invitation-only; does not accept unsolicited applications **Recent Grant Examples:** • Yale New Haven Hospital: $100,000 • Yale University: $350,000 (charitable purposes and health equity pr…
Where does Robert and Virginia Shiller Foundation make grants?
The foundation funds projects across numerous U.S. cities and states, with emphasis on Connecticut and the Northeast. Geographic reach includes Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Washington, DC. The foundation has also made grants internationally in London and Oxford.
What size grants does Robert and Virginia Shiller Foundation award?
In 2024, Robert and Virginia Shiller Foundation awarded 14 grants totaling $603K — an average of about $43K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Robert and Virginia Shiller Foundation's EIN?
Robert and Virginia Shiller Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-0538779. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
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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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