Robertson Foundation
The Robertson Foundation is a private family foundation based in New York, New York. Established in 1996 by Tiger Management founder Julian H. Robertson, Jr., his wife Josie, and their family, it supports work in education, the environment, and medical research.
Robertson Foundation at a glance
In short: Robertson Foundation gave $105.2M across 256 grants in 2024 (avg $411K), mostly in New York. 47% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $105,166,850
- +38.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 256
- +14.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $410,808
- +21.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $300,820,477
- +26.6% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 47% first-time grantees (107 of 227, 2024)
- Primary geography
- New York (50% 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 Robertson Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The Foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds; it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 45 West 45Th Street 12Th Floor, New York, NY 10036-4602
Phone: (212) 984-5700
Website: https://robertsonfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Robertson Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University ($21.0M). Together the top 10 received $76.0M.
Grant Size Distribution
1,036 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 741 grants of 1,036 (72%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 grant-dollar distribution by recipient state was reported as New York 50%, California 22%, North Carolina 10%, Washington, D.C. 4%, and an unidentified “?” category at 9%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 256 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Robertson Foundation open to new grantees?
47%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 107 of 227 grantees (47%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $408K; repeat grants $512K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 41% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 20% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 530% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 $76.0M (2023) to $105.2M (2024). In 2024 it made 256 grants totaling $105.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University Redwood City, CA | Artworks donated - wag id: 405307 - diebenkorn, richard (ocean park no. 9, 1968) | $21,000,000 |
| Success Academy Charter Schools New York, NY | General Operating Support | $10,000,000 |
| Robertson Scholars Leadership Program Chapel Hill, NC | General Operating Support and Scholarships | $9,660,077 |
| Environmental Defense Fund Inc New York, NY | Decarbonizing the trucking sector, reducing methane & climate in china | $7,000,000 |
| The Rockefeller University New York, NY | Therapeutic Development Fund | $5,000,000 |
| The New York STEM Cell Foundation Inc New York, NY | Early Career Investigator Awards Program & Conference | $4,925,022 |
| Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors Inc New York, NY | Stop expansion of oil and gas and alternate pathways to economic development | $4,875,000 |
| The New York STEM Cell Foundation Inc New York, NY | Neuroscience Investigator Awards | $3,837,850 |
| Instituto Clima E Sociedade | General Operating Support | $3,375,000 |
| Foundation for International Law for the Environment (File) | Curtail Fossil Fuel Supply & Demand | $3,000,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Robertson Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The Foundation’s Form 990-PF filing reports the following financials:
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $300,820,477 | $173,626,586 | $113,944,197 | $105,166,850 | 256 | $113,552,678 | $9,576,011 | $21,410,520 |
| 2023 | $237,617,838 | $4,107,693 | $82,602,370 | $75,982,413 | 224 | $82,189,176 | $4,052,201 | $19,757,130 |
| 2022 | $316,112,515 | $93,287,357 | $85,303,889 | $78,678,269 | 199 | $83,457,804 | $38,009,587 | $26,904,338 |
| 2021 | $308,129,047 | $104,540,927 | $92,212,921 | $87,495,207 | 172 | — | $46,348,390 | $24,470,434 |
| 2020 | $295,801,041 | $2,146,293 | $91,719,212 | $85,992,961 | 185 | — | $6,356,540 | $24,354,555 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Robertson Foundation reported a distributable amount of $21.4M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation says it regards human capital as its greatest lever for change and seeks to identify tipping points, understand root causes, and learn from people with expertise close to the issues. Its three principal areas are education, environment, and medical research. In education, it supports transformational change in reading and writing from pre-K through grade 8 and the future of the teaching profession. In the environment, it supports leaders and organizations working on global energy and food systems. In medical research, it supports work on the causes of health and disease, translating discoveries into diagnostics and treatments, and promoting equitable care.
Its grants include support for schools, universities, environmental organizations, research institutions, and other charitable organizations. For example, Success Academy Charter Schools describes its mission as building public schools that prepare children from all backgrounds for college and life. Environmental Defense Fund says it uses scientific evidence, economic expertise, partnerships, and legal advocacy to address climate change, pollution, and environmental protection. Rockefeller University describes itself as a biomedical sciences research and graduate education center, while Cancer Research Institute says it advances cancer immunotherapy through scientific discovery and global collaboration.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the Foundation reported 256 grants totaling $105,166,850. Grant amounts ranged from $45 to $21,000,000, with a median of $10,000. Among the largest grants were $21,000,000 to the Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University for an artwork donated through a bequest; $10,000,000 to Success Academy Charter Schools for general operating support; $9,660,077 to the Robertson Scholars Leadership Program for general operating support and scholarships; and $7,000,000 to Environmental Defense Fund for work on trucking-sector decarbonization, methane reduction, and climate in China. Other large grants included $5,000,000 to Rockefeller University for a therapeutic development fund and $4,925,022 to the New York Stem Cell Foundation for its early-career investigator awards program and conference.
The Foundation’s 2024 filing says it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Alexander Tucker Robertson, Alexandra Robertson, Claire Robertson, Julian Hart Robertson III, Julian Spencer Robertson, Sarah Robertson, Wyndham Robertson, and James Freeman, MD, as trustees. Richard Barth is listed as president, and Kelsey Finkel as executive director.
Robertson Foundation is led by Kelsey Finkel, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 2 of 10 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Kelsey Finkel
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$338K (2020) → $383K (2024)
Richard Barth
President
On filings since 2022
38 hrs/week
$296K (2022) → $774K (2024)
Alexander Tucker Robertson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alexandra Robertson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Claire Robertson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James Freeman MD
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Julian Hart Robertson III
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Julian Spencer Robertson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sarah Robertson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Wyndham Robertson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: John Hood (2020–2022) — President
- Former: Julian H. Robertson Jr. (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Aaron Stern (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: John Griffin (2020–2021) — Trustee
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 $774K, to Richard Barth (President). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Robertson Foundation
How much does Robertson Foundation give each year?
Robertson Foundation gave $105.2M across 256 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $76.0M across 224 grants.
What is Robertson Foundation's typical grant size?
Robertson Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $410,808, across 256 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Robertson Foundation that year got $408K on average.
Where does Robertson Foundation give grants?
Robertson Foundation gives mostly in New York: 50% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were California (22%) and North Carolina (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (59 grants), Brooklyn, NY (15 grants), Chapel Hill, NC (11 grants) and Washington, DC (10 grants).
Does Robertson Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 77% of Robertson Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (197 of 256) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Robertson Foundation's largest grantees?
Robertson Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University ($21,000,000), Success Academy Charter Schools ($10,000,000) and Robertson Scholars Leadership Program ($9,660,077), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 39% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Robertson Foundation?
Robertson Foundation reported $300.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $113.6M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $21.4M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Robertson Foundation fund?
The Foundation says it regards human capital as its greatest lever for change and seeks to identify tipping points, understand root causes, and learn from people with expertise close to the issues. Its three principal areas are education, environment, and medical research. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Robertson Foundation?
The Foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds; it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Robertson Foundation's EIN?
Robertson Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-7068398. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Robertson Foundation 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 October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Robertson Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation Inc
Princeton, NJ
The Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation supports health access and stronger health systems, with a focus on adult and pediatric cancers, blood disorders, brain health, and clinical-trial participation in the United States, Brazil, India, and ten Sub-Saharan African countries. In 2024, its median grant was about $134,000, though awards varied widely; it does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests, and advises prospective applicants to contact the Foundation about its process.
Assets
$83.3M
Grants
144
Total Given
$67.7M
United Way Worldwide
Alexandria, VA
United Way Worldwide funds community programs focused on youth opportunity, health, financial security, education, and disaster relief, with 2024 grants made across multiple U.S. states and internationally. Its 209 reported grants ranged from $5,100 to $736,333, with a median of $22,675. It does not state whether it accepts unsolicited grant requests.
Assets
$68.0M
Grants
209
Total Given
$11.4M
Synchrony Foundation
Stamford, CT
In 2024, Synchrony Foundation supported charitable organizations across workforce development, education, financial assistance, and giving, with grants ranging from $150 to $2.6 million and a median of $10,000. Its largest shares of grant funding went to Connecticut, New York, and South Carolina, followed by the District of Columbia and New Jersey; it does not accept unsolicited requests and funds preselected organizations only.
Assets
$72.3M
Grants
394
Total Given
$20.5M
The Warburg Pincus Foundation
New York, NY
The Warburg Pincus Foundation supports charitable, educational, and community organizations across fields including the arts, education, journalism, health care, and basic needs, with most 2025 grant dollars going to New York organizations and additional giving in other U.S. states and more than 20 countries. Its 2025 grants ranged from $60 to $492,500, with a median of $6,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests and gives only to preselected organizations.
Assets
$2.2M
Grants
297
Total Given
$5.5M
The Rockefeller Foundation
New York, NY
The Rockefeller Foundation funds initiatives in energy access, sustainable food systems, health, climate, economic opportunity, and finance in the United States and around the world. In 2024, it made 381 grants, with a median grant of about $171,000, though awards ranged widely; it does not accept unsolicited requests and funds preselected organizations only.
Assets
$6.4B
Grants
381
Total Given
$233.2M
The Chicago Community Trust
Chicago, IL
The Chicago Community Trust funds eligible nonprofits working to narrow the wealth gap and meet urgent needs, with priorities including economic mobility, education, jobs, homeownership, and community development in metropolitan Chicago and Cook County. Its 2025 grants had a median of $26,500, though amounts varied widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$7.1B
Grants
4,316
Total Given
$1.2B
More similar funders
More Funders in New York
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Robertson Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/robertson-foundation-morg_e23ac4b215154fd1ad46cd0594217e31
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_137068398_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Robertson Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/robertson-foundation-morg_e23ac4b215154fd1ad46cd0594217e31},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. 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 Robertson Foundation'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.
Robertson Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?