The Rockefeller Brothers Fund (RBF) is a private family foundation headquartered in New York, NY. Established in 1940 by five sons of John D. Rockefeller, Jr.—John 3rd, Nelson, Winthrop, Laurance, and David—the organization advances social change through grantmaking, convening, mission-aligned investing, and leadership initiatives. The Fund operates as a 501(c)(3) private grantmaking foundation.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$1.4B
+1.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$60.4M
+7.7% YoY
Grant Count
646
+11.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$94K
-3.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Rockefeller Brothers Fund Inc reported a distributable amount of $66.7M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Rockefeller Brothers Fund advances social change that contributes to a more just, sustainable, and peaceful world. Through its work, the RBF supports people and organizations building lasting solutions to challenges facing an increasingly interdependent world. The organization is committed to becoming an anti-racist and anti-sexist institution.
The Fund organizes grantmaking across seven programs:
Thematic Programs:
- Democratic Practice
- Sustainable Development
- Peacebuilding
Pivotal Place Programs:
- Central America
- China
- Western Balkans
Arts & Culture:
- Culpeper Arts & Culture (focused on New York City)
Grantmaking
Rockefeller Brothers Fund staff are highly engaged in the fields where they provide support and actively identify organizations well-positioned to meet programmatic goals. Less than one percent of unsolicited grant applications result in funding. Grant seekers are advised to review program guidelines and recent grants to determine alignment with current programs before applying.
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Fund maintains active grantmaking in the following regions:
- Central America
- China (Southern China program)
- Western Balkans
- New York City (for arts and culture initiatives)
The Fund also operates The Pocantico Center, described as "a singular place to gather, discover, and grow."
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $1,402,772,081
- Revenue: $70,847,825
- Expenses: $88,775,875
- Total Liabilities: $37,700,000
Staff: Approximately 82 employees
Historical Context:
- The RBF received substantial gifts from John D. Rockefeller, Jr. in 1951 and from his estate in 1960, which formed the original endowment
- In 1999, a merger with the Charles E. Culpeper Foundation increased assets by approximately one-third
- In 2018, a $250 million bequest from the estate of co-founder David Rockefeller raised the endowment to over $1 billion
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,418,990,015 | $1,402,772,081 | $1,351,225,045 |
| Revenue | $76,104,004 | $70,847,825 | $57,831,657 |
| Expenses | $94,125,890 | $88,775,875 | $98,818,511 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $88,073,796 | $83,443,420 | $89,872,597 |
| Net Investment Income | $81,136,455 | $70,759,909 | $68,147,246 |
| Distributable Amount | $66,708,189 | $64,531,854 | $67,800,264 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
7 open opportunities from Rockefeller Brothers Fund Inc
Central America Grant Program
ROCKEFELLER BROTHERS FUND INC
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Charles E. Culpeper Arts & Culture Grant Program
ROCKEFELLER BROTHERS FUND INC
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Democratic Practice Grant Program
ROCKEFELLER BROTHERS FUND INC
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include 2030 Inc ($350,000), Associacao Sumauma Organizacao De Comunicacao E Projetos Sociais ($231,421), 2030 Inc ($200,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 2030 INC SANTA FE, NM | FOR ITS SUSTAINABLE DESIGN PROGRAM IN CHINA AND ASIA | $200,000 |
| 2030 INC SANTA FE, NM | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT | $350,000 |
| 7AMLEH - ARAB CENTER FOR SOCIAL MEDIA ADVANCEMENT | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| A BLADE OF GRASS FUND LONG ISLAND CITY, NY | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT | $71,089 |
| A JEWISH VOICE FOR PEACE INC BERKELEY, CA | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| ACTION CENTER ON RACE AND THE ECONOMY INSTITUTE CHICAGO, IL | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| ADALAH - THE LEGAL CENTER FOR ARAB MINORITY RIGHTS IN ISRAEL | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| AFGHAN AMERICAN FOUNDATION WASHINGTON, DC | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT | $65,000 |
| AFGHANISTAN ANALYSTS NETWORK | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT | $75,000 |
| AFGHANISTAN HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY ORGANIZATION | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT | $90,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Stephen B. Heintz serves as President and CEO, a position he has held since February 2001 (the seventh president in the Fund's history). Heintz announced plans to retire in 2026.
Joseph Pierson serves as Board Chair.
Mia Vukojević was named Acting Executive Vice President for Programs after eight years leading the Western Balkans program.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAVID ROCKEFELLER JR | TRUSTEE (UNTIL OCTOBER 23, 2024) | 1 | — |
| JUSTIN ROCKEFELLER | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| MIRANDA M KAISER | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| AYAD AKHTAR | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| JOSEPH PIERSON | TRUSTEE, CHAIR | 8 | — |
| WILLIAM LEE | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| PETER O'NEILL | TRUSTEE (UNTIL OCTOBER 23, 2024) | 1 | — |
| JENNIFER NOLAN | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| HEATHER MCGHEE | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| WYATT ROCKEFELLER | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| MICHAEL QUATTRONE | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| FEDERICA MOGHERINI | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| THEODORE SPENCER | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| PETER BEINART | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| MARIA TERESA KUMAR | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| ROBIN STRAWBRIDGE | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| HENRY TIMMS | TRUSTEE (RESIGNED APRIL, 2024) | 1 | — |
| JANAI NELSON | TRUSTEE (EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 12, 2024) | 1 | — |
| CARLOS ALVARADO | TRUSTEE (EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 12, 2024) | 1 | — |
| RANDA SLIM | TRUSTEE (EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 23, 2024) | 1 | — |
| STEPHEN B HEINTZ | TRUSTEE, PRESIDENT & CEO | 45 | $1,029,550 |
| ELIZABETH C CAMPBELL | EXECUTIVE VP, PROGRAMS& COMMUNICATIONS | 45 | $484,043 |
| GERALDINE F WATSON | EVP, FINANCE, OPERATIONS & POCANTICO | 45 | $484,043 |
| NANCY L MUIRHEAD | COUNSEL & CORPORATE SECRETARY | 45 | $346,587 |
| JUDY A CLARK | ED- POCANTICO CTR. (UNTIL 12/31/2024) | 45 | $391,196 |
| MARK ADIEDO | CULTURE/CHIEF DIVERSITY OFFICER | 45 | $346,480 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**Leadership Transition:** President and CEO Stephen Heintz announced plans to retire in 2026. Board Chair Joseph Pierson noted that Heintz has "masterfully guided the Fund for the last 25 years" and "set it up for success in the next 25."
**Program Leadership:** Mia Vukojević transitioned from leading the Western Balkans program to the role of Acting Executive Vice President for Programs, overseeing program development and grants.
**Residencies:** The Pocantico Center hosted composer Younje Cho and filmmaker Renu Savant in fall 2025 through a Composers Now and Asian Cultural Council residency.
**2023 Annual Review:** The Fund published "The Fund in 2023: Summoning Courage," documenting its activities and impact for that year.
The Fund in 2023: Summoning Courage**U.S. Polarization Initiative:** The Rockefeller Brothers Fund launched an effort to address U.S. polarization.
David Rockefeller Gift Raises Rockefeller Brothers Fund Endowment to $1.2**Transformational Grants:** The organization has made transformational grant agreements with organizations including the Center for the Study of Oligarchs.
The Center for the Study of Oligarchs Signs Transformational Grant AgreementSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Rockefeller Brothers Fund Inc fund?
The Rockefeller Brothers Fund advances social change that contributes to a more just, sustainable, and peaceful world. Through its work, the RBF supports people and organizations building lasting solutions to challenges facing an increasingly interdependent world. The organization is committed to becoming an anti-racist and anti-sexist institution. The Fund organizes grantmaking across seven programs: **Thematic Programs:** • Democratic Practice • Sustainable Development • Peacebuilding **Pivot…
How do I apply for a grant from Rockefeller Brothers Fund Inc?
**Application Process:** Rockefeller Brothers Fund staff are highly engaged in the fields where they provide support and actively identify organizations well-positioned to meet programmatic goals. Less than one percent of unsolicited grant applications result in funding. Grant seekers are advised to review program guidelines and recent grants to determine alignment with current programs before applying. **Eligibility Requirements:** To be eligible for a grant, organizations must be tax-exempt o…
Where does Rockefeller Brothers Fund Inc make grants?
The Fund maintains active grantmaking in the following regions: • **Central America** • **China** (Southern China program) • **Western Balkans** • **New York City** (for arts and culture initiatives) The Fund also operates The Pocantico Center, described as "a singular place to gather, discover, and grow."
What size grants does Rockefeller Brothers Fund Inc award?
In 2024, Rockefeller Brothers Fund Inc awarded 646 grants totaling $60.4M — an average of about $94K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Rockefeller Brothers Fund Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Rockefeller Brothers Fund Inc reported a distributable amount of $66.7M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Rockefeller Brothers Fund Inc's EIN?
Rockefeller Brothers Fund Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-1760106. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Rockefeller Brothers Fund Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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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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