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
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
No grants recorded for .
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
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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