RTW Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation based in New York City that serves as the philanthropic arm of biotech investment firm RTW Investments. The foundation supports scientific research into rare diseases and funds community health initiatives focused on underserved populations.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$72.3M
+2.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.7M
+55.3% YoY
Grant Count
30
-14.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$90K
+81.2% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, RTW Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.7M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
RTW Foundation's mission is to power community initiatives and scientific research to improve the health of underserved populations.
The foundation operates across two primary focus areas:
Research: Supporting scientific initiatives to aid in the development of medicines for neglected rare diseases. The foundation collaborates with research teams, families, and advocacy organizations globally to work toward treatments for rare conditions, recognizing that over 10,000 rare diseases exist yet fewer than 5% have effective treatments.
Community Engagement: Building partnerships with local organizations to advance health equity in New York City. The foundation is committed to supporting underserved communities through partnerships with community-based organizations responding to local health needs. The foundation also operates BioQuest, a STEM mentoring program designed for middle and high school students.
Grantmaking
Community grants support organizations providing free primary and specialized care, transportation support, care navigation, and appointment incentives to address healthcare access barriers in New York City.
Grant Range
is approximately $215
Average Grant
is approximately $215
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds initiatives across the United States and internationally. Primary geographic focus includes major U.S. cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, as well as international locations including London. The foundation has significantly increased its community funding focus in New York City.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue:
- Total assets: $72.3 million (as of 2024)
- Total revenue: $547,684 (2024)
- Total expenses: $4.5 million (2024)
- Annual grants awarded: $1.7 million (2024)
Financial Trajectory: Assets have grown 2.6% from the previous year, indicating steady financial stability.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $72,251,838 | $70,509,364 | $65,875,065 |
| Revenue | $547,684 | $241,708 | $24,113 |
| Expenses | $4,498,504 | $3,477,900 | $4,931,201 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $3,966,007 | $3,008,345 | $4,227,722 |
| Net Investment Income | $509,522 | $172,259 | — |
| Distributable Amount | $3,671,615 | $3,101,536 | $3,672,766 |
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
130 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include National Philanthropic Donor Advised Fund - DAF contribution ($1,500,000), Rare Village Foundation ($150,500), Boston Childrens Hospital Corporation ($150,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AIRnyc Bronx, NY | General Support | $50,000 |
| Arete Education Bronx, NY | General Support | $50,000 |
| BioBus Inc New York, NY | General Support | $35,000 |
| Boston Childrens Hospital Corporation Boston, MA | General Support | $150,000 |
| Community Health Action of Staten Island Staten Island, NY | General Support | $50,000 |
| East Harlem Health Outreach Partnership New York, NY | General Support | $50,000 |
| Exodus Transitional Community New York, NY | General Support | $50,000 |
| Hamilton-Madison House New York, NY | General Support | $50,000 |
| Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center New York, NY | General Support | $200 |
| Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center New York, NY | General Support | $250 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Roderick Wong, MD – Chairman
- Stephanie A. Sirota – President
- Marti Speranza Wong – President of Community Engagement
All leadership positions are held on a voluntary basis without compensation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roderick Wong MD | Chairman | 2 | — |
| Stephanie A Sirota | President | 2 | — |
| Marti Speranza Wong | President, Community Engagement | 2 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In January 2026, RTW Foundation announced over $850,000 in grant funding for 11 nonprofit organizations dedicated to expanding health access for underserved communities across New York City. This represented an increase of over 80% in community funding compared to previous years, reflecting the foundation's response to rising healthcare access barriers in the city. The foundation cited federal policy shifts and high medical costs as key drivers of healthcare access challenges, particularly for Black and Hispanic adults and uninsured populations.
RTW Foundation Awards Over $850,000 to Strengthen Healthcare Access in NYCSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does RTW Foundation fund?
RTW Foundation's mission is to power community initiatives and scientific research to improve the health of underserved populations. The foundation operates across two primary focus areas: **Research:** Supporting scientific initiatives to aid in the development of medicines for neglected rare diseases. The foundation collaborates with research teams, families, and advocacy organizations globally to work toward treatments for rare conditions, recognizing that over 10,000 rare diseases exist yet…
How do I apply for a grant from RTW Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • In 2024, the foundation awarded approximately $1.7 million in grants across 35 awards • Average grant size is approximately $215 • The foundation awarded over $850,000 to 11 nonprofit organizations in January 2026 dedicated to expanding health access for underserved communities across New York City • Recent grant recipients include Rare Village Foundation ($150,500), Washington University School of Medicine Health Admin Program ($150,000), and University of North Carolina …
Where does RTW Foundation make grants?
The foundation funds initiatives across the United States and internationally. Primary geographic focus includes major U.S. cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, as well as international locations including London. The foundation has significantly increased its community funding focus in New York City.
What size grants does RTW Foundation award?
In 2024, RTW Foundation awarded 30 grants totaling $2.7M — an average of about $90K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is RTW Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, RTW Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.7M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is RTW Foundation's EIN?
RTW Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 83-1433853. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in RTW Foundation'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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