Russell Sage Foundation
The Russell Sage Foundation is one of the oldest American foundations, established in 1907 by Margaret Olivia Sage. Based in New York City at 112 E 64th Street, it is a private operating foundation devoted exclusively to research in the social sciences. The foundation directly conducts and disseminates social science research while also funding researchers at other institutions and supporting programs to develop new generations of social scientists.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$466.9M
+10.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$7.3M
+14.8% YoY
Grant Count
171
+10.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$43K
+4.0% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement: "For the improvement of social and living conditions in the United States" (from the Letter of the Gift by Margaret Olivia Sage, April 19, 1907)
The Russell Sage Foundation dedicates itself to strengthening the methods, data, and theories of the social sciences in order to better understand societal problems and develop informed responses.
Primary Research Focus Areas:
- Social, political, and economic inequality
- Future of work
- Race, ethnicity, and immigration
- Behavioral science and decision-making in context
- Labor markets
- Income inequality
In its early years, the foundation undertook major projects in low-income housing, urban planning, social work, and labor reform.
Grantmaking
The foundation operates through several key programs:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds research in the United States, with particular activity in California, New York, and Massachusetts.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $423,159,958 (as of 2023)
Total Revenues: $42,228,265 (fiscal year 2023)
Total Expenses: $19,389,715 (fiscal year 2023)
Employees: 30 (as of 2023)
Tax Status: 501(c)(3) private foundation; tax-exempt since June 1959
EIN: 13-1635303
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $466,906,661 | $423,159,958 | $391,503,640 |
| Revenue | $11,141,450 | $42,228,265 | $12,817,899 |
| Expenses | $19,918,400 | $19,389,715 | $16,263,507 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $18,491,591 | $17,561,111 | $16,374,238 |
| Net Investment Income | $6,415,042 | $38,659,214 | $10,124,268 |
| 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
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
13 open opportunities from Russell Sage Foundation
Causal Research on the Criminal Justice System Grant
RUSSELL SAGE FOUNDATION
Amount
Up to US $100,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Core Research Grants - Behavioral Science and Decision Making in Context
RUSSELL SAGE FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Core Research Grants - Future of Work
RUSSELL SAGE FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Cornell University ($199,096), Columbia University ($181,173), Drake University ($129,353).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| American University Washington, DC | SNAP Distribution Schedules and Student Standardized Test Score Performance | $30,000 |
| Arizona State University Tempe, AZ | Youth Vote and Political Engagement in Unsettled Times | $75,000 |
| Boston College Chestnut Hill, MA | Exploring the relationship between family member criminal justice involve... | $8,265 |
| Boston College Chestnut Hill, MA | Assessing the Economic, Social, and Environmental Impacts of a Four Day W... | $99,409 |
| Boston University Boston, MA | The Union's Inspiration | $10,000 |
| Boston University Boston, MA | Abandoned by everyone else | $30,000 |
| Brookings Institution Washington, DC | Chilling Effects and Participation in Safety Net Programs among Children ... | $69,622 |
| Brown University Providence, RI | How Does Firm-Level Sorting Contribute to the Gender Wage Gap? Changes fr... | $24,975 |
| Brown University Providence, RI | Widening Disparities in Changing Places | $25,000 |
| Brown University Providence, RI | Demographic representation and income stratification in Puerto Rico | $84,997 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Tracey Meares: Board Member
- Aixa Cintrón-Vélez: Program Director
- James Wilson: Program Director
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JENNIFER LEE | CHAIRMAN | 0.6 | $34,451 |
| JENNIFER RICHESON | VICE-CHAIRMAN | 0.6 | $16,300 |
| DAVID LAIBSON | TREASURER | 0.6 | $37,500 |
| MARIANNE BERTRAND | TRUSTEE | 0.6 | $36,200 |
| ROBERT DENHAM | TRUSTEE | 0.6 | $3,600 |
| JAMES DRUCKMAN | TRUSTEE | 0.6 | $13,200 |
| JASON FURMAN | TRUSTEE | 0.6 | $9,200 |
| JEFFRY HABER | NON-VOTING COMMITTEE MEMBER | 0.6 | $600 |
| MICHAEL JONES-CORREA | TRUSTEE | 0.6 | $25,900 |
| DAVID LEONHARDT | TRUSTEE | 0.6 | $11,200 |
| EARL LEWIS | TREASURER | 0.6 | $14,900 |
| HAZEL MARKUS | TRUSTEE | 0.6 | $14,328 |
| THOMAS SUGRUE | TRUSTEE | 0.6 | $27,800 |
| CELESTE WATKINS-HAYES | TRUSTEE | 0.6 | $9,700 |
| SHELDON DANZIGER | PRESIDENT | 35 | $704,766 |
| LEANA CHATRATH | SECRETARY | 35 | $219,000 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation maintains an active grants database and regularly approves new research grants. Recent grant programs include funding for research on the impact of artificial intelligence on U.S. workers and competition, as well as ongoing support for causal research on the criminal justice system. The foundation continues to accept applications for its various grant programs and visiting scholar positions.
Russell Sage Foundation (RSF)'s Sheldon Danziger Pipeline Grants ...Frequently Asked Questions
What does Russell Sage Foundation fund?
**Mission Statement:** "For the improvement of social and living conditions in the United States" (from the Letter of the Gift by Margaret Olivia Sage, April 19, 1907) The Russell Sage Foundation dedicates itself to strengthening the methods, data, and theories of the social sciences in order to better understand societal problems and develop informed responses. **Primary Research Focus Areas:** • Social, political, and economic inequality • Future of work • Race, ethnicity, and immigration • B…
How do I apply for a grant from Russell Sage Foundation?
The foundation operates through several key programs: **Visiting Scholar Program:** The foundation invites individual scholars and collaborative groups to participate in its Visiting Scholar Program to pursue research and writing projects. The program provides offices at the foundation's New York headquarters for scholars to conduct research, hold meetings, and conduct seminars on various social science topics. **Research Projects Program:** Provides direct support for social science research w…
Where does Russell Sage Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds research in the United States, with particular activity in California, New York, and Massachusetts.
What size grants does Russell Sage Foundation award?
In 2024, Russell Sage Foundation awarded 171 grants totaling $7.3M — an average of about $43K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Russell Sage Foundation's EIN?
Russell Sage Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-1635303. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Russell Sage 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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