The Burke Foundation
The Burke Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey. Founded in 1989, the organization invests in transformative maternal and child health and early childhood initiatives to build a cycle of opportunity across generations. The foundation employs 8 people and operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$83.4M
+0.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$4.3M
+12.6% YoY
Grant Count
125
+42.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$35K
-20.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Burke Foundation reported a distributable amount of $4.5M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Burke Foundation's mission is to identify, rigorously evaluate, and scale policies and programs that foster the healthy development of children and families during the earliest years—the most crucial time for building a foundation for lifelong health and well-being.
Primary funding focus areas include:
- Maternal and child health
- Early childhood development
- Programs addressing health disparities
- Prenatal care initiatives
- Child care accessibility
- Policies and programs supporting families during the first 1,000 days (pregnancy through age two)
The foundation emphasizes addressing racial, geographic, and economic disparities in health outcomes, particularly in New Jersey where it was founded and conducts most of its work.
Grantmaking
The foundation reports a $4–$9 return on investment for every $1 spent on early childhood programs.
Ready to take the next step with The Burke Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Burke Foundation primarily funds in New Jersey, where it was founded and conducts most of its work. The foundation also funds initiatives across the country and has supported work in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Vermont.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 31, 2023:
| Metric | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Assets | $83,093,936 |
| Total Revenues | $7,435,699 |
| Total Expenses | $4,835,613 |
| Total Grants Made | $1,160,225 |
Revenue Breakdown (2023):
- Grants and contributions: $1,451,084
- Investment income and dividends: $2,041,255
- Net rental income: $11,848
- Net gain from sale of non-inventory assets: $3,790,365
Employees: 0 employees listed on 2023 tax filing (note: separate workforce data indicates 8 employees as of more recent reporting)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $83,374,777 | $83,093,936 | $80,492,793 |
| Revenue | $5,617,320 | $7,435,699 | $6,808,269 |
| Expenses | $5,559,219 | $4,835,613 | $3,966,570 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $4,361,112 | $3,880,223 | $2,672,717 |
| Net Investment Income | $3,250,748 | $4,967,284 | $3,888,925 |
| Distributable Amount | $4,528,986 | $4,021,563 | $3,987,326 |
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
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh ($1,250,000), Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation ($250,000), Allegheny Rivertrail Park ($125,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ALLEGHENY CLEANWAYS PITTSBURGH, PA | GENERAL | $2,500 |
| ALLEGHENY COUNTY PARKS FOUNDATION PITTSBURGH, PA | GENERAL | $5,000 |
| ALLEGHENY COUNTY PARKS FOUNDATION PITTSBURGH, PA | GENERAL | $5,000 |
| ALLEGHENY RIVERTRAIL PARK PITTSBURGH, PA | GENERAL | $5,000 |
| ALLEGHENY RIVERTRAIL PARK PITTSBURGH, PA | GENERAL | $12,500 |
| ALLEGHENY RIVERTRAIL PARK PITTSBURGH, PA | GENERAL | $125,000 |
| ALLIES FOR CHILDREN PITTSBURGH, PA | GENERAL | $5,000 |
| AMACHI PITTSBURGH PITTSBURGH, PA | GENERAL | $2,400 |
| AMACHI PITTSBURGH PITTSBURGH, PA | GENERAL | $2,500 |
| AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL | $50 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- James Burke – President
- Atiya Weiss – Executive Director
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| GAIL BURKE | PRESIDENT | 10 | — |
| CHARLES STEVEN BURKE | VICE PRESIDENT, TREASURER | 5 | — |
| PETER GRABLE BURKE | VICE PRESIDENT, TREASURER | 5 | — |
| MERRILYNN YOUNG | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Burke Foundation committed $6.5 million in multi-year investments to boost maternal and early childhood health and reduce disparities in New Jersey. This initiative addresses critical health inequities, including the alarming statistic that Black women in New Jersey are seven times more likely than white women to die from pregnancy-related complications.
Burke Foundation Commits $6.5 Million in Multi-Year Investments to BoostThe foundation has also identified specific geographic and demographic challenges, including limited access to prenatal care in rural southern New Jersey counties (Cumberland and Salem) and child care costs that consume up to 19% of family income for many households.
Burke Foundation Commits $6.5M to Boost Maternal and Early Childhood HealthFrequently Asked Questions
What does The Burke Foundation fund?
The Burke Foundation's mission is to identify, rigorously evaluate, and scale policies and programs that foster the healthy development of children and families during the earliest years—the most crucial time for building a foundation for lifelong health and well-being. Primary funding focus areas include: • Maternal and child health • Early childhood development • Programs addressing health disparities • Prenatal care initiatives • Child care accessibility • Policies and programs supporting fa…
How do I apply for a grant from The Burke Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Made $4.0 million in grants in 2023 • Made $3.4 million in co-investments • Attracted $51.8 million in additional funding for programs since 2017 • Typical grant awards range from $25 to $1,250,000 **Recent Grants (2023):** • Allegheny RiverTrail Park: $1,013,175 • The Linsly School Incorporated: $500,000 • UPMC Children's Hospital Foundation: $262,500 • Additional 67 grants totaling $3,207,221 **Impact Metrics:** The foundation reports a $4–$9 return on investment for eve…
Where does The Burke Foundation make grants?
The Burke Foundation primarily funds in New Jersey, where it was founded and conducts most of its work. The foundation also funds initiatives across the country and has supported work in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Vermont.
What size grants does The Burke Foundation award?
In 2024, The Burke Foundation awarded 125 grants totaling $4.3M — an average of about $35K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Burke Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Burke Foundation reported a distributable amount of $4.5M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Burke Foundation's EIN?
The Burke Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 25-1407410. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Burke Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
The Wolf Creek Operating Foundation
WEST CONSHOHOCKEN, PA
Assets
$7.1M
Grants
0
Total Given
—
The Best Little Cat House in PA
HARRISBURG, PA
Assets
$281K
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Willis and Elsie Shenk Foundation
LANCASTER, PA
Assets
$9.4M
Grants
35
Total Given
$304K
The Irene P Sorbara Charitable Foundation
PITTSBURGH, PA
Assets
$2.5M
Grants
2
Total Given
$131K
Howmet Aerospace Foundation
PITTSBURGH, PA
Assets
$141.5M
Grants
209
Total Given
$8.4M
Penn and Lisa Seiple Conservancy
SUNBURY, PA
Assets
$1.5M
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with The Burke Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching The Burke Foundation to a real strategy.