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
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
No grants recorded for .
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 HealthRelated Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
The Best Little Cat House in PA
HARRISBURG, PA
Assets
$281K
Grants
0
Total Given
—
The Irene P Sorbara Charitable Foundation
PITTSBURGH, PA
Assets
$2.5M
Grants
2
Total Given
$131K
Penn and Lisa Seiple Conservancy
SUNBURY, PA
Assets
$1.5M
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Daniel M Tabas Family Foundation
HAVERFORD, PA
Assets
$8.0M
Grants
9
Total Given
$86K
John Griner Charitable Trust
PITTSBURGH, PA
Assets
$394K
Grants
1
Total Given
$20K
Shaffer Family Charitable Trust
BETHLEHEM, PA
Assets
$7.1M
Grants
15
Total Given
$610K
Data last updated April 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