The Charles a Dana Foundation
The Charles A. Dana Foundation is a private philanthropic organization based in New York City, incorporated in 1950. The Foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to advancing neuroscience and its positive role in society through grantmaking, education, and public engagement.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$279.4M
+8.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$8.8M
+241.8% YoY
Grant Count
103
+4.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$86K
+228.5% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: The Dana Foundation advances neuroscience that benefits society and reflects the aspirations of all people. The Foundation explores the connections between neuroscience and society's challenges and opportunities, working to maximize the potential of the field to do good.
Primary Focus: Principal interests are in health and science, particularly neuroscience. As of 2022, Neuroscience & Society became the Foundation's dedicated focus, emphasizing open inquiry, collaborative research, and multidisciplinary thinking in service of the well-being of all people.
Core Values: The Foundation is guided by five core values:
- We Are Bold — seeking transformational ideas and demonstrating promising pathways to a better future
- We Build Trust — acting with integrity, honesty, and transparency in relationships with partners and the public
- We Are Collaborative — engaging experts across fields and inviting public participation
- We Lead With Empathy — understanding how science can best be harnessed to improve people's lives
- We Value Diversity — ensuring neuroscience includes diverse perspectives from specialists and non-specialists
Grantmaking
The Foundation administers programs supporting its neuroscience and society focus through objectives established by the Board of Directors. Current grant programs fall into three categories:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation is based in New York City and funds nationally. Historical funding has included support for institutions such as Berea College in Kentucky and various colleges and universities across the United States.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $259 million
- Total Revenue: $5.27 million
- Total Expenses: $16.3 million
- Total Liabilities: $12.7 million
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $279.37 million
- Total Revenue: $3.37 million
- Total Expenses: $15.55 million
Organization Details:
- EIN: 06-6036761
- Tax-exempt since August 1951
- Staff: 19 employees
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $279,373,672 | $258,637,512 | $235,447,051 |
| Revenue | $3,373,160 | $5,267,708 | $4,655,579 |
| Expenses | $15,548,016 | $16,278,255 | $11,491,726 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $15,128,535 | $8,372,304 | $11,319,680 |
| Net Investment Income | $25,794,730 | $21,570,805 | — |
| Distributable Amount | $13,620,202 | $12,114,218 | $12,425,375 |
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
201 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
- Steven E. Hyman — Chairman of the Board of Directors
- Caroline Montojo — President
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAROLINE MONTOJO | DIRECTOR, PRESIDENT | 35 | $525,200 |
| STEVEN E HYMAN | DIRECTOR, CHAIRMAN | 2 | $6,000 |
| CHARLES A DANA III | DIRECTOR, VICE CHAIRMAN | 2 | $6,000 |
| WALLACE COOK | DIRECTOR, SECRETARY | 2 | $6,000 |
| HILDEGARDE MAHONEY | DIRECTOR | 2 | $6,000 |
| PETER NADOSY | DIRECTOR | 2 | $6,000 |
| HUSSEINI K MANJI | DIRECTOR | 2 | $6,000 |
| PAULA A KERGER | DIRECTOR | 2 | $6,000 |
| GERALDINE AMERA | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, TREASURER | 35 | $305,500 |
| KHARA RAMOS | VP OF NEUROSCIENCE & SOCIETY | 35 | $289,500 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Foundation has announced multiple grant initiatives in recent years:
2026 Brain Awareness Week Grants Announced - Dana Foundation**2026 Brain Awareness Week Grants** were announced, continuing the Foundation's support for global neuroscience education and awareness campaigns.
2026 Brain Awareness Week Grants Announced - Dana Foundation**Dana Centers for Neuroscience & Society:** The Foundation issued a request for proposals for future Dana Centers, awarding 11 planning grants to universities to develop centers focused on the intersection of neuroscience and society.
2026 Brain Awareness Week Grants Announced - Dana Foundation**Senior Leadership Addition:** Walter Koroshetz joined the Dana Foundation as Senior Advisor in February 2026.
The Foundation continues to emphasize the importance of neuroethics and emerging brain technologies, publishing articles and resources on topics such as "Why Neuroethics Matters in the Age of Brain Technology" and supporting trainee skill development through Brain Awareness Week initiatives.
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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