The Firmenich Charitable Foundation
The Firmenich Charitable Foundation is a private foundation based in Princeton, New Jersey, established in 2010 and designated as tax-exempt since August 2013. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization and functions as a grantmaking foundation supporting charitable causes aligned with the values and communities connected to Firmenich.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$254K
-26.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$314K
+23.0% YoY
Grant Count
11
-31.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$29K
+78.9% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Firmenich Charitable Foundation reported a distributable amount of $12K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to support cancer research, relieve hunger and improve nutrition, advance sustainable agriculture and renewable energy, and support the communities in which Firmenich operates.
Primary areas of emphasis include:
- Cancer research
- Relieving hunger and improving nutrition
- Renewable energy
- Sustainable agriculture
- Community support in Firmenich operating communities
- Fighting poverty, hunger, and waste
- Support for frontline staff initiatives
Grantmaking
No specific application guidelines or procedures are documented in available sources.
Grant Range
approximately $7,900
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation supports organizations and communities in multiple U.S. states, with documented activity in:
- New Jersey
- New York
- Minnesota
- California
The foundation also supports global cities and has international reach, with connections to communities where Firmenich operates.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $345,806
- Total Revenue: $503,379
- Total Expenses: $294,641
- Total Liabilities: $39,600
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $254,238
- Total Giving: $313,517
- Annual Grants Awarded: $255,000
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $254,238 | $345,806 | $165,644 |
| Revenue | $250,000 | $503,379 | $450,000 |
| Expenses | $307,654 | $294,641 | $418,018 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $341,568 | $284,571 | $376,470 |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | $11,513 | $12,928 | $9,465 |
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
111 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Breast Cancer Research Foundation ($100,000), Fashion Institute of Technology Fdn ($77,949), Haiti Project School of Debouchette ($75,609).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| BREAST CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION NEW YORK, NY | ANNUAL SUPPORT/SYMPOSIUM | $100,000 |
| CHILD WELLNESS INSTITUTES NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ | SUPPORT FOR PARENTING & CHILDREN | $10,000 |
| EDEN AUTISM PRINCETON, NJ | SPONSORSHIP- 5K RACE & 1K WALK | $10,000 |
| FASHION INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY FDN NEW YORK, NY | SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS - FIT STUDENTS | $77,949 |
| HAITI PROJECT SCHOOL OF DEBOUCHETTE | FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF SCHOOL HAITI | $2,874 |
| HAITI PROJECT SCHOOL OF DEBOUCHETTE | FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF SCHOOL HAITI | $75,609 |
| JEWISH FAMILY AND CHILDRENS FUND PRINCETON, NJ | MOBILE FOOD PANTRY PROGRAM & TRUCK | $10,000 |
| JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT ST PAUL, MN | SUPPORT BIG BOWL EVENT | $1,500 |
| ESCA PADDLE FOR CANCER SUPPORT | SUPPORT PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CANCER | $5,585 |
| SHARING MY MEALS PRINCETON, NJ | FIGHT POVERTY HUNGER AND WASTE | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation's board consists of five uncompensated directors:
- Douglas Lucht (Director)
- Matthew Furner (Director/President)
- Jane Sinclair (Director)
- Jan Call (Secretary)
- Frances Ko (Treasurer)
All board members serve without compensation and dedicate approximately 2 hours per week to their roles.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DOUGLAS LUCHT | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| MATTHEW FURNER | DIR/PRESIDEN | 2 | — |
| JANE SINCLAIR | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| JAN CALL | SECRETARY | 2 | — |
| FRANCES KO | TREASURER | 2 | — |
| VINCENT KIELY | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has been active in supporting research and educational initiatives:
Established a scholarship with New York's Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) Social Justice Center
Supported the Firmenich Next Generation Fund, which awarded its first recipient in the neuroscience field
Xiaoke Chen is the first recipient of the Firmenich Next Generation FundConnected to dsm-firmenich's broader research grant initiatives, including gut health research grants and healthy longevity research programs in the Asia-Pacific region
dsm-firmenich Announces Winners of Gut Health Research Grants - NutraceuticalsSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Firmenich Charitable Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission is to support cancer research, relieve hunger and improve nutrition, advance sustainable agriculture and renewable energy, and support the communities in which Firmenich operates. Primary areas of emphasis include: • Cancer research • Relieving hunger and improving nutrition • Renewable energy • Sustainable agriculture • Community support in Firmenich operating communities • Fighting poverty, hunger, and waste • Support for frontline staff initiatives
How do I apply for a grant from The Firmenich Charitable Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Made 27 grants in 2023 • Made 16 grants in 2024 • Typical grant awards range from $1,000 to $150,000 • Median grant size: approximately $7,900 • Maximum grant observed: $100,000 **Recent Grants (2023):** • The Breast Cancer Research Foundation: $100,000 (annual support/symposium) • Fashion Institute of Technology Foundation: $30,732 (scholarship awards for FIT students) • Share My Meals: $10,000 (fighting poverty, hunger, and waste) • Haiti Project School of Debouchette: g…
Where does The Firmenich Charitable Foundation make grants?
The foundation supports organizations and communities in multiple U.S. states, with documented activity in: • New Jersey • New York • Minnesota • California The foundation also supports global cities and has international reach, with connections to communities where Firmenich operates.
What size grants does The Firmenich Charitable Foundation award?
In 2024, The Firmenich Charitable Foundation awarded 11 grants totaling $314K — an average of about $29K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Firmenich Charitable Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Firmenich Charitable Foundation reported a distributable amount of $12K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Firmenich Charitable Foundation's EIN?
The Firmenich Charitable Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-2482142. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Firmenich Charitable 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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