The G Harold & Leila Y Mathers

RYE BROOK, NY EIN: 23-7441901

The G. Harold & Leila Y. Mathers Charitable Foundation is a private, permanently endowed charitable organization established in 1983 in Santa Barbara, California. Based in Rye Brook, New York, the foundation is dedicated to advancing knowledge in the life sciences by funding bold, basic scientific research with the potential to transform human health. The foundation was created to honor the philanthropic vision of G. Harold Mathers (1901–1976) and Leila Young Mathers (1905–1980), with initial funding derived from assets of the C. W. Post estate.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$107.9M

+8.0% YoY

Annual Giving

$17.3M

+4.9% YoY

Grant Count

103

+35.5% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$168K

-22.6% YoY

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation is primarily interested in supporting fundamental basic research in the life sciences. Support is provided for specific projects from established researchers at top universities and independent research institutions within the United States. The foundation has evolved from focusing solely on basic medical research to embracing innovative research with translational potential.

Since its inception, the foundation has granted more than $350 million to support research aimed at advancing knowledge in the life sciences.

Grantmaking

The foundation operates a single grant program with the following characteristics:

Grant Range

$600,000 - $700,000 over three years, inclusive of 10% indirect costs

Ready to take the next step with The G Harold & Leila Y Mathers?

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation funds U.S.-based 501(c)(3) institutions. Primary geographic areas of grantmaking include Massachusetts, New York, and California.

Grant Distribution by State

17states
+9 more states

Cities

AmherstAnn ArborAtlantaBaltimoreBerkeleyBostonBronxBuffaloCambridgeChestnut HillChicagoClevelandCold Spring HarborCollege StationDallasDurhamEvanstonHoustonLa JollaLawrence

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

As of 2023:

  • Total assets: $99,932,556
  • Total revenues: $23,491,261
  • Total expenses: $16,295,854
  • Staff: 6 employees

As of 2024:

  • Total assets: $107,899,647
  • Annual giving: $18.6 million
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$8M$16M$24M$32M20202021202220232024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$107,899,647$99,932,556$96,422,457
Revenue$29,243,446$23,491,261$20,904,966
Expenses$18,497,648$16,295,854$23,366,307
Qualifying Distributions$18,623,245$17,624,210$18,303,915
Net Investment Income$26,786,487$21,255,933$18,749,568
Distributable Amount$19,360,324$16,887,562$17,183,059

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$4M$9M$13M$17M87 grants202079 grants202187 grants202276 grants2023103 grants2024

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF …$264KLELAND STANFORD JUNIOR U…$259KCHILDREN'S HOSPITAL CORP…$256KCHILDREN'S HOSPITAL CORP…$253KCASE WESTERN RESERVE UNI…$250KCLEVELAND CLINIC FOUNDAT…$250KCLEVELAND CLINIC FOUNDAT…$250KCOLUMBIA UNIVERSITY$250KDANA-FARBER CANCER INSTI…$250KDANA-FARBER CANCER INSTI…$250K

Grant Size Distribution

250 grants across all recorded years

50<$50K11$50–100K125$100–250K56$250–500K8$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

Open Grants

1 open opportunity from The G Harold & Leila Y Mathers

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

No grants recorded for .

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

Zachary Handelman serves as Treasurer, Vice President, and Director of the foundation.

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

HOWARD CHESTERSECRETARY/DIRECTOR$500KZACHARY HANDELMANTREASURER/VP/DIR OF OPERATIONS$210KDAVID BOYLEDIRECTOR$50KRICHARD HANDELMANPRES/DIR$50KJUDY HERMANDIRECTOR$50KPETER GOTTLIEBDIRECTOR$45KSCOTT HANDELMANDIRECTOR$10K

From 2024 filing

NameTitleHoursCompensation
DAVID BOYLEDIRECTOR2$50,000
RICHARD HANDELMANPRES/DIR4$50,000
JUDY HERMANDIRECTOR2$50,000
PETER GOTTLIEBDIRECTOR2$45,000
HOWARD CHESTERSECRETARY/DIRECTOR40$500,000
ZACHARY HANDELMANTREASURER/VP/DIR OF OPERATIONS30$210,000
SCOTT HANDELMANDIRECTOR2$10,000

Contact Information

Address: 800 Westchester Avenue, Suite N-503, Rye Brook, New York 10573

Email: grants@mathersfoundation.org

Website: https://mathersfoundation.org/

Related Funders

Similar funders by location and focus area

Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.

What could you do with The G Harold & Leila Y Mathers 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