The Henry M Paulson Jr Institute
The Henry M Paulson Jr Institute is a private foundation focused on International, Foreign Affairs & National Security, based in Chicago, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $7.8M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 6 grants totaling $94K.
The Henry M Paulson Jr Institute at a glance
In short: The Henry M Paulson Jr Institute gave $94K across 6 grants in 2024 (avg $16K), top state California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $93,831
- +293.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 6
- +200.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $15,639
- +31.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $15,556
- Total assets
- $7,751,126
- -37.8% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- California (12% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
Who The Henry M Paulson Jr Institute funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Shenzen Zhilan Foundation ($28K). Together the top 5 received $94K.
Grant Size Distribution
14 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 10 grants of 14 (71%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Henry M Paulson Jr Institute gives
- Giving fell 36% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $24K (2023) to $244K (2020). In 2024 it made 6 grants totaling $94K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Shenzen Zhilan Foundation | Implementation of biodiversity conservation projects related to the protection of china's coastal wetland ecosystem. | $28,090 |
| Shenzhen Mangrove Wetlands Conservation Foundation | Implementing the project "protected area for public welfare in wuyuanhe national wetland park of haikou city". | $20,833 |
| China Institute of Green Carbon | Develop the green voluntary carbon emisison reduction system (GVER) and related methodologies, research, and explore biodiversity credit project development and credit trading, implement GVER-based biodiversity credit pilots, and scale up the application of the GVER standard. | $20,000 |
| Duke Kunshan University | Implementation on the Promoting Bird-Friendly Urban Development Project. | $11,111 |
| University of California Merced Merced, CA | Leadership Training Program for National Parks | $11,000 |
| Shenzhen Mangrove Wetlands Conservation Foundation | For organizing the symposium on cities and biodiversity: aligning cities with the global biodiversity framework in shenzhen. | $2,797 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $7,751,126 | $1,092,182 | $6,001,870 | $93,831 | 6 | $5,452,115 | — | $462,518 |
| 2023 | $12,460,230 | $1,010,985 | $5,936,203 | $23,820 | 2 | $5,323,224 | $95,977 | $672,763 |
| 2022 | $16,366,113 | $1,692,706 | $5,677,370 | $181,377 | 2 | $4,487,080 | — | $821,200 |
| 2021 | $21,567,967 | $6,055,335 | $5,607,737 | $145,534 | 2 | $4,954,398 | — | $992,636 |
| 2020 | $21,122,638 | $2,643,816 | $5,919,892 | $243,700 | 2 | — | — | $1,015,764 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Henry M Paulson Jr Institute reported a distributable amount of $463K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Henry M Paulson Jr Institute is led by Deborah Lehr, Executive Director & Vice Chairman on every filing since 2020; 2 of 7 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Deborah Lehr
Executive Director & Vice Chairman
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$150K (2020) → $151K (2024)
Henry M. Paulson Jr.
Chairman
On filings since 2020
7.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Claire Buchan Parker
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Evan Feigenbaum
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kelley Folino
Chief Operating Officer & Secretary
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
$106K (2020) → $183K (2024)
Terry Robbins
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Wendy J. Paulson
Vice Chairman
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $183K, to Kelley Folino (Chief Operating Officer/ Secretary). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Henry M Paulson Jr Institute
How much does The Henry M Paulson Jr Institute give each year?
The Henry M Paulson Jr Institute gave $94K across 6 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $24K across 2 grants.
What is The Henry M Paulson Jr Institute's typical grant size?
The Henry M Paulson Jr Institute's median grant in 2024 was $15,556, and its average grant was $15,639, across 6 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Henry M Paulson Jr Institute give grants?
The Henry M Paulson Jr Institute's top state is California, with 12% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Does The Henry M Paulson Jr Institute give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 6 grants with a stated purpose on The Henry M Paulson Jr Institute's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are The Henry M Paulson Jr Institute's largest grantees?
The Henry M Paulson Jr Institute's largest 2024 grantees include Shenzen Zhilan Foundation ($28,090), Shenzhen Mangrove Wetlands Conservation Foundation ($23,630 across 2 grants) and China Institute of Green Carbon ($20,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 76% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Henry M Paulson Jr Institute?
The Henry M Paulson Jr Institute reported $7.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $5.5M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $463K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is The Henry M Paulson Jr Institute?
The Henry M Paulson Jr Institute is a private foundation focused on International, Foreign Affairs & National Security, based in Chicago, IL. It holds $7.8M in total assets as of 2024.
What is The Henry M Paulson Jr Institute's EIN?
The Henry M Paulson Jr Institute's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 45-2430087. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 16, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 12, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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