The Ida and Robert Gordon Family Foundation
The Ida and Robert Gordon Family Foundation is a private foundation established in 2015 upon the death of Robert S. Gordon to continue his philanthropic legacy. Based in Wilmington, Delaware, the foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization with a focus on sustainable food systems and environmental challenges.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$11.6M
+9.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$627K
+15.3% YoY
Grant Count
45
+32.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$14K
-12.9% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Ida and Robert Gordon Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $894K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation is dedicated to addressing the intersection of climate, sustainable agriculture, and other environmental challenges. Beyond its primary environmental focus, the foundation also supports:
- Women's health programs
- Arts projects
- Social justice programs
- Other current areas of need
The foundation's endowment is responsibly invested, including in not-for-profit organizations consistent with the foundation's mission.
Grantmaking
The foundation made 40 grants totaling $626,841 in 2024. Recent grants include:
Grant Range
$13,500
Average Grant
amount: $17,200
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in New York, California, and the District of Columbia.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total assets: $11,570,792
- Total giving: $626,841
- Total revenues: $1,841,802
- Total expenses: $801,107
As of 2023:
- Total assets: $10,500,000
- Total revenues: $1,580,000
- Total expenses: $695,000
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $11,570,792 | $10,530,097 | $9,641,075 |
| Revenue | $1,841,802 | $1,583,999 | $1,390,805 |
| Expenses | $801,107 | $694,977 | $801,697 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $716,627 | $622,104 | $778,948 |
| Net Investment Income | $638,144 | $383,318 | $183,696 |
| Distributable Amount | $894,314 | $720,918 | $672,999 |
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
169 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Earthjustice ($50,000), American Farmland Trust ($35,000), Soil Health Institute ($35,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN FARMLAND TRUST WASHINGTON, DC | American Farmland Trust's Federal and New York State Policy Work | $35,000 |
| ARTICHOKE DANCE COMPANY INC BROOKLYN, NY | Artichoke Ambassadors Program | $2,500 |
| BLUECHECK CHARITABLE FOUNDATION INC NEW YORK, NY | General & Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| BOSTON IMPACT INITIATIVE FUND JAMAICA PLAIN, MA | General & Unrestricted | $5,000 |
| BRICK STUDIO RP INC SAINT JAMES, NY | General & Unrestricted | $2,500 |
| CERES INC BOSTON, MA | Valuing Water Finance Initiative | $25,000 |
| CITY GROWERS INC BROOKLYN, NY | General & Unrestricted | $5,000 |
| CIVIL EATS COTATI, CA | Climate Equity Initiative | $25,000 |
| CROSSING POINT ARTS INC HASTINGS HDSN, NY | General & Unrestricted | $7,500 |
| EARTHJUSTICE SAN FRANCISCO, CA | To Support a Program Ushering In an Era of Climate Friendly Farming | $50,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Roberta G. Gordon – President, Treasurer, Director
- Richard M. Greenberg – Vice President, Secretary, Director
- Toby S. Wolf – Director
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roberta Gordon | Pres, Treas, Dir | 10 | — |
| Richard M Greenberg | Dir, Sec, VP | 10 | — |
| Toby S Wolf | Dir | 1 | — |
Contact Information
- Website: www.irgordonfoundation.org
- Address: 501 Silverside Road, Wilmington, DE 19809-1377
- Phone: 800-839-1754
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Ida and Robert Gordon Family Foundation fund?
The foundation is dedicated to addressing the intersection of climate, sustainable agriculture, and other environmental challenges. Beyond its primary environmental focus, the foundation also supports: • Women's health programs • Arts projects • Social justice programs • Other current areas of need The foundation's endowment is responsibly invested, including in not-for-profit organizations consistent with the foundation's mission.
How do I apply for a grant from The Ida and Robert Gordon Family Foundation?
**Grant Characteristics:** • Typical award range: $1,000–$50,000 • Average grant amount: $17,200 • Median grant size: $13,500 **Recent Grant Activity:** The foundation made 40 grants totaling $626,841 in 2024. Recent grants include: • Earthjustice: $50,000 (to support a program ushering in an era of climate-friendly farming) • Soil Health Institute: $35,000 (support for lab partnership program for access to soil health measurement) • American Farmland Trust: $35,000 (federal and New York State …
Where does The Ida and Robert Gordon Family Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in New York, California, and the District of Columbia.
What size grants does The Ida and Robert Gordon Family Foundation award?
In 2024, The Ida and Robert Gordon Family Foundation awarded 45 grants totaling $627K — an average of about $14K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Ida and Robert Gordon Family Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Ida and Robert Gordon Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $894K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Ida and Robert Gordon Family Foundation's EIN?
The Ida and Robert Gordon Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-4828639. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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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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