The Marta and Robert Adelson Family
THE MARTA AND ROBERT ADELSON FAMILY is a private foundation based in Merion Station, Pennsylvania. Its 2025 filing reports grants to charitable organizations, including arts and cultural institutions, educational organizations, and community-service organizations.
Key facts about The Marta and Robert Adelson Family
In short: The Marta and Robert Adelson Family gave $200K across 27 grants in 2025 (avg $7K), mostly in Pennsylvania. 26% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 82-3708081
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $200,250
- Grants made (2025)
- 27
- Average grant
- $7,417
- Median grant
- $5,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 26% first-time grantees (7 of 27, 2025)
- Total assets
- $10,356,355
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (71% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to apply
- The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$10.4M
+254.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$200K
-58.6% YoY
Grant Count
27
-3.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$7K
-57.1% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Marta and Robert Adelson Family reported a distributable amount of $100K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is The Marta and Robert Adelson Family open to new grantees?
26%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 7 of 27 grantees (26%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $4K; repeat grants $8K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $5K repeat.
- 70% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving fell 57% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 207% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
A formal mission statement for the foundation is not provided. Its 2025 grants show support for a range of organizations. For example, Overbrook School for the Blind says its mission is to provide education that expands opportunities for students with visual impairments and other challenges. Reading Allowed says it provides specialized literacy tutoring to people in the Philadelphia area who lack the means to access high-quality tutoring. Education Law Center describes its mission as advocacy for children’s legal rights to quality public education. Pennsylvania Resources Council says it works to prevent waste and conserve the environment.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 27 grants totaling $200,250. Grants ranged from $250 to $27,500, with a median of $5,000. Its largest grants included $27,500 to Philadelphia Museum of Art, $27,000 to Yale University, $17,500 to Overbrook School for the Blind, $16,000 to Moore College of Art, and $15,000 each to Thomas Jefferson University and Philadelphia Mural Arts. The listed purposes for these grants were general support.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 71% of grant dollars went to recipients in Pennsylvania, 13% to Connecticut, 12% to New York, and 2% to New Jersey. The filing also reports 0% in Alabama.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 27 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $200K (2025) to $503K (2023). In 2025 it made 27 grants totaling $200K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Philadelphia Museum of Art ($28K). Together the top 10 received $161K.
Grant Size Distribution
134 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 128 grants of 134 (96%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia Museum of Art Philadelphia, PA | General Support | $27,500 |
| Yale University New Haven, CT | General Support | $27,000 |
| Overbrook School for the Blind Philadelphia, PA | General Support | $17,500 |
| Moore College of Art Philadelphia, PA | General Support | $16,000 |
| Thomas Jefferson University Philadelphia, PA | General Support | $15,000 |
| Philadelphia Mural Arts Philadelphia, PA | General Support | $15,000 |
| Share Food Program Philadelphia, PA | General Support | $14,900 |
| Emily's Entourage Fort Washington, PA | General Support | $10,000 |
| Hospital for Special Surgery Foundation New York, NY | General Support | $10,000 |
| Print Center New York New York, NY | General Support | $7,800 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grant total | Grant count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $10,356,355 | $12,770,380 | $215,885 | $200,250 | 27 |
| 2024 | $2,922,068 | $178,903 | $491,497 | $483,930 | 28 |
| 2023 | $3,234,662 | $146,980 | $520,390 | $502,600 | 28 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $10,356,355 | $2,922,068 | $3,234,662 |
| Revenue | $12,770,380 | $178,903 | $146,980 |
| Expenses | $215,885 | $491,497 | $520,390 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $206,226 | $489,900 | $518,536 |
| Net Investment Income | $6,205,359 | $177,306 | $145,126 |
| Distributable Amount | $99,558 | $174,108 | $184,944 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS April 8, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 11, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS June 29, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 1, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 14, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 4, 2026)
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Robert S. Adelson as president, treasurer, and director; Marta Adelson as secretary and director; and Carlin Adelson, Daniel Adelson, and Leah Adelson as directors.
The Marta and Robert Adelson Family is led by Robert S. Adelson, President, Treasurer & Director on every filing since 2020; none of the 5 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Robert S. Adelson
President, Treasurer & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carlin Adelson
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Daniel Adelson
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Leah Adelson
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marta Adelson
Secretary & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Contact
Mailing address: 402 Academy Circle, Merion Station, PA 19066-1205
Phone: (484) 434-2255
Frequently asked questions about The Marta and Robert Adelson Family
How much does The Marta and Robert Adelson Family give each year?
The Marta and Robert Adelson Family gave $200K across 27 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $484K across 28 grants.
What is The Marta and Robert Adelson Family's typical grant size?
The Marta and Robert Adelson Family's median grant in 2025 was $5,000, and its average grant was $7,417, across 27 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Marta and Robert Adelson Family that year got $4K on average.
Where does The Marta and Robert Adelson Family give grants?
The Marta and Robert Adelson Family gives mostly in Pennsylvania: 71% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Connecticut (13%) and New York (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were Philadelphia, PA (18 grants) and New York, NY (4 grants).
Does The Marta and Robert Adelson Family give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Marta and Robert Adelson Family's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (27 of 27) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Marta and Robert Adelson Family's largest grantees?
The Marta and Robert Adelson Family's largest 2025 grantees include Philadelphia Museum of Art ($27,500), Yale University ($27,000) and Overbrook School for the Blind ($17,500), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 36% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Marta and Robert Adelson Family?
The Marta and Robert Adelson Family reported $10.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $206K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $100K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Marta and Robert Adelson Family fund?
A formal mission statement for the foundation is not provided. Its 2025 grants show support for a range of organizations. For example, Overbrook School for the Blind says its mission is to provide education that expands opportunities for students with visual impairments and other challenges. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Marta and Robert Adelson Family?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Marta and Robert Adelson Family's EIN?
The Marta and Robert Adelson Family's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 82-3708081. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does The Marta and Robert Adelson Family accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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