The Marta and Robert Adelson Family
The Marta and Robert Adelson Family Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in 2019 and designated as a 501(c)(3) organization. The foundation is based in Merion Station, Pennsylvania, with a mailing address at 402 Academy Circle, Merion Station, PA 19066. It operates as an independent private foundation focused on philanthropic giving across multiple sectors and geographic regions.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$2.9M
-9.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$484K
-3.7% YoY
Grant Count
28
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$17K
-3.7% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Marta and Robert Adelson Family reported a distributable amount of $174K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation has not publicly provided a formal mission statement. However, based on grant activity, the foundation supports causes in education, philanthropy and grantmaking, and human services. Recent grantees indicate support for educational institutions, cultural organizations, and community service organizations.
Grantmaking
The foundation distributes grants across a diverse range of organizations. In 2024, the foundation made 42 grants with total giving of approximately $483,930 to $503,000. Recent notable grants include:
Grant Range
s typically range from $180 to $283,500, with an average grant of approximately $79 and a median grant amount in the low hundreds. The foundation funds primarily general support rather than project-specific grants.
Average Grant
of approximately $79 and a median grant amount in the low hundreds. The foundation funds primarily general support rather than project-specific grants.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation supports organizations across multiple states and cities, including:
States: Alabama, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania, and Texas
Cities: Bala Cynwyd, Bryn Mawr, Dallas, Ithaca, Lancaster, Merion Station, Montgomery, New Haven, New York, Oxford, Philadelphia, Skokie, Washington, and Wynnewood
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $2,922,068
- Total Revenue: $178,903
- Total Expenses: $491,497
- Total Liabilities: $0
- Investment Income and Dividends: $71,820
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $3,234,662
- Total Revenue: $146,980
- Total Expenses: $520,390
The foundation's assets have remained relatively stable in the $2.9–$3.2 million range. The foundation is funded primarily through investment income rather than new contributions.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $2,922,068 | $3,234,662 | $3,608,092 |
| Revenue | $178,903 | $146,980 | $69,556 |
| Expenses | $491,497 | $520,390 | $516,075 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $489,900 | $518,536 | $482,500 |
| Net Investment Income | $177,306 | $145,126 | $69,481 |
| Distributable Amount | $174,108 | $184,944 | $221,624 |
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
149 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Thomas Jefferson University ($273,500), Alliance for Decision Education ($50,000), Philadelphia Museum of Art ($34,500).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| BIRTHRIGHT ISRAEL FOUNDATION NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| EDUCATION LAW CENTER NEWARK, NJ | GENERAL SUPPORT | $500 |
| EMILY'S ENTOURAGE FORT WASHINGTON, PA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $15,000 |
| FREE LIBRARY OF PHILADELPHIA PHILADELPHIA, PA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $1,500 |
| MOORE COLLEGE OF ART PHILADELPHIA, PA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| PHILADELPHIA MUSEUM OF ART PHILADELPHIA, PA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $34,500 |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD FEDERATION OF AMERICA NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $1,000 |
| SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW SCHOOL MONTGOMERY, AL | GENERAL SUPPORT | $250 |
| THOMAS JEFFERSON UNIVERSITY PHILADELPHIA, PA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $273,500 |
| THE WISTAR INSTITUTE PHILADELPHIA, PA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $5,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is led by the Adelson family:
- Robert S. Adelson — President, Treasurer, and Director
- Marta Adelson — Secretary and Director
- Carlin Adelson — Director
- Daniel Adelson — Director
- Leah Adelson — Director
None of the directors receive compensation for their roles. The foundation operates with zero employees.
Robert Adelson is a venture investor and founder of Osage Partners (established 1990) and related investment firms including Osage Venture Partners and Osage University Partners. He is a trustee of Thomas Jefferson University, where he chairs the Innovation Pillar, and serves on the Board of Directors of the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation. He is a graduate of Yale Law School and Yale College.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROBERT S ADELSON | PRESIDENT, TREASURER, DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MARTA ADELSON | SECRETARY, DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CARLIN ADELSON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DANIEL ADELSON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| LEAH ADELSON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Contact Information
Address: 402 Academy Circle, Merion Station, PA 19066
Telephone: 484-434-2255
EIN: 82-3708081
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Marta and Robert Adelson Family fund?
The foundation has not publicly provided a formal mission statement. However, based on grant activity, the foundation supports causes in education, philanthropy and grantmaking, and human services. Recent grantees indicate support for educational institutions, cultural organizations, and community service organizations.
How do I apply for a grant from The Marta and Robert Adelson Family?
The foundation distributes grants across a diverse range of organizations. In 2024, the foundation made 42 grants with total giving of approximately $483,930 to $503,000. Recent notable grants include: • Alliance for Decision Education: $50,000 (General Support) • Philadelphia Museum of Art: $34,500 (General Support) • Project Home: $22,500 (General Support) • Thomas Jefferson University: General Support Grant sizes typically range from $180 to $283,500, with an average grant of approximately $…
Where does The Marta and Robert Adelson Family make grants?
The foundation supports organizations across multiple states and cities, including: **States:** Alabama, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania, and Texas **Cities:** Bala Cynwyd, Bryn Mawr, Dallas, Ithaca, Lancaster, Merion Station, Montgomery, New Haven, New York, Oxford, Philadelphia, Skokie, Washington, and Wynnewood
What size grants does The Marta and Robert Adelson Family award?
In 2024, The Marta and Robert Adelson Family awarded 28 grants totaling $484K — an average of about $17K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Marta and Robert Adelson Family required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Marta and Robert Adelson Family reported a distributable amount of $174K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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 2020–2024.
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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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