The Vallee Foundation Inc
The Vallee Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Established in 1996 by Bert and Kuggie Vallee, it supports biomedical scientific research and medical education, with programs intended to foster originality, creativity, leadership, and collaboration among scientists.
The Vallee Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: The Vallee Foundation Inc gave $2.2M across 1 grant in 2024 (avg $2.2M), mostly in Massachusetts. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,200,000
- -1.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 1
- -92.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $2,200,000
- +1182.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $2,200,000
- Total assets
- $64,822,709
- +5.5% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The Vallee Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The Foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. For Vallee Scholar Awards, the Foundation invites selected institutions to nominate candidates; each institution may submit one nomination.
- Review Cycle
- For the Scholar Awards, letters of nomination are due by December 1 and completed applications by February 1. The Foundation says selected institutions are invited each September and awards are announced by early September.
- Deadline
- For the Scholar Awards, letters of nomination are due by December 1 and completed applications by February 1.
- Contact
Mailing address: One Mifflin Place Suite 400, Cambridge, MA 02138
Phone: (415) 413-6710
Website: https://thevalleefoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Vallee Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Grants & Contributions Paid ($2.2M).
Grant Size Distribution
54 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 27 grants of 54 (50%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation describes its programs as engaging scientists internationally, and says Vallee Visiting Professorships are open to scientists from any institution worldwide. In filing year 2024, all reported grant dollars went to a recipient in Massachusetts.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2024 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
How The Vallee Foundation Inc gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−8%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 105% of 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 $1.8M (2020) to $2.4M (2021). In 2024 it made 1 grant totaling $2.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Grants & Contributions Paid Cambridge, MA | Exempt Purpose | $2,200,000 |
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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 | $64,822,709 | $4,621,251 | $3,453,106 | $2,200,000 | 1 | $3,252,078 | $6,655,110 | $3,093,033 |
| 2023 | $61,436,816 | $2,516,961 | $3,290,610 | $2,230,000 | 13 | $3,144,390 | $2,684,910 | $2,827,545 |
| 2022 | $55,658,787 | $1,217,253 | $3,394,444 | $2,305,000 | 13 | $3,128,191 | $1,291,061 | $2,865,040 |
| 2021 | $69,815,798 | $4,784,324 | $3,296,278 | $2,400,000 | 19 | $3,018,089 | $7,166,931 | $3,326,043 |
| 2020 | $62,627,683 | $2,241,955 | $2,485,850 | $1,842,500 | 8 | — | $3,058,286 | $2,761,641 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Vallee Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $3.1M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s stated mission is to promote a collegial community of international scientists, enhance scientific collaboration and communication, and advance medical education and biomedical research.
Its programs include one-month Vallee Visiting Professorships for senior scientists at a laboratory of their choosing; Vallee Scholar Awards offering flexible, unrestricted support to early-career investigators conducting basic biomedical research; and Kuggie Vallee Distinguished Lectures designed to encourage women in science. The Foundation also organizes meetings and symposia.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the Foundation reported one grant totaling $2,200,000. The sole itemized payment was listed as “Grants & Contributions Paid” in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with the purpose “EXEMPT PURPOSE.” Thus, the reported typical grant size for that year was $2,200,000. In 2023, it reported 13 grants totaling $2,230,000; in 2022, it reported 13 grants totaling $2,305,000.
For the Vallee Scholar Awards, the Foundation says it makes six career-development awards of $400,000 each, to be spent over four years. Candidates must be nominated by institutions selected by the Foundation’s board, with one nomination accepted per institution. Eligible candidates must have received a PhD, MD, or equivalent professional degree within 12 years of the application deadline and have held an independent research position for no more than six years by that date.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Alexa M Mason as executive director and secretary; Peter M Howley as president and director; Peter Campot as treasurer and director; and Elizabeth Huidekoper as assistant treasurer and director. It also lists Jesper Z Haeggstrom, Wade Harper, Evangelina Nogales, Sheila Ohlund, Dame Carol Robinson, and Ernst-Ludwig Winnacker as directors.
The Vallee Foundation Inc is led by Alexa M Mason, Executive Director & Secretary since 2022 (on filings since 2020); 12 of 13 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Alexa M Mason
Executive Director & Secretary
Executive Director → Executive Director & Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2020
35 hrs/week
$185K (2020) → $229K (2024)
PETER M Howley
President & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$8K (2020) → $9K (2024)
Elizabeth Huidekoper
Assistant Treasurer & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$8K (2020) → $9K (2024)
Ernst-Ludwig Winnacker
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$8K (2020) → $9K (2024)
JESPer Z Haeggstrom
Director
Secretary & Director → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$8K (2020) → $9K (2024)
Lewis C. Cantley
Vice President & Director
Director → Vice President & Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$8K (2020) → $9K (2024)
Peter Campot
Treasurer & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$8K (2020) → $9K (2024)
Sheila Ohlund
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$8K (2020) → $9K (2024)
Dame Carol Robinson
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
$8K (2023) → $9K (2024)
Evangelina Nogales
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
$6K (2023) → $9K (2024)
Karen Vousden
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
$9K (2024)
Wade Harper
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
$10K (2023) → $9K (2024)
MICHAEL f o'cONNELL
Counsel
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: Carol Robinson (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Gordon Hammes (2020–2022) — Director · Filing note: Resigned 111222
- Former: Louise Gross (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: S. James Adelstein (2020–2022) — Past President & Director
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 $229K, to Alexa M Mason (executive director/secretary). 12 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Vallee Foundation Inc
How much does The Vallee Foundation Inc give each year?
The Vallee Foundation Inc gave $2.2M across 1 grant in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $2.2M across 13 grants.
How large is The Vallee Foundation Inc?
The Vallee Foundation Inc reported $64.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $3.3M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $3.1M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Vallee Foundation Inc fund?
The Foundation’s stated mission is to promote a collegial community of international scientists, enhance scientific collaboration and communication, and advance medical education and biomedical research. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Vallee Foundation Inc?
The Foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
Where does The Vallee Foundation Inc make grants?
The Foundation describes its programs as engaging scientists internationally, and says Vallee Visiting Professorships are open to scientists from any institution worldwide. In filing year 2024, all reported grant dollars went to a recipient in Massachusetts.
What is The Vallee Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Vallee Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-3333757. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Vallee Foundation Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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