The Vallee Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, established in 1996 by Bert L. Vallee and Natalie "Kuggie" Kugris Vallee. The foundation advances biomedical science through international collaboration and support for early-career researchers, with a strategic focus on fostering originality, creativity, and leadership within biomedical scientific research and medical education.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$64.8M
+5.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.2M
-1.3% YoY
Grant Count
1
-92.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$2.2M
+1182.5% YoY
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.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's core mission centers on promoting dialogue between active and prominent biomedical scientists around the world. Primary funding areas include:
- Biomedical Research — Support for scientific research and innovation
- Scientific Education — Advancement of medical education and scientific training
- International Scientific Collaboration — Fostering collegial community among international scientists
Grantmaking
The foundation operates through several key grant programs:
Grant Range
s:** $10,000 to $2,200,000, with typical awards ranging from $10,000 to $400,000.
Review Cycle
to announcement.
Invitation Only
** Invitation only through institutional nominations. Decision timeline is approximately 7-9 months from nomination deadline to announcement.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds projects and initiatives internationally, with emphasis on leading research institutions worldwide. Geographic funding concentration includes major cities and regions such as New York, Boston, London, and funding efforts across states including Maryland, California, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Illinois, Connecticut, and Washington DC.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Total Assets: $64,822,709 (most recent filing)
Annual Giving: $2,200,000 to $3,252,078 (varies by fiscal year)
Annual Expenses: Approximately $3.3 million
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $64,822,709 | $61,436,816 | $55,658,787 |
| Revenue | $4,621,251 | $2,516,961 | $1,217,253 |
| Expenses | $3,453,106 | $3,290,610 | $3,394,444 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $3,252,078 | $3,144,390 | $3,128,191 |
| Net Investment Income | $6,655,110 | $2,684,910 | $1,291,061 |
| Distributable Amount | $3,093,033 | $2,827,545 | $2,865,040 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 1 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
54 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Grants & Contributions Paid ($2,200,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Grants & Contributions Paid CAMBRIDGE, MA | EXEMPT PURPOSE | $2,200,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Dr. Peter M. Howley — Board Chair, Shattuck Professor at Harvard Medical School
Alexa Mason — Executive Director (contact for Scholar Awards inquiries)
The board includes renowned scientists from institutions such as UC Berkeley, University of Oxford, and the Francis Crick Institute.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexa M Mason | executive director/secretary | 35 | $229,009 |
| PETER CAMPOT | TREAsurer/director | 1 | $9,300 |
| JESPer Z Haeggstrom | DIRECTOR | 1 | $9,300 |
| WADE HARPER | DIRECTOR | 1 | $9,300 |
| PETER M Howley | PRESIDENT/Director | 1 | $9,300 |
| ELIZABETH HUIDEKOPER | ASSISTANT TREASURER/DIRECTOR | 1 | $9,300 |
| EVANGELINA NOGALES | DIRECTOR | 1 | $9,300 |
| SHEILA OHLUND | DIRECTOR | 1 | $9,300 |
| DAME CAROL ROBINSON | DIRECTOR | 1 | $9,300 |
| ERNST-LUDWIG WINNACKER | DIRECTOR | 1 | $9,300 |
| MICHAEL f o'cONNELL | COUNSEL | 1 | — |
| LEWIS CANTLEY | VICE PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR | 1 | $9,300 |
| KAREN VOUSDEN | DIRECTOR | 1 | $9,300 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**February 2026** — Vallee Scholar Feng Zhang, one of the foundation's first Vallee Scholars, will be inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in May 2026.
Nu\xF1ez receives Vallee Scholar Award**February 2026** — Vallee Scholar Aashish Manglik awarded the 2026 Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise in Biomedical Science.
Nu\xF1ez receives Vallee Scholar Award**January 2026** — Vallee Visiting Professors Ivan Dikic and Claudia Schuman completed inspiring second sabbaticals through the foundation's program.
**December 2025** — Three new Vallee Visiting Professors welcomed to the foundation.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Vallee Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation's core mission centers on promoting dialogue between active and prominent biomedical scientists around the world. Primary funding areas include: • **Biomedical Research** — Support for scientific research and innovation • **Scientific Education** — Advancement of medical education and scientific training • **International Scientific Collaboration** — Fostering collegial community among international scientists
How do I apply for a grant from The Vallee Foundation Inc?
The foundation operates through several key grant programs: **Vallee Visiting Professorships** — Provide one-month sabbaticals for senior scientists at any laboratory of their choosing. Scientifically active Vallee Visiting Professors may apply for a second sabbatical each year. **Vallee Scholar Awards** — Provide unrestricted funding to junior faculty. Since 2013, the foundation has invested over $20 million in this flagship program. **Kuggie Vallee Distinguished Lectures** — Designed to encou…
Where does The Vallee Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation funds projects and initiatives internationally, with emphasis on leading research institutions worldwide. Geographic funding concentration includes major cities and regions such as New York, Boston, London, and funding efforts across states including Maryland, California, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Illinois, Connecticut, and Washington DC.
What size grants does The Vallee Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, The Vallee Foundation Inc awarded 1 grants totaling $2.2M — an average of about $2.2M per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Vallee Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Vallee Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $3.1M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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.
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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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