Viking Global Foundation Inc
Viking Global Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Stamford, Connecticut. Its stated mission is to use its time and capital to make a positive impact in communities where Viking employees live and work, while engaging and educating employees about philanthropy.
Viking Global Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Viking Global Foundation Inc gave $3.6M across 423 grants in 2024 (avg $9K), mostly in New York. 39% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $3,634,444
- +3.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 423
- +9.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $8,592
- -5.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $950
- Total assets
- $7,092,219
- +18.2% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 39% first-time grantees (110 of 285, 2024)
- Primary geography
- New York (56% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Viking Global 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 funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 600 Washington Boulevard 11Th Floo, Stamford, CT 06901
Phone: (203) 863-5000
Website: https://vikingglobal.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Viking Global Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Advocates for Children ($375K). Together the top 10 received $2.0M.
Grant Size Distribution
1,495 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 1,392 grants of 1,495 (93%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation says its early childhood education grants support organizations in Connecticut, New York City, and San Francisco. In 2024, its grant dollars by recipient state were 56% to New York, 25% to Connecticut, 6% to Colorado, 5% to Massachusetts, and 2% to Arizona.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 423 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Viking Global Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
39%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 110 of 285 grantees (39%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $7K; repeat grants $16K. How we count
Medians: $780 first-time, $2K repeat.
- 47% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 27% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $2.9M (2021) to $3.7M (2020). In 2024 it made 423 grants totaling $3.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Advocates for Children New York, NY | General Support | $375,000 |
| Diaper Bank of Connecticut North Haven, CT | General Support | $241,000 |
| Lena Foundation Louisville, CO | General Support | $204,000 |
| Family Centers Inc Greenwich, CT | General Support | $175,000 |
| Barbershop Books New York, NY | General Support | $150,000 |
| Children's Aid Society New York, NY | General Support | $150,000 |
| Educational Alliance Inc New York, NY | General Support | $150,000 |
| Fund for Public Health in New York Inc New York, NY | General Support | $150,000 |
| Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York, NY | General Support | $150,000 |
| Jumpstart for Young Children Inc Boston, MA | General Support | $150,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Viking Global Foundation Inc?
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 | $7,092,219 | $5,047,830 | $3,153,772 | $3,634,444 | 423 | $3,848,608 | $828,666 | $246,872 |
| 2023 | $6,001,769 | $2,538,040 | $3,926,459 | $3,500,460 | 387 | $3,706,478 | $331,772 | $291,646 |
| 2022 | $6,616,787 | $1,463,912 | $3,828,402 | $3,254,364 | 294 | $3,523,089 | $195,186 | $377,245 |
| 2021 | $9,058,280 | $6,925,339 | $3,255,102 | $2,859,330 | 239 | $3,118,727 | $665,942 | $249,478 |
| 2020 | $5,940,731 | $4,104,549 | $3,903,239 | $3,689,828 | 152 | — | $977,569 | $268,196 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Viking Global Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $247K 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 says it provides strategic grants to high-impact organizations with strong leaders and proven track records. Its website highlights early childhood education, capacity building, and emergency relief, and says that since 2012 it has provided more than 200 grants to organizations focused on early childhood education in Connecticut, New York City, and San Francisco.
The 2024 grantees include organizations whose own missions describe work in early learning, literacy, family support, and public health. For example, LENA Foundation says its mission is to transform children’s futures through early-talk technology and data-driven programs. Read to Grow says it promotes children’s language skills and literacy from birth and supports families as their babies’ first teachers. Barbershop Books says it inspires Black boys and other vulnerable children to read for fun through child-centered, culturally responsive, community-based programming. The Fund for Public Health in New York says it works with the NYC Health Department to support the well-being of city residents.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 423 grants totaling $3,634,444. Grant amounts ranged from $21 to $375,000, with a median of $950. The largest listed grants included $375,000 to Advocates for Children, $241,000 to Diaper Bank of Connecticut, $204,000 to LENA Foundation, and $175,000 to Family Centers Inc. Other listed grants of $150,000 went to Barbershop Books, Children’s Aid Society, Educational Alliance, Fund for Public Health in New York, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Jumpstart for Young Children, and Read to Grow. The listed grants were for general support.
The foundation’s website describes a volunteer Grants Committee of Viking employees that identifies potential organizations, participates in due diligence, and makes final funding decisions. Committee members form relationships with nonprofit partners and support them toward their grant goals. The foundation also describes a 1:1 matching-gift program for employees’ personal contributions, up to $5,000 annually, and capacity-building grants that employees can nominate nonprofits to receive.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Molly Brethauer as president; Brian Clark as treasurer beginning August 2024; Andrew King as treasurer through August 2024; James Sullivan as secretary; and O Andreas Halvorsen, Rose Shabet, and Scott Zinober as directors. The foundation’s website identifies Alexandra Shoemaker as its executive director.
Viking Global Foundation Inc is led by Molly Brethauer, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 7 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Molly Brethauer
President
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
No compensation reported
O. Andreas Halvorsen
Director
On filings since 2020
0 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rose Shabet
Director
On filings since 2020
0 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Scott Zinober
Director
On filings since 2020
0 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Andrew King
Treasurer - Term
Treasurer → Treasurer - Term, 2024
On filings since 2023
0 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James Sullivan
Secretary
On filings since 2023
0 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brian Clark
Treasurer - Term Start
New on the 2024 filing
0 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Haley Garrett (2020–2022) — Secretary
- Former: Robert Lourenco (2020–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Daniel Taub (2020) — Secretary
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.
Frequently asked questions about Viking Global Foundation Inc
How much does Viking Global Foundation Inc give each year?
Viking Global Foundation Inc gave $3.6M across 423 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $3.5M across 387 grants.
What is Viking Global Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Viking Global Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $950, and its average grant was $8,592, across 423 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Viking Global Foundation Inc that year got $7K on average.
Where does Viking Global Foundation Inc give grants?
Viking Global Foundation Inc gives mostly in New York: 56% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Connecticut (25%) and Colorado (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (123 grants), Brooklyn, NY (20 grants), Stamford, CT (16 grants) and Washington, DC (14 grants).
Does Viking Global Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Viking Global Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (423 of 423) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Viking Global Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Viking Global Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Advocates for Children ($375,000), Barbershop Books ($250,000 across 2 grants) and Diaper Bank of Connecticut ($241,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 24% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Viking Global Foundation Inc?
Viking Global Foundation Inc reported $7.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $3.8M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $247K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Viking Global Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation says it provides strategic grants to high-impact organizations with strong leaders and proven track records. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Viking Global Foundation Inc?
The foundation 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 Viking Global Foundation Inc's EIN?
Viking Global Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 90-0512778. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Viking Global 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
Live grants for the work Viking Global Foundation Inc funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Viking Global Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Duke Energy Foundation
Charlotte, NC
The Duke Energy Foundation funds workforce and local economic development, disaster resilience, conservation, clean water, and economic opportunity in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000; applications for grants of $20,000 or less are accepted year-round, after applicants discuss proposals with a state representative.
Assets
$1.9M
Grants
41
Total Given
$25.6M
Aetna Foundation Inc
Hartford, CT
Aetna Foundation supported health and wellness, access to health care, and related community needs; its 2021 grants ranged from $5,000 to $1 million, with a median of $40,000, and went to organizations across multiple states, especially in D.C. and Connecticut. Its 2021 filing was marked final, so it appears to have ended or be winding down grantmaking; that filing said there were no restrictions on who could apply and pointed applicants to its website for application materials.
Assets
—
Grants
65
Total Given
$7.2M
Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation Inc
Princeton, NJ
The Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation supports health access and stronger health systems, with a focus on adult and pediatric cancers, blood disorders, brain health, and clinical-trial participation in the United States, Brazil, India, and ten Sub-Saharan African countries. In 2024, its median grant was about $134,000, though awards varied widely; it does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests, and advises prospective applicants to contact the Foundation about its process.
Assets
$83.3M
Grants
144
Total Given
$67.7M
United Way Worldwide
Alexandria, VA
United Way Worldwide funds community programs focused on youth opportunity, health, financial security, education, and disaster relief, with 2024 grants made across multiple U.S. states and internationally. Its 209 reported grants ranged from $5,100 to $736,333, with a median of $22,675. It does not state whether it accepts unsolicited grant requests.
Assets
$68.0M
Grants
209
Total Given
$11.4M
Synchrony Foundation
Stamford, CT
In 2024, Synchrony Foundation supported charitable organizations across workforce development, education, financial assistance, and giving, with grants ranging from $150 to $2.6 million and a median of $10,000. Its largest shares of grant funding went to Connecticut, New York, and South Carolina, followed by the District of Columbia and New Jersey; it does not accept unsolicited requests and funds preselected organizations only.
Assets
$71.5M
Grants
374
Total Given
$21.5M
Select Equity Group Foundation
New York, NY
The foundation supports charitable organizations in advocacy and civil rights, arts and culture, education and youth development, the environment, health, human services, and international development, locally, nationally, and internationally. In 2025, grants ranged from $30 to $500,000, with a median of $1,500. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$44.7M
Grants
854
Total Given
$7.3M
More similar funders
More Funders in Connecticut
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Viking Global Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/viking-global-foundation-inc-morg_876f52cfe1104970892e943aef716540
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_900512778_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Viking Global Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/viking-global-foundation-inc-morg_876f52cfe1104970892e943aef716540},
note = {Accessed 2026-11-05. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
} The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Viking Global Foundation Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Viking Global Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?