Vital Strategies Inc
Vital Strategies Inc is a New York, New York-based public charity formed in 1995. It works with governments and other partners on public health policies, data systems, and programs addressing causes of death, illness, and injury. Its work includes public health data and civil registration, cancer registries, overdose prevention, tobacco control, road safety, food policy, and alcohol-related policy.
Vital Strategies Inc at a glance
In short: Vital Strategies Inc gave $8.8M across 79 grants in 2024 (avg $111K), top state New Jersey. 30% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $8,779,800
- -20.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 79
- +3.9% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $111,137
- -23.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $77,500
- Total assets
- $114,309,166
- +19.0% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 30% first-time grantees (24 of 79, 2024)
- Primary geography
- New Jersey (18% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Vital Strategies Inc
- How to Apply
-
The Data for Health Global Grants Program uses a competitive selection process and partners with government experts and local teams. The program’s stated eligible applicants are government partners, and its grant focus includes improving civil registration and vital statistics systems, increasing death notification and registration, strengthening use of data for public health policymaking, and establishing or strengthening national cancer registries. No application deadline is stated.
- Contact
Mailing address: 100 Broadway 4Th Fl, New York, NY 10005
Phone: (212) 500-5724
Website: https://vitalstrategies.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Vital Strategies Inc
Data for Health Global Grants Program
Vital Strategies Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
North Carolina Opioid Settlement Funds Matching Grant Program
Vital Strategies Inc
Amount
Up to $210,000 over three years
Deadline
Deadline not published
Racial Equity Advancement in Communities through Harm Reduction in Pennsylvania (REACH PA)
Vital Strategies Inc
Amount
$450,000 total ($50,000 per grantee)
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Vital Strategies Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Legal Action Center of the City of New York Inc ($516K). Together the top 10 received $3.4M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($10,155), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
361 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 99 grants of 361 (27%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Vital Strategies says it works primarily in low- and middle-income countries. Its website describes Data for Health work across countries, while the 2024 filing also reports U.S.-based opioid overdose prevention grants. In 2024, the largest shares of grant dollars by recipient state went to New Jersey (18%), New York (16%), Kentucky (15%), North Carolina (9%), and Wisconsin (9%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 79 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Vital Strategies Inc open to new grantees?
30%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 24 of 79 grantees (30%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $82K; repeat grants $124K. How we count
Medians: $53K first-time, $98K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 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 $8.8M (2024) to $46.1M (2022). In 2024 it made 79 grants totaling $8.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Legal Action Center of the City of New York Inc New York, NY | Overdose Prevention (Opioid) | $516,060 |
| New Jersey Harm Reduction Coalition Absecon, NJ | Overdose Prevention (Opioid) | $438,607 |
| Newark Community Street Team Inc Newark, NJ | Overdose Prevention (Opioid) | $408,329 |
| Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD | Reset alcohol, data for health, and obesity prevention & food policy | $389,249 |
| Dream Corpsdreamorg Oakland, CA | Overdose Prevention (Opioid) | $380,000 |
| Community Advocates for Resources and Empowerment Inc Louisville, KY | Overdose Prevention (Opioid) | $277,360 |
| Bad River Tribe Odanah, WI | Overdose Prevention (Opioid) | $254,968 |
| Next Harm Reduction New York, NY | Overdose Prevention (Opioid) | $242,000 |
| Port City Harm Reduction Wilmington, NC | Overdose Prevention (Opioid) | $225,888 |
| Black Lives Matter Paterson Paterson, NJ | Overdose Prevention (Opioid) | $221,814 |
Ready to take the next step with Vital Strategies Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $114,309,166 | $132,394,975 | $109,267,610 | $8,779,800 | 79 | $1,534,320 |
| 2023 | $96,073,073 | $69,535,230 | $110,225,088 | $11,071,753 | 76 | $886,041 |
| 2022 | $142,331,793 | $104,242,576 | $153,227,177 | $46,142,802 | 72 | $373,327 |
| 2021 | $177,082,851 | $109,127,660 | $163,023,913 | $22,784,536 | 83 | $354,367 |
| 2020 | $219,704,054 | $181,213,690 | $157,228,801 | $23,935,815 | 51 | $491,764 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Vital Strategies states that its mission is to work in partnership to reimagine evidence-based, locally driven policies and practices to advance public health. Its stated strategic focus areas include urban health, environmental health and climate change, noncommunicable diseases, injury prevention, and public health systems.
Its programs include civil registration and vital statistics, data systems and public health intelligence, cancer registries, food policy, overdose prevention, road safety, tobacco control, and alcohol-related policy. The organization describes its approach as partnering with governments, civil society organizations, private-sector partners, and affected communities, and providing technical assistance as well as grants.
The 2024 grantees illustrate some of the organizations it supports. The Legal Action Center of the City of New York describes its mission as using legal policy strategies to fight discrimination, build health equity, and restore opportunity for people with arrest and conviction records, substance use disorders, and HIV or AIDS. Next Harm Reduction describes a mission to reduce opioid overdose deaths and injection-related disease transmission through an online and mail-based harm reduction platform. Community Advocates for Resources and Empowerment says it connects people experiencing homelessness or housing instability to wellness, stability, and housing resources.
Grantmaking
Vital Strategies reported making 79 grants totaling $8,779,800 in 2024. Grant amounts ranged from $9,000 to $516,060, with a median of $77,500.
Among the largest reported grants were $516,060 to the Legal Action Center of the City of New York for opioid overdose prevention; $438,607 to the New Jersey Harm Reduction Coalition for the same purpose; and $408,329 to Newark Community Street Team for opioid overdose prevention. Other large grants included $389,249 to Johns Hopkins University for Reset Alcohol, Data for Health, and obesity prevention and food policy; $380,000 to Dream Corps for opioid overdose prevention; and $277,360 to Community Advocates for Resources and Empowerment for opioid overdose prevention.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Dr. Mary-Ann Etiebet as CEO from September 2024, with Jose Luis Castro as president and CEO through June 2024 and Wallace D’Souza as interim CEO through September 2024. Other listed officers and directors include Bruce Mandell, chairperson; Dr. Masae Kawamura, vice chair for programs; Meron Makonnen, secretary; Marc Sznajderman, treasurer; and trustees David A. Caputo, Frank G. Colella, and Scott Halstead.
Vital Strategies Inc is led by Jose Luis Castro, President & CEO on every filing since 2020; 15 of 29 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Jose Luis Castro
President & CEO
On filings since 2020
38 hrs/week
$369K (2020) → $277K (2024)
Mary-Ann Etiebet Pres
CEO & Trustee Prior
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$175K (2024)
Bruce Mandell
Chairperson
Trustee → Chairperson, 2023
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Philip Setel
Vice President, Director & Crvs
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$242K (2021) → $261K (2024)
Quan Gan
Director & Tobacco Controller
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$239K (2022) → $249K (2024)
David A. Caputo
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dean Schraufnagel
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Eric Rosenbaum
Trustee
Secretary → Trustee, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Frank G. Colella
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jack Salvo
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Neil W. Schluger
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Scott Halstead
Trustee
Treasurer → Trustee, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kelly Henning
Trustee
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ping Hsieh
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Renata Reis PhD
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Adam Karpati
Senior Vice President Public Health Programs
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$291K (2020) → $347K (2024)
Daniel Kass
Senior Vice President Environmental Health
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$260K (2020) → $298K (2024)
Daniel Schaefer
CTO
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$238K (2020) → $254K (2024)
Sandra Mullin
Senior Vice President Pac
Senior Vice President Communications → Senior Vice President Pac, 2023
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$322K (2020) → $292K (2024)
Daliah Heller
Vice President & Drug Use Initiatives
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$240K (2023) → $247K (2024)
Andrew Rendeiro Svp Chief
Strategy Officer
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$294K (2024)
Barrett Prinz
General Counsel
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$265K (2024)
Laurel Wade
Senior Vice President, Partnerships & Development
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$245K (2024)
Mili Chowfla
Senior Vice President, Finance & Administration
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$242K (2024)
Stephen Hamill Vp Global
Lead, Pac & Strategic Initiatives
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$241K (2024)
Wallace D'souza Interim Ceo
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$390K (2024)
Marc Sznajderman
Treasurer
Vice Chair for Programs → Treasurer, 2021
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Masae Kawamura
Vice Chair for Programs
Vice Chair for Programs → Trustee, 2022
Trustee → Vice Chair for Programs, 2024
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Meron Makonnen
Secretary
Trustee → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2023
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (22)
- Former: Andrew Rendeiro (2020–2023) — Senior Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer
- Former: Helen Agerup (2020–2023) — Vice Chair for Operations
- Former: Lisa Fitzpatrick (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Mark Foley (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Mary-Ann Etiebet (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Ram Koppaka (2020–2023) — Secretary
- Former: Renee Ridzon (2020–2023) — Vice Chair for Programs
- Former: Roslyn Feder (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Wallace D'souza (2020–2023) — Cfao
- Former: Stephen Hamill (2023) — Vice President & Pac
- Former: Louis James De Viel Castel (2020–2022) — Chairperson
- Former: Tamar Renaud (2020–2022) — COO
- Former: Thomas Frieden President (2020–2022) — CEO - Resolve
- Former: Id Rusen (2022) — Senior Vice President Research & Development
- Former: Amanda McClelland (2020–2021) — Senior Vice President & Resolve
- Former: Christina Chang (2020–2021) — Executive Vice President & Deputy CEO
- Former: Ira D. Rusen (2020–2021) — Senior Vice President Research & Development
- Former: Richard Shepro (2020–2021) — Trustee -
- Former: Sara Hersey (2020–2021) — Senior Technical Advisor
- Former: Cyrus Shahpar (2020) — Director & Prevent Epidemic
- Former: Malebona Precious Matsoso (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Paula Fujiwara (2020) — Scientific 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 $390K, to Wallace D'Souza Interim CEO (Thru SEP 2024, Cfao). 15 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Vital Strategies Inc
How much does Vital Strategies Inc give each year?
Vital Strategies Inc gave $8.8M across 79 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $11.1M across 76 grants.
What is Vital Strategies Inc's typical grant size?
Vital Strategies Inc's median grant in 2024 was $77,500, and its average grant was $111,137, across 79 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Vital Strategies Inc that year got $82K on average.
Where does Vital Strategies Inc give grants?
Vital Strategies Inc's top state is New Jersey, with 18% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were New York (16%) and Kentucky (15%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (9 grants), Philadelphia, PA (6 grants), Lexington, KY (4 grants) and Paterson, NJ (4 grants).
Does Vital Strategies Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 79 grants with a stated purpose on Vital Strategies Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Overdose Prevention (Opioid)" (62 grants), "Partnership for Healthy Cities" (6 grants) and "Data for Health" (3 grants).
Who are Vital Strategies Inc's largest grantees?
Vital Strategies Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Legal Action Center of the City of New York Inc ($516,060), New Jersey Harm Reduction Coalition ($438,607) and Newark Community Street Team Inc ($408,329), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($10,155), which are not listed by name. Together they received 16% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Vital Strategies Inc?
Vital Strategies Inc reported $114.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $132.4M.
What does Vital Strategies Inc fund?
Vital Strategies states that its mission is to work in partnership to reimagine evidence-based, locally driven policies and practices to advance public health. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Vital Strategies Inc?
The Data for Health Global Grants Program uses a competitive selection process and partners with government experts and local teams. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Vital Strategies Inc's EIN?
Vital Strategies Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 22-3419667. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 15, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Vital Strategies Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in New York
The Chicago Community Trust
Chicago, IL
The Chicago Community Trust funds eligible nonprofits working to narrow the wealth gap and meet urgent needs, with priorities including economic mobility, education, jobs, homeownership, and community development in metropolitan Chicago and Cook County. Its 2025 grants had a median of $26,500, though amounts varied widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$7.1B
Grants
4,316
Total Given
$1.2B
Gates Foundation
Seattle, WA
The Gates Foundation funds work to reduce disease and poverty, improve health and gender equality in lower-income countries, and support education and economic mobility in the United States, especially Washington State; it works in more than 140 countries. Its 2024 grants had a median of $500,000, with awards ranging from $1 to $350.5 million. It generally does not accept unsolicited proposals, but periodically offers opportunities through published requests for proposals.
Assets
$78.7B
Grants
4,974
Total Given
$6.3B
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Mountain View, CA
Silicon Valley Community Foundation funds work in areas such as housing, economic security, education, health, the environment, arts and culture, and civic engagement, with Community Action Grants supporting local, community-led organizations in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of $51,716, though amounts varied widely; applications depend on the program, and SVCF states that it does not accept unsolicited proposals for advised funds.
Assets
$12.3B
Grants
3,576
Total Given
$3.2B
The Ford Foundation
New York, NY
The Ford Foundation funds organizations and initiatives working to reduce inequality and advance social justice, including work on civic engagement, civil rights, climate justice, disability rights, and technology and society. In 2024, its grants ranged from $45 to $15 million, with a median of $100,000, supporting work in the U.S. and internationally. It says most grants are identified by the foundation and it does not accept unsolicited proposals by mail, email, or phone; limited opportunities may be offered separately.
Assets
$17.5B
Grants
4,007
Total Given
$844.7M
The New York Community Trust
New York, NY
The New York Community Trust funds nonprofit programs in areas such as arts, education, health, the environment, workforce development, and youth development, including projects that improve services, build organizational capacity, or advance policy and systems change. Its competitive grants mainly serve New York City, Long Island, and Westchester, with some national and international environmental funding; the 2024 median grant was $20,000. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$3.5B
Grants
2,748
Total Given
$193.8M
The Simons Foundation Inc
New York, NY
The Simons Foundation funds research and public engagement in mathematics and the physical, life, autism, and neuroscience sciences. In 2024, it made 1,727 grants, with a median award of $72,000 and amounts ranging from $1,480 to $20 million, supporting organizations in the U.S. and internationally. It states that it funds only preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$4.5B
Grants
1,727
Total Given
$272.0M
More Funders in New York
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Vital Strategies Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/vital-strategies-inc-morg_94f7abca82244a49816d096a67e88bb5
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_223419667_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Vital Strategies Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/vital-strategies-inc-morg_94f7abca82244a49816d096a67e88bb5},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. 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 Vital Strategies 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.
Vital Strategies Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?