Walter and Jean Boek Global Autoimmune
The Walter and Jean Boek Global Autoimmune Institute is a private foundation based in McLean, Virginia (EIN: 54-1075268). The organization funds clinical research, education, and awareness for autoimmune diseases while supporting multidisciplinary approaches to wellness. The institute originated in the mid-1960s as a research institute for public health, founded by Dr. Walter E. Boek and a board of distinguished community leaders.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$15.5M
-6.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$964K
+59.8% YoY
Grant Count
5
-28.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$193K
+123.7% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Walter and Jean Boek Global Autoimmune reported a distributable amount of $1.1M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The institute's mission centers on advancing autoimmune disease research and empowering patients through scientific progress and community engagement. Primary funding focus areas include:
- Clinical research in autoimmune diseases
- Education and awareness initiatives
- Community engagement and support for the autoimmune disease community
- Multidisciplinary approaches to wellness
The organization maintains a comprehensive website (autoimmuneinstitute.org) that serves as a resource for the international community, including COVID-19 timelines, disease information, peer-reviewed studies, original articles, and resource lists.
Grantmaking
Based on recent IRS filings, the institute demonstrates active grantmaking:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The institute's grantmaking focuses primarily on California, Maryland, and the District of Columbia.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
- Total assets (2023): $16,610,745
- Total assets (2024): $15,518,222
- Total expenses (2023): $1,313,443
- Total revenues (2023): -$171,303
- Number of employees: 2
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $15,518,222 | $16,610,745 | $18,081,248 |
| Revenue | $643,030 | $-171,303 | $598,257 |
| Expenses | $1,743,504 | $1,313,443 | $899,220 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,597,647 | $1,141,593 | $735,719 |
| Net Investment Income | $495,593 | $199,153 | $428,848 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,149,126 | $1,025,404 | $1,019,475 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
30 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include La Jolla Institute for Immunology ($725,000), Johns Hopkins Medicine ($217,000), Children's National Medical Center ($20,997).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ACHIEVEMENT REWARDS FOR COLLEGE SCIENTISTS FOUNDATION INC SAN FRANCISCO, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $1,026 |
| CHILDREN'S NATIONAL MEDICAL CENTER WASHINGTON, DC | NEUROIMMUNOLOGY FELLOWSHIP AND CLINICAL STUDY COORDINATOR | $20,997 |
| JOHNS HOPKINS MEDICINE BALTIMORE, MD | SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH | $217,000 |
| LA JOLLA INSTITUTE FOR IMMUNOLOGY LA JOLLA, CA | LECTURE SERIES AND NAMED ASSISTANT PROFESSORSHIP | $725,000 |
| WIKIMEDIA FOUNDATION INC SAN FRANCISCO, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $16 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Sandra Boek Werness serves as Founder and Executive Director of the Global Autoimmune Institute. She is the eldest daughter of Walter and Jean Boek and was hired by the organization's Board of Directors to lead the institute into a new era following Dr. Walter Boek's death.
The organization was founded by Dr. Walter E. Boek, who previously served as an assistant to the Commissioner of Health of New York State during the 1950s and later worked for the Health Information Foundation. Dr. Jean K. Boek conducted important public health research studies, including early demonstrations of the association between cigarette smoking and heart disease and the life-saving benefits of seatbelt use. The couple co-authored the seminal book Society and Health and published numerous academic papers.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SANDRA BOEK WERNESS | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 50 | $260,000 |
| ALFREDA JONES MD | TREASURER | 3 | — |
| MARLENE BEKEY | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| MARICA V MAYO | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| ELIZABETH LOFTUS | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In September 2024, the Global Autoimmune Institute announced a major partnership milestone with La Jolla Institute for Immunology, investing over $800,000 in strengthening autoimmune disease research and patient resources. This investment includes the establishment of The Walter and Jean Boek Seminar Series, which provides a platform for in-depth discussions on immunology throughout the academic year.
Global Autoimmune Institute invests over $800,000 in La Jolla Institute\In March 2025, the institute supported LEAD Day (Lectures, Empowerment, and Awareness for Autoimmune Disease), held at La Jolla Institute for Immunology. This inaugural event brought together experts, researchers, and the autoimmune disease community to foster scientific progress and raise awareness. The event featured the awarding of the first Walter and Jean Boek Leadership in Research Award, presented to Dr. Georg Schett for his groundbreaking studies exploring potential long-term cures for autoimmune diseases without immunosuppressive drugs.
Global Autoimmune Institute invests over $800,000 in La Jolla Institute\Frequently Asked Questions
What does Walter and Jean Boek Global Autoimmune fund?
The institute's mission centers on advancing autoimmune disease research and empowering patients through scientific progress and community engagement. Primary funding focus areas include: • Clinical research in autoimmune diseases • Education and awareness initiatives • Community engagement and support for the autoimmune disease community • Multidisciplinary approaches to wellness The organization maintains a comprehensive website (autoimmuneinstitute.org) that serves as a resource for the inte…
How do I apply for a grant from Walter and Jean Boek Global Autoimmune?
Based on recent IRS filings, the institute demonstrates active grantmaking: • **Total giving (2024):** $964,039 • **Typical award range:** $16–$725,000 • **Recent major grants:** In August 2024, the institute provided $375,000 to establish The Walter and Jean Boek Seminar Series at La Jolla Institute for Immunology, secured through the 2028-2029 academic calendar The institute also established the Walter and Jean Boek Leadership in Research Award, which recognizes distinguished scientists whose…
Where does Walter and Jean Boek Global Autoimmune make grants?
The institute's grantmaking focuses primarily on California, Maryland, and the District of Columbia.
What size grants does Walter and Jean Boek Global Autoimmune award?
In 2024, Walter and Jean Boek Global Autoimmune awarded 5 grants totaling $964K — an average of about $193K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Walter and Jean Boek Global Autoimmune required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Walter and Jean Boek Global Autoimmune reported a distributable amount of $1.1M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Walter and Jean Boek Global Autoimmune's EIN?
Walter and Jean Boek Global Autoimmune's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 54-1075268. 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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