Walter and Jean Boek Global Autoimmune
Walter and Jean Boek Global Autoimmune is a private foundation based in McLean, Virginia. Its activities include support for autoimmune-disease research and scientific education, as well as community engagement, education, and support for people affected by autoimmune disease.
Walter and Jean Boek Global Autoimmune at a glance
In short: Walter and Jean Boek Global Autoimmune gave $964K across 5 grants in 2024 (avg $193K), mostly in California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $964,039
- +59.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 5
- -28.6% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $192,808
- +123.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $20,997
- Total assets
- $15,518,222
- -6.6% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- California (75% 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 Walter and Jean Boek Global Autoimmune
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
- Contact
Mailing address: 6819 Elm Street 10, Mclean, VA 22101
Phone: (703) 402-3745
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Walter and Jean Boek Global Autoimmune funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was La Jolla Institute for Immunology ($725K). Together the top 5 received $964K.
Grant Size Distribution
30 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 24 grants of 30 (80%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, grant dollars went to recipients in California (75%), Maryland (23%), and the District of Columbia (2%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 5 itemized grants.
Cities
How Walter and Jean Boek Global Autoimmune gives
- Giving grew 97% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 139% 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 $203K (2022) to $964K (2024). In 2024 it made 5 grants totaling $964K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| La Jolla Institute for Immunology La Jolla, CA | Lecture Series and Named Assistant Professorship | $725,000 |
| Johns Hopkins Medicine Baltimore, MD | Scientific Research | $217,000 |
| Children's National Medical Center Washington, DC | Neuroimmunology Fellowship and Clinical Study Coordinator | $20,997 |
| Achievement Rewards for College Scientists Foundation Inc San Francisco, CA | General Support | $1,026 |
| Wikimedia Foundation Inc San Francisco, CA | General Support | $16 |
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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 | $15,518,222 | $643,030 | $1,743,504 | $964,039 | 5 | $1,597,647 | $495,593 | $1,149,126 |
| 2023 | $16,610,745 | $-171,303 | $1,313,443 | $603,404 | 7 | $1,141,593 | $199,153 | $1,025,404 |
| 2022 | $18,081,248 | $598,257 | $899,220 | $203,254 | 4 | $735,719 | $428,848 | $1,019,475 |
| 2021 | $18,475,915 | $1,517,841 | $1,449,953 | $488,844 | 7 | $1,233,911 | $1,356,569 | $984,983 |
| 2020 | $17,644,268 | $2,232,254 | $1,102,256 | $454,384 | 7 | — | $2,071,742 | $984,438 |
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.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The institute’s reported activities include funding clinical and basic scientific research, supporting scientific events and infrastructure, and providing education and resources for the autoimmune disease community. Its 2024 activities also included a redesigned website, a monthly newsletter, social media engagement, conference participation, and a podcast offered with Boston Children’s Hospital.
Grantees include research and medical institutions. La Jolla Institute for Immunology describes its mission as understanding how the immune system works to promote human health and prevent disease. The institute’s 2024 grant to Johns Hopkins Medicine supported scientific research; its support for Children’s National included neuroimmunology research and a fellowship.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported five grants totaling $964,039. Awards ranged from $16 to $725,000, with a median grant of $20,997. Its largest 2024 grants were:
The other two grants were $1,026 to Achievement Rewards for College Scientists Foundation for general support and $16 to Wikimedia Foundation for general support. The foundation also announced a five-year investment supporting the Walter and Jean Boek Seminar Series at La Jolla Institute for Immunology.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Sandra Boek Werness as executive director; Alfreda Jones, MD, as treasurer; and Marlene Bekey, Marica V Mayo, and Elizabeth Loftus as directors.
Walter and Jean Boek Global Autoimmune is led by Sandra Boek Werness, Executive Director since 2021 (on filings since 2020); 1 of 5 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Sandra Boek Werness
Executive Director
President & CEO → Executive Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$190K (2020) → $260K (2024)
Marlene Bekey
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth Loftus
Director
On filings since 2023
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marica V. Mayo
Director
On filings since 2023
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alfreda Jones MD
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Dorothy Weinstein (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Susan Gerber (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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $260K, to Sandra Boek Werness (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Walter and Jean Boek Global Autoimmune
How much does Walter and Jean Boek Global Autoimmune give each year?
Walter and Jean Boek Global Autoimmune gave $964K across 5 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $603K across 7 grants.
What is Walter and Jean Boek Global Autoimmune's typical grant size?
Walter and Jean Boek Global Autoimmune's median grant in 2024 was $20,997, and its average grant was $192,808, across 5 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Walter and Jean Boek Global Autoimmune give grants?
Walter and Jean Boek Global Autoimmune gives mostly in California: 75% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Maryland (23%). The most frequent recipient cities were San Francisco, CA (2 grants).
Does Walter and Jean Boek Global Autoimmune give general operating support?
Yes: 40% of Walter and Jean Boek Global Autoimmune's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (2 of 5) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Walter and Jean Boek Global Autoimmune's largest grantees?
Walter and Jean Boek Global Autoimmune's largest 2024 grantees include La Jolla Institute for Immunology ($725,000), Johns Hopkins Medicine ($217,000) and Children's National Medical Center ($20,997), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
How large is Walter and Jean Boek Global Autoimmune?
Walter and Jean Boek Global Autoimmune reported $15.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.6M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.1M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Walter and Jean Boek Global Autoimmune fund?
The institute’s reported activities include funding clinical and basic scientific research, supporting scientific events and infrastructure, and providing education and resources for the autoimmune disease community. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Walter and Jean Boek Global Autoimmune?
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 ↑
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.
Does Walter and Jean Boek Global Autoimmune 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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