Charles Edison Fund Grant

Charles Edison Fund Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Charles Edison Fund
Last Updated: November 15, 2024

Summary

The Charles Edison Fund Grant supports initiatives in science and technology education, medical research, and preserving the legacy of Thomas Edison. Established in 1948 by Charles Edison, the fund has allocated over $35 million in seed money to various organizations. It primarily focuses on projects within the New York-New Jersey Metropolitan area, ensuring that contributions are directed toward impactful efforts that align with its mission of fostering innovation and education.

Overview

Note: The Fund's Trustees meet three times a year, usually in May, September and December at which time requests which have been submitted at least three weeks prior to the meeting will be considered. Charles Edison was the son of Thomas Edison, the famous inventor and entrepreneur. Charles was a businessman and philanthropist and in 1948 established the Charles Edison Fund ("Fund"). The Fund was created to maintain the legacy of his father, Thomas Edison, and to meet his own philanthropic goals in good and bad economic times. The Fund also engages in licensing the Edison Intellectual property, including the name, image, quotes and artifacts of Thomas Edison ("Edison IP"). The extra revenues generated support educational programs run by its sister foundation, Edison Innovation Foundation. Mission Statement Charles Edison Fund (the "Fund") is an endowed philanthropic institution dedicated to the support of worthwhile endeavors generally within the areas of science and technology education, medical research and preserving The Edison legacy. The Fund is an extension of the philanthropy of its Founder, Charles Edison, a man of discerning foresight, rare achievement and background. Grants and "Seed Money" The Fund is a seed money organization which has given financial support in an amount which exceeds $35 Million. It does not just make grants but makes grants happen. It starts projects which would not otherwise "get off the ground." The Fund remained relatively small until its inheritance from the estate of Charles Edison, at which time its record of providing financial assistance to other organizations expanded following his death. Patterns of Giving In more recent years, a pattern of giving has emerged within the Fund. Its contributions tend to be equally divided among medical research projects, science and technology education and preservation of the Edison Legacy. Additionally, but with some important and increasing exceptions, institutions and organizations assisted are based principally in the New York-New Jersey Metropolitan area. This concentration of interest facilitates the efforts of the Trustees to evaluate the work of recipient groups, frequently accomplished by personal visitations.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. The Fund, in addition to funding its own programs, has given financial support to other charitable, scientific and educational organizations, institutions and projects.Organizations must have tax-exempt status.