How much funding does Charles Edison Fund Grant provide?

The listing does not state a funding amount. Check the funder's announcement for specifics.

When is the deadline for Charles Edison Fund Grant?

The funder has not published a deadline for this grant.

How often is Charles Edison Fund Grant offered?

Charles Edison Fund Grant runs on a three cycles a year cycle.

Charles Edison Fund Grant

Charles Edison Fund

Foundation Grants for Science Research Grants for Nonprofits Foundation Grants

Funding Amount

Not stated

Deadline

Deadline not published

Grant Type

Foundation

Deadline history & next window

Cycle: Three cycles a year
Tracked since: April 2026

From the program guidelines: “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.”

Can we apply?

Check your organization against each line. Taken from the listing; confirm with the funder's guidelines.

Required status

Tax-exempt status

Other requirements

The Fund, in addition to funding its own programs, has given financial support to other charitable, scientific and educational organizations, institutions and projects.

Overview

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.

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.
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

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.