Blavatnik Family Foundation
The Blavatnik Family Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) foundation established in 2018 and based in New York City. Founded by Sir Leonard Blavatnik, a prominent businessman and philanthropist, the foundation provides funding and support to advance innovation, discovery, and creativity across science, education, arts and culture, and history.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$57.5M
-41.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$43.7M
-37.0% YoY
Grant Count
108
-16.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$405K
-24.2% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's guiding principle is that "advancing innovation, discovery, and creativity today, creates a better world tomorrow."
Primary focus areas include:
- Discovery: Supporting early-stage scientific research and discovery with potential to redefine human health
- Education: Funding higher education and supporting the brightest minds and most prestigious institutions
- Arts & Culture: Promoting and preserving creativity and beauty of world-class arts and cultural institutions
- Jewish History & Causes: Honoring Jewish history and supporting local organizations serving marginalized communities
- Scientific Research: Supporting researchers and scientists working on humankind's greatest challenges
- Humanitarian Relief and Racial Justice: Including partnerships for racial justice-focused arts, education, and criminal justice reform programs
Grantmaking
Nominations for the Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists are accepted from invited institutions only.
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds institutions in:
- United States
- United Kingdom
- Israel
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $98.9 million
- Total Revenue: $123 million
- Total Expenses: $72.4 million
- Total Liabilities: $1.15 million
- Total Giving: $43.7 million (based on 2024 filing)
Grant Activity:
- Made 149 grants in 2023
- Average grant amounts vary significantly based on institutional partnerships and program focus
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $57,533,348 | $98,929,513 | $47,857,010 |
| Revenue | $3,556,739 | $122,781,436 | $87,429,834 |
| Expenses | $44,629,206 | $72,371,373 | $40,244,521 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $44,554,206 | $70,109,373 | $39,895,384 |
| Net Investment Income | $3,540,496 | $116,581,436 | $73,025,934 |
| Distributable Amount | $3,423,681 | $1,778,726 | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Blavatnik Family Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Sir Leonard Blavatnik: Founder. Among the world's most accomplished businessmen and prominent philanthropists who has transformed companies into international market leaders while advancing science, higher education, and culture through charitable giving.
- Lady Emily Blavatnik: Co-Chair
- Alex Blavatnik: Senior Advisor
- Sir Michael Pakenham: Senior Advisor
- Peter Thoren: Executive Vice President, Head of Family Office
- Lisa Shields: Executive Vice President
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPTC LLC | Trustee | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**October 2024**: The Blavatnik Family Foundation spearheaded a new archive project to document the history of the Refuseniks and Save Soviet Jewry Movement, partnering with the Arcadia Fund and David Berg Foundation. This initiative is particularly meaningful to the philanthropic family, which fled the USSR in 1978-1979.
Blavatnik Family Foundation**February 2026**: Three women were named Britain's Brightest Young Scientists as 2026 Laureates of the Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists in the United Kingdom, each receiving £100,000 in unrestricted funding. The announcement was made at a gala dinner by the Blavatnik Family Foundation and The New York Academy of Sciences.
Blavatnik Family Foundation**January 2026**: The Courtauld announced plans to open two new contemporary art galleries at Somerset House, enabled by a £10 million gift from the Blavatnik Family Foundation. This brings the foundation's recent contributions to the Courtauld to £20 million total.
Blavatnik Family FoundationSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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