RITA ALLEN FOUNDATION INC

Supporting OrganizationIRS data 2022–2024

PRINCETON, NJEIN 136116429 Website

Annual Giving

$5.5M-18% YoY

Grants

101

Median Grant

$50K

Organizations Funded

116

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Foundation Overview

Mission

Investing in transformative ideas in their earliest stages to promote breakthrough solutions to significant problems. They support discoveries in their earliest stages that will ultimately improve human health, democracy and understanding. The foundation seeks out curiosity, collaboration, leadership and courage, knowing that the first steps in solving complex problems are steps into the unknown.

Focus Areas

civic sciencescience communicationearly-career biomedical researchersscience policy and engagementscience journalismcommunity-based/community science labsscience outreachclinical and translational research

Grant Types

fellowshipsscholars awardsgeneral operating supportmicrograntsconvenings and workshops

Funded Initiatives

Rita Allen Foundation Scholars Program supporting seven pioneering early-career biomedical scientists in 2025 class; Civic Science Fellows Program with 2021-23 cohort of 21 Fellows supported by 35 pioneering funders; $710,000 in grants for civic information and public interest technology including MapLight Voter's Edge prototype; Fund for Shared Insight collaborative effort with 39 funders supporting 70 nonprofit organizations.

How to Apply

Foundation periodically hosts open Letters of Inquiry processes to source innovative ideas in specific topic areas. LOI of no more than two pages in PDF format during limited review periods. Foundation reviews LOIs and responds via email within eight weeks following end of submission period. Rita Allen Foundation Scholars receive up to $110,000 per year for maximum of five years. Pain Scholars receive $50,000 annually for up to three years.

Does Not Fund

Foundation supports only United States-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations conducting work primarily in the United States.

Based on publicly available information from the foundation's 990 filings and website.

Giving History

2024-18%

$5.5M

Grants

101

Median

$50K

States

2023-8%

$6.8M

Grants

137

Median

$30K

States

2022

$7.3M

Grants

141

Median

$50K

States

Grant Size Distribution

$50K

Typical Grant (Median)

$50

Smallest

$15K

25th Pctile

$100K

75th Pctile

$200K

Largest

Excludes grants ≤ $5K. Half fall between $15K and $100K.

Largest Recent Grants

$200K

2024

MULTIPLIER

CA · CIVIC SCIENCE FUNDERS COLLABORATIVE

$190K

2024

BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY (WM)

MA · ANNUAL SUPPORT

$175K

2024

RESEARCHAMERICA

VA · STAC TASK FORCE TO ADVANCE U.S. COMPETITIVENESS IN THE 21ST CENTURY

$110K

2024

HARVARD UNIVERSITY

MA · RITA ALLEN FOUNDATION SCHOLARS PROGRAM

$110K

2024

HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL

MA · RITA ALLEN FOUNDATION SCHOLARS PROGRAM

Geographic Focus

$1.1M17 grants

$758K14 grants

$421K6 grants

$353K5 grants

Top states by total grant dollars. Based on IRS filing data.

Financial Overview

YearTotal AssetsGrants Paid

2024

$203.3M

$5.5M(2.7%)

2023

$189.9M

$6.8M(3.6%)

2022

$175.6M

$7.3M(4.2%)

Grants paid shown as percentage of total assets

Network Intelligence

Funding follows networks, not keywords

SciRise maps 4.8M+ grants across 16,000+ foundations to identify which ones are most likely to fund organizations like yours — based on who they already fund, not just what they say they fund.

Data sourced from IRS 990 and 990-PF filings and publicly available foundation websites. Grant data, financial figures, and organizational details reflect historical filings and may not represent current operations or funding priorities. Verify directly with the foundation before applying. See an issue? Let us know.