ROBERTSON FOUNDATION

Supporting OrganizationIRS data 2021–2024

NEW YORK, NYEIN 137068398 Website

Annual Giving

$20.6M-80% YoY

Grants

Median Grant

$39K

Organizations Funded

198

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Foundation Overview

Mission

At the Robertson Foundation, they believe human capital is their greatest lever for change, and aim to support individuals and teams transforming how we power our economies, educate our children, feed our families, and advance life-saving discoveries through combining deep inquiry and intentional action.

Focus Areas

clean transportation and decarbonizationmethane emissions reductionfossil fuel supply reduction and anti‑expansion advocacyenergy efficiency and building electrificationocean plastics reduction and ocean‑climate nexusmarine and coastal conservationbig cat and tiger conservationplant‑based and alternative protein promotion

Grant Types

general operating supportscholarshipsinvestigator awardsfellowshipsresearch grantsconference and convening supportregranting fundsprogram/project supportcapacity building

Funded Initiatives

Aims to grant approximately $100 million annually

How to Apply

The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals and is not currently accepting unsolicited applications or requests for funding. The foundation has paused most of its operation since Julian Robertson's death to review its grantmaking strategies.

Does Not Fund

The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals. Currently paused for strategic review following founder's death in 2022.

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

Giving History

2024-80%

$20.6M

Grants

Median

$39K

States

2023+38%

$105.2M

Grants

256

Median

$10K

States

2022

$76.0M

Grants

224

Median

$10K

States

Grant Size Distribution

$39K

Typical Grant (Median)

$2K

Smallest

$10K

25th Pctile

$525K

75th Pctile

$4.9M

Largest

Excludes grants ≤ $5K. Half fall between $10K and $525K.

Largest Recent Grants

$4.9M

2024

ROBERTSON SCHOLARS LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

NY · GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT AND SCHOLARSHIPS

$4.0M

2024

ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND INC

NY · SUPPORT WORK TO REDUCE AGRICULTURAL METHANE AND IMPROVE ALTERNATIVE FUELS

$3.0M

2024

THE FUND FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS INC

NY · SUPPORT FOR NYC READS - PROFESSIONAL LEARNING - CREATING STRUCTURES AND EVALUATION

$2.0M

2024

ALZHEIMERS DISEASE AND RELATED DISORDERS ASSOCIATION INC

IL · ACCELERATE IMPACTFUL, CROSS-DISCIPLINARY DISCOVER RESEARCH

$1.1M

2024

THE ROCKEFELLER UNIVERSITY

NY · 2ND GRANT SUPPORTING THE JULIAN AND JOSIE ROBERTSON FUND TO RECRUIT YOUNG INVESTIGATORS

Geographic Focus

$15.5M14 grants

$2.0M1 grants

$1.0M1 grants

$860K3 grants

$500K1 grants

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

Financial Overview

YearTotal AssetsGrants Paid

2024

$279.5M

$20.6M(7.4%)

2023

$300.8M

$105.2M(35.0%)

2022

$237.6M

$76.0M(32.0%)

2021

$316.1M

$78.7M(24.9%)

Grants paid shown as percentage of total assets

Network Intelligence

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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.