Mt Cuba Astronomical Foundation
Accepts applications
Mt Cuba Astronomical Foundation is a private foundation in Wilmington, Delaware. In tax year 2025 it gave $958,425 in 16 grants; the typical grant was $10,478 and the largest $250,000. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$958,425
- Number of grants16
- Typical grant$10,478
- Largest grant$250,000
- Assets$24.7 million
- New grantees75%
Giving in 2025 was down from $963,886 the year before.
75% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a sign it is open to new organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $929,927 | 5 | $19.6 million |
| 2024 | $963,886 | 14 | $22.8 million |
| 2025 | $958,425 | 16 | $24.7 million |
How to apply
| Contact | James Lang Administrator PO Box 4556, Greenville, DE 19807 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (302) 540-6389 |
| What to submit | Applications should adhere to the grant application guidelines (available on our website: mtcubafnd.org or by mail to james lang). |
| Deadlines | No deadlines. |
| Restrictions | Applicant needs to be a qualified non-profit organization with the IRS. |
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What Mt Cuba Astronomical Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 9 states, the most to Massachusetts.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 1 | $250,000 |
| Hawaii | 1 | $243,232 |
| District of Columbia | 1 | $118,650 |
| New York | 1 | $102,000 |
| Texas | 1 | $88,076 |
| Arizona | 1 | $69,070 |
| California | 1 | $53,441 |
| Delaware | 8 | $30,956 |
| Maryland | 1 | $3,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| President and Fellows of Harvard College | General | $250,000 |
| University of Hawaii Foundation | General | $243,232 |
| Carnegie Science | General | $118,650 |
| The Research Foundation for the Suny | General | $102,000 |
| The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley | General | $88,076 |
| Lowell Observatory | General | $69,070 |
| The University Corporation | General | $53,441 |
| Mt Cuba Astronomical Observatory- Vernon Lecture | General | $17,956 |
| Individual | Scholarship | $3,000 |
| Individual | Scholarship | $3,000 |
| Individual | Scholarship | $3,000 |
| Individual | Scholarship | $3,000 |
| Individual | Scholarship | $1,000 |
| Individual | Scholarship | $1,000 |
| Individual | Scholarship | $1,000 |
| Individual | Scholarship | $1,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Theodore H Ashford
- Theodore H Ashford III
- Daniel D Friel Jr
- Dave Groski
- Mark Piro
- Grace Engbring
Questions people ask
Does Mt Cuba Astronomical Foundation accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications, with this on deadlines: No deadlines..
How much does Mt Cuba Astronomical Foundation give?
$958,425 in tax year 2025, across 16 grants, with a typical grant of $10,478.
Who runs Mt Cuba Astronomical Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Theodore H Ashford (Chairman/Treasurer), Theodore H Ashford III (Secretary), Daniel D Friel Jr (President) and Dave Groski (Trustee) among 6 officers and trustees.
What does Mt Cuba Astronomical Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education and science and research.