Robertson Foundation
Preselected recipients only
Robertson Foundation is a private foundation in New York, New York. In tax year 2024 it gave $20.6 million in 36 grants; the typical grant was $38,812 and the largest $4.9 million. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2024.
- Grants paid, 2024$20.6 million
- Number of grants36
- Typical grant$38,812
- Largest grant$4.9 million
- Assets$507 million
- New grantees57%
Giving in 2024 was down from $105 million the year before.
57% of its 2024 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $76.0 million | 224 | $422 million |
| 2023 | $105 million | 256 | $528 million |
| 2024 | $20.6 million | 36 | $507 million |
How to apply
Robertson Foundation says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.
What Robertson Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its US grants went to recipients in 11 states, the most to New York. It also paid $1,500 in 1 grant to recipients outside the US.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| New York | 14 | $15.5 million |
| Illinois | 1 | $2.0 million |
| District of Columbia | 1 | $1.0 million |
| Massachusetts | 3 | $860,000 |
| Tennessee | 1 | $500,000 |
| Minnesota | 1 | $450,000 |
| New Jersey | 3 | $162,000 |
| North Carolina | 6 | $117,625 |
| Connecticut | 3 | $40,000 |
| Georgia | 1 | $10,000 |
Grants paid in 2024
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Robertson Scholars Leadership Program | General operating support and scholarships | $4.9 million |
| Environmental Defense Fund Inc | Support work to reduce agricultural methane and improve alternative fuels | $4.0 million |
| The Fund for Public Schools Inc | Support for nyc reads - professional learning - creating structures and evaluation | $3.0 million |
| Alzheimers Disease and Related Disorders Association Inc | Accelerate impactful, cross-disciplinary discover research | $2.0 million |
| The Rockefeller University | 2nd grant supporting the julian and josie robertson fund to recruit young investigators | $1.1 million |
| International Council on Clean Transportation Inc | General operating support - work in latin america | $1.0 million |
| Educators 4 Excellence | Support for a campaign to mobilize teachers and elected officials in support of nyc reads | $600,000 |
| Fishtank Learning | Support for the redesign of fishtank's middle school writing units | $600,000 |
| Quillorg | Support for the development and initial scaling of a suite of ai-powered writing activities | $600,000 |
| Instruction Partners | Support for planning and launch of the elementary reading initiative | $500,000 |
| Natural Resource Governance Institute | General operating support - energy transition in latin america | $500,000 |
| Pie Network | Support for the launch and operation of a literacy community of practice | $450,000 |
| Imentor | Support for the julian prize | $300,000 |
| Teaching Matters Inc | Support for the iteration and scaling of the early learning matters (elm) program in nyc | $300,000 |
| Teach Plus | Reimagining teaching roadmap and teaching role | $250,000 |
| Princeton University | Support for tbd squash fund | $140,000 |
| Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center | General support | $125,000 |
| The Chapel of the Cross | 2025 annual fund | $40,000 |
| UNC of NC at Chapel Hill | Marco aleman fund for campos excellence | $37,625 |
| Sacred Heart Greenwich | General support | $25,000 |
| City Squash Inc | Jhr memorial squash center | $20,000 |
| New Zealand Olympic Committee American | General support | $20,000 |
| Opportunity Labs Foundation Inc | To build field knowledge and decision-making frameworks re; ai in education | $20,000 |
| Public Ed Works | General support | $15,000 |
| Christ Church Greenwich | Support for annual fund | $10,000 |
| Deerfield Academy | Class of 1997 scholarship fund | $10,000 |
| Playmakers Repertory Company | Annual fund 2024-2025 | $10,000 |
| Teach for America - NC Region | Support for tfa-eastern north carolina region | $10,000 |
| UNC of NC at Chapel Hill | General support for geography department | $10,000 |
| Boys and Girls Club of Greenwich | General support | $5,000 |
| Episcopal Charities of New York | General support | $5,000 |
| Inter-Faith Council for Social Service | General support | $5,000 |
| Heu Learning | General support | $3,500 |
| Inspirenola | Support mcmain high school robotics | $3,500 |
| Brick City Rowing | General support | $2,000 |
| The Gift Trust | Support for domain lodge | $1,500 |
Officers and trustees
- Julian Spencer Robertson
- Julian Hart Robertson III
- Alexander Tucker Robertson
- Alexandra Robertson
- Sarah Robertson
- Claire Robertson
- Wyndham Robertson
- James Freeman
- Richard Barth Jr
- Kelsey Crede
Questions people ask
Does Robertson Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Robertson Foundation give?
$20.6 million in tax year 2024, across 36 grants, with a typical grant of $38,812.
Who runs Robertson Foundation?
Its 2024 filing lists Julian Spencer Robertson (Trustee), Julian Hart Robertson III (Trustee), Alexander Tucker Robertson (Trustee) and Alexandra Robertson (Trustee) among 10 officers and trustees.
What does Robertson Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, health and international.