The Commonwealth Fund
Preselected recipients only
The Commonwealth Fund is a private foundation in New York, New York. In tax year 2024 it gave $26.5 million in 534 grants; the typical grant was $15,000 and the largest $2.3 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$26.5 million
- Number of grants534
- Typical grant$15,000
- Largest grant$2.3 million
- Assets$923 million
- New grantees43%
Giving in 2024 was up from $25.5 million the year before.
43% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $25.5 million | 554 | $876 million |
| 2024 | $26.5 million | 534 | $923 million |
How to apply
The Commonwealth Fund 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.
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What The Commonwealth Fund funds
Where it gives
Its US grants went to recipients in 35 states, the most to District of Columbia. It also paid $160,117 in 10 grants to recipients outside the US.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | 114 | $7.4 million |
| New York | 146 | $6.5 million |
| Massachusetts | 64 | $4.4 million |
| Pennsylvania | 18 | $2.7 million |
| California | 47 | $1.6 million |
| Maryland | 11 | $970,715 |
| Illinois | 9 | $913,362 |
| New Jersey | 14 | $769,921 |
| Connecticut | 10 | $739,185 |
| Virginia | 9 | $727,448 |
Grants paid in 2024
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Commonwealth Fund | Harkness Fellowships in Health Care Policy and Practice: Authorization for 2024-25 Class | $2.3 million |
| President and Fellows of Harvard College | The Commonwealth Fund Fellowship in Minority Health Policy at Harvard University, 2025-26 | $850,000 |
| SSRS | International Health Policy Survey, 2025 | $800,456 |
| Georgetown University | Analysis of Policies Affecting Health Insurance Access, Affordability, Adequacy, and Equity in the Individual and Small-Group Markets, Year 14 | $639,482 |
| Rush University Medical Center | Testing, Scaling, and Disseminating the Racial Equity in Healthcare Progress Report, Phase 2 | $638,814 |
| SSRS | 2025 Health Care Affordability Research, Adults 19 to 64 | $560,000 |
| SSRS | The Commonwealth Fund 2024 Biennial Health Insurance Survey | $514,781 |
| SSRS | International Health Policy Survey, 2024 | $490,115 |
| Urban Institute | Modeling Policies That Could Expand and Improve Health Coverage and Affordability - or Roll Back Progress | $440,000 |
| Urban Institute | Analyzing Emerging Health Reform Proposals | $430,800 |
| Johns Hopkins University | Evaluating Proposed Medicare Policy Changes for Their Impact on Solvency, Spending, and Beneficiaries | $395,858 |
| Bailit Health Purchasing LLC | Technical Assistance for Design and Implementation of State Strategies to Increase Affordability in Commercial Markets, Phase 2 | $384,000 |
| The Commonwealth Fund | Harkness Fellowships Centennial Celebration: Authorization for Support | $336,742 |
| President and Fellows of Harvard College | Winding Down the Maintenance-of-Eligibility Requirement for Medicaid: Impacts on Low-Income Adults in Four Southern States | $321,565 |
| First Nation Development Institute | Native American Experiences with Health Care and Maternal Care Systems | $312,570 |
| Bipartisan Policy Center Inc | Educating Policymakers and Providing Strategic Guidance on Artificial Intelligence in Health Care and Primary Payment Reform | $305,538 |
| AcademyHealth | Planning Grant to Support the Design of the Commonwealth Fund's New International U.S. Leadership Program | $302,405 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | The Inflation Reduction Act's Price Negotiation Program: Implications for Patient Access to and Affordability of Medications | $300,000 |
| Center for Health Policy Development | Supporting State Policymakers to Understand Private Equity in Health Care through Data | $280,053 |
| The Brigham and Womens Hospital Inc | Investigating Novel Strategies for Drug Pricing and Spending Reform: Patents, Negotiation, and Pricing Policy Innovation | $259,600 |
| New York University | Contributing to Health Reform: Analysis and Technical Assistance | $254,310 |
| University of Southern California | Informing the Future of Medicare Advantage Policy | $248,881 |
| Health Care Without Harm | Safeguarding Access to Care Through IRA-Supported Investments in Essential Hospitals | $240,000 |
| Center for Health Care Strategies Inc | Implementing Primary Care Population-Based Payments in Medicaid to Promote High-Quality, Equitable Care, Phase 2 | $229,538 |
| Center for Excellence in Health Care Journalism | U.S. Health System Reporting Fellowship and International Health Study Fellowship | $227,725 |
| Primary Care Development Corporation | PCDC Primary Care Investment Network, Phase 2 | $220,000 |
| National Association of Medicaid Directors | Strengthening Medicaid Programs Through Interdisciplinary Leadership | $208,523 |
| United States of Care Campaign | Identifying Better Primary Care from the People's Perspective | $200,000 |
| The Health Initiative Inc | Investing in Health: Unlocking Dollars to Improve Health (Phase II) | $199,939 |
| The Commonwealth Fund | Harkness Fellowships in Health Care Policy and Practice: Authorization for 2025-26 Class | $188,882 |
| Yale University | Pozen-Commonwealth Fund Fellowship in Health Equity Leadership at Yale University, 2024-26 | $188,194 |
| The Commonwealth Fund | Harkness Fellowships in Health Care Policy and Practice, 2023-24 | $184,516 |
| Center for Health Policy Development | State Health and Human Services Leadership Network (2024) | $180,292 |
| Institute for Healthcare Improvement | Supporting Health Care Delivery Organizations to Accelerate Decarbonization, Phase 2 | $179,913 |
| The Regents of the University of California | Impact of Equity-Focused Initiatives and Financial Incentives on Racial Disparities in Ambulatory Care Quality | $179,826 |
| Yale University | Pozen-Commonwealth Fund Fellowship in Health Equity Leadership at Yale University, 2023-25 | $179,744 |
| The Aspen Institute Inc | Aspen Ideas: Health 2025 | $160,000 |
| Boston Globe Life Sciences Media LLC | STAT Reporting on Health Inequities, 2024-25 | $160,000 |
| The Century Foundation Inc | Health Reform: Past Surprises to Inform Future Success | $160,000 |
| The Century Foundation Inc | Examining Options for Medicaid Reform | $160,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Kathleen Regan
- Melinda Abrams
- Mitchell J Blutt MD
- Maureen Bisognano
- Carrie L Byington MD
- Margaret Hamburg MD
- Kathryn D Haslanger
- Alan Jones
- Vivian S Lee MD MBA
- Lois Quam
- Julian Harris MD
- Simon Stevens
- Laura Walker
- Sheila P Burke
- Joseph Betancourt MD
Questions people ask
Does The Commonwealth Fund accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does The Commonwealth Fund give?
$26.5 million in tax year 2024, across 534 grants, with a typical grant of $15,000.
Who runs The Commonwealth Fund?
Its 2024 filing lists Kathleen Regan (Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer), Melinda Abrams (Executive Vice President for Programs), Mitchell J Blutt MD (Director) and Maureen Bisognano (Director) among 15 officers and trustees.
What does The Commonwealth Fund fund?
Based on its grants, mainly health, education and international.