Breakthrough Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. Don't spend time on an approach; the similar funders below support the same kind of work.
Key takeaways
- The foundation accepts only proposals its trustees initiate, and it is by invitation only, so an unsolicited application is unlikely to be considered and should not be sent.
- Its giving centres on research awards, public dissemination of research results, and recognition of achievement in science and mathematics, mainly to scientific and educational organisations, so a charity whose work lies outside these areas is unlikely to fit.
- Its typical grants, as reported in the annual report, fall between $1,000,000 and $32,000,000, with a median of $5,000,000, so a small charity should not frame its need around a modest request.
- Its stated priority is the USA, the UK and Israel, but the majority of its grant making is expected to go to two US organisations, so a UK charity should weigh that concentration carefully.
- Because the trustees set the agenda, the route to funding seems closed to open competition, and how any organisation comes to be invited is not stated.
Overview
Breakthrough Foundation is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (charity number 1162536).
Breakthrough Foundation is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (charity number 1162536). It exists to advance knowledge and learning in research into useful subjects of study, by granting awards for research, disseminating useful results to the public, and recognising outstanding achievements in research. It awarded $52,304,000 in its most recent reported year, according to the annual report. The majority of its grant making is expected to go to two US organisations, and its reported prize money has been awarded for breakthroughs in science and mathematics.
What they fund
Profile based on the charity's Charity Commission register entry and annual report (year to 31 December 2025) only: no website or other web source for the charity was found. Every statement is checked against them. Sources read on 23 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The foundation advances knowledge and learning through research into useful subjects of study. It supports awards for undertaking research and disseminating useful results to the public, and recognises outstanding research achievements as an incentive to others. Its grant-making is primarily directed to organisations with scientific and educational objects. Its reported prize money has been awarded for breakthroughs in science and mathematics. The evidence therefore points to research, public dissemination and recognition of achievement, with scientific and educational organisations as the main recipients described.
Themes
- Research awards
- Science and mathematics
Geographic Focus
Priority: USA; UK; Israel.
What they don't fund
- Does not normally fund grant proposals which have not been initiated by the Trustees
How to apply
The trustees initiate grant proposals; the foundation normally accepts only proposals initiated by them.
Where they fund
Where it says it funds
- Israel
- United Kingdom
- United States
Similar funders
Funders supporting work similar to Breakthrough Foundation.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 6 grants in year to 31 December 2025 by size
Median $5M (year to 31 December 2025)
The largest grants to organisations in this funder’s latest annual report:
- Breakthrough Prize Foundation$31,736,000year to 31 December 2025
- Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences Foundation$8,568,000year to 31 December 2025
- Blue Square Alliance Against Hate$5,000,000year to 31 December 2025
- Jewish Agency for Israel$5,000,000year to 31 December 2025
- Friends of Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Centre$1,000,000year to 31 December 2025
- Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania$1,000,000year to 31 December 2025
Grant examples taken from the funder’s filed accounts.
Five years of accounts
| Financial year | Income | Expenditure | Grants paid | Accounts document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| year to 31 December 2021 | £49,017,229 | £46,054,003 | £45,956,886 | Accounts for year to 31 December 2021 |
| year to 31 December 2022 | £51,969,213 | £46,295,963 | £46,175,762 | Accounts for year to 31 December 2022 |
| year to 31 December 2023 | £85,418,138 | £89,858,295 | £89,804,486 | Accounts for year to 31 December 2023 |
| year to 31 December 2024 | £50,048,344 | £51,620,336 | £51,554,810 | Accounts for year to 31 December 2024 |
| year to 31 December 2025 | £39,954,131 | £38,946,713 | $52,304,000 | Accounts for year to 31 December 2025 |
Income vs grants paid
IncomeGrants paid
Total value each financial year
In 2 of the 4 years shown, grants paid exceeded income.
Year to 31 December 2025 not shown: grants paid were reported in US dollars and income in pounds.
- Grants paid, year to 31 December 2021; year to 31 December 2022; year to 31 December 2023; year to 31 December 2024: grants to institutions, as reported on the charity register (Part B).
- Grants paid, year to 31 December 2025: grants awarded in the year, as reported in the accounts.
Figures from the charity’s filed accounts and its register entry. The document icon links to the charity’s entry on the Charity Commission register, where its filed accounts can be found.
Sources
Registers and filings
- Annual report (year to 31 December 2025)
This profile rests on the charity’s filed accounts and register entry only, so check with the funder directly before applying.
Sources last checked on 23 October 2026.
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At a glance
Applying to Breakthrough Foundation?
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Contact
- Charity Commission register entryContact details as held by the Charity Commission
Applying to Breakthrough Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Charity Commission register entryContact details as held by the Charity Commission