Gordon Foundation (Bernard M. Gordon Et Al Trustees)

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $6,998,500 (2023)
• Grant Range: $35,000 - $4,133,500
• Median Grant: $375,000
• Geographic Focus: Massachusetts, New York, Texas, Tennessee (based on recent 990-PF records)
• Number of Grants: 11 awards (2023)
• Application Acceptance: Rolling/Year-round (written proposals)

Contact Details

• Address: 16B Electronics Avenue, Danvers, MA 01923
• Phone: (978) 750-6100
• EIN: 04-2794647

Overview

The Gordon Foundation was established in 1983 by Bernard M. Gordon (1927-2016) and his wife Sophia Gordon (1926-2004). Bernard M. Gordon, known as "the father of high-speed analog-to-digital conversion," was an American engineer, inventor, entrepreneur, and recipient of the National Medal of Technology (1986). He was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 1991.

Despite reporting modest assets of approximately $1.3 million, the foundation maintains a significant annual grantmaking footprint exceeding $7 million, indicating pass-through funding from the Gordon family.

The foundation operates without dedicated staff and is managed by family trustees. It awards unrestricted grants, providing flexibility to recipients in deploying funds.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

The foundation provides unrestricted grants across several areas:

• Engineering Education: Major institutional grants ($1M - $4M+)
• Healthcare/Medical Institutions: Mid-range grants ($75,000 - $500,000)
• STEM Education & Youth Programmes: Various sizes ($35,000 - $750,000)
• Jewish Community Organisations: Smaller grants ($50,000+)
• Community Development: Regional grants ($25,000 - $50,000)

Priority Areas

Based on historical giving patterns, the foundation focuses on:

• Engineering Leadership Education: The foundation's primary focus, supporting programmes at MIT, Northeastern University, Tufts University, Technion Israel Institute of Technology, and UC San Diego
• STEM Education for Youth: Programmes inspiring young people to pursue engineering careers
• Medical Research and Healthcare: Support for hospitals and medical institutions, particularly in the Boston/Massachusetts area
• Scientific Research and Technology: Supporting innovation and technology development

What They Don't Fund

The foundation has not published explicit exclusion criteria. However, based on grantmaking patterns:

• Grants are concentrated among established institutions rather than small nonprofits
• No evidence of funding for advocacy, policy, or lobbying organisations
• Individual scholarships do not appear to be awarded directly (institutional grants support scholarship programmes)

Governance and Leadership

Trustees

• Daniel Lewis Gordon - Trustee

About Bernard M. Gordon

Bernard M. Gordon's engineering philosophy centred on leadership development. He stated:

"An engineering leader is the kind of person who takes the brilliant idea or invention, determines its worth, and carries it forward."

"A leader is the seed crystal around which everything else coalesces."

Gordon founded multiple technology companies including Epsco Incorporated, Analogic Corporation, and NeuroLogica Corporation, holding more than 200 patents worldwide. His inventions included the fetal monitor, high-speed analog-to-digital converter, instant imaging CAT scanner, digital Doppler radar, and advanced bomb-detection devices.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Gordon Foundation accepts applications submitted in writing indicating purpose. Applications are accepted at any time throughout the year.

Important Note: Some sources indicate the foundation "does not accept applications" or operates primarily through proactive grantmaking. The foundation appears to work primarily with organisations where they have existing relationships or institutional connections. Cold applications from unknown organisations may have low success rates.

Submission Method: Written proposal submitted to: Bernard M. Gordon, Trustee 16B Electronics Avenue Danvers, MA 01923

Decision Timeline

The foundation provides notice of approval, rejection, or request for more information in writing. Specific timelines are not published.

Getting on Their Radar

Given the foundation's focus on engineering leadership and established institutional relationships:

• Institutional Connections: The foundation has strong ties to MIT, Northeastern University, Tufts University, Technion Israel Institute of Technology, and the Museum of Science, Boston
• Engineering Leadership Programmes: Organisations working in engineering education or STEM leadership development align with the foundation's core mission
• Massachusetts Organisations: Many grants go to organisations in the Greater Boston area and Massachusetts North Shore region
• Healthcare Institutions: Lahey Hospital & Medical Center and Massachusetts General Hospital have received support

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's documented priorities and grant patterns:

1. Alignment with Engineering Leadership Mission: The foundation's core purpose is developing engineering leaders prepared to translate innovation into practical impact.

2. Institutional Track Record: The foundation favours established institutions with demonstrated impact in engineering education or healthcare. Recent major recipients include:

   • Northeastern University: $4,133,500 + $2,500,000 + $1,400,000 (2023)
   • Salem State University: $1,000,000 (2023)
   • Museum of Science: $750,000 (2023)
   • American Society for Technion: $530,000 (2023)

3. Massachusetts Connection: Many grants support organisations in the Greater Boston area and North Shore region

4. Healthcare and Medical Research: Organisations like Massachusetts General Hospital, Lahey Hospital & Medical Center receive support

5. STEM Youth Programmes: The Gordon Family Young Innovator Program at the Museum of Science reflects interest in inspiring young engineers

6. Jewish Community Organisations: Temple Ahavat Achim and American Society for Technion receive support

Recent Grant Recipients (2023)

Recipient	Amount	Purpose
Northeastern University	$4,133,500	Unrestricted
Northeastern University	$2,500,000	Unrestricted
Northeastern University	$1,400,000	Unrestricted
Salem State University	$1,000,000	Unrestricted
Museum of Science	$750,000	Unrestricted
American Society for Technion	$530,000	Unrestricted
Massachusetts General Hospital	$375,000	Unrestricted
Lahey Hospital & Medical Center	$75,000	Unrestricted
Eye Corps Inc	$50,000	Unrestricted
Temple Ahavat Achim	$50,000	Unrestricted
Gloucester Education Foundation	$35,000	Unrestricted

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Relationship-Driven Giving: The foundation primarily supports organisations with existing relationships or institutional connections.

2. Engineering Leadership Focus: Applications should demonstrate clear alignment with developing engineering leaders who can translate innovation into practical impact.

3. Established Institutions Preferred: The foundation favours organisations with proven track records over startups or small nonprofits.

4. Massachusetts Priority: Organisations in the Greater Boston area and North Shore region have an advantage.

5. Unrestricted Grants: All grants are classified as "unrestricted," giving recipients flexibility—emphasise organisational capacity and mission alignment over specific project requests.

6. Large Grant Sizes: With a median grant of $375,000 and range up to $4+ million, this foundation suits major initiatives rather than small projects.

7. Limited Public Process: Given the private nature of the foundation's grantmaking, building relationships and institutional connections may be more effective than formal applications.

References

• Instrumentl - Gordon Foundation 990 Report
• Grantmakers.io - Gordon Foundation Profile
• Cause IQ - Gordon Foundation
• Charity Navigator - Gordon Foundation
• Grantable - Gordon Foundation Profile
• Philanthropy News Digest - Gordon Foundation Awards $40 Million
• MIT News - Gordon Foundation $20 Million Gift
• Gordon-MIT Engineering Leadership Program
• Northeastern University - Gordon Institute of Engineering Leadership
• National Academy of Engineering - Gordon Prize

Accessed December 2025