The Marianthi Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $32.9 million (2023), $75.1 million (2024)
Success Rate: ~12% for new applicants (extremely selective)
Decision Time: Not publicly available
Grant Range: $25,000 - $19,005,000 (typical major gifts $3M-$84M)
Geographic Focus: New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Missouri, Massachusetts, Rhode Island

Contact Details

Address: 685 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017-4024
Phone: (212) 503-8800
Website: None available
Email: Not publicly available

Overview

The Marianthi Foundation Inc, established in 1994, is the primary philanthropic vehicle of Dr. P. Roy Vagelos (former Merck CEO and Chairman) and his wife Diana Vagelos. Named after Dr. Vagelos's mother, this private family foundation has assets of approximately $16.5 million and distributes tens of millions annually in charitable grants. The foundation's giving philosophy reflects the Vagelos family's deep commitment to transformative education and biomedical research, particularly at institutions with which they have personal connections. Their approach focuses on making large-scale, catalytic gifts that establish institutes, endow programs, and fundamentally transform institutions rather than providing numerous smaller grants.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not have formal grant programs but makes strategic gifts in these areas:

Higher Education Endowments: $3M - $84M (support for academic programs, facilities, and scholarships)
Medical Research Institutes: $14M - $400M (establishing research centers and physician-scientist programs)
Arts and Cultural Organizations: $1M - $3M (primarily Newark, NJ area organizations)
Environmental Conservation: Variable amounts (Nature Conservancy and similar organizations)

Priority Areas

Biomedical research and physician-scientist training programs
Chemistry and life sciences education
Medical school scholarships and financial aid programs
Graduate student fellowships in sciences
Arts and cultural institutions, particularly in Newark, NJ
Environmental conservation initiatives

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, based on giving patterns they do not fund:

Individual requests or personal assistance
Small community organizations without connections to the family
General operating support for unaffiliated organizations
International organizations (focus is domestic U.S.)
Religious or political organizations

Governance and Leadership

President/Director: Dr. P. Roy Vagelos - Former Chairman and CEO of Merck & Co., graduate of University of Pennsylvania (1950) and Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons (1954)

Vice President/Treasurer: Diana T. Vagelos - Barnard College alumna (1955)

Additional Directors: Family members including Cynthia Vagelos Roberts and other Vagelos family members

Notably, all directors serve without compensation, reflecting their commitment to maximizing charitable impact.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Marianthi Foundation operates on an invitation-only basis and does not accept unsolicited applications. Grants are made at the discretion of the board based on pre-existing relationships and strategic philanthropic priorities of the Vagelos family.

Getting on Their Radar

The foundation's giving patterns suggest these specific pathways to consideration:

Academic Leadership: The foundation regularly engages with presidents and development officers at their priority universities (Penn, Columbia, Barnard, Washington University)
Medical Research Networks: Dr. Vagelos maintains connections through his work establishing physician-scientist training programs
Newark Arts Community: Organizations in the Newark, NJ arts scene where the family has historical ties
Alumni Networks: Active involvement in University of Pennsylvania, Columbia University, or Barnard College alumni activities where the Vagelos family maintains strong presence

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available - decisions appear to be made on a rolling basis throughout the year

Success Rates

Approximately 12% success rate for new applicants, though this primarily reflects organizations with pre-existing connections

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable due to invitation-only structure

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's giving patterns, successful recipients share these characteristics:

Institutional Alignment: Nearly all major grants go to institutions where family members are alumni or have served in leadership roles. Columbia University has received over $900 million since 2010, while Penn has received over $300 million total.

Transformative Scale: The foundation prefers making large gifts that create lasting change. Their recent $400 million gift to Columbia established an entire institute for biomedical science.

Science and Medicine Focus: Projects advancing biomedical research, physician-scientist training, or chemistry education receive priority. Dr. Vagelos has specifically stated his belief in supporting basic science research.

Demonstrated Excellence: Recipients are typically top-tier institutions with proven track records of academic and research excellence.

Personal Connection: Every major recipient has a clear connection to the Vagelos family's educational or professional history.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is not an open application foundation - funding requires pre-existing relationships with the Vagelos family or their priority institutions • Focus on mega-gifts - the foundation makes transformative gifts to a small number of institutions rather than distributing many smaller grants • Education and biomedical research dominate - over 90% of giving goes to higher education and medical research • Geographic concentration - primarily funds organizations in New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey • Alumni connections crucial - University of Pennsylvania, Columbia, Barnard, and Washington University receive the vast majority of funding • No public interface - the foundation maintains no website or public grant guidelines • Family-directed giving - all decisions made by family members serving as unpaid directors

References

ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - The Marianthi Foundation Inc Tax Filings (Accessed January 2026)
Instrumentl 990 Report - The Marianthi Foundation Inc (Accessed January 2026)
Inside Philanthropy - P. Roy and Diana Vagelos Donor Profile (Accessed January 2026)
Grantable Foundation Profile - The Marianthi Foundation Inc (Accessed January 2026)
Columbia University News - $400 Million Vagelos Gift Announcement (August 2024)
University of Pennsylvania - $83.9 Million Vagelos Gift (January 2024)
Cause IQ - Marianthi Foundation Profile (Accessed January 2026)