The Robert and Jane Toll Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests and works by invitation only, so a cold proposal should not be sent; a warm introduction or a link to someone who already knows its work is the realistic route.
- Its stated focus is education and racial and financial equity, so work clearly in those areas fits best, though the filing describes a broad charitable portfolio and no geographic focus is stated.
- Typical grants fall between $1,000 and $100,000, and half of its grants are $5,000 or less, so a modest request is the realistic size; the largest grant, $10,000,000, should not be taken as the usual amount.
- Giving has fallen sharply, from $6,823,093 to $249,399 in the latest filing, and 99% of grant dollars to organisations went to groups it had funded in the two filings before, so a first approach is likely to be a longer shot than a renewal.
Overview
The Robert and Jane Toll Foundation is a US private foundation based in Philadelphia, PA.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and web pages about the foundation (almanac.upenn.edu, familywealthreport.com), with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The foundation focuses primarily on supporting projects dedicated to education and promoting racial and financial equity. It gives to a diverse portfolio of charitable organisations, with education its most prominent stated field. Its grant record includes colleges and schools, human-rights and legal-service bodies, social-service providers, cultural organisations and other public-interest groups. Most organisational grant rows are designated as general support. Educational giving spans higher-education institutions and programmes supporting pupils through college, while other recorded grants go to organisations working in fields including rights, housing, food provision and the arts. The foundation's stated focus is education and racial and financial equity, alongside a broad charitable portfolio.
Themes
- Education
- Racial and financial equity
Geographic Focus
No geographic focus is stated; the filings show grants mainly in Pennsylvania and New York.
How to apply
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 99% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 109 grants to organisations were $5,000 or less.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
5 other states: <1%
- The largest single recipient received 62% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 99% of grant dollars went to organisations The Robert and Jane Toll Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
- 65% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 28 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $2,750 (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Five Together Foundation · See expenditure responsibility statement$3,202,0002024 tax year
- American Independent · General support$55,0002024 tax year
- Bard College · General support$50,0002024 tax year
- King's Academy · General support$40,0002024 tax year
- Women in Need · General support$25,0002024 tax year
- Sharing Excess · General support$15,0002024 tax year
- The Slu Foundation · General support$10,0002024 tax year
- Human Rights Watch · General support$5,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Lester E Lipschutz — Director
- Matthew H Kamens — Director
- Jane Toll — President, Secretary, Treasurer
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $18,144,892 | $6,823,093 | $59,798,133 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $1,180,762 | $1,069,558 | $61,621,429 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $3,711,846 | $249,399 | $68,799,679 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
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At a glance
Applying to The Robert and Jane Toll Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Philadelphia, PA
Applying to The Robert and Jane Toll Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Philadelphia, PA