Bikoff Foundation

Quick Stats

• EIN: 261082338
• Annual Giving: $3,795,000 (2024); $3,584,400 (2022)
• Total Assets: $64.9 million (2024)
• Grant Range: Varies significantly (Average: $474,375 in 2022)
• Number of Grants: 8 grants (2024); 15 grants (2022); 17 grants (2021); 27 grants (2020)
• Geographic Focus: National (primarily Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, California, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.)
• Foundation Type: Private Family Foundation
• Application Process: Invitation only - Does not accept unsolicited applications

Contact Details

Address: C/O The Observatory, 17-20 Whitestone Expressway, Suite 403, Whitestone, NY 11357

Note: The foundation does not maintain a public website and does not accept unsolicited grant applications.

Overview

The Bikoff Foundation was established in 2008 (incorporated July 27, 2007) as a private family foundation led by Jill and J. Darius Bikoff. J. Darius Bikoff is the entrepreneur behind Energy Brands (Glacéau), creator of Vitaminwater and Smartwater, which was sold to The Coca-Cola Company for $4.1 billion in 2007, earning Bikoff personally $325 million. The foundation manages assets of approximately $64.9 million as of 2024 and has distributed nearly $30 million in grants since 2014.

The foundation was previously known as "Foundation 14" and "Jill & Darius Bikoff Foundation." It operates as a private grantmaking foundation filing IRS Form 990-PF annually, with charitable disbursements representing 99.7% of expenses in 2024 ($4.22 million of $4.24 million total expenses). The foundation does not specify particular subject areas but has demonstrated commitment to health research, education, arts and culture, and human services through its grant-making activities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Bikoff Foundation operates through an invitation-only model and does not have formal grant programs with published guidelines. All grants are made to preselected organizations.

Recent Grant Activity:

• 2024: $3,795,000 across 8 grants
• 2023: 8 grants (total amount not specified)
• 2022: $3,584,400 across 15 grants
• 2021: 17 grants
• 2020: 27 grants

Average Grant Size: $474,375 (based on 2022 data)

Priority Areas

While the foundation does not publish specific focus areas, documented funding includes:

Arts & Culture:

• Major supporter of the Whitney Museum of American Art
• Jill Bikoff serves as trustee of the Whitney Museum
• Provided support for Whitney Biennial exhibitions (2010, 2014)
• Co-Chaired the Whitney Gala 2023

Medical Research:

• Named supporter of the 2023 Prostate Cancer Foundation Challenge Award ("2023 Richard Solomon, Igor Tulchinsky, Darius Bikoff, John Paulson, Richard Sandler, Bill Mack, Jason Safriet-PCF Challenge Award") funding research on targeted epigenetic therapy for androgen receptor-negative prostate cancer
• Support for cancer research organizations

Education:

• Sponsored Vitaminschool, a national cooking contest for teens launched in 2006, promoting healthier school nutrition and combating childhood obesity
• Provided scholarships up to $100,000 and school donations across 12 cities

Subject Categories (based on IRS classifications):

• Education
• Philanthropy & Grantmaking
• Human Services
• Health

Geographic Focus

The foundation funds organizations across multiple states including:

• Pennsylvania
• Massachusetts
• Connecticut
• New York
• California
• Virginia
• Washington, D.C.

What They Don't Fund

As an invitation-only private foundation, the Bikoff Foundation:

• Does not accept unsolicited grant applications
• Does not fund organizations they have not proactively identified
• Does not have a public application process

Governance and Leadership

President: Jill Bikoff

• Also serves as trustee of the Whitney Museum of American Art
• Passionate about supporting contemporary American artists
• Active in New York philanthropy

Vice President: J. Darius Bikoff

• Founder of Energy Brands (Glacéau), creator of Vitaminwater and Smartwater
• Sold Energy Brands to Coca-Cola for $4.1 billion in 2007
• Previously launched Vitaminschool initiative to promote healthy nutrition for students

Director, Treasurer & Secretary: Rony Kalina

Compensation: All officers work without compensation.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Bikoff Foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications. The foundation operates exclusively through an invitation-only model, making contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.

This means:

• Grants are made "by invitation only"
• The foundation proactively identifies organizations they wish to support
• Organizations cannot submit unsolicited proposals
• If the foundation does not already know your organization, you will not receive an invitation to apply

Getting on Their Radar

IMPORTANT: The following information is based on documented connections and should not be considered a guaranteed path to funding.

The Bikoff Foundation appears to identify grant recipients through:

1. Board and Leadership Connections: Jill Bikoff's role as trustee of the Whitney Museum of American Art demonstrates that the foundation supports institutions where leadership has direct involvement. Organizations where the Bikoffs have board or trustee relationships may be more likely to receive consideration.

2. Previous Funding Relationships: The foundation has supported specific organizations multiple times, such as the Whitney Museum (2010 Biennial support, 2014 Biennial Committee membership, 2023 Gala Co-Chairs).

3. Strategic Initiatives: The foundation has co-funded major research initiatives like the Prostate Cancer Foundation Challenge Awards alongside other major philanthropists (Richard Solomon, Igor Tulchinsky, John Paulson, Richard Sandler, Bill Mack, Jason Safriet), suggesting they may respond to collaborative funding opportunities in areas of interest.

4. Sector Leadership: Organizations that are leaders in contemporary art, medical research, education, and human services in the foundation's geographic areas of focus may be considered.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. As a private foundation operating by invitation only, decision timelines are not standardized.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation operates by invitation only with no public application process.

Application Success Factors

Since the Bikoff Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, research reveals these characteristics of their grant-making:

Documented Funding Patterns:

1. Long-term Relationships: The foundation demonstrates commitment to organizations through repeated support over many years (e.g., Whitney Museum from 2010-2023).

2. Leadership Engagement: Beyond financial support, the Bikoffs take active roles (Biennial Committee membership, Gala Co-Chairs), suggesting they value deep engagement with funded organizations.

3. Collaborative Major Gifts: The foundation participates in collaborative funding with other major philanthropists for significant research initiatives, indicating openness to partnership opportunities in strategic areas.

4. Geographic Concentration: While national in scope, the foundation shows particular concentration in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York.

5. Issue Areas: Documented support spans:

   • Contemporary American art (Whitney Museum)
   • Medical research, particularly cancer (Prostate Cancer Foundation)
   • Education and youth development (Vitaminschool)
   • Health and human services

From J. Darius Bikoff's Previous Initiative: When Bikoff launched Vitaminschool in 2006, the program featured "a nationwide contest where high school students submitted cafeteria recipes incorporating vitamin-enhanced elements, culminating in scholarships up to $100,000 and school donations totaling thousands of dollars across 12 cities." This demonstrates interest in innovative, youth-focused programs that promote health and education.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. This is an invitation-only funder - Organizations cannot submit unsolicited applications. Do not waste time preparing proposals unless specifically invited.

2. Board connections matter - The foundation supports organizations where leadership (particularly Jill Bikoff) has trustee or board relationships. If you cannot establish a connection to the Bikoff family or their network, funding is unlikely.

3. Focus on contemporary art, medical research, education, and human services - These are the documented funding areas based on publicly available grant data.

4. Long-term commitment - The foundation demonstrates sustained support over many years rather than one-time grants, suggesting they value building deep relationships with grantees.

5. Geographic preference - While national, there is documented concentration in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, California, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.

6. Collaborative opportunities - The foundation has participated in major collaborative funding initiatives (Prostate Cancer Foundation Challenge Awards), suggesting openness to partnership with other major funders on strategic projects.

7. Grant size varies significantly - With an average of $474,375 but ranging from small to very large grants, the foundation tailors grant amounts to specific projects rather than following standard grant tiers.

References

1. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Bikoff Foundation Profile and 990 Filings https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/261082338 Accessed: January 24, 2026

2. Instrumentl - Bikoff Foundation 990 Report https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/foundation-14 Accessed: January 24, 2026

3. Grantmakers.io - Bikoff Foundation Profile https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/261082338-bikoff-foundation/ Accessed: January 24, 2026

4. Grantable - Bikoff Foundation Profile & Grants https://www.grantable.co/search/funders/profile/bikoff-foundation-us-foundation-261082338 Accessed: January 24, 2026

5. Whitney Museum of American Art - 2010 Biennial Support https://whitney.org/exhibitions/2010-biennial Accessed: January 24, 2026

6. Whitney Museum of American Art - 2023 Gala https://whitney.org/2023-gala Accessed: January 24, 2026

7. Prostate Cancer Foundation - 2023 Challenge Awards https://www.pcf.org/our-work/the-work-we-fund/challenge-awards/class-of-2023/new-targeted-epigenetic-therapy-for-androgen-receptor-negative-pca/ Accessed: January 24, 2026

8. PRNewswire - Prostate Cancer Foundation Announces 2023 Challenge Awards https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-prostate-cancer-foundation-announces-2023-challenge-awards-totaling-more-than-21-million-for-prostate-cancer-research-302088745.html Accessed: January 24, 2026

9. Encyclopedia.com - J. Darius Bikoff Biography https://www.encyclopedia.com/journals/culture-magazines/bikoff-j-darius Accessed: January 24, 2026

10. Notable Biographies - J. Darius Bikoff Biography https://www.notablebiographies.com/newsmakers2/2007-A-Co/Bikoff-J-Darius.html Accessed: January 24, 2026

11. About.me - Jill Bikoff https://about.me/jillbikoff Accessed: January 24, 2026

12. Funding for Good - "No Unsolicited Proposals? How to Get Invited to Apply for Funding" https://fundingforgood.org/unsolicited-proposals-and-pre-selected-orgs/ Accessed: January 24, 2026