Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: $59,827,608 in grants paid (tax year ending December 2023, from 990-PF filing)
- Grant Range: $15,000 - $35,000,000 (based on recent grant records)
- Average Grant: $3,519,000 (based on recent 990-PF records)
- Geographic Focus: National, with concentration in Massachusetts (based on recent 990-PF records showing major grants to Harvard, MIT, and UMass)
- Application Method: Invitation only - does not accept unsolicited applications
- Number of Grants: 17 grants (tax year ending December 2023)
- Total Assets: Data available from 990-PF filing
Contact Details
- Phone: 617-244-2800
- Address: 1188 Centre Street, Newton Centre, MA 02459-1556
- Website: Not publicly available
Funding Priorities
The foundation's giving philosophy centres on two core priorities: supporting science and enabling education. Based on recent giving patterns:
- Education: Approximately 45% of grants support educational institutions, particularly major research universities
- Religious organisations: Approximately 35% of grants support religious causes
- Arts: Approximately 10% of giving
- Medical research and scientific research: Approximately 5% each, including environmental mutagenesis, genomics, and Alzheimer's research
Recent Grant Pattern
The foundation makes a small number of very large institutional gifts rather than many small grants. Recent 990-PF grant records show:
- Major grants concentrated in Massachusetts, with flagship recipients including MIT ($19.9 million), Harvard, and UMass Medical School (which received $175 million in a prior commitment)
- Typical grantees include major research universities, scientific associations, and medical research organisations
- Representative 2023 grantees: American Association for the Advancement of Science ($50,000), MIT ($19.9 million), Emory University Donor Account ($100,000), Davos Alzheimer's Collaborative ($100,000), Environmental Mutagenesis and Genomics Society ($25,000)
The foundation favours unrestricted giving that empowers institutional leadership to deploy funds strategically. Established in 1997 by the Chan family, the foundation is led by billionaire brothers Gerald and Ronnie Chan.
What They Don't Fund
- Unsolicited applications
- Small or local community organisations (focus is on major institutional partnerships)
Application Process & Timeline
Invitation only - The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and only makes contributions to pre-selected charitable organisations. For major research institutions, direct outreach from institutional leadership (chancellor or president) may be considered.
References
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