MJS Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $29,370,698 (2023)
Average Grant Size: $407,926
Geographic Focus: New York City area
Grant Range: Varies widely, from smaller grants to $5.5 million
Total Grants: 72 awards in 2023
Assets: Approximately $29.5 million

Contact Details

Website: https://www.mjsfoundation.org/

Address: New York, NY 10010

EIN: 45-3826353

Overview

The MJS Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2011 by Marilyn Simons (President) and James Simons (Board Chair). The foundation focuses its support in the New York City area with the aim of reaching communities in need and enhancing the quality of education, social services, and healthcare. MJS supports organizations active in autism support services, special education, medical care, community-based social services, and institutions that enrich the lives of all New Yorkers. In 2023, the foundation distributed over $29 million across 72 grants, with an average grant size exceeding $400,000. The foundation is classified as a Private Grantmaking Foundation (NTEE code T20) and files Form 990-PF annually with the IRS.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

MJS Foundation operates as a private family foundation making grants to preselected charitable organizations. Based on 2024 tax filing data, grants ranged from smaller amounts to $5.5 million, with a median grant size of $150,000.

Recent Major Grants Include:

Robin Hood Foundation: $5.5 million for general operating support
National Museum of Mathematics: $5 million for capital campaign
UC Berkeley Foundation: $3.4 million for ClimateEnginuity Hub pilot initiative
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai: $2 million for cancer hospital and lung center development
Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund: $2.29 million

Priority Areas

The foundation supports organizations working in:

Autism support services - Direct services and support for individuals with autism and their families
Special education - Schools and programs serving children with special needs
Medical care and healthcare - Cancer centers, hospitals, and medical research institutions
Community-based social services - Organizations addressing community needs in NYC
Cultural and educational institutions - Museums, educational programs, and institutions that enrich New Yorkers' lives

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented, but the foundation has stated it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations.

Governance and Leadership

Marilyn Simons - President (serves without compensation)

Former President of the Board of Learning Spring Elementary School, a school for children with autistic spectrum disorders (served for eight years)
Member of the board of trustees of the LearningSpring School, a school for children diagnosed on the autism spectrum
Member of the board of East Harlem Scholars Academies in New York City

James Simons - Board Chair (serves without compensation)

Renowned mathematician and hedge fund manager
Co-founder with Marilyn of the larger Simons Foundation, which has funded over $200 million in autism research since 2007

The leadership's deep personal connection to autism support services and special education is reflected in the foundation's grantmaking priorities.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process.

The MJS Foundation has explicitly indicated that it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds." Grants are made at the discretion of the trustees, Marilyn and James Simons, to organizations they have identified and selected.

Organizations cannot submit applications or proposals. All grantees are identified through the trustees' own research, networks, and relationships.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Application Success Factors

Since MJS Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, reviewing their grantmaking patterns reveals the following about organizations they choose to support:

Organizations Most Likely to Receive Support:

Organizations with strong track records in autism support services and special education
Major NYC-based institutions (healthcare, cultural, educational)
Organizations addressing community needs in New York City
Large, established organizations with significant capacity (evidenced by major grants to institutions like Robin Hood Foundation, National Museum of Mathematics, and Mount Sinai)
Organizations aligned with the trustees' personal interests and board service (e.g., schools for children with autism, East Harlem educational initiatives)

Grant Size Patterns:

The foundation makes both large transformational gifts ($2-5.5 million) and smaller grants
Median grant size of $150,000 suggests many grants fall in the moderate range
Average grant size of $407,926 indicates a mix of grant sizes

Geographic and Focus Alignment:

Strong NYC focus across all program areas
Consistent support for autism services and special education reflects trustees' personal commitment

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

No public application process exists - This foundation cannot be approached with traditional grant proposals
Invitation-only grantmaking - All grants are made to organizations preselected by trustees Marilyn and James Simons
NYC focus required - The foundation concentrates its support in the New York City area
Priority on autism and education - The trustees' personal involvement with autism services and special education schools shapes grantmaking priorities
Range of grant sizes - While capable of major gifts ($5+ million), the foundation also makes moderate-sized grants with a median of $150,000
Established organizations favored - Recent grants show support for well-known, established institutions with proven track records
Not accessible for most organizations - Unless you have an existing relationship with the trustees or are identified through their networks, funding from this foundation is not a realistic prospect

References

Grantmakers.io - MJS Foundation Inc. Profile. https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/453826353-mjs-foundation-inc/ (Accessed December 2025)
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - MJS Foundation Inc. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/453826353 (Accessed December 2025)
Cause IQ - MJS Foundation Profile. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/mjs-foundation,453826353/ (Accessed December 2025)
MJS Foundation Official Website. https://www.mjsfoundation.org/ (Accessed December 2025)
Instrumentl - MJS Foundation Inc. 990 Report. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/mjs-foundation-inc (Accessed December 2025)
Lasker Foundation - Jim and Marilyn Simons on Science Philanthropy. https://laskerfoundation.org/investing-in-projects-that-are-a-little-crazy-jim-and-marilyn-simons-on-science-philanthropy/ (Accessed December 2025)
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory - Marilyn & James Simons. https://www.cshl.edu/giving/double-helix-medals-dinner/past-dhmd/2008-2/marilyn-james-simons/ (Accessed December 2025)
Philanthropy New York - MJS Foundation. https://philanthropynewyork.org/redhen/org/5764 (Accessed December 2025)