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J Baker Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$6.0M
Grant Range
$3K - $2.5M

J Baker Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $6,000,000
  • Success Rate: N/A (invitation only)
  • Decision Time: Not disclosed
  • Grant Range: $2,500 - $2,500,000
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily New York; some national reach

Contact Details

Address: 860 Washington St, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10014-1308

Note: The foundation does not have a public website, email, or phone number for grant inquiries.

Overview

The J Baker Foundation Inc was established in August 2013 as a private independent foundation based in New York. Founded by brothers Julian and Felix Baker, prominent biotech investors and managing partners of Baker Bros. Advisors LP, the foundation has grown significantly in its first decade. As of 2024, the foundation holds total assets of $178 million and distributes approximately $6 million annually in grants. The foundation's giving reflects the founders' interests in higher education (particularly Harvard and Yale), healthcare innovation, food security, and educational institutions. The foundation is explicit that it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with specific application windows. All grants are made at the discretion of the trustees to organizations with which they have pre-existing relationships.

  • Grant Range: $2,500 - $2,500,000
  • Median Grant: $70,000
  • Total Annual Distribution: Approximately $6 million across 9-12 grants

Priority Areas

Based on recent giving patterns, the foundation supports:

  • Higher Education: Major support to Harvard University, Yale University, Phillips Exeter Academy, and other prestigious educational institutions
  • Food Security and Nutrition: Significant funding to Rethink Food USA Inc for food access programs
  • Healthcare Innovation: Support for Every Cure Inc, focused on drug repurposing for rare diseases
  • Educational Access: Grants to K-12 institutions including Trinity Episcopal School and Collegiate School
  • Health Services: Support for Center for Hearing & Speech for individuals with hearing and speech disorders
  • Global Development: Funding to Omprakash Inc for ethical global engagement and volunteer programs in developing countries

What They Don't Fund

The foundation has not publicly disclosed specific exclusions, but given their preselected giving approach and focus areas, they likely do not fund:

  • Organizations outside their established networks
  • Capital campaigns from organizations they don't already support
  • Individual scholarships or direct student aid
  • General operating support for organizations without pre-existing relationships

Governance and Leadership

Julian Baker (President, Treasurer, Secretary) Julian Baker is Managing Partner of Baker Bros. Advisors LP, a biotechnology-focused investment firm he founded with his brother Felix in 2000. He serves on the board of the Collegiate School in Manhattan and is a board member of Every Cure, a nonprofit focused on drug repurposing. Julian is known for supporting organizations related to health, education, and youth causes. He has been described as running the J Baker Foundation to support many organizations through monetary grants, donations, and educational support.

Felix Baker (Director) Felix Baker is Co-Managing Partner of Baker Bros. Advisors LP. Along with Julian, he is committed to philanthropy related to health, education, youth, and Jewish causes.

Both officers serve without compensation.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process.

The J Baker Foundation Inc explicitly states that it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds." All grants are awarded through trustee discretion to organizations with which the foundation has established relationships.

Organizations that receive funding typically have direct connections to the Baker brothers through:

  • Educational institutions they attended or are affiliated with (Harvard, Yale, Collegiate School, Phillips Exeter)
  • Board memberships (Every Cure)
  • Organizations aligned with their professional interests in biotech and healthcare
  • New York-based institutions in their philanthropic network

Getting on Their Radar

Given Julian Baker's board service on Every Cure and his connection to the biotech investment community through Baker Bros. Advisors, organizations in the following positions may have opportunities for connection:

  • Biotech and Healthcare Innovation: Organizations working on drug development, rare disease research, or healthcare innovation may connect through Baker Bros. Advisors' extensive network in the biotech sector
  • Educational Institution Networks: Organizations connected to Harvard, Yale, Collegiate School, Phillips Exeter Academy, or similar elite educational institutions may find connections through these networks
  • Board Overlap: Organizations sharing board members with Every Cure or other organizations the foundation supports may have introduction opportunities
  • New York Philanthropy Networks: Organizations active in New York philanthropic circles, particularly those focused on health, education, or food security

Julian Baker is known to serve on multiple private company and non-profit boards, suggesting that board connections and professional networks are the primary pathway to foundation support.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. As a private foundation with preselected giving, decisions are made at trustee discretion throughout the year rather than following formal review cycles.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Organizations that have received support may continue to receive funding based on ongoing relationships with the trustees.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept public applications, the following factors appear to determine which organizations receive support:

Direct Relationships: All funded organizations appear to have direct connections to Julian or Felix Baker through education, board service, or professional networks.

Alignment with Founder Interests: Successful organizations align with the Baker brothers' demonstrated interests in:

  • Biotech and healthcare innovation (reflecting their investment focus)
  • Elite educational institutions (particularly their alma maters)
  • Food security and social justice issues
  • Organizations serving New York communities

Scale and Impact: Recent grants show the foundation is willing to make both large transformational gifts ($2.5M to Harvard, $2.25M to Rethink Food) and smaller strategic grants ($50K-$75K to educational institutions).

Mission-Driven Innovation: Organizations like Every Cure (drug repurposing for rare diseases) and Rethink Food (innovative approaches to food insecurity) suggest interest in novel approaches to persistent problems.

Institutional Credibility: Grant recipients are established organizations with strong track records rather than emerging nonprofits.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application Process: This foundation is not accessible through traditional grant applications. Do not submit unsolicited proposals.
  • Relationship-Driven Giving: All grants flow through personal and professional relationships with the Baker brothers, particularly Julian Baker's board memberships and educational affiliations.
  • Network Entry Points: The most viable pathways to support are through biotech/healthcare innovation networks, Harvard/Yale alumni connections, or New York philanthropic circles.
  • Focus on Innovation: The foundation appears particularly interested in organizations taking innovative approaches to healthcare and social challenges.
  • Range of Grant Sizes: The foundation makes both major gifts (multi-million dollar) and smaller strategic grants, suggesting flexibility based on organizational needs and relationships.
  • Geographic Concentration: While some national giving exists, most grants support New York-based organizations or institutions with New York connections.
  • Professional Alignment: The Baker brothers' work in biotech investment clearly influences their philanthropic priorities, particularly in healthcare innovation.

References

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