Astellas Global Health Foundation (formerly Astellas USA Foundation)

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Approximately $2-4 million per year in recent grants
• Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation-only RFP process)
• Decision Time: 3-6 months from RFP invitation
• Grant Range: $345,000 - $1,700,000
• Geographic Focus: International - Low- and middle-income countries where Astellas has no business presence
• EIN: 52-1820099

Contact Details

Address: 2375 Waterview Dr, Northbrook, IL 60062-6145

Website: www.astellasglobalhealthfoundation.org

Email: AGHF@astellas.com

Phone: (800) 888-7704

Media Contact: Christy Noland, (224) 205-8559, CNoland@astellas.com

Overview

The Astellas Global Health Foundation was launched in November 2018, merging three former Astellas philanthropic entities: the Astellas USA Foundation (AUSF), the Astellas European Foundation (AEF), and the Astellas Asia-Oceania Foundation (AAOF). The foundation is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization with assets of approximately $30.4 million. Since its founding entities began operations (dating back to 1994 for AUSF), the combined foundations have provided more than $37 million in worldwide funding, impacting more than 31 million lives across numerous countries. The foundation is dedicated to improving access to health in underserved global communities, with a strategic focus on low- and middle-income countries where Astellas Pharma has no commercial business presence. The foundation aligns its work with UN Sustainable Development Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation awards multi-year grants primarily in the range of $345,000 to $1,700,000, with most grants averaging around $500,000-$700,000. Recent grant cycles have distributed:

• 2024: $2.6 million to three organizations (grants ranging from $345,000 to $1.6 million over 1-3 years)
• 2022: $3.9 million to five organizations (grants ranging from $345,000 to $1.7 million)
• 2021: $1.85 million to five organizations
• Ongoing multi-year commitments: Multiple active 2-3 year grants from previous cycles

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses on three core health areas in underserved communities:

1. Mental Health: Expanding access to mental health and substance abuse services
2. Neglected Tropical and Communicable Diseases: HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria treatment and care
3. Children's Health: Improving healthcare access and infrastructure for children

Additional Focus Areas:

• Community resilience building
• Disaster support (preparedness and relief)
• Health infrastructure strengthening
• Healthcare availability and accessibility

Geographic Priority: Low- and middle-income countries in Africa, South America, Middle East, and Asia where Astellas has no business operations. Recent grantees have worked in Kenya, Uganda, Senegal, Guinea Bissau, Yemen, Peru, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Honduras, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nepal, and Venezuela.

What They Don't Fund

• Organizations in countries where Astellas has business operations
• Projects with commercial motives or appearance of commercial benefit
• Organizations without 501(c)(3) status (or equivalent international charitable registration)
• Unsolicited applications from organizations not selected through their research process

Governance and Leadership

President: Moyra Knight, who also serves as Vice President of Corporate Communications for Astellas in the US. Knight was named president of the Astellas USA Foundation in October 2016 and continued in this role when the foundation merged to form the Astellas Global Health Foundation in November 2018.

Leadership Statement: Moyra Knight has stated: "The Astellas Global Health Foundation's focus on increasing access to health will contribute toward making a sustainable impact on the health of people around the world."

The foundation operates as a corporate foundation affiliated with Astellas Pharma US, Inc., with governance structures that include committee approval for all grant decisions and rigorous due diligence processes.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

CRITICAL: The Astellas Global Health Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals or requests for funding.

The foundation uses an invitation-only Request for Proposal (RFP) process:

1. The foundation proactively researches and identifies non-governmental organizations that align with its mission and goals
2. A select number of organizations are invited to participate in the RFP process
3. Only organizations that receive an RFP invitation can submit funding requests
4. Applications must be submitted through the foundation's online portal
5. Only applications submitted online will be considered

Organizations cannot apply on their own initiative - they must wait to be contacted by the foundation.

Getting on Their Radar

Since the foundation uses an invitation-only model, organizations working in their priority areas should:

Establish Strong Track Records: The foundation seeks organizations with "demonstrated history of achievement and effective management." Focus on building measurable impact in mental health, communicable diseases, or children's health in low- and middle-income countries.

Partner with Previous Grantees: The foundation has funded organizations including PATH, International Medical Corps, Plan International, Amref Health Africa, AMPATH Kenya, Americares, Sightsavers Inc., USA for UNHCR, Evidence Action, and UNICEF USA. Collaborating with or learning from these organizations may provide insights into the foundation's priorities.

Align with UN SDGs: The foundation explicitly embraces UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 3. Frame your work within this context and demonstrate measurable contributions to these global goals.

Work in Non-Astellas Markets: Ensure your projects focus on countries where Astellas has no commercial presence, as this is a core requirement.

Maintain Visibility in Global Health Sector: The foundation conducts research to identify potential partners, so maintaining visibility through global health conferences, publications, and networks (particularly around neglected diseases, mental health, and children's health) may help you appear on their radar.

Decision Timeline

• RFP Process: 3-6 months from RFP invitation to final grant decision
• Committee Review: All grants subject to committee approval and due diligence
• Program Start: Selected programs typically must begin activities within several months of approval (recent RFPs required start dates not later than April 1 of the following year)
• Reporting: Annual impact and financial reports required (typically due in May for programs funded in previous cycle)

Success Rates

Success rate statistics are not applicable as the foundation uses an invitation-only model. The foundation typically invites a select number of organizations to submit proposals rather than accepting open applications. Based on recent grant announcements, the foundation awards 3-6 grants per year.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications. However, organizations can receive multiple grants over time, and many grantees receive multi-year funding commitments (2-3 years).

Application Success Factors

Since this is an invitation-only funder, organizations selected for RFP consideration should focus on:

Evaluation Criteria from RFP Documents:

• Relevance and Responsiveness: Proposals must directly address the RFP requirements and foundation priorities
• Cost-Effectiveness: Budgets must be appropriate and demonstrate value for investment
• Sustainability: Programs must show plans for impact beyond the Astellas funding period
• Robust Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL): Strong MEL plans and risk assessment/mitigation strategies are required
• Proven Track Record: Organizations must demonstrate history of achievement and effective management
• Mission Alignment: The organization's overall mission statement must align with the proposed project

Strategic Alignment: The foundation seeks organizations working in low- and middle-income countries on mental health, neglected tropical and communicable diseases (particularly HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria), and children's health. Projects should demonstrate how they strengthen health infrastructure and enhance healthcare availability and accessibility.

Scale of Impact: Recent grantees have been expected to impact hundreds of thousands to millions of lives. For example, the 2024 grantees were expected to impact nearly 750,000 lives combined, while 2022 grantees reached 2.7 million people, and 2021 grants impacted over 4 million people.

Multi-Year Planning: The foundation favors multi-year commitments (2-3 years), so proposals should include comprehensive long-term implementation and sustainability plans.

Large, Established Organizations: Recent grantees have included major international NGOs such as PATH, International Medical Corps, Plan International, Amref Health Africa, and UNICEF USA. The foundation tends to work with large nonprofits and NGOs with proven global health expertise.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Unsolicited Applications: You cannot apply to this foundation - they must invite you. Focus efforts on building your organization's reputation and visibility in global health rather than preparing applications.

• Invitation-Only Model: The foundation proactively researches and selects organizations, so maintaining strong presence in global health networks and demonstrating measurable impact is essential.

• Large Grant Sizes: Grants typically range from $345,000 to $1.7 million over 1-3 years, requiring organizational capacity to manage substantial funding and demonstrate large-scale impact.

• Geographic Restriction: Projects must be in low- and middle-income countries where Astellas has no business presence - ensure your work aligns with this requirement.

• Three Core Health Focus Areas: Mental health, neglected tropical/communicable diseases (HIV/AIDS, TB, malaria), and children's health are the primary funding priorities.

• Multi-Year Commitments: The foundation favors 2-3 year grants, so if invited to apply, develop comprehensive long-term implementation plans with clear sustainability strategies.

• UN SDG Alignment: Explicitly demonstrate how your work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goal 3 (healthy lives and well-being for all).

References

1. Astellas Global Health Foundation official website: https://www.astellasglobalhealthfoundation.org (Accessed February 2026)

2. Astellas Global Health Foundation FAQs: https://www.astellasusafoundation.org/FAQs.html (Accessed February 2026)

3. "The Astellas Global Health Foundation Provides $2.6 Million in New Funding to Address Urgent Health Needs in Africa, South America, and the Middle East," Astellas Newsroom, January 25, 2024: https://newsroom.astellas.us/2024-01-25-The-Astellas-Global-Health-Foundation-Provides-2-6-Million-in-New-Funding-to-Address-Urgent-Health-Needs-in-Africa,-South-America,-and-the-Middle-East

4. "The Astellas Global Health Foundation Provides $3.9 Million in Funding to Five Organizations, Supporting Key Access to Health and Community Resilience Efforts in Seven Countries," Astellas Newsroom, December 14, 2022: https://newsroom.astellas.us/2022-12-14-The-Astellas-Global-Health-Foundation-Provides-3-9-Million-in-Funding-to-Five-Organizations,-Supporting-Key-Access-to-Health-and-Community-Resilience-Efforts-in-Seven-Countries

5. Candid Foundation Directory - Astellas USA Foundation: https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=YAMA001 (Accessed February 2026)

6. GuideStar Profile - Astellas USA Foundation (EIN: 52-1820099): https://www.guidestar.org/profile/52-1820099 (Accessed February 2026)

7. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Astellas USA Foundation: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/521820099 (Accessed February 2026)

8. "Astellas USA Foundation names Moyra Knight as President," PR Newswire, October 26, 2016: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/astellas-usa-foundation-names-moyra-knight-as-president-300351436.html

9. "Astellas Global Health Foundation Launches," PR Newswire, November 2018: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/astellas-global-health-foundation-launches-300753543.html

10. Inside Philanthropy - Astellas Global Health Foundation: https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant/grants-a/astellas-global-health-foundation (Accessed February 2026)

11. Astellas Corporate Sustainability - Global Health Foundation: https://www.astellas.com/en/sustainability/access-to-health/astellas-global-health-foundation (Accessed February 2026)