Goldenberg Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $943,760 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
• Decision Time: Not applicable (no public application process)
• Grant Range: $85,900 - $548,900
• Geographic Focus: National (U.S.)

Contact Details

The foundation does not provide public contact information for grant inquiries. Based in Morristown, NJ, with family residence in Delray Beach, FL.

EIN: 81-1324233

Overview

The Goldenberg Family Foundation was established in June 2016 by Dr. David M. Goldenberg, M.D., Sc.D., a pioneer in monoclonal antibodies and immunotherapy, and his family. The foundation makes charitable contributions to science, medicine, education, and other philanthropic causes. With total assets of approximately $33 million and net assets of $23.5 million as of 2024, the foundation distributed $943,760 in grants during its most recent fiscal year. Dr. Goldenberg's commitment to supporting medical research, particularly pediatric brain cancer research, stems from his personal experience as a grateful grandfather whose granddaughter was treated for a spinal cord tumor by Dr. George Jallo at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital in 2004. The foundation operates exclusively on a trustee-discretion basis, supporting preselected organizations rather than accepting unsolicited applications.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs but makes strategic donations based on trustee discretion. Recent grant amounts have ranged from approximately $85,900 to $548,900 per recipient organization.

Priority Areas

Based on 2024 grant distributions, the foundation prioritizes:

• Medical Research: Particularly through support of the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health and organizations advancing healthcare research
• Hematology and Oncology: Support for the American Society of Hematology Foundation
• Medical Education: Funding for The Education and Research Foundation
• Pediatric Brain Cancer Research: Significant endowed chair support for Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital Institute for Brain Protection Sciences
• Jewish Community Organizations: Support for local Chabad centers

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications and only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations identified by trustees.

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is led by the Goldenberg family:

• David M. Goldenberg, M.D., Sc.D. - President and Founder: A renowned physician-scientist who earned his M.D. (magna cum laude) from the University of Heidelberg (1966) and Sc.D. from the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg (1965). He is the founder and president of the Center for Molecular Medicine and Immunology in Mendham, NJ, and was the inventor and principal developer of Trodelvy®, an antibody-drug conjugate approved by the FDA for treatment of metastatic breast and urothelial cancers. He was one of the first recipients of the prestigious Outstanding Investigator Grant award from the National Cancer Institute in 1985.

• Cynthia Goldenberg - Vice President: Co-founder of the foundation, resides with Dr. Goldenberg in Delray Beach, Florida.

• Neil A. Goldenberg - Director: Family member involved in foundation governance.

The foundation pays no compensation to officers, with all funds directed toward charitable purposes.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation operates on a trustee-discretion model, making contributions exclusively to preselected charitable organizations. According to their IRS Form 990 filings, they do not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made based on trustee discretion rather than through an application review cycle.

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 the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application strategies do not apply. The foundation's giving pattern reveals:

• Personal Connection: The foundation's major support for Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital stemmed from Dr. Goldenberg's personal experience as a patient family member, suggesting that personal relationships and direct experience with an organization's impact are significant factors.

• Alignment with Scientific Mission: Organizations advancing medical research, particularly in oncology, hematology, and pediatric medicine, align with Dr. Goldenberg's professional background and expertise.

• National Research Organizations: The foundation supports major national institutions (Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, American Society of Hematology Foundation) that advance scientific research at scale.

• Educational Institutions: Support for educational and research foundations suggests interest in developing the next generation of medical professionals and researchers.

• Community Connection: Local support for Chabad Jewish Center in Basking Ridge, NJ (near the foundation's Morristown location) indicates some interest in community-based giving in areas where the family has connections.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Public Application Process: This foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications and operates entirely on trustee discretion.
• Medical Research Focus: Strong emphasis on supporting medical and scientific research, particularly in oncology and hematology.
• Significant Grant Sizes: Recent grants range from approximately $86,000 to $549,000, indicating capacity for substantial support.
• Personal Connections Matter: The foundation's major philanthropic commitments appear to stem from personal experiences and relationships with healthcare providers and institutions.
• Limited Annual Grantees: With only 4 grants made in 2024, the foundation operates highly selectively.
• Established Institutional Partnerships: Focus on nationally recognized research institutions and medical organizations.
• Family Foundation: All governance is kept within the Goldenberg family, with no external board members or compensation paid to officers.

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Goldenberg Family Foundation Profile (EIN: 81-1324233). Accessed January 2026. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/811324233
• Grantmakers.io Profile - Goldenberg Family Foundation. Accessed January 2026. https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/811324233-goldenberg-family-foundation/
• Johns Hopkins Medicine. "Dr. George Jallo, Dr. Neil Goldenberg Achieve Endowed Positions at Johns Hopkins All Children's." October 2021.
• Johns Hopkins University Named Deanships, Directorships, and Professorships. "The Goldenberg Family Foundation." Accessed January 2026.
• David M. Goldenberg personal website - About the Author. Accessed January 2026. https://www.davidmgoldenberg.com/author/
• IRS Form 990-PF filings for tax years 2021-2024, available through ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer