Fernholz Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests and works by invitation only, so a small charity should not send it a cold application and should look for an introduction instead.
- Its recorded grants centre on mathematics, including research, education and university mathematics departments, with further giving in neuroscience, affordable housing, a medical centre and a documentary about applied science, so the fit is clearest for work in those fields.
- Half of its 18 grants to organisations were $200,000 or less and the median grant was $200,000, while typical grants fall between $10,000 and $325,000, so a modest request sits comfortably within much of its giving.
- In its latest filing, 76% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in an earlier filing, so existing relationships carry real weight.
- No geographic focus is stated, so location alone does not decide whether the foundation can be approached.
Overview
Fernholz Foundation is a US private foundation based in Princeton, NJ.
What they fund
Profile based on the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2025, TY2024, TY2023) only: no website or other web source for the foundation was found. Every statement is checked against the filings. Sources read on 12 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The foundation’s recorded grants concentrate on mathematical research and education, including support for schools and university mathematics departments. Neuroscience research is another area of giving. Its grants also include support for affordable housing and a medical centre, as well as a documentary film about applied science. The recipient organisations represented in the filings include a research institute, university departments, a community housing organisation and a medical centre. The pattern is led by mathematics, with additional grants spanning scientific research, housing, health and applied-science communication.
Themes
From its grants, not stated by the foundation:
- Mathematics
Geographic Focus
No geographic focus is stated; the filings show grants mainly in New Jersey, New York, California and Massachusetts.
How to apply
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2025 filing, 76% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2023 or TY2024 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2023, TY2024 and TY2025 filings, half of its 18 grants to organisations were $200,000 or less.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2023–2025.
Grant dollars by state
- The largest single recipient received 29% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2025, 76% of grant dollars went to organisations Fernholz Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 7 grants in tax year 2025 by size
Median $200k (tax year 2025)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Change Maker Trust · Documentary film about applied science$250,0002025 tax year
- Institute for Advanced Study · School of mathematics$250,0002025 tax year
- Princeton University Math Department · Department of mathematics$250,0002025 tax year
- Simons Laufer Mathematical Sciences Institute · School of mathematics$200,0002025 tax year
- Columbia University · Department of mathematics$75,0002025 tax year
- Princeton Community Housing · General support - affordable housing$20,0002025 tax year
- Princeton Medical Center · General support - mecial center$10,0002025 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Daniel T Fernholz — Director
- Ryan Briganti — Director
- Ricardo T Fernholz — Director
- Luisa T Fernholz — Director, President
- E Robert Fernholz — Director, Secretary
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 tax year | $797,484 | $795,000 | $20,780,573 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $1,263,503 | $1,255,000 | $23,015,866 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
| 2025 tax year | $1,063,819 | $1,055,000 | $25,124,723 | Filing for 2025 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
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At a glance
Applying to Fernholz Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
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Contact
- Princeton, NJ
Applying to Fernholz Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Princeton, NJ