Operating Foundations in the United States
11,984 foundations$24.7B annual giving$99.1B in assets$4K median grant55 states
Operating foundations run their own charitable programs and services rather than primarily making grants to other organizations. They must spend at least 85% of income directly on active programs.
Operating Foundations Grantmaking at a Glance
Foundations
11,984
Total Annual Giving
$24.7B
Total Assets Under Management
$99.1B
Median Grant Size
$4K
States with Funders
55
Largest Operating Foundations Foundations
| Foundation | Location | Annual Giving | Total Assets | Median Grant | NTEE | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SANOFI CARES NORTH AMERICA FORMERLY THE SANOFI FOUNDATION FOR N AMERICA | BRIDGEWATER, NJ | $4.1B | — | $1.8B | P20 | Local |
| Genentech Patient Foundation | South San Francisco, CA | $3.5B | $424.1M | $3.4B | P60 | Local |
| NOVARTIS PATIENT ASSISTANCE FOUNDATION INC | EAST HANOVER, NJ | $3.1B | $382.9M | $2.9B | E60 | Local |
| BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB PATIENT ASSISTANCE FOUNDATION INC | PRINCETON, NJ | $2.7B | $230.7M | $3.6B | P58 | Local |
| MERCK PATIENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM INC | Rahway, NJ | $1.9B | $26.4M | $1.8B | T210 | Local |
| Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation Inc | Ridgefield, CT | $1.6B | $251.9M | $1.3B | B99 | Local |
| PFIZER PATIENT ASSISTANCE FOUNDATION INC | NEW YORK, NY | $1.5B | $9.4M | $5K | E12 | National |
| Bayer US Patient Assistance Foundation | Whippany, NJ | $1.4B | $313M | $915.2M | E60 | Local |
| ABBVIE PATIENT ASSISTANCE FOUNDATION | NORTH CHICAGO, IL | $442M | — | $482.1M | — | Regional |
| Art Bridges Inc | FORT WORTH, TX | $278.7M | $905M | $139.3M | A25 | Regional |
SANOFI CARES NORTH AMERICA FORMERLY THE SANOFI FOUNDATION FOR N AMERICA
BRIDGEWATER, NJ
Annual Giving
$4.1B
Total Assets
—
Median Grant
$1.8B
P20Local
Genentech Patient Foundation
South San Francisco, CA
Annual Giving
$3.5B
Total Assets
$424.1M
Median Grant
$3.4B
P60Local
NOVARTIS PATIENT ASSISTANCE FOUNDATION INC
EAST HANOVER, NJ
Annual Giving
$3.1B
Total Assets
$382.9M
Median Grant
$2.9B
E60Local
BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB PATIENT ASSISTANCE FOUNDATION INC
PRINCETON, NJ
Annual Giving
$2.7B
Total Assets
$230.7M
Median Grant
$3.6B
P58Local
MERCK PATIENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM INC
Rahway, NJ
Annual Giving
$1.9B
Total Assets
$26.4M
Median Grant
$1.8B
T210Local
Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation Inc
Ridgefield, CT
Annual Giving
$1.6B
Total Assets
$251.9M
Median Grant
$1.3B
B99Local
PFIZER PATIENT ASSISTANCE FOUNDATION INC
NEW YORK, NY
Annual Giving
$1.5B
Total Assets
$9.4M
Median Grant
$5K
E12National
Bayer US Patient Assistance Foundation
Whippany, NJ
Annual Giving
$1.4B
Total Assets
$313M
Median Grant
$915.2M
E60Local
ABBVIE PATIENT ASSISTANCE FOUNDATION
NORTH CHICAGO, IL
Annual Giving
$442M
Total Assets
—
Median Grant
$482.1M
Regional
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Operating Foundations(locked)
Where Operating Foundations Funders Are Located
Top 15 states by foundation count
| State | Foundations | Total Annual Giving | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 1,522 | $3.9B | View all in California | |
| New York | 880 | $1.7B | View all in New York | |
| Florida | 851 | $75.1M | View all in Florida | |
| Texas | 787 | $410.4M | View all in Texas | |
| Massachusetts | 440 | $87.4M | View all in Massachusetts | |
| Illinois | 439 | $541M | View all in Illinois | |
| Pennsylvania | 425 | $1B | View all in Pennsylvania | |
| Ohio | 383 | $15.4M | View all in Ohio | |
| New Jersey | 322 | $14.1B | View all in New Jersey | |
| Georgia | 321 | $37M | View all in Georgia | |
| Colorado | 319 | $172.8M | View all in Colorado | |
| Michigan | 306 | $61.8M | View all in Michigan | |
| Virginia | 303 | $43.8M | View all in Virginia | |
| North Carolina | 278 | $19.4M | View all in North Carolina | |
| Washington | 237 | $27.5M | View all in Washington |
What Gets Funded in Operating Foundations
Top Cause Areas
Philanthropy & Voluntarism
2,828$4.4B
Philanthropy & Voluntarism2,828 · $4.4B
Education
1,491$1.8B
Education1,491 · $1.8B
Arts, Culture & Humanities
1,394$403.8M
Arts, Culture & Humanities1,394 · $403.8M
Human Services
792$10.4B
Human Services792 · $10.4B
Religion-Related
580$40.8M
Religion-Related580 · $40.8M
Recreation & Sports
577$22.7M
Recreation & Sports577 · $22.7M
Animal-Related
437$9.3M
Animal-Related437 · $9.3M
Environment
399$28.4M
Environment399 · $28.4M
Health Care
324$6.5B
Health Care324 · $6.5B
Housing & Shelter
253$17.3M
Housing & Shelter253 · $17.3M
CategoryFundersGiving
Typical Grant Profile in Operating Foundations
Median Grant Size
$4K
New Grantee Rate
N/A
Accept Unsolicited Proposals
N/A
Most Recent Filing Year
2026
The typical Operating Foundations foundation awards grants of $4K.
Frequently Asked Questions About Operating Foundations
What is a operating foundation?
An operating foundation is a private foundation that primarily runs its own charitable programs rather than making grants to other organizations. The IRS requires operating foundations to spend at least 85% of their adjusted net income directly on active charitable programs. They receive more favorable tax treatment than non-operating private foundations.
How many operating foundations are in the US?
There are 11,984 operating foundations registered in the United States across 55 states, based on the most recent IRS 990 filings.
What is the average grant from a operating foundation?
The median grant size from operating foundations is $4K. Actual grant amounts vary widely based on the foundation's asset size, focus area, and giving strategy.
How do I apply to a operating foundation?
Most operating foundations run their own programs rather than making grants to outside organizations. If you're looking for funding, focus on operating foundations that also make external grants. Check their 990-PF filings for grant listings, and look for published application guidelines on their website.
What are the largest operating foundations?
The largest operating foundations by annual giving include SANOFI CARES NORTH AMERICA FORMERLY THE SANOFI FOUNDATION FOR N AMERICA, Genentech Patient Foundation, NOVARTIS PATIENT ASSISTANCE FOUNDATION INC, with combined giving of $10.8B.
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