The Blavatnik Family Foundation's 2020 giving is highly concentrated and strategic: the vast majority of funds were routed through a philanthropic vehicle (National Philanthropic Trust), while a substantial standalone grant supported scientific research and knowledge via The New York Academy of Sciences. This pattern indicates the foundation uses donor-advised or intermediary channels for broad philanthropic deployment while making direct, large gifts to advance STEM and research infrastructure. The foundation appears to prioritize scalable, institution-level investments rather than many small operating grants.
A single donor-advised vehicle absorbed the largest share of Blavatnik Family Foundation 2020’s recent giving, with $48,981,285 routed through National Philanthropic Trust in 2023. That pattern sits alongside direct institutional grants that point to the foundation’s core interests: science, Jewish community support, education, arts, and policy-oriented field work. The New York Academy of Sciences received $5,200,917 for scientific research and knowledge, signaling a separate line of support for research infrastructure rather than only pass-through philanthropy. The foundation’s other major grants show a preference for established organizations and sector-level platforms. It gave $1,408,000 to WMG BFF Social Justice Fund for organizations working toward more just and equitable communities, and $1,404,610 to the American Foundation of the Imperial War Museum for preservation of art, film, photographic material, and personal stories related to war. Grants also reached Birthright Israel Foundation, Colel Chabad, and the Jewish Agency for Israel, placing Jewish community and Israel-linked support alongside science and cultural preservation in the same portfolio.
In Jewish community support, the foundation gave $636,250 to Colel Chabad for support for Jewish community, $100,000 to the Jewish Agency for Israel for Jewish settlement in Israel, and $50,000 to Friends of Jewish Comm S Petersburg for support for the Jewish community. That cluster sits next to a $30,000 grant to Emet Outreach to promote Jewish studies and values. Arts and cultural heritage also appear repeatedly. The foundation granted $550,000 to Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation for the art of dance, $500,000 to American Ballet Theater for the performing arts, and $100,000 to New 42nd Street for the arts. It also gave $50,000 to Save Venice for conservation of art and architecture and preservation of cultural heritage sites in Venice, Italy. Education and research are another clear theme. The University of Pennsylvania received $500,000 for education, Americans for Oxford got $300,000 for education, and the National Academy of Sciences received $200,000 for scientific research.
The distribution is lopsided toward larger institutional gifts: the typical grant size was $15,000 at the 25th percentile, $50,000 at the median, and $198,963 at the 75th percentile. In practice, a small number of very large grants account for much of the activity, especially through intermediary vehicles. The 2023 list shows recurring institutional channels rather than many one-off individual awards. National Philanthropic Trust appears as a major conduit, while direct grants go to established nonprofits, universities, cultural institutions, and advocacy organizations. The foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments.
$62.7M
$0
$14K
$65.2M
Most grants fall between $15K and $199K, with a median of $50K.
25th Percentile
$15K
Median
$50K
75th Percentile
$199K
Top 2 recipient countries by grant volume for Blavatnik Family Foundation 2020.
| Rank | Country | Grants | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United StatesDomestic | 45 | $62.5M | 90.0% |
| 2 | United Kingdom |
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Highly concentrated: only two large grants in 2020 representing a mix of a very large pass-through to a donor-advised trust and a single major institutional grant. Emphasis on large, targeted gifts and use of intermediary vehicles rather than many small or local grants.
Notable grantees: National Philanthropic Trust, The New York Academy of Sciences, Donor-advised/charitable vehicle funding (intermediary channel)
Grant recipients are heavily concentrated in New York: 76% of grants went to recipients in the HQ state, and New York is also the top state by grant count. New York City appears repeatedly through recipients such as The New York Academy of Sciences, Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation, American Ballet Theater, and New 42nd Street. Outside New York, the foundation also gave to organizations in Philadelphia, Chicago, Washington, DC, San Francisco, and London. The recipient-country distribution is mostly U.S.-based, with 45 grants in the United States and 5 in the United Kingdom.
Its recent grants favor established institutions and intermediary vehicles. The largest recipient was National Philanthropic Trust, and direct gifts went to organizations working in science, Jewish community support, education, arts, cultural heritage, and policy-oriented work.
The grant-size distribution centers on mid-sized awards, with a 25th percentile of $15,000, a median of $50,000, and a 75th percentile of $198,963. The 2023 list also includes a very large pass-through grant of $48,981,285 through National Philanthropic Trust.
New York is the top state by grant count, and 76% of grants went to recipients in the HQ state. New York City recipients appear often, including The New York Academy of Sciences, Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation, American Ballet Theater, and New 42nd Street.
Yes. Recent grants include $550,000 to Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation for the art of dance, $500,000 to American Ballet Theater for the performing arts, $100,000 to New 42nd Street for the arts, and $50,000 to Save Venice for conservation of art and architecture and preservation of cultural heritage sites in Venice, Italy.
Yes. The New York Academy of Sciences received $5,200,917 for scientific research and knowledge, and the National Academy of Sciences received $200,000 for scientific research. Those grants show a distinct line of support for research infrastructure and knowledge dissemination.
2023
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2023.
| 5 |
| $293K |
10.0% |
Recipient country reflects the grantee's headquarters per IRS 990-PF and Schedule F filings, not the program's implementation country.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Philantropic Trust | Jenkintown, PA | $48,981,285 | 2023 | SUPPORT FOR VARIOUS PHILANTHROPIC CAUSES |
| THE NEW YORK ACADEMY OF SCIENCE | New York, NY | $5,200,917 | 2023 | Support for SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND KNOWLEDGE |
| WMG BFF Social Justice Fund | New York, NY | $1,408,000 | 2023 | support for organizations around the globe that build more just and equitable communities and create real change in the lives of historically under-served and marginalized people |
| AMERICAN FDN OF THE IMPERIAL WAR MU | Chicago, IL | $1,404,610 | 2023 | support for the preservation of art, film, photographic material and personal stories related to war. |
| Birthright Israel Foundation | New York, NY | $1,000,000 | 2023 | Supports Travel to Israel |
| COLEL CHABAD | BROOKLYN, NY | $636,250 | 2023 | SUPPORT FOR JEWISH COMMUNITY |
| ALVIN AILEY DANCE FOUNDATION Inc | New York, NY | $550,000 | 2023 | Support for the art of dance |
| AMERICAN BALLET THEATER | NEW YORK, NY | $500,000 | 2023 | SUPPORT FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS |
| UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA | Philadelphia, PA | $500,000 | 2023 | Support for Education |
| MACCABI WORLD UNION INC | NEW YORK, NY | $330,000 | 2023 | Support FOR Sports ACTIVITIES |
| AMERICANS FOR OXFORD INC | New York, NY | $300,000 | 2023 | Support for education |
| National Academy of Sciences | washington, DC | $200,000 | 2023 | support for scientific research |
| AMERICAN SCHOOL OF LONDON FOUNDATIO | LONDON | $200,000 | 2023 | SUPPORT FOR EDUCATION |
| CONGREGATION BARKAI | suffern, NY | $195,853 | 2023 | Support religious institution |
| AMERICA GIVES INC | New York, NY | $150,000 | 2023 | Supports and raises awareness of other charitable organizations and programs located in the United States, Israel, and other countries. |
| Ronald McDonald House of NY | New York, NY | $100,000 | 2023 | Support for pediatric cancer patients and their families |
| JEWISH AGENCY FOR ISRAEL | New York, NY | $100,000 | 2023 | Support for Jewish settlement in Israel |
| NEW 42ND STREET INC | New York, NY | $100,000 | 2023 | Support for the arts |
| Charities Aid Foundation of America | Alexandria, VA | $80,019 | 2023 | Support for world issues |
| CARE MESSAGE | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $50,000 | 2023 | SUPPORT FOR UNDERSERVED PATIENTS' HEALTH CARE EXPERIENCE AND MANAGEMENT |
| ARTS CONNECTION INC | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2023 | support literacy, communication, creativity, collaboration and critical thinking THROUGH THE ARTS |
| Council on Foreign Relations | New York, NY | $50,000 | 2023 | Supports Foreign Policy and International Affairs |
| FRIENDS OF JEWISH COMM S PETERSBURG | Brooklyn, NY | $50,000 | 2023 | SUPPORT FOR THE JEWISH COMMUNITY |
| SAVE VENICE INC | New York, NY | $50,000 | 2023 | support for the conservation of art and architecture and preservation of cultural heritage sites in Venice Italy |
| SABIN VACCINE INSTITUTE | Washington, DC | $50,000 | 2023 | Support for the city of tel Aviv |
| STRAVINSKY INSTITUTE FOUNDATION | New York, NY | $50,000 | 2023 | Supports Music and Cultural Exchange |
| CHABAD LUBAVITCH RUSSIAN CENTER FL | SUNNY ISLES BEACH, FL | $40,000 | 2023 | Support for the Jewish Community in FLORIDA |
| ANGLESEY COLUMN TRUST | Menai Brodge | $35,688 | 2023 | support for cultural landmarks |
| HAWTHORN ADVISORS LIMITED | LONDON | $35,615 | 2023 | support for New Elightenment Summit and its efforts to explore various issues affecting society |
| American Liver Foundation | NEW YORK, NY | $30,000 | 2023 | to promote education, advocacy, support services and research for the prevention, treatment and cure of liver disease |
| EMET OUTREACH | Kew Garden Hills, NY | $30,000 | 2023 | PROMOTE JEWISH STUDIES AND VALUES |
| AHA FOUNDATION INC | New York, NY | $30,000 | 2023 | support to end honor violence |
| WHITE FOREST JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTE | Brooklyn, NY | $30,000 | 2023 | support for the jewish community |
| DIVIDED SKY FOUNDATION CORP | BURLINGTON, VT | $25,000 | 2023 | SUPPORT FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT |
| STORM KING ART CENTER | New Windsor, NY | $25,000 | 2023 | Support for artists and art conservation and education |
| International Swimming Hall of Fame | Fort Lauderdale, FL | $25,000 | 2023 | To collaborate with aquatic organizations worldwide to preserve, educate and celebrate the history of aquatic sports while promoting Every Child A Swimmer |
| THE BLUE CARD INC | New York, NY | $15,000 | 2023 | to provide financial assistance to needy holocaust survivors |
| ENCOURAGE KIDS FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $15,000 | 2023 | SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN WITH CANCER AND OTHER CRITICAL ILLNESSES |
| Jewish Museum | New York, NY | $15,000 | 2023 | Support Preservation of Jewish History |
| EYELLIANCE | NEW YORK, NY | $15,000 | 2023 | SUPPORT FOR ACCESS TO EYEGLASSESS WORLDWIDE |
| JEWISH COMMUNITY COUNCIL OF CANARSI | Brooklyn, NY | $15,000 | 2023 | COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR SOUTHEASTERN BROOKLYN |
| EDITH CARL MARKS JEWISH COMM HOUSE | Brooklyn, NY | $15,000 | 2023 | Support for the Jewish Community |
| ENGLISH PEN | London | $14,275 | 2023 | Support for reading and writing |
| WILD EARTH WILDERNESS SCHOOL | High Falls, NY | $10,000 | 2023 | Nature Based Program for Children and Families |
| LALELA PROJECT INC | New York, NY | $10,000 | 2023 | Support for educational art programs for at-risk children in sub-saharan africa |
| GIVE A BOOK | LONDON | $7,123 | 2023 | TO PROMOTE READING IN PRISONS, SCHOOLS AND WITH DISADVANTAGED CHILDREN |
| CALIFORNIA FOOD AID INC | Beverly Hills, CA | $5,000 | 2023 | Supports Feeding Children |
| NEW AMER ASSOC CULTURE EDUCATION | Brooklyn, NY | $5,000 | 2023 | Support for culture and education |
| PROJECT LEAD INC | Richmond Hill, NY | $5,000 | 2023 | FOOD DISTRIBUTION, CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS, SUMMER TRIPS FOR DISADVANTAGED PERSONS |
| EZRAT ISRAEL INC | Brooklyn, NY | $3,600 | 2023 | Support for Jewish Community |
THE NEW YORK ACADEMY OF SCIENCE
$5,200,917Support for SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND KNOWLEDGE
WMG BFF Social Justice Fund
$1,408,000support for organizations around the globe that build more just and equitable communities and create real change in the lives of historically under-served and marginalized people
AMERICAN FDN OF THE IMPERIAL WAR MU
$1,404,610support for the preservation of art, film, photographic material and personal stories related to war.
COLEL CHABAD
$636,250SUPPORT FOR JEWISH COMMUNITY
AMERICAN BALLET THEATER
$500,000SUPPORT FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
AMERICAN SCHOOL OF LONDON FOUNDATIO
$200,000SUPPORT FOR EDUCATION
CONGREGATION BARKAI
$195,853Support religious institution
Supports and raises awareness of other charitable organizations and programs located in the United States, Israel, and other countries.
Support for pediatric cancer patients and their families
NEW 42ND STREET INC
$100,000Support for the arts
SUPPORT FOR UNDERSERVED PATIENTS' HEALTH CARE EXPERIENCE AND MANAGEMENT
ARTS CONNECTION INC
$50,000support literacy, communication, creativity, collaboration and critical thinking THROUGH THE ARTS
Council on Foreign Relations
$50,000Supports Foreign Policy and International Affairs
FRIENDS OF JEWISH COMM S PETERSBURG
$50,000SUPPORT FOR THE JEWISH COMMUNITY
support for the conservation of art and architecture and preservation of cultural heritage sites in Venice Italy
SABIN VACCINE INSTITUTE
$50,000Support for the city of tel Aviv
STRAVINSKY INSTITUTE FOUNDATION
$50,000Supports Music and Cultural Exchange
CHABAD LUBAVITCH RUSSIAN CENTER FL
$40,000Support for the Jewish Community in FLORIDA
ANGLESEY COLUMN TRUST
$35,688support for cultural landmarks
HAWTHORN ADVISORS LIMITED
$35,615support for New Elightenment Summit and its efforts to explore various issues affecting society
to promote education, advocacy, support services and research for the prevention, treatment and cure of liver disease
WHITE FOREST JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTE
$30,000support for the jewish community
DIVIDED SKY FOUNDATION CORP
$25,000SUPPORT FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT
Support for artists and art conservation and education
To collaborate with aquatic organizations worldwide to preserve, educate and celebrate the history of aquatic sports while promoting Every Child A Swimmer
to provide financial assistance to needy holocaust survivors
SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN WITH CANCER AND OTHER CRITICAL ILLNESSES
JEWISH COMMUNITY COUNCIL OF CANARSI
$15,000COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR SOUTHEASTERN BROOKLYN
EDITH CARL MARKS JEWISH COMM HOUSE
$15,000Support for the Jewish Community
ENGLISH PEN
$14,275Support for reading and writing
LALELA PROJECT INC
$10,000Support for educational art programs for at-risk children in sub-saharan africa
GIVE A BOOK
$7,123TO PROMOTE READING IN PRISONS, SCHOOLS AND WITH DISADVANTAGED CHILDREN
CALIFORNIA FOOD AID INC
$5,000Supports Feeding Children
NEW AMER ASSOC CULTURE EDUCATION
$5,000Support for culture and education
PROJECT LEAD INC
$5,000FOOD DISTRIBUTION, CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS, SUMMER TRIPS FOR DISADVANTAGED PERSONS
EZRAT ISRAEL INC
$3,600Support for Jewish Community