The Charina Endowment Fund concentrates large, targeted gifts rather than many small awards, with the bulk of its support going to a single higher-education institution and a philanthropic intermediary. Its giving is highly concentrated on Cornell University (multiple seven-figure grants) and on strengthening philanthropic infrastructure through a major gift to National Philanthropic Trust. The pattern suggests the fund prioritizes sustained support for elite university programs and enabling efficient charitable giving mechanisms.
Very concentrated giving: few, large grants with repeat, multi-grant support to a primary grantee (Cornell) and a single large gift to a philanthropic intermediary; prefers large, strategic gifts over broad, distributed funding.
Charina Endowment Fund Inc’s recent giving is defined by repeated seven-figure support for Cornell University and a parallel commitment to philanthropic infrastructure through National Philanthropic Trust. The fund makes large, targeted general-support grants rather than a wide spread of small awards, and its recent records show the same institutions returning across multiple years. Cornell University received $1,000,000 in 2025, $1,000,000 in 2024, and $1,000,000 in 2023, while National Philanthropic Trust received $1,000,000 in 2023. That pattern sits alongside substantial support for a broad set of universities, cultural institutions, medical centers, and civic organizations, including The Rockefeller University, Harvard Th Chan Schol of Public Health, Hunter College Foundation Inc, and Weill Cornell Medicine. The fund’s posture is institutional and recurring: grants are described as general support, and several recipients appear more than once in the recent list. Many of the awards go to New York organizations, but the portfolio also reaches major higher-education and research institutions in Boston, Cambridge, Ithaca, and Philadelphia. Across the available grant history, the foundation’s activity looks concentrated, repeatable, and oriented toward ongoing support for established nonprofits.
In higher education, the fund gave $1,000,000 to Cornell University for general support in 2025 and also backed Hunter College Foundation Inc with $600,000 in 2025. Research and public health are another clear thread: Harvard Th Chan Schol of Public Health received $750,000 in 2024, $750,000 in 2023, and $500,000 in 2025, while Trustees for Harvard University received $500,000 in 2025. The foundation also supports cultural and civic institutions. The Morgan Library & Museum received $500,000 in 2025 and $500,000 in 2024, and The Shed received $500,000 in both 2024 and 2023. Public-serving organizations appear as well, including the Aclu with $500,000 in 2023 and Children's Aid Society with $750,000 in 2023. The repeated awards across these categories point to long-running support for established institutions rather than one-time project funding.
Charina Endowment Fund Inc’s typical grant size sits at $100,000 at the 25th percentile, $200,000 at the median, and $300,000 at the 75th percentile, even though the recent list includes much larger awards. The grants shown are almost entirely general support, which aligns with a core- or ongoing-funding approach. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Cornell University, Harvard Th Chan Schol of Public Health, The Morgan Library & Museum, The Shed, Nightingale-bamford School, and Wildlife Conservation Society. The organization is classified as a Regular Funder and does not fund individuals or make program-related investments.
$19.6M
$370.5M
$65.7M
$21.3M
Most grants fall between $100K and $300K, with a median of $200K.
25th Percentile
$100K
Median
$200K
75th Percentile
$300K
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Notable grantees: Cornell University, National Philanthropic Trust
Grantmaking is concentrated in New York: 69% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and New York is also the top state by grant count. Recent recipient cities include New York, Ithaca, The Bronx, Syracuse, Boston, Cambridge, Jenkintown, and Philadelphia. The country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 206 grants in the United States. That geographic pattern shows a strong in-state orientation with some giving to other major Northeast institutions.
The recent grants point to universities, research and public health institutions, museums, schools, and civic or public-serving nonprofits. Examples include Cornell University, Harvard Th Chan Schol of Public Health, The Morgan Library & Museum, The Shed, and the Aclu, all funded with general support.
Yes. Cornell University appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025 with $1,000,000 grants. Other repeat recipients include Harvard Th Chan Schol of Public Health, The Morgan Library & Museum, The Shed, Nightingale-bamford School, and Wildlife Conservation Society.
The distribution centers at $100,000 for the 25th percentile, $200,000 at the median, and $300,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent list also shows many larger general-support grants, including multiple awards at $500,000, $750,000, and $1,000,000.
New York is the top state by grant count, and 69% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. Recent recipient cities include New York, Ithaca, The Bronx, and Syracuse, with additional grants going to Boston, Cambridge, Jenkintown, and Philadelphia.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CORNELL UNIVERSITY | ITHACA, NY | $1,000,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HUNTER COLLEGE FOUNDATION INC | NEW YORK, NY | $600,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN | BRONX, NY | $500,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GATES PHILANTHROPY PARTNERS | SEATTLE, WA | $500,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HARVARD TH CHAN SCHOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH | BOSTON, MA | $500,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY (FORMERLY NY ZOOLOGICAL SOC) | THE BRONX, NY | $500,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| TRUSTEES FOR HARVARD UNIVERSITY | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $500,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NIGHTINGALE-BAMFORD SCHOOL | NEW YORK, NY | $500,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY | SYRACUSE, NY | $500,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE MORGAN LIBRARY & MUSEUM | NEW YORK, NY | $500,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HOSPITAL FOR SPECIAL SURGERY | NEW YORK, NY | $500,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK | NEW YORK, NY | $400,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SIDWELL FRIENDS SCHOOL | WASHINGTON, DC | $400,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| STATUE OF LIBERTY ELLIS ISLAND FOUNDATION INC | NEW YORK, NY | $334,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PARK AVENUE ARMORYSEVENTH REG ARMORY CONSERVANCY INC | NEW YORK, NY | $333,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JOHN F KENNEDY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS | WASHINGTON, DC | $300,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NAACP LEGAL DEFENSE AND EDUCATIONAL FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $300,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MEMORIAL SLOAN-KETTERING CANCER CENTER | NEW YORK, NY | $300,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE URBAN ASSEMBLY | NEW YORK, NY | $300,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CRENULATED COMPANY - DBA NEW SETTLEMENT | BRONX, NY | $300,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN FEDERATION FOR AGING RESEARCH INC | NEW YORK, NY | $300,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| VERA INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE | BROOKLYN, NY | $300,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CONGREGATION EMANU-EL | NEW YORK, NY | $250,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JEWISH MUSEUM | NEW YORK, NY | $250,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL SEPTEMBER 11 MEM & MUSEUM (WAS WTC MEM FOUND) | NEW YORK, NY | $250,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN TECHNION SOCIETY | NEW YORK, NY | $250,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ONE HEALTH TRUST | WASHINGTON, DC | $250,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AMERICANS FOR BEN-GURION UNIVERSITY INC | NEW YORK, NY | $250,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WGBH | BOSTON, MA | $225,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FUND FOR THE CITY OF NEW YORK INC | NEW YORK, NY | $225,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| RIVERSIDE PARK CONSERVANCY | NEW YORK, NY | $225,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JACOB A RIIS NEIGHBORHOOLD HOUSES | QUEENS, NY | $225,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GODDARD-RIVERSIDE COMMUNITY CENTER | NEW YORK, NY | $225,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HUMAN RIGHTS FIRST | LOS ANGELES, CA | $200,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LOWER MANHATTAN CULTURAL COUNCIL INC | NEW YORK, NY | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WAVE HILL INCORPORATED | BRONX, NY | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FILM FORUM INC | NEW YORK, NY | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UNION SETTLEMENT ASSOCIATION | NEW YORK, NY | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WORLD TRADE CENTER PERFORMING ARTS CENTER INC | NEW YORK, NY | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | SILVER SPRING, MD | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| DRAWING CENTER INC | NEW YORK, NY | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GOOD SHEAPARD SERVICE | NEW YORK, NY | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HARLEM SCHOOL OF THE ARTS | NEW YORK, NY | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LITERACY PARTNERS | NEW YORK, NY | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JUPITER MEDICAL CENTER INC | JUPITER, FL | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SUNNYSIDE COMMUNITY CENTER | NEW YORK, NY | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THEATRE DEVELOPMENT FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SPONSORS FOR EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY INC | NEW YORK, NY | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE SHAKESPEARE THEATRE | WASHINGTON, DC | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE OLIVER SCHOLARS PROGRAM | NEW YORK, NY | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
CORNELL UNIVERSITY
$1,000,000GENERAL SUPPORT
HUNTER COLLEGE FOUNDATION INC
$600,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN
$500,000GENERAL SUPPORT
GATES PHILANTHROPY PARTNERS
$500,000GENERAL SUPPORT
HARVARD TH CHAN SCHOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
$500,000GENERAL SUPPORT
WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY (FORMERLY NY ZOOLOGICAL SOC)
$500,000GENERAL SUPPORT
TRUSTEES FOR HARVARD UNIVERSITY
$500,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NIGHTINGALE-BAMFORD SCHOOL
$500,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY
$500,000GENERAL SUPPORT
THE MORGAN LIBRARY & MUSEUM
$500,000GENERAL SUPPORT
HOSPITAL FOR SPECIAL SURGERY
$500,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK
$400,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SIDWELL FRIENDS SCHOOL
$400,000GENERAL SUPPORT
STATUE OF LIBERTY ELLIS ISLAND FOUNDATION INC
$334,000GENERAL SUPPORT
PARK AVENUE ARMORYSEVENTH REG ARMORY CONSERVANCY INC
$333,000GENERAL SUPPORT
JOHN F KENNEDY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
$300,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NAACP LEGAL DEFENSE AND EDUCATIONAL FUND
$300,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MEMORIAL SLOAN-KETTERING CANCER CENTER
$300,000GENERAL SUPPORT
THE URBAN ASSEMBLY
$300,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CRENULATED COMPANY - DBA NEW SETTLEMENT
$300,000GENERAL SUPPORT
AMERICAN FEDERATION FOR AGING RESEARCH INC
$300,000GENERAL SUPPORT
VERA INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE
$300,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CONGREGATION EMANU-EL
$250,000GENERAL SUPPORT
JEWISH MUSEUM
$250,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NATIONAL SEPTEMBER 11 MEM & MUSEUM (WAS WTC MEM FOUND)
$250,000GENERAL SUPPORT
AMERICAN TECHNION SOCIETY
$250,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ONE HEALTH TRUST
$250,000GENERAL SUPPORT
AMERICANS FOR BEN-GURION UNIVERSITY INC
$250,000GENERAL SUPPORT
WGBH
$225,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FUND FOR THE CITY OF NEW YORK INC
$225,000GENERAL SUPPORT
RIVERSIDE PARK CONSERVANCY
$225,000GENERAL SUPPORT
JACOB A RIIS NEIGHBORHOOLD HOUSES
$225,000GENERAL SUPPORT
GODDARD-RIVERSIDE COMMUNITY CENTER
$225,000GENERAL SUPPORT
HUMAN RIGHTS FIRST
$200,000GENERAL SUPPORT
LOWER MANHATTAN CULTURAL COUNCIL INC
$150,000GENERAL SUPPORT
WAVE HILL INCORPORATED
$150,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FILM FORUM INC
$150,000GENERAL SUPPORT
UNION SETTLEMENT ASSOCIATION
$150,000GENERAL SUPPORT
WORLD TRADE CENTER PERFORMING ARTS CENTER INC
$150,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
$150,000GENERAL SUPPORT
DRAWING CENTER INC
$150,000GENERAL SUPPORT
GOOD SHEAPARD SERVICE
$150,000GENERAL SUPPORT
HARLEM SCHOOL OF THE ARTS
$150,000GENERAL SUPPORT
LITERACY PARTNERS
$150,000GENERAL SUPPORT
JUPITER MEDICAL CENTER INC
$150,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SUNNYSIDE COMMUNITY CENTER
$150,000GENERAL SUPPORT
THEATRE DEVELOPMENT FUND
$150,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SPONSORS FOR EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY INC
$150,000GENERAL SUPPORT
THE SHAKESPEARE THEATRE
$150,000GENERAL SUPPORT
THE OLIVER SCHOLARS PROGRAM
$150,000GENERAL SUPPORT