About Cornell University Foundation
Support Cornell University’s mission to create knowledge with a public purpose by funding student financial aid, faculty research, academic programs, and public engagement that address local and global challenges.
Focus Areas
education (higher education)research (general and interdisciplinary)scholarships and financial aidsustainability and environmenttechnology and engineeringlaw and public policyglobal and community engagement
Funding Style
mission supportgeneral operating supportunrestricted/undesignated fundingprogrammatic flexibility
About Cornell University Foundation
Cornell University Foundation’s largest recent grants all went to Cornell University itself, with awards of $18,024,112 in 2023, $10,291,559 in 2024, and $9,233,114 in 2025, each marked "in furtherance of the organization’s tax exempt mission." That pattern points to a funder built around institutional support rather than a broad external grant portfolio. The foundation’s stated purpose is to support Cornell University’s mission through student financial aid, faculty research, academic programs, and public engagement tied to local and global challenges. Recent grants also show support for organizations beyond the university. University of Rochester received $5,200,000 in 2024, and Saratoga Regional YMCA received $2,000,000 in 2024. Other major awards included Massachusetts General Hospital, Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, and Tumblehome Inc. The mix suggests that Cornell University Foundation funds a blend of university mission support, education, research, and selected community or cultural institutions, with gifts often described in broad mission-support terms rather than tightly restricted project language. Across the recent grant list, the foundation’s activity is substantial and recurring, with Cornell remaining the central recipient year after year.
What Cornell University Foundation Funds
Education and student support are central to the foundation’s grantmaking. Cornell Atkinson’s Endowed Scholarship Challenge is built to create endowed scholarships for undergraduate, professional, and graduate students, while the Cornell Annual Funds provide flexible current-use support for scholarships, student programs, faculty support, research, and urgent needs. Engineering and applied learning also appear in the portfolio. The Duffield Engineering Annual Fund supports undergraduate research, student project teams, scholarships, faculty start-ups, equipment, and experiential learning, linking academic work with hands-on student experience. Sustainability and climate research is another clear theme. Cornell Atkinson – Fast Grants fund short-term faculty climate research, including partnership work such as The 2030 Project, and the Rapid Response Fund supports urgent faculty projects addressing immediate sustainability and climate-related needs. Graduate research is also supported through Cornell Atkinson’s Graduate Research Grant and Sustainable Biodiversity Fund. Law and professional preparation are represented as well. The Cornell Law School Annual Fund supports clinics, student professional development, travel, experiential opportunities, and other priorities tied to the law school’s educational mission.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$20.8M
Total Assets
$198.3M
Total Revenue
$27.9M
Total Expenses
$22.5M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $13K and $60K, with a median of $30K.
25th Percentile
$13K
Median
$30K
75th Percentile
$60K
Geographic Reach
About 0% of grants go to recipients in NY.
Leadership
CARINE HAILS
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