The Gordon & Llura Gund 1993 Charitable Foundation makes a small number of very large grants to mission-driven organizations, concentrating on environmental legal advocacy, documentary storytelling, higher-education institutions, and vision research. Their giving is national in scope and appears programmatic rather than purely place-based, with repeat multi-award support for a handful of core grantees.
Concentrated, high-dollar grants to a small set of repeat core grantees; mix of multi-year or multiple gifts rather than many small awards.
The Gordon & Llura Gund 1993 Charitable Foundation has made repeated multi-million-dollar grants to Earthjustice, including $2,000,000 in both 2024 and 2025. That pattern sits alongside large awards to a short list of other institutions, showing a grantmaker that favors substantial support for a limited number of organizations rather than broad, small-ticket giving. Recent awards also went to University of Pennsylvania, Full Frame Initiative, Foundation Fighting Blindness, and Grounds for Sculpture, each at six- and seven-figure levels. The foundation’s public record points to a mix of environmental legal advocacy, documentary and arts-related work, higher education, and vision research. It also supports organizations working in education, disability, conservation, and health. The grants are generally described with the same purpose language, “support the charitable purpose of the organization,” which suggests flexible use of funds rather than tightly restricted project-only grants. Across the recent grants listed, the foundation appears to return to selected grantees over multiple years. Earthjustice, Full Frame Initiative, University of Pennsylvania, Grounds for Sculpture, and Uvm Foundation all received more than one award in the period shown, reinforcing a relationship-based grantmaking pattern.
Environmental legal advocacy is a clear thread in the foundation’s grant history. Earthjustice received $1,000,000 in 2023 and $2,000,000 in both 2024 and 2025, indicating sustained support for public-interest environmental law. The foundation also backs documentary and arts infrastructure. Full Frame Initiative received $1,000,000 in 2024 and $1,200,000 in 2025, while Grounds for Sculpture received $500,000 in 2023, 2024, and 2025. In education and research, the funder supported University of Pennsylvania with $352,000 in 2023, $300,000 in 2023, and $500,000 in 2024, plus $1,382,000 in 2025 to the university. It also gave $300,000 to Say Yes to Education in 2024 and again in 2025. Health-related giving includes $1,000,000 to Foundation Fighting Blindness in 2025 and $300,000 to Cleveland Clinic Foundation in 2023.
Typical grants cluster at the middle and upper end of the foundation’s distribution: the 25th percentile is $50,000, the median is $150,000, and the 75th percentile is $300,000. In practice, the recent-gift list shows a preference for far larger awards than the median, including multiple six- and seven-figure grants. The pattern is relationship-based rather than one-off; several organizations received awards in more than one year, including Earthjustice, Full Frame Initiative, Grounds for Sculpture, and Uvm Foundation. The foundation does not make grants to individuals and does not make program-related investments.
$9.8M
$751K
$8.5M
$10M
Most grants fall between $50K and $300K, with a median of $150K.
25th Percentile
$50K
Median
$150K
75th Percentile
$300K
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Notable grantees: Earthjustice, Full Frame Initiative, University of Pennsylvania, Foundation Fighting Blindness
The grants are national in scope, and every recent recipient listed is in the United States. The largest concentration by state is Connecticut, even though the foundation is headquartered in Massachusetts. Recent awards also went frequently to recipients in New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, New Jersey, and North Carolina? No—only states present in the list should be counted, so the visible recipient locations include New York City, Philadelphia, Burlington, Hamilton Township, Boston, Norwalk, Syracuse, Jacksonville, Arlington, Cleveland, Greenfield, Nantucket, Washington, DC, and Columbia, MD. Massachusetts recipients account for 14% of grants, with examples including Greenfield, Boston, and Nantucket.
The recent record shows support for environmental legal advocacy, documentary and arts-related organizations, higher education, conservation, health, disability services, and education. Named grantees include Earthjustice, Full Frame Initiative, University of Pennsylvania, Foundation Fighting Blindness, and Grounds for Sculpture.
Yes. Several grantees appear in multiple years. Earthjustice received awards in 2023, 2024, and 2025; Full Frame Initiative in 2024 and 2025; Uvm Foundation in 2023, 2024, and 2025; and Grounds for Sculpture in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
The distribution shows a 25th percentile of $50,000, a median of $150,000, and a 75th percentile of $300,000. The recent grants list also includes several larger awards, such as $1,382,000 to University of Pennsylvania and $2,000,000 to Earthjustice.
Giving is national, with all recent recipients located in the United States. Connecticut is the top state by grant count, and Massachusetts recipients account for 14% of grants.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EARTH JUSTICE | NEW YORK, NY | $2,000,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| FOUNDATION FIGHTING BLINDNESS | COLUMBIA, MD | $1,000,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $882,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| GROUNDS FOR SCULPTURE | HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ | $500,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| OSA CONSERVATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $500,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| THE BOLLES SCHOOL | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $500,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| UVM FOUNDATION | BURLINGTON, VT | $500,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| NANTUCKET CONSERVATION | NANTUCKET, MA | $450,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| AUTISM SPEAKS | WASHINGTON, DC | $430,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| CENTER FOR MIND BODY MEDICINE | WASHINGTON, DC | $400,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| SHATTERPROOF | NORWALK, CT | $350,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR THE BLIND | ARLINGTON, VA | $250,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| ACHILLES INTERNATIONAL | NEW YORK, NY | $250,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| CARROLL CENTER FOR THE BLIND | NEWTON, MA | $200,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| FULL FRAME INITIATIVE | GREENFIELD, MA | $200,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| RESEARCH AMERICA | ARLINGTON, VA | $200,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| MIRACLE FEET | CHAPEL HILLS, NC | $150,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| KELLOGG SCHOOL | EVANSTON, IL | $125,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| MAYO CLINIC | ROCHESTER, MN | $125,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| GREATER CLEVELAND SPORTS HALL OF FAME | CLEVELAND, OH | $125,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| THE AMERICAN RED CROSS | WASHINGTON, DC | $100,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| INCLUSION ZONE INC (FDR MEMORIAL LEGACY COMMITTEE) | WASHINGTON, DC | $100,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $100,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| CLEVELAND CLINIC FOUNDATION | CLEVELAND, OH | $100,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| WILD AID | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $75,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN | MADISON, WI | $62,500 | 2026 | SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $50,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| EPIPHANY SCHOOL | DORCHESTER, MA | $40,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| MIAMI UNIVERSITY (WAYNE EMBRY LEGACY PROJECT) | OXFORD, OH | $25,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| US ASSOCIATION OF BLIND ATHLETES | COLORADO SPRINGS, CO | $25,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| EARTH JUSTICE | NEW YORK, NY | $2,000,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $1,382,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| FULL FRAME INITIATIVE | GREENFIELD, MA | $1,200,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| FOUNDATION FIGHTING BLINDNESS | COLUMBIA, MD | $1,000,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| GROUNDS FOR SCULPTURE | HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ | $500,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| UVM FOUNDATION | BURLINGTON, VT | $500,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| NANTUCKET CONSERVATION | NANTUCKET, MA | $450,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| AUTISM SPEAKS | WASHINGTON, DC | $430,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| SHATTERPROOF | NORWALK, CT | $350,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| SAY YES TO EDUCATION | SYRACUSE, NY | $300,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| THE BOLLES SCHOOL | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $250,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| ACHILLES INTERNATIONAL | NEW YORK, NY | $250,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| RESEARCH AMERICA | ARLINGTON, VA | $200,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| MIRACLE FEET | CHAPEL HILLS, NC | $150,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| NANTUCKET COTTAGE HOSPITAL | NANTUCKET, MA | $150,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| GREATER CLEVELAND SPORTS HALL OF FAME | CLEVELAND, OH | $125,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| KELLOGG SCHOOL | EVANSTON, IL | $125,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| MAYO CLINIC | ROCHESTER, MN | $125,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| CLEVELAND CLINIC FOUNDATION | CLEVELAND, OH | $100,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| CENTER FOR MIND BODY MEDICINE | WASHINGTON, DC | $100,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
EARTH JUSTICE
$2,000,000SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
FOUNDATION FIGHTING BLINDNESS
$1,000,000SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
NANTUCKET CONSERVATION
$450,000SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR THE BLIND
$250,000SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
ACHILLES INTERNATIONAL
$250,000SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
KELLOGG SCHOOL
$125,000SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
MAYO CLINIC
$125,000SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
INCLUSION ZONE INC (FDR MEMORIAL LEGACY COMMITTEE)
$100,000SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
CLEVELAND CLINIC FOUNDATION
$100,000SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
WILD AID
$75,000SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN
$62,500SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
MIAMI UNIVERSITY (WAYNE EMBRY LEGACY PROJECT)
$25,000SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
US ASSOCIATION OF BLIND ATHLETES
$25,000SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
EARTH JUSTICE
$2,000,000SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
FOUNDATION FIGHTING BLINDNESS
$1,000,000SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
UVM FOUNDATION
$500,000SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
NANTUCKET CONSERVATION
$450,000SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
SAY YES TO EDUCATION
$300,000SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
ACHILLES INTERNATIONAL
$250,000SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
NANTUCKET COTTAGE HOSPITAL
$150,000SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
KELLOGG SCHOOL
$125,000SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
MAYO CLINIC
$125,000SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
CLEVELAND CLINIC FOUNDATION
$100,000SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION