Quadrivium concentrates its giving on large-scale environmental and climate policy work, supplemented by support for public-interest journalism and science advancement. The foundation makes multi-million dollar, general-support grants to well-established advocacy and professional organizations, favoring repeat funding for a small set of national partners. Its grants suggest a strategic focus on accelerating clean energy and shaping public understanding through media and scientific institutions.
Concentrated, large general-support grants to a small number of repeat national grantees; funding is strategic and high-value rather than widely distributed across many organizations.
Quadrivium’s recent giving is defined by repeated multi-million-dollar support for the Environmental Defense Fund, including $7.5 million in 2024 and $4.75 million in 2025. That pattern sits inside a broader portfolio that backs climate policy, democracy reform, scientific understanding, technology-and-society work, and ocean health. The foundation uses large general-support grants and purpose-restricted awards to organizations that shape policy, public communication, and civic infrastructure. Its climate portfolio is paired with support for clean-energy transition and decarbonization efforts, while its democracy work reaches groups focused on electoral reform and voter participation. Quadrivium also funds national media and science institutions, including public-interest journalism organizations and scientific bodies that help translate expertise for wider audiences. Across the recent grants list, the foundation favors established intermediaries and advocacy organizations rather than individuals or small local projects. Several recipients appear more than once across the years, suggesting ongoing relationships rather than one-off awards. The Associated Press, American Association for the Advancement of Science, and Democracy Works are among the repeat grantees, alongside climate and policy organizations that receive substantial follow-on support.
In climate policy, Quadrivium has backed the Climate Leadership Council with $1 million in both 2024 and 2025, and Climate Central with $1 million in both 2023 and 2025. Those grants align with the foundation’s emphasis on federal policy, communications, and emissions-reduction infrastructure. In democracy, the foundation gave $1.75 million to Unite America Institute in 2024 and $1.5 million to Democracy Works in 2024, following an earlier $1.5 million grant to the same organization in 2023. The recent grants point to support for structural reform, civic participation, and electoral-system work. For science and journalism, Quadrivium granted $2.1 million in 2024 and $1.6386 million in 2025 to the American Association for the Advancement of Science. It also provided $1.5 million in 2023 and 2024 to the American Journalism Project, reflecting interest in science communication and news capacity.
Quadrivium’s typical grant size is large: the 25th percentile is $243,750, the median is $750,000, and the 75th percentile is $1,500,000. The recent record shows a mix of general support and special-purpose grants with expenditure responsibility, including a recurring $2 million award pattern to The Associated Press. Several recipients recur across multiple years, which points to sustained funding relationships rather than isolated gifts. Quadrivium is a pure DAF provider and does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. Unsolicited applications are not accepted in the active programs listed.
$20.8M
$19.9M
$31.5M
$21.3M
Most grants fall between $244K and $1.5M, with a median of $750K.
25th Percentile
$244K
Median
$750K
75th Percentile
$1.5M
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Notable grantees: Environmental Defense Fund, Potential Energy Coalition / Potential Energy Coalition Inc, The Associated Press, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Quadrivium gives nationally, and every grant in the recent sample went to US recipients. The top state by grant count is California, while 32% of grants went to recipients in New York, the foundation’s HQ state. Recent grantees are concentrated in a few cities, including New York, Washington, DC, Brooklyn, Denver, Austin, Princeton, and New York-based institutions. The recipient map in the data shows a US-only footprint.
Quadrivium funds democracy reform, climate change, scientific understanding, technology and society, and ocean health. The recent grants list shows support for organizations working on climate policy, journalism and science communication, voter participation, and civic cohesion.
No. The active grant programs listed for Democracy, Climate Change, Scientific Understanding, Technology and Society, Ocean Health, and general grantmaking all state that unsolicited applications are not accepted.
The grant-size distribution is large: p25 is $243,750, the median is $750,000, and p75 is $1,500,000. Recent awards also include several multi-million-dollar grants, including $7.5 million and $4.75 million awards.
The recent grants sample is entirely US-based, with 68 grants and 100% of recipients in the United States. The active programs list does include global or international geography in some areas, but the recent recipient distribution shown is US only.
Recurring support appears common. Several recipients received grants in more than one year, including Environmental Defense Fund, Potential Energy Coalition, The Associated Press, American Association for the Advancement of Science, Democracy Works, Climate Leadership Council, Climate Central, Secure Democracy Foundation, and The 19th News.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $4,750,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| POTENTIAL ENERGY COALITION | NEW YORK, NY | $3,000,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| THE ASSOCIATED PRESS | NEW YORK, NY | $2,000,000 | 2025 | PURSUANT TO SPECIAL PURPOSE GRANT WITH EXPENDITURE RESPOSIBILITY |
| AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENC | WASHINGTON, DC | $1,638,604 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| ANTI DEFAMATION LEAGUE | NEW YORK, NY | $1,500,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| PEN AMERICA | NEW YORK, NY | $1,250,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| UNITE AMERICA INSTITUTE | DENVER, CO | $1,250,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| CLIMATE LEADERSHIP COUNCIL | WASHINGTON, DC | $1,000,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| SECURE DEMOCRACY FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $1,000,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| CLIMATE CENTRAL INC | PRINCETON, NJ | $1,000,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| NATURAL RESOURCE DEFENSE COUNCIL | NEW YORK, NY | $500,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| INSTITUTE FOR STRATEGIC DIALOGUE | TOLEDO, OH | $500,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| DEMOCRACY WORKS INC | BROOKLYN, NY | $250,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| CORTICO CORPORATION | BOSTON, MA | $250,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| POLICY IMPACT | SACRAMENTO, CA | $200,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| MYRIAD USA INC | NEW YORK, NY | $200,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| PEOPLE INC | WILLIAMSVILLE, NY | $200,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| AMERICA IN ONE ROOM THE YOUTH VOTE | LOS ANGELES, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| PACIFIC WILD ALLIANCE INC | ISSAQUAH, WA | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| HEALTHY DEMOCRACY FUND | PORTLAND, OR | $80,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| CONTINA IMPACT | BERKELEY, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| DEMOCRACY FUNDERS NETWORK | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $7,500,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| POTENTIAL ENERGY COALITION INC | NEW YORK, NY | $3,000,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENC | WASHINGTON, DC | $2,100,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| THE ASSOCIATED PRESS | NEW YORK, NY | $2,000,000 | 2024 | PURSUANT TO SPECIAL PURPOSE GRANT WITH EXPENDITURE RESPOSIBILITY |
| UNITE AMERICA INSTITUTE | DENVER, CO | $1,750,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| DEMOCRACY WORKS INC | BROOKLYN, NY | $1,500,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| AMERICAN JOURNALISM PROJECT | WASHINGTON, DC | $1,500,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| ANTI DEFAMATION LEAGUE | NEW YORK, NY | $1,500,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| CLIMATE LEADERSHIP COUNCIL INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $1,000,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| SECURE DEMOCRACY FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $1,000,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| THE 19TH NEWS | AUSTIN, TX | $1,000,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| PEN AMERICAN CENTER INC | NEW YORK, NY | $750,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| NISKANEN CENTER | WASHINGTON, DC | $500,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| INSTITUTE FOR STRATEGIC DIALOGUE US | WASHINGTON, DC | $500,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| CIVIC NATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $250,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| SOCIAL IMPACT FUND | LOS ANGELES, CA | $250,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| CORTICO CORPORATION | BOSTON, MA | $250,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| THE GOOD ENERGY PROJECT | BROOKLYN, NY | $100,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| LISTEN FIRST PROJECT | DURHAM, NC | $100,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES | WASHINGTON, DC | $100,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| CORE COMMUNITY ORGANIZED RELIEF EFFORT FOR UKRAINE | LOS ANGELES, CA | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| POLICY IMPACT | SACRAMENTO, CA | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $2,500,000 | 2023 | GENERAL |
| THE ASSOCIATED PRESS | NEW YORK, NY | $2,000,000 | 2023 | PURSUANT TO SPECIAL PURPOSE GRANT WITH EXPENDITURE RESPOSIBILITY |
| DEMOCRACY WORKS INC | BROOKLYN, NY | $1,500,000 | 2023 | GENERAL |
| AMERICAN JOURNALISM PROJECT | WASHINGTON, DC | $1,500,000 | 2023 | GENERAL |
| UNITE AMERICA INSTITUTE | DENVER, CO | $1,325,000 | 2023 | GENERAL |
| THE 19TH NEWS | AUSTIN, TX | $1,000,000 | 2023 | GENERAL |
ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND
$4,750,000GENERAL
POTENTIAL ENERGY COALITION
$3,000,000GENERAL
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
$2,000,000PURSUANT TO SPECIAL PURPOSE GRANT WITH EXPENDITURE RESPOSIBILITY
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENC
$1,638,604GENERAL
ANTI DEFAMATION LEAGUE
$1,500,000GENERAL
PEN AMERICA
$1,250,000GENERAL
UNITE AMERICA INSTITUTE
$1,250,000GENERAL
CLIMATE LEADERSHIP COUNCIL
$1,000,000GENERAL
SECURE DEMOCRACY FOUNDATION
$1,000,000GENERAL
CLIMATE CENTRAL INC
$1,000,000GENERAL
NATURAL RESOURCE DEFENSE COUNCIL
$500,000GENERAL
INSTITUTE FOR STRATEGIC DIALOGUE
$500,000GENERAL
DEMOCRACY WORKS INC
$250,000GENERAL
CORTICO CORPORATION
$250,000GENERAL
POLICY IMPACT
$200,000GENERAL
MYRIAD USA INC
$200,000GENERAL
PEOPLE INC
$200,000GENERAL
AMERICA IN ONE ROOM THE YOUTH VOTE
$100,000GENERAL
PACIFIC WILD ALLIANCE INC
$100,000GENERAL
HEALTHY DEMOCRACY FUND
$80,000GENERAL
CONTINA IMPACT
$50,000GENERAL
DEMOCRACY FUNDERS NETWORK
$10,000GENERAL
ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND
$7,500,000GENERAL
POTENTIAL ENERGY COALITION INC
$3,000,000GENERAL
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENC
$2,100,000GENERAL
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
$2,000,000PURSUANT TO SPECIAL PURPOSE GRANT WITH EXPENDITURE RESPOSIBILITY
UNITE AMERICA INSTITUTE
$1,750,000GENERAL
DEMOCRACY WORKS INC
$1,500,000GENERAL
AMERICAN JOURNALISM PROJECT
$1,500,000GENERAL
ANTI DEFAMATION LEAGUE
$1,500,000GENERAL
CLIMATE LEADERSHIP COUNCIL INC
$1,000,000GENERAL
SECURE DEMOCRACY FOUNDATION
$1,000,000GENERAL
THE 19TH NEWS
$1,000,000GENERAL
PEN AMERICAN CENTER INC
$750,000GENERAL
NISKANEN CENTER
$500,000GENERAL
INSTITUTE FOR STRATEGIC DIALOGUE US
$500,000GENERAL
CIVIC NATION
$250,000GENERAL
SOCIAL IMPACT FUND
$250,000GENERAL
CORTICO CORPORATION
$250,000GENERAL
THE GOOD ENERGY PROJECT
$100,000GENERAL
LISTEN FIRST PROJECT
$100,000GENERAL
NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
$100,000GENERAL
CORE COMMUNITY ORGANIZED RELIEF EFFORT FOR UKRAINE
$50,000GENERAL
POLICY IMPACT
$50,000GENERAL
ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND
$2,500,000GENERAL
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
$2,000,000PURSUANT TO SPECIAL PURPOSE GRANT WITH EXPENDITURE RESPOSIBILITY
DEMOCRACY WORKS INC
$1,500,000GENERAL
AMERICAN JOURNALISM PROJECT
$1,500,000GENERAL
UNITE AMERICA INSTITUTE
$1,325,000GENERAL
THE 19TH NEWS
$1,000,000GENERAL