The Robert and Lisa Margolis Family Foundation concentrates on a small number of very large institutional gifts, primarily supporting higher education and public science education. Their portfolio shows repeat, multi-million-dollar support for Duke University and the California Science Center, alongside use of donor-advised funds as a grantmaking vehicle. This indicates a preference for well-established institutions that advance research, scholarships, and informal STEM learning rather than many small grassroots grants.
Highly concentrated giving: very few grants but large dollar amounts, repeat multi-million gifts to the same institutions, and occasional use of donor-advised funds rather than broad, distributed small grants.
Robert and Lisa Margolis Family Foundation’s giving is marked by repeated, multi-million-dollar support for a small set of large institutions. Duke University received $2,000,000 in 2023 and $1,710,000 in 2025, while the California Science Center Foundation received $1,250,000 in 2023, $1,026,000 in 2024, and $1,025,000 in 2025. Those recurring awards point to a pattern of sustained institutional funding rather than one-off, project-only grants. The foundation also uses donor-advised funds in its grantmaking, with Goldman Sachs Donor Advised Funds receiving $1,768,597 in 2024. Beyond those flagship commitments, the recent grants list includes support for universities, museums, environmental groups, and community-serving nonprofits, suggesting a portfolio that mixes long-term backing for major organizations with selected gifts to smaller institutions. Its named recipients include Community Partners, Save the Redwoods League, Canine Companions, and US Vets. The overall picture is of a family foundation that concentrates on established organizations and delivers financial support at a range of sizes, with especially large allocations reserved for higher education and public science education.
Higher education is a central theme. Duke University received $2,000,000 in 2023 and $1,710,000 in 2025 for financial support, showing repeated backing for the same university over multiple years. Public science education is another clear focus: California Science Center Foundation received $1,250,000 in 2023, $1,026,000 in 2024, and $1,025,000 in 2025. The foundation also supports environmental and conservation work, including $143,000 to Save the Redwoods League in 2023 and $95,000 in 2025. Community and human services appear as well, with $150,000 to Community Partners in 2024 and $75,000 to St Joseph's Center in both 2024 and 2025. Smaller grants to Food Forward and World Central Kitchen show additional support for food-related relief and distribution efforts.
Typical grant size sits at $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $36,250 at the median, and $78,750 at the 75th percentile, which sits far below the foundation’s largest institutional awards. The recent record shows recurring support across multiple years for several recipients, including Duke University, California Science Center Foundation, Sri Lanka Medical Association, US Vets, Aquarium of the Pacific, Canine Companions, Campbell Hall, USC Nieghborhood Academic Intiative, and St Joseph's Center. That pattern suggests a mix of repeat institutional relationships and selective one-time grants. The foundation is a regular funder and does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. Grants are issued in a way that includes donor-advised funds as a conduit, as shown by Goldman Sachs Donor Advised Funds.
$3.9M
$88.3M
$5.8M
$4.5M
Most grants fall between $10K and $79K, with a median of $36K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$36K
75th Percentile
$79K
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Notable grantees: Duke University, California Science Center Foundation, Goldman Sachs Donor Advised Funds
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly U.S.-based, with all 74 recent grants going to recipients in the United States. California is the clear center of activity, accounting for 75% of grants by recipient location. Los Angeles appears repeatedly across the recent list, including California Science Center Foundation, Community Partners, US Vets, USC Nieghborhood Academic Intiative, and Swipe Out Hunger. Other California recipients include San Francisco, Long Beach, North Hollywood, Venice, Oceanside, Richmond, and Bakersfield. Outside California, Durham, North Carolina; Albany, New York; Stony Brook, New York; and Washington, DC appear among the named grant recipients.
The recent grants point to higher education, public science education, environmental and conservation work, and community-serving nonprofits. Duke University and California Science Center Foundation are the largest recurring recipients, while Save the Redwoods League, Community Partners, US Vets, and St Joseph's Center show the broader mix.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Duke University, California Science Center Foundation, Sri Lanka Medical Association, US Vets, Aquarium of the Pacific, Canine Companions, Campbell Hall, USC Nieghborhood Academic Intiative, and St Joseph's Center.
The foundation’s grant-size distribution is $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $36,250 at the median, and $78,750 at the 75th percentile. That middle range is much smaller than the foundation’s largest institutional gifts, which reach into the millions.
California is the top recipient state, with 75% of grants going to recipients in CA. Los Angeles is especially prominent, alongside other California locations such as San Francisco, Long Beach, North Hollywood, Venice, Oceanside, Richmond, and Bakersfield.
Yes. One of the largest recent grants went to Goldman Sachs Donor Advised Funds for $1,768,597 in 2024, showing that donor-advised funds are part of its grantmaking pattern.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DUKE UNIVERSITY CONCENTRATION | DURHAM, NC | $1,710,000 | 2025 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| CALIFORNIA SCIENCE CENTER FOUNDATIO | LOS ANGELES, CA | $1,025,000 | 2025 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| US VETS | LOS ANGELES, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| CANINE COMPANIONS | OCEANSIDE, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| AQUARIUM OF THE PACIFIC | LONG BEACH, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| SAVE THE REDWOODS LEAGUE | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $95,000 | 2025 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| CAMPBELL HALL | NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA | $90,000 | 2025 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| USC NIEGHBORHOOD ACADEMIC INTIATIVE | LOS ANGELES, CA | $75,000 | 2025 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| ST JOSEPH'S CENTER | VENICE, CA | $75,000 | 2025 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| MARINE APPLIED RESEARCH | RICHMOND, CA | $60,000 | 2025 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| SWIPE OUT HUNGER | LOS ANGELES, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| ACCOUNTABLE FOR HEALTH INSTITUTE | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2025 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| FOOD FORWARD | NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| NATURE BRIDGE | WOODLAND HILLS, CA | $32,500 | 2025 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| MENDEZ NATIONAL INST OF TRANSPLANTA | LOS ANGELES, CA | $30,000 | 2025 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| MARTIN LUTHER KING JR GEN HOSPITAL | LOS ANGELES, CA | $30,000 | 2025 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| INSTITUTE FOR CLINICAL ECENOMIC REV | BOSTON, MA | $30,000 | 2025 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| CHRYSALIS CENTER | LOS ANGELES, CA | $30,000 | 2025 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| CALIFORNIA HOSPITAL MED CTR FOUNDAT | LOS ANGELES, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| GRIEF HAVEN | PACIFIC PALISADES, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| KEEP MEMORY ALIVE | LAS VEGAS, NV | $25,000 | 2025 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| CMC FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| LAND OF THE FREE FOUNDATION | CITY OF INDUSTRY, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| INSTITUTE FOR EXCEPTIONAL CARE | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2025 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| CONGREGATION NER TAMID OF SOUTH BAY | RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| HAW RIVER ASSEMBLY | BYNUM, NC | $5,000 | 2025 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| GOLDMAN SACHS DONOR ADVISED FUNDS | ALBANY, NY | $1,768,597 | 2024 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| CALIFORNIA SCIENCE CENTER FOUNDATIO | LOS ANGELES, CA | $1,026,000 | 2024 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITY PARTNERS | LOS ANGELES, CA | $150,000 | 2024 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| CANINE COMPANIONS | OCEANSIDE, CA | $101,000 | 2024 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| AQUARIUM OF THE PACIFIC | LONG BEACH, CA | $100,000 | 2024 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| US VETS | LOS ANGELES, CA | $100,000 | 2024 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| SRI LANKA MEDICAL ASSOCIATION | STONY BROOK, NY | $100,000 | 2024 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| CAMPBELL HALL | NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA | $90,000 | 2024 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| MENDEZ NATIONAL INST OF TRANSPLANTA | LOS ANGELES, CA | $75,000 | 2024 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| ST JOSEPH'S CENTER | VENICE, CA | $75,000 | 2024 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| USC NIEGHBORHOOD ACADEMIC INTIATIVE | LOS ANGELES, CA | $75,000 | 2024 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| SWIPE OUT HUNGER | LOS ANGELES, CA | $75,000 | 2024 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| MARE-MASTERING ABILITIES RIDING EQU | BAKERSFIELD, CA | $60,000 | 2024 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF MAGEN DAVID ADO | LOS ANGELES, CA | $50,000 | 2024 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| NATURE BRIDGE | WOODLAND HILLS, CA | $32,500 | 2024 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| HAWAII COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | KAHULUI, HI | $25,000 | 2024 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2024 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| CHRYSALIS CENTER | LOS ANGELES, CA | $25,000 | 2024 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| FOOD FORWARD | NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA | $25,000 | 2024 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| LAND OF THE FREE FOUNDATION | CITY OF INDUSTRY, CA | $25,000 | 2024 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| CMC FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $17,000 | 2024 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| CALIFORNIA HOSPITAL MED CTR FOUNDAT | LOS ANGELES, CA | $10,000 | 2024 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| GRIEF HAVEN | PACIFIC PALISADES, CA | $10,000 | 2024 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| CONGREGATION NER TAMID OF SOUTH BAY | RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CA | $5,000 | 2024 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
US VETS
$100,000FINANCIAL SUPPORT
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
CAMPBELL HALL
$90,000FINANCIAL SUPPORT
USC NIEGHBORHOOD ACADEMIC INTIATIVE
$75,000FINANCIAL SUPPORT
MARINE APPLIED RESEARCH
$60,000FINANCIAL SUPPORT
ACCOUNTABLE FOR HEALTH INSTITUTE
$50,000FINANCIAL SUPPORT
MENDEZ NATIONAL INST OF TRANSPLANTA
$30,000FINANCIAL SUPPORT
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR GEN HOSPITAL
$30,000FINANCIAL SUPPORT
INSTITUTE FOR CLINICAL ECENOMIC REV
$30,000FINANCIAL SUPPORT
GRIEF HAVEN
$25,000FINANCIAL SUPPORT
KEEP MEMORY ALIVE
$25,000FINANCIAL SUPPORT
CMC FOUNDATION
$25,000FINANCIAL SUPPORT
CONGREGATION NER TAMID OF SOUTH BAY
$5,000FINANCIAL SUPPORT
HAW RIVER ASSEMBLY
$5,000FINANCIAL SUPPORT
GOLDMAN SACHS DONOR ADVISED FUNDS
$1,768,597FINANCIAL SUPPORT
CANINE COMPANIONS
$101,000FINANCIAL SUPPORT
US VETS
$100,000FINANCIAL SUPPORT
SRI LANKA MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
$100,000FINANCIAL SUPPORT
CAMPBELL HALL
$90,000FINANCIAL SUPPORT
MENDEZ NATIONAL INST OF TRANSPLANTA
$75,000FINANCIAL SUPPORT
USC NIEGHBORHOOD ACADEMIC INTIATIVE
$75,000FINANCIAL SUPPORT
MARE-MASTERING ABILITIES RIDING EQU
$60,000FINANCIAL SUPPORT
AMERICAN FRIENDS OF MAGEN DAVID ADO
$50,000FINANCIAL SUPPORT
NATURE BRIDGE
$32,500FINANCIAL SUPPORT
GRIEF HAVEN
$10,000FINANCIAL SUPPORT
CONGREGATION NER TAMID OF SOUTH BAY
$5,000FINANCIAL SUPPORT