The Christina Foundation concentrates almost entirely on funding biomedical research into Friedreich’s ataxia (a rare genetic neurodegenerative disorder), supporting translational science and therapeutic development. It makes large, directed research grants to research organizations and university partners, often funding the same organizations repeatedly to advance specific programs toward treatments. The foundation prioritizes clinical and preclinical work (including novel therapeutic platforms) rather than general health or service delivery.
THE CHRISTINA FOUNDATION is based in New York, NY, and gave $14,359,753 in annual grants in the latest 990 year on file, 2025. Its grantmaking is concentrated in Friedreich’s ataxia research and therapy development, with directed translational biomedical research as a central pattern. The foundation funds research organizations, universities, and disease-focused alliances rather than individuals, and its grants are generally large: the typical grant size is $170,499 at the 25th percentile, $280,081 at the median, and $461,732 at the 75th percentile. Recent flagship grants include $4,258,599 to FRIEDREICH'S ATAXIA RESEARCH ALLIANCE for directed research programs in 2025, $3,235,000 to FRIEDREICH'S ATAXIA RESEARCH ALLIANCE for directed research programs in 2024, and $2,603,000 to FRIEDREICH'S ATAXIA RESEARCH ALLIANCE for directed research programs in 2023. Other large grants include $788,181 to THE UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD and $500,000 to FANNIN INNOVATION STUDIO for a directed research program on raptamers in FA. Additional grants went to UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD, MURDOCH CHILDREN'S RESEARCH INSTITUE, and THE CENTER NATIONAL DE RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE for specific research projects and related support.
Recent grantmaking spans Friedreich’s ataxia research, therapeutic development, and research infrastructure. Notable grants include $500,000 to FANNIN INNOVATION STUDIO for a directed research program on raptamers in FA, $50,000 to STANFORD UNIVERSITY for developing small molecule therapeutics for Friedreich's ataxia, and $75,000 to CHILDRENS HOSPITAL OF PHILADELPHIA for testing experimental therapeutics in a zebrafish model of Friedreich ataxia. The foundation also funded biomarker and outcome-measure work through $343,203 to MURDOCH CHILDREN'S RESEARCH INSTITUE and $323,094 to the same institution for validating the ataxia instrumented measures in Friedreich ataxia. Other grants supported cerebellar dysfunction research, frataxin mimic discovery, and conference or community-oriented activities.
THE CHRISTINA FOUNDATION makes large directed grants, with a median grant of $280,081 and a 75th percentile of $461,732. The 25th percentile is $170,499. It gives to research organizations, universities, and specialized disease alliances, and it does not fund individuals. The recent record shows repeated support for the same recipients across multiple years, especially FRIEDREICH'S ATAXIA RESEARCH ALLIANCE, UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD, MCGILL UNIVERSITY, and MURDOCH CHILDREN'S RESEARCH INSTITUE. The foundation’s grants are tied to specific research programs, project titles, and service or convening needs.
$5.1M
$4.8M
$5M
$5.6M
Most grants fall between $170K and $462K, with a median of $280K.
25th Percentile
$170K
Median
$280K
75th Percentile
$462K
About 0% of grants go to recipients in PA.
Top 7 recipient countries by grant volume for Christina Foundation.
| Rank | Country | Grants | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United StatesDomestic | 10 | $11.5M | 40.0% |
| 2 | United Kingdom | 8 |
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Highly concentrated and strategic: very few, large grants (multi-million-dollar), repeated funding to core grantees focused on a single disease area, primarily directed research support rather than unrestricted general operating grants.
Notable grantees: Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance, The University of Sheffield, Fannin Innovation Studio
THE CHRISTINA FOUNDATION gives most often in TX by grant count, while 0% of its grants went to recipients in its headquarters state of NY. Recent grants were concentrated in the US and the UK, with additional grants to Canada, France, Asia, and the Netherlands. Among states, Texas, Pennsylvania, Washington, DC, and California appear in the recent grants list. Recipient countries in the data include the US, UK, CA, FR, AS, and NL.
The recent grants list shows directed awards to named organizations for specific programs and projects. The data provided does not describe an open application process or unsolicited application policy.
It typically funds Friedreich’s ataxia research and therapy development. Recent grants supported directed research programs, therapeutic development, biomarker validation, zebrafish testing, cerebellar dysfunction research, and research facilitation or service maintenance.
Typical grant size is $170,499 at the 25th percentile, $280,081 at the median, and $461,732 at the 75th percentile. Recent grants also include several multi-million-dollar awards, including $4,258,599, $3,235,000, and $2,603,000 to FRIEDREICH'S ATAXIA RESEARCH ALLIANCE.
It gives most often in TX by grant count. The recipient country distribution in the recent grants data includes the US, UK, Canada, France, Asia, and the Netherlands. No grants in the recent list went to recipients in NY, the foundation’s headquarters state.
Recent recipients include FRIEDREICH'S ATAXIA RESEARCH ALLIANCE, THE UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD, FANNIN INNOVATION STUDIO, UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD, MURDOCH CHILDREN'S RESEARCH INSTITUE, THE CENTER NATIONAL DE RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE, CHILDRENS HOSPITAL OF PHILADELPHIA, and STANFORD UNIVERSITY.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
| $2M |
32.0% |
| 3 | Australia | 2 | $666K | 8.0% |
| 4 | Canada | 2 | $277K | 8.0% |
| 5 | France | 1 | $310K | 4.0% |
| 6 | Netherlands | 1 | $59K | 4.0% |
| 7 | Germany | 1 | $19K | 4.0% |
Recipient country reflects the grantee's headquarters per IRS 990-PF and Schedule F filings, not the program's implementation country.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FRIEDREICH'S ATAXIA RESEARCH ALLIANCE | DOWNINGTOWN, PA | $4,258,599 | 2025 | DIRECTED RESEARCH PROGRAMS. |
| MURDOCH CHILDREN'S RESEARCH INSTITUE | PARKVILLE, VI | $323,094 | 2025 | VALIDATING THE ATAXIA INSTRUMENTED MEASURES IN FRIEDREICH ATAXIA. |
| UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD | OXFORD | $131,436 | 2025 | DIRECTED RESEARCH PROGRAM. |
| MCGILL UNIVERSITY | MONTREAL, QU | $98,345 | 2025 | DIRECTED RESEARCH PROGRAMS. |
| UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGY | LONDON | $77,066 | 2025 | MAINTENANCE OF THE PAEDIATRIC ATAXIA SERVICE AT NHNN, JULY 2024. |
| CHILDRENS HOSPITAL OF PHILADELPHIA | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $75,000 | 2025 | TESTING OF EXPERIMENTAL THERAPEUTICS IN A ZEBRAFISH MODEL OF FRIEDREICH ATAXIA. |
| STANFORD UNIVERSITY | STANFORD, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | DEVELOPING SMALL MOLECULE THERAPEUTICS FOR FRIEDREICH'S ATAXIA. |
| FOOD AND FRIENDS | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2025 | NOURISH TOGETHER: BUILDING A HEALTHY COMMUNITY. |
| UNIVERSITATSKLINIKUM AACHEN | AACHEN, NO | $19,022 | 2025 | ATAXIA CONFERENCE FRANKFURT. |
| FRIEDREICH'S ATAXIA RESEARCH ALLIANCE | DOWNINGTOWN, PA | $3,235,000 | 2024 | DIRECTED RESEARCH PROGRAMS. |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD | SHEFFIELD | $788,181 | 2024 | DIRECTED RESEARCH PROGRAMS. |
| FANNIN INNOVATION STUDIO | HOUSTON, TX | $500,000 | 2024 | DIRECTED RESEARCH PROGRAM - RAPTAMERS IN FA. |
| UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD | OXFORD | $346,929 | 2024 | DIRECTED RESEARCH PROGRAM. |
| MURDOCH CHILDREN'S RESEARCH INSTITUE | PARKVILLE, VI | $343,203 | 2024 | VALIDATING THE ATAXIA INSTRUMENTED MEASURES IN FRIEDREICH ATAXIA. |
| THE CENTER NATIONAL DE RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE | PARIS | $310,162 | 2024 | INVESTIGATING HOW CEREBELLAR NEURONAL ACTIVITY AND CONNECTIVITY DYSFUNCTION CONTRIBUTE TO FA PATHOLOGY. |
| FOOD AND FRIENDS | WASHINGTON, DC | $250,000 | 2024 | RISING TOGETHER: OUR CAMPAIGN FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH. |
| MCGILL UNIVERSITY | MONTREAL, QU | $178,192 | 2024 | DIRECTED RESEARCH PROGRAMS. |
| UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE | NEWCASTLE | $141,687 | 2024 | STRUCTURE-GUIDED DISCOVERY OF FRATAXIN MIMICS FOR DEVELOPMENT AS FRDA THERAPEUTICS. |
| STICHTING RADBOUD UNIVERSITAIR MEDISCH CENTRUM | HBM NIJMEGEN | $59,036 | 2024 | KICK-STARTING RESEARCH ACTIVITIES FOR THE DUTCH FA COMMUNITY. |
| FRIEDREICH'S ATAXIA RESEARCH ALLIANCE | DOWNINGTOWN, PA | $2,603,000 | 2023 | DIRECTED RESEARCH PROGRAMS. |
| OXFORD UNIVERSITY DEVELOPMENT TRUST | OXFORD | $202,836 | 2023 | RESEARCH FACILITATOR SUPPORT FOR THE FA ALLIANCE AT OXFORD. |
| UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON | LONDON | $167,935 | 2023 | RESCUING FA PHENOTYPE WITH CELL-PENETRATING FRATAXIN FUSION PROTEIN. |
| UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE | NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE | $151,030 | 2023 | STRUCTURE GUIDED DISCOVERY OF FRATAXIN MIMICS FOR DEVELOPMENT AS FRDA THERAPEUTICS. |
MURDOCH CHILDREN'S RESEARCH INSTITUE
$323,094VALIDATING THE ATAXIA INSTRUMENTED MEASURES IN FRIEDREICH ATAXIA.
UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD
$131,436DIRECTED RESEARCH PROGRAM.
MCGILL UNIVERSITY
$98,345DIRECTED RESEARCH PROGRAMS.
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGY
$77,066MAINTENANCE OF THE PAEDIATRIC ATAXIA SERVICE AT NHNN, JULY 2024.
TESTING OF EXPERIMENTAL THERAPEUTICS IN A ZEBRAFISH MODEL OF FRIEDREICH ATAXIA.
STANFORD UNIVERSITY
$50,000DEVELOPING SMALL MOLECULE THERAPEUTICS FOR FRIEDREICH'S ATAXIA.
UNIVERSITATSKLINIKUM AACHEN
$19,022ATAXIA CONFERENCE FRANKFURT.
THE UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD
$788,181DIRECTED RESEARCH PROGRAMS.
FANNIN INNOVATION STUDIO
$500,000DIRECTED RESEARCH PROGRAM - RAPTAMERS IN FA.
UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD
$346,929DIRECTED RESEARCH PROGRAM.
MURDOCH CHILDREN'S RESEARCH INSTITUE
$343,203VALIDATING THE ATAXIA INSTRUMENTED MEASURES IN FRIEDREICH ATAXIA.
THE CENTER NATIONAL DE RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE
$310,162INVESTIGATING HOW CEREBELLAR NEURONAL ACTIVITY AND CONNECTIVITY DYSFUNCTION CONTRIBUTE TO FA PATHOLOGY.
MCGILL UNIVERSITY
$178,192DIRECTED RESEARCH PROGRAMS.
UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE
$141,687STRUCTURE-GUIDED DISCOVERY OF FRATAXIN MIMICS FOR DEVELOPMENT AS FRDA THERAPEUTICS.
STICHTING RADBOUD UNIVERSITAIR MEDISCH CENTRUM
$59,036KICK-STARTING RESEARCH ACTIVITIES FOR THE DUTCH FA COMMUNITY.
OXFORD UNIVERSITY DEVELOPMENT TRUST
$202,836RESEARCH FACILITATOR SUPPORT FOR THE FA ALLIANCE AT OXFORD.
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON
$167,935RESCUING FA PHENOTYPE WITH CELL-PENETRATING FRATAXIN FUSION PROTEIN.
UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE
$151,030STRUCTURE GUIDED DISCOVERY OF FRATAXIN MIMICS FOR DEVELOPMENT AS FRDA THERAPEUTICS.