The Perls Foundation concentrates its philanthropy on global health policy with a heavy emphasis on improving access to medicines. It disproportionately funds public-interest policy and advocacy organizations that research pharmaceutical R&D, intellectual property and regulatory barriers, often supporting work targeted to Latin America and Europe. Grants are large and directed to policy, research, and capacity-building rather than service delivery.
The Perls Foundation Katherine Perls Et Al Trustees repeatedly backs access-to-medicines advocacy, with multi-year support for Knowledge Ecology International and Public Citizen Foundation at the center of its recent grantmaking. Those grants are structured around policy work rather than service delivery, and they often carry geographic restrictions for Latin America or Chile. The foundation also funds work on medicines policy in Europe, including support for Stichting Health Action, showing a scope that extends beyond the United States while staying anchored in global health policy. Its recent grants show a clear preference for organizations that analyze pharmaceutical R&D, intellectual property, and regulatory barriers. Knowledge Ecology International received $718,000 in 2023, followed by $420,000 in 2024 and $407,000 in 2025, each tied to access to medicines work and continued Latin American or Chilean projects. Public Citizen Foundation also appears as a recurring grantee, with awards in 2023, 2024, and 2025 for access-to-medicines work with Latin America restrictions. The pattern points to sustained, issue-specific support over several years.
Access to medicines is the foundation’s clearest theme. Knowledge Ecology International received repeated support for projects in this area, including continued Chilean and Latin American work commenced in 2016. It also funds public-interest advocacy groups that work on medicines policy. Public Citizen Foundation received three recent grants for access-to-medicines work, with portions restricted to Latin America. A second area is European medicines policy. Stichting Health Action received support for work on artificial intelligency in medicines R&D in Europe, for the democratisation of medicines policy in Europe, and for student-driven access-to-medicines work with UAEM Europe. The foundation also backs campus organizing around drug affordability. Universities Allied for Essential Medicines received grants to empower students to campaign for access and affordability of university-discovered medicines.
Typical grant size is modest to mid-sized, with a p25 of $1,000, a median of $8,000, and a p75 of $40,000. The distribution is wide because the portfolio includes both small general-purpose grants and much larger project grants in the six- and seven-figure range. The same organizations appear across multiple years, indicating recurring support rather than one-off awards. It is a regular funder, not a DAF, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. Grants are often restricted to specific projects, regions, or program areas.
$1M
$12.9M
$401K
$1.3M
Most grants fall between $1K and $40K, with a median of $8K.
25th Percentile
$1K
Median
$8K
75th Percentile
$40K
Top 3 recipient countries by grant volume for Perls Foundation Katherine Perls Et Al Trustees.
| Rank | Country | Grants | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United StatesDomestic | 38 | $2.9M | 90.5% |
| 2 |
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeSign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Concentrated, high-dollar giving to a small set of repeat grantees (multi-grant relationships) focused on policy advocacy and research, with geographically targeted projects (Latin America and Europe) rather than broad, small-dollar funding.
Notable grantees: Knowledge Ecology International, Public Citizen Foundation, Stichting Health Action
Most recipient organizations are in the United States, and the top giving state by grant count is DC. Massachusetts recipients appear frequently as well, and 54% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state of MA. Outside the US, the foundation has made grants to the Netherlands and Spain. Named recipients include Washington, DC; Utrechtsedwarsstraat; Madrid; Cambridge, MA; and Jamaica Plain, MA, showing a mix of policy hubs and local Massachusetts organizations.
Its recent grants center on access to medicines and related policy work. Knowledge Ecology International, Public Citizen Foundation, and Stichting Health Action all received support tied to medicines policy, intellectual property, or regulatory barriers, with some awards restricted to Latin America, Chile, or Europe.
Yes. Knowledge Ecology International appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025; Public Citizen Foundation appears in all three years as well; and Stichting Health Action also receives support in multiple years. That pattern shows continuing relationships rather than isolated awards.
The grant-size distribution is p25 $1,000, median $8,000, and p75 $40,000. The portfolio also includes much larger project grants, so the typical award is much smaller than the largest grants in the recent record.
DC is the top state by grant count, even though the headquarters are in Boston, MA. Massachusetts still receives a large share of awards, with 54% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state.
The recent record includes public-interest policy groups, campus advocacy organizations, and a small number of other nonprofits. Examples include access-to-medicines advocates, student campaign networks, and organizations working on Europe-focused medicines policy and global health advocacy.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
| 3 |
| $403K |
7.1% |
| 3 | Spain | 1 | $35K | 2.4% |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KNOWLEDGE ECOLOGY INTERNATIONAL | WASHINGTON, DC | $407,000 | 2025 | $360,000 TO BE USED FOR PROJECTS IN THE AREA OF ACCESS TO MEDICINES AND $60,000 IS INTENDED FOR THE CONTINUANCE OF CHILEAN AND LATIN AMERICAN PROJECTS COMMENCED IN 2016. |
| PUBLIC CITIZEN FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $272,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT WORK IN THE AREA OF ACCESS TO MEDICINES. $80,000 OF THE GRANT IS RESTRICTED TO PUBLIC CITIZEN'S WORK IN LATIN AMERICA. |
| STICHTING HEALTH ACTION | UTRECHTSEDWARSSTRAAT, 10 | $161,000 | 2025 | $15,000 FOR WORK ON "ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCY IN MEDICINES R&D IN EUROPE; $52,500 FOR THE PROVISION OF PRO-BONO CONSULTANT SERVICES TO SUPPORT GROUPS WORKING TO ADVANCE GLOBAL HEALTH WITH AN EMPHASIS ON POLICIES TO ENHANCE ACCESS TO MEDICINES; $49,500 FOR THE ACCESS TO MEDICINES WORK IN EUROPE WITH SALUD POR DERECHO; $44,000 FOR THE PROPOSAL TITLED "WINNING THE RIGHT TO BREATHE FOR EVERY CF PATIENT, EVERYWHERE" |
| UNIVERSITIES ALLIED FOR ESSENTIAL MEDICINES | WASHINGTON, DC | $100,000 | 2025 | EMPOWER STUDENTS TO DRIVE CAMPAIGNS ON THEIR CAMPUSES AND BEYOND THAT WILL HELP FIGHT FOR ACCESS AND AFFORDABILITY OF UNIVERSITY-DISCOVERED MEDICINES. |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD FEDERATION OF AMERICA INC | BOSTON, MA | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| FOOD FOR FREE INC | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| RAILS-TO-TRAILS CONSERVANCY | WASHINGTON, DC | $7,300 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| INSTITUTE FOR POLICY STUDIES | WASHINGTON, DC | $2,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION | NEW YORK, NY | $2,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| HAYMARKET PEOPLES FUND | JAMAICA PLAIN, MA | $2,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| CHARLES RIVER WATERSHED ASSOCIATION | WESTON, MA | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| GLOBE SANTA FUND | BOSTON, MA | $500 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| THE BUXTON SCHOOL | WILLIAMSTOWN, MA | $500 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| KNOWLEDGE ECOLOGY INTERNATIONAL | WASHINGTON, DC | $420,000 | 2024 | $360,000 TO BE USED FOR PROJECTS IN THE AREA OF ACCESS TO MEDICINES AND $60,000 IS INTENDED FOR THE CONTINUANCE OF CHILEAN AND LATIN AMERICAN PROJECTS COMMENCED IN 2016. |
| PUBLIC CITIZEN FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $285,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT WORK IN THE AREA OF ACCESS TO MEDICINES. $80,000 OF THE GRANT IS RESTRICTED TO PUBLIC CITIZEN'S WORK IN LATIN AMERICA. |
| STICHTING HEALTH ACTION | UTRECHTSEDWARSSTRAAT, 10 | $161,000 | 2024 | $15,000 FOR WORK ON "ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCY IN MEDICINES R&D IN EUROPE; $52,500 FOR THE PROVISION OF PRO-BONO CONSULTANT SERVICES TO SUPPORT GROUPS WORKING TO ADVANCE GLOBAL HEALTH WITH AN EMPHASIS ON POLICIES TO ENHANCE ACCESS TO MEDICINES; $49,500 FOR THE ACCESS TO MEDICINES WORK IN EUROPE WITH SALUD POR DERECHO; $44,000 FOR THE PROPOSAL TITLED "WINNING THE RIGHT TO BREATHE FOR EVERY CF PATIENT, EVERYWHERE" |
| UNIVERSITIES ALLIED FOR ESSENTIAL MEDICINES | WASHINGTON, DC | $100,000 | 2024 | EMPOWER STUDENTS TO DRIVE CAMPAIGNS ON THEIR CAMPUSES AND BEYOND THAT WILL HELP FIGHT FOR ACCESS AND AFFORDABILITY OF UNIVERSITY-DISCOVERED MEDICINES. |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD FEDERATION OF AMERICA INC | BOSTON, MA | $40,000 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| FOOD FOR FREE INC | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| RAILS-TO-TRAILS CONSERVANCY | WASHINGTON, DC | $8,000 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| INSTITUTE FOR POLICY STUDIES | WASHINGTON, DC | $3,000 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| HAYMARKET PEOPLES FUND | JAMAICA PLAIN, MA | $2,000 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION | NEW YORK, NY | $2,000 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| THE FOOD PROJECT | LINCOLN, MA | $1,000 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| CHARLES RIVER WATERSHED ASSOCIATION | WESTON, MA | $1,000 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| THE BUXTON SCHOOL | WILLIAMSTOWN, MA | $500 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| GLOBE SANTA FUND | BOSTON, MA | $500 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| KNOWLEDGE ECOLOGY INTERNATIONAL | WASHINGTON, DC | $718,000 | 2023 | $350,000 TO BE USED FOR PROJECTS IN THE AREA OF ACCESS TO MEDICINES AND $60,000 IS INTENDED FOR THE CONTINUANCE OF CHILEAN PROJECTS. |
| PUBLIC CITIZEN FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $275,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT WORK IN THE AREA OF ACCESS TO MEDICINES. $100,000 OF THE GRANT IS RESTRICTED TO THE FOUNDATION'S WORK IN LATIN AMERICA. |
| STICHTING HEALTH ACTION | UTRECHTSEDWARSSTRAAT, 10 | $80,500 | 2023 | $30,000 FOR THE DEMOCRATISATION OF MEDICINES POLICY IN EUROPE; $38,500 FOR STUDENT-DRIVEN WORK ON ACCESS TO MEDICINES WITH UAEM EUROPE; $42,000 FOR THE PROVISION OF PRO-BONO CONSULTANT SERVICES TO SUPPORT GROUPS WORKING TO ADVANCE GLOBAL HEALTH WITH AN EMPHASIS ON POLICIES TO ENHANCE ACCESS TO MEDICINES. |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD FEDERATION OF AMERICA INC | BOSTON, MA | $40,000 | 2023 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| UNIVERSITIES ALLIED FOR ESSENTIAL MEDICINES | WASHINGTON, DC | $35,000 | 2023 | EMPOWER STUDENTS TO DRIVE CAMPAIGNS ON THEIR CAMPUSES AND BEYOND THAT WILL HELP FIGHT FOR ACCESS AND AFFORDABILITY OF UNIVERSITY-DISCOVERED MEDICINES. |
| FUNDACION SALUD POR DERECHO GS FBO ACCESS TO MEDICINES | MADRID | $35,000 | 2023 | TO FUND PROJECTS IN THE AREA OF ACCESS TO MEDICINES. |
| FOOD FOR FREE INC | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $25,000 | 2023 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| RAILS-TO-TRAILS CONSERVANCY | WASHINGTON, DC | $8,000 | 2023 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| INSTITUTE FOR POLICY STUDIES | WASHINGTON, DC | $4,000 | 2023 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| HAYMARKET PEOPLES FUND | JAMAICA PLAIN, MA | $2,000 | 2023 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION | NEW YORK, NY | $2,000 | 2023 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| THE FOOD PROJECT | LINCOLN, MA | $1,000 | 2023 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| CHARLES RIVER WATERSHED ASSOCIATION | WESTON, MA | $1,000 | 2023 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| GLOBE SANTA FUND | BOSTON, MA | $500 | 2023 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| THE BUXTON SCHOOL | WILLIAMSTOWN, MA | $500 | 2023 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
KNOWLEDGE ECOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
$407,000$360,000 TO BE USED FOR PROJECTS IN THE AREA OF ACCESS TO MEDICINES AND $60,000 IS INTENDED FOR THE CONTINUANCE OF CHILEAN AND LATIN AMERICAN PROJECTS COMMENCED IN 2016.
TO SUPPORT WORK IN THE AREA OF ACCESS TO MEDICINES. $80,000 OF THE GRANT IS RESTRICTED TO PUBLIC CITIZEN'S WORK IN LATIN AMERICA.
STICHTING HEALTH ACTION
$161,000$15,000 FOR WORK ON "ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCY IN MEDICINES R&D IN EUROPE; $52,500 FOR THE PROVISION OF PRO-BONO CONSULTANT SERVICES TO SUPPORT GROUPS WORKING TO ADVANCE GLOBAL HEALTH WITH AN EMPHASIS ON POLICIES TO ENHANCE ACCESS TO MEDICINES; $49,500 FOR THE ACCESS TO MEDICINES WORK IN EUROPE WITH SALUD POR DERECHO; $44,000 FOR THE PROPOSAL TITLED "WINNING THE RIGHT TO BREATHE FOR EVERY CF PATIENT, EVERYWHERE"
UNIVERSITIES ALLIED FOR ESSENTIAL MEDICINES
$100,000EMPOWER STUDENTS TO DRIVE CAMPAIGNS ON THEIR CAMPUSES AND BEYOND THAT WILL HELP FIGHT FOR ACCESS AND AFFORDABILITY OF UNIVERSITY-DISCOVERED MEDICINES.
GENERAL PURPOSE
FOOD FOR FREE INC
$25,000GENERAL PURPOSE
AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION
$2,000GENERAL PURPOSE
HAYMARKET PEOPLES FUND
$2,000GENERAL PURPOSE
CHARLES RIVER WATERSHED ASSOCIATION
$1,000GENERAL PURPOSE
GLOBE SANTA FUND
$500GENERAL PURPOSE
THE BUXTON SCHOOL
$500GENERAL PURPOSE
KNOWLEDGE ECOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
$420,000$360,000 TO BE USED FOR PROJECTS IN THE AREA OF ACCESS TO MEDICINES AND $60,000 IS INTENDED FOR THE CONTINUANCE OF CHILEAN AND LATIN AMERICAN PROJECTS COMMENCED IN 2016.
TO SUPPORT WORK IN THE AREA OF ACCESS TO MEDICINES. $80,000 OF THE GRANT IS RESTRICTED TO PUBLIC CITIZEN'S WORK IN LATIN AMERICA.
STICHTING HEALTH ACTION
$161,000$15,000 FOR WORK ON "ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCY IN MEDICINES R&D IN EUROPE; $52,500 FOR THE PROVISION OF PRO-BONO CONSULTANT SERVICES TO SUPPORT GROUPS WORKING TO ADVANCE GLOBAL HEALTH WITH AN EMPHASIS ON POLICIES TO ENHANCE ACCESS TO MEDICINES; $49,500 FOR THE ACCESS TO MEDICINES WORK IN EUROPE WITH SALUD POR DERECHO; $44,000 FOR THE PROPOSAL TITLED "WINNING THE RIGHT TO BREATHE FOR EVERY CF PATIENT, EVERYWHERE"
UNIVERSITIES ALLIED FOR ESSENTIAL MEDICINES
$100,000EMPOWER STUDENTS TO DRIVE CAMPAIGNS ON THEIR CAMPUSES AND BEYOND THAT WILL HELP FIGHT FOR ACCESS AND AFFORDABILITY OF UNIVERSITY-DISCOVERED MEDICINES.
FOOD FOR FREE INC
$25,000GENERAL PURPOSE
HAYMARKET PEOPLES FUND
$2,000GENERAL PURPOSE
AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION
$2,000GENERAL PURPOSE
CHARLES RIVER WATERSHED ASSOCIATION
$1,000GENERAL PURPOSE
THE BUXTON SCHOOL
$500GENERAL PURPOSE
GLOBE SANTA FUND
$500GENERAL PURPOSE
KNOWLEDGE ECOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
$718,000$350,000 TO BE USED FOR PROJECTS IN THE AREA OF ACCESS TO MEDICINES AND $60,000 IS INTENDED FOR THE CONTINUANCE OF CHILEAN PROJECTS.
TO SUPPORT WORK IN THE AREA OF ACCESS TO MEDICINES. $100,000 OF THE GRANT IS RESTRICTED TO THE FOUNDATION'S WORK IN LATIN AMERICA.
STICHTING HEALTH ACTION
$80,500$30,000 FOR THE DEMOCRATISATION OF MEDICINES POLICY IN EUROPE; $38,500 FOR STUDENT-DRIVEN WORK ON ACCESS TO MEDICINES WITH UAEM EUROPE; $42,000 FOR THE PROVISION OF PRO-BONO CONSULTANT SERVICES TO SUPPORT GROUPS WORKING TO ADVANCE GLOBAL HEALTH WITH AN EMPHASIS ON POLICIES TO ENHANCE ACCESS TO MEDICINES.
UNIVERSITIES ALLIED FOR ESSENTIAL MEDICINES
$35,000EMPOWER STUDENTS TO DRIVE CAMPAIGNS ON THEIR CAMPUSES AND BEYOND THAT WILL HELP FIGHT FOR ACCESS AND AFFORDABILITY OF UNIVERSITY-DISCOVERED MEDICINES.
FUNDACION SALUD POR DERECHO GS FBO ACCESS TO MEDICINES
$35,000TO FUND PROJECTS IN THE AREA OF ACCESS TO MEDICINES.
FOOD FOR FREE INC
$25,000GENERAL PURPOSE
HAYMARKET PEOPLES FUND
$2,000GENERAL PURPOSE
AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION
$2,000GENERAL PURPOSE
CHARLES RIVER WATERSHED ASSOCIATION
$1,000GENERAL PURPOSE
GLOBE SANTA FUND
$500GENERAL PURPOSE
THE BUXTON SCHOOL
$500GENERAL PURPOSE