About Roddenberry Foundation
The Roddenberry Foundation concentrates relatively large, targeted grants to high-impact science and public-engagement projects. Its giving emphasizes biomedical research—especially stem cell science and early cancer detection technology—alongside support for a major cultural science/film institution. Grants are few in number but sizable, often awarded repeatedly to the same organizations or projects focused on translational research and public-facing science infrastructure.
Focus Areas
Translational biomedical research (stem cell science and related institutes)Early cancer detection technologies (liquid biopsy development with emphasis on low-cost, broad-use potential)Science-focused public institutions and museums (development and capital support for the Academy Museum)Seed-to-scale support for technology commercialization in life sciences
Who They Fund
smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa (Kenya, Malawi, Uganda, Cameroon, South Sudan)early-career researchers / fellowship recipientspeople in low-resource settings needing diagnostics (epilepsy, IBD, maternal/newborn care)
About Roddenberry Foundation
The Roddenberry Foundation’s recent giving is anchored by repeated seven-figure support for Gladstone Institutes in San Francisco, including $1,000,000 grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025 tied to stem cell research and general support. That pattern points to a funder that backs scientific research over time, not just one-off pilots. Alongside biomedical work, the foundation has also funded science-facing public institutions at the Academy Foundation in Beverly Hills, including $400,000 for planning, development, operations, design, and construction of the new Academy Museum in 2023, followed by additional general support in 2024 and 2025. Its portfolio also includes lower-cost, early-stage grants for projects in technology, health, climate, and social innovation. The mix suggests a foundation that moves between major institutional commitments and smaller catalytic awards. Recent grantees range from research institutes to nonprofits and startups working on early cancer detection, methane reduction, and public engagement with science. The foundation’s grants show a preference for targeted support that can advance a specific research effort, build organizational capacity, or help a project reach a next stage.
What Roddenberry Foundation Funds
In biomedical research, the foundation backed liquid biopsy development for early cancer detection with $333,334 to Elypta Ab in 2024 and $333,333 to Elypta in 2025, both described as optimizing for low-cost and broad-use potential. It also supported a wearable device for inflammatory bowel disease monitoring with $75,000 to Crohn's and Colitis Foundation in 2023. Environmental and agricultural work appears through grants such as $100,000 to Project Vesta for the Duck Deployment Project, $100,000 to Avalo Inc for the Low Methane Rice Project, and $100,000 to Andez Ag Inc for carbon program MRV optimization. The foundation also supports public-facing science and culture, including $400,000 to Academy Foundation for planning, development, operations, design and construction of the new Academy Museum.
How Roddenberry Foundation Gives
Typical grants cluster at a modest-to-mid scale: p25 is $5,000, the median is $12,000, and p75 is $15,000, even though the recent list includes much larger strategic awards. The same organizations appear in multiple years, including Gladstone Institutes, Academy Foundation, The Contentment Foundation, Harmony Project, and Crohn's and Colitis Foundation, which points to recurring support rather than isolated gifts. The foundation is a regular funder with a national geographic scope, and it also funds individuals through fellowship programming. Several active programs accept unsolicited applications, including the Catalyst Fund, Roddenberry Fellowship, and The Roddenberry Prize.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$3.3M
Total Assets
$85M
Total Revenue
$7.2M
Total Expenses
$5.9M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $5K and $15K, with a median of $12K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$12K
75th Percentile
$15K
Geographic Reach
National91 states funded
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Where Roddenberry Foundation Funds
Top 10 recipient countries by grant volume for Roddenberry Foundation.
| Rank | Country | Grants | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United StatesDomestic | 188 | $10M | 27.4% |
| 2 | Kenya | 82 |
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