The Barakett Foundation concentrates its philanthropy in higher education and direct human services, with the vast majority of dollars supporting a Harvard Faculty/Dean discretionary fund and significant, targeted gifts to food security and humanitarian relief organizations. Giving is focused and strategic: multi-million-dollar pledges to a small set of organizations rather than broad, small-dollar grantmaking. The foundation favors repeat, sizable commitments that enable institutional planning and rapid response to crises.
Timothy and Michele Barakett Foundation C/o Trb Advisors Lp gives through a small number of large, repeated commitments, with Harvard College receiving many of the biggest awards in the recent record. The largest grants include $2,000,000 to Harvard College for the Michele and Timothy Barakett FAS Dean's Discretionary Fund and another $2,000,000 to Harvard College for the Faculty of Arts & Science deans discretionary fund. That pattern continues across scholarships, faculty support, and research-related funds, including the Barakett Family Fellowship and the Harvard Quantum Initiative Support Fund. Beyond higher education, the foundation has made substantial gifts to New York City food-security work and humanitarian relief organizations, showing a mix of institutional support and direct service funding. Recent grants also include support for school infrastructure, public-school internet access, and select cultural or community campaigns in New York and Massachusetts. The overall record points to concentrated grantmaking rather than broad dispersion, with repeated support for named funds that can be used for discretionary, academic, or program-specific purposes.
In higher education, the foundation has supported multiple Harvard-related priorities at once: undergraduate scholarships, faculty start-up support, honors endowments, and discretionary dean funds. Recent examples include $1,800,000 to Harvard College for the Timothy & Michele Barakett Undergraduate Scholarship Fund and $1,440,000 to Harvard College for the Michele and Timothy Barakett Start-Up Grant Program Fund. Research support also appears in the Harvard Quantum Initiative Support Fund, which received $1,000,000 in both 2024 and 2025. Outside Harvard, the foundation has backed food security in New York City, including $2,000,000 to Rethink Food NYC Inc as a final installment of a pledge. It has also supported humanitarian relief through a $1,000,000 grant to the International Rescue Committee.
Typical grant size is $25,000 at the 25th percentile, $50,000 at the median, and $250,000 at the 75th percentile, but the recent record also includes several seven-figure awards. The foundation behaves like a regular funder with a highly concentrated portfolio and repeated support for the same organizations and named funds across multiple years, especially Harvard College. It funds individuals as well as institutions, and it does not make program-related investments. The grant record is shaped by pledge installments, discretionary funds, scholarships, and endowed or named support rather than open application-based grantmaking.
$8.8M
$9.7M
$6.9M
$9.1M
Most grants fall between $25K and $250K, with a median of $50K.
25th Percentile
$25K
Median
$50K
75th Percentile
$250K
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Highly concentrated: a small number of very large grants (multi-million-dollar) with repeated payments to core grantees rather than many small, diverse recipients.
Notable grantees: Harvard College (Michele and Timothy Barakett FAS Dean's Discretionary Fund), Rethink Food NYC, International Rescue Committee
Giving is heavily centered in New York and Cambridge, Massachusetts. New York recipients include Rethink Food NYC Inc, the International Rescue Committee, Robin Hood Foundation, the New York Academy of Art, and Professional Children's School. Cambridge appears repeatedly through Harvard College grants. Smaller portions of the recent record reached San Francisco, Palo Alto, Lawrence, and New York City neighborhoods through organizations based there. All recorded grants in the data went to U.S. recipients.
Most of the recent record goes to higher education, especially Harvard College, along with direct human services. The foundation also supports food security, humanitarian relief, public-school internet access, and selected campaigns tied to schools, arts, and conservation.
Yes. Harvard College appears across multiple years and in several different funds, including discretionary support, scholarships, start-up grants, and quantum research. Rethink Food NYC Inc also received more than one grant, including a $2,000,000 pledge installment and a $1,000,000 charitable contribution.
The grant-size distribution is $25,000 at the 25th percentile, $50,000 at the median, and $250,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent list also includes larger commitments, including multiple $1,000,000 and $2,000,000 grants.
Most grants go to recipients in New York, which accounts for 65% of grants in the provided data. Cambridge, Massachusetts is another major recipient location because of the Harvard-related awards.
The data does not show an application process. The recent grants point instead to named funds, pledged installments, and institution-specific support, suggesting a relationship-driven grantmaking pattern.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HARVARD COLLEGE | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $2,000,000 | 2025 | MICHELE AND TIMOTHY BARAKETT FAS DEAN'S DISCRETIONARY FUND |
| HARVARD COLLEGE | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $1,440,000 | 2025 | MICHELE AND TIMOTHY BARAKETT START-UP GRANT PROGRAM FUND |
| HARVARD COLLEGE | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $1,000,000 | 2025 | TIMOTHY AND MICHELE BARAKETT HARVARD QUANTUM INITIATIVE SUPPORT FUND |
| RETHINK FOOD NYC INC | NEW YORK, NY | $750,000 | 2025 | SECOND INSTALLMENT OF PLEDGE |
| HARVARD COLLEGE | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $500,000 | 2025 | BARAKETT, GSE BARAKETT FAMILY FELLOWSHIP |
| HARVARD COLLEGE | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $500,000 | 2025 | COHASSET UNDERGRADUATE FUND |
| HARVARD COLLEGE | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $500,000 | 2025 | BARAKETT FAMILY ATHLETIC DIRECTOR'S DISCRETIONARY FUND |
| EDUCATION SUPER HIGHWAY | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $400,000 | 2025 | DONATION TO SUPPORT ORGANIZATION TO UPGRADE THE INTERNET ACCESS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN AMERICA |
| LAWRENCE CATHOLIC ACADEMY | LAWRENCE, MA | $250,000 | 2025 | LAWRENCE CATHOLIC ACADEMY BUILDING CAMPAIGN |
| HARVARD COLLEGE | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $250,000 | 2025 | HBS DEAN'S HONORARY ENDOWMENT FOR BUSINESS AND SOCIETY |
| CENTRAL PARK CONSERVANCY | NEW YORK, NY | $250,000 | 2025 | FIRST INSTALLMENT OF PLEDGE TO THE FOR ALL CAMPAIGN |
| ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI | NEW YOKR, NY | $150,000 | 2025 | DONATION TO DUBIN BREAST CENTER'S ANNUAL BENEFIT GALA |
| HARVARD COLLEGE | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $100,000 | 2025 | DONATION TO HBS FUND |
| HARVARD COLLEGE | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $100,000 | 2025 | MEASURING MATHER FUND |
| HARVARD COLLEGE | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $100,000 | 2025 | BRIDGET TERRY LONG MASTER'S SCHOLARSHIP FUND |
| THE SHED | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | DONATION TO CULTURAL INSTITUTION OF AND FOR THE 21ST CENTURY ARTISTS |
| ROBIN HOOD FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | DONATION TO ORGANIZATION FIGHTING POVERTY IN NY |
| THE BRIDGE GOLF FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | ORGANIZATION USING GOLF TO IMPROVE LIFE OUTCOMES FOR YOUNG MEN OF COLOR IN HARLEM, NEW YORK |
| THE PUBLIC THEATER | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | 1ST INSTALLMENT OF PLEDGE TO ORGANIZATION BEHIND SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK THEATER PRODUCTIONS |
| CENTRAL PARK CONSERVANCY | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | MEMBERSHIP LEVEL DONATION TOWARD UPKEEP AND PRESERVATION OF CENTRAL PARK |
| GREATER NY FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | DONATION TO CIVIC INSTITUTION FOR CROSS-SECTOR PROBLEM SOLVING IN NEW YORK CITY |
| GILDER LEHRMAN INSTITUTE | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | DONATION TO GALA, HONORING KATHY AND KEN CHENAULT |
| CENTER FOR HEARING AND COMMUNICATIONS | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | DONATION TO ANNUAL FEAST FUNDRAISER |
| PREP FOR PREP | NEW YORK, NY | $20,000 | 2025 | ORGANIZATION CREATING ACCESS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE OF COLOR TO FIRST-RATE EDUCATIONAL, LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND PROFESSIONAL ADVANCEMENT OPPORTUNITIES |
| ALVIN AILEY DANCE FOUNDATION INC | NEW YORK, NY | $20,000 | 2025 | DONATION TO JOIN THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR'S CIRCLE MEMBERSHIP |
| AMAZON WATCH | OAKLAND, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL DONATION TO SUPPORT INDIGENOUS PEOPLES PROTECTING THE AMAZON RAINFOREST |
| GALLIM DANCE COMPANY | PORT WASHINGTON, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | DONATION TO INTER-DISCIPLINARY ARTS ORGANIZATION AND DANCE COMPANY |
| STANFORD UNIVERSITY DEVELOPMENT SERVICES | STANFORD, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | DONATION TO THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF LAB AND SCIENTIFIC SYMPOSIUM |
| THE SCHOOL OF AMERICAN BALLET | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | DONATION TO ORGANIZATION PRODUCING BALLET PERFORMANCES IN NYC |
| PROFESSIONAL CHILDREN'S SCHOOL | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | DONATION TO THE FUND FOR PROFESSIONAL CHILDREN'S SCHOOL |
| THE DALTON SCHOOL | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | DONATION TO THE SCHOOL'S ANNUAL FUND CAMPAIGN |
| AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY | KENNESAW, GA | $5,000 | 2025 | DONATION TO DANCE AGAINST CANCER BENEFIT |
| LULU & LEO FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION TO THE CHOOSE CREATIVITY AWARDS |
| MARISSA LOREA FUND | LINCOLN, RI | $3,000 | 2025 | GENERAL DONATION TO ORGANIZATION PROVIDING SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS TO ATHLETIC GIRLS IN NORTH PROVIDENCE, RI |
| THE EPISCOPAL SCHOOL | BOSTON, MA | $1,000 | 2025 | DONATION TO NURSERY SCHOOL'S ANNUAL FUND |
| HARVARD COLLEGE | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $1,440,000 | 2024 | MICHELE AND TIMOTHY BARAKETT START-UP GRANT PROGRAM FUND |
| HARVARD COLLEGE | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $1,254,160 | 2024 | MICHELE AND TIMOTHY BARAKETT FAS DEAN'S DISCRETIONARY FUND |
| HARVARD COLLEGE | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $1,000,000 | 2024 | TIMOTHY AND MICHELE BARAKETT HARVARD QUANTUM INITIATIVE SUPPORT FUND |
| RETHINK FOOD NYC INC | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| HARVARD COLLEGE | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $500,000 | 2024 | BARAKETT FAMILY ATHLETIC DIRECTOR'S DISCRETIONARY FUND |
| HARVARD COLLEGE | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $500,000 | 2024 | BARAKETT, GSE BARAKETT FAMILY FELLOWSHIP |
| HARVARD COLLEGE | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $500,000 | 2024 | BARAKETT FAMILY FELLOWSHIP |
| HARVARD COLLEGE | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $250,000 | 2024 | HBS DEAN'S HONORARY ENDOWMENT FOR BUSINESS AND SOCIETY |
| ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI | NEW YOKR, NY | $147,100 | 2024 | DONATION TO DUBIN BREAST CENTER'S ANNUAL BENEFIT GALA |
| ROBIN HOOD FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| HARVARD COLLEGE | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $100,000 | 2024 | DONATION TO HBS FUND |
| THE MARSHALL PROJECT | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2024 | FIFTH INSTALLMENT OF PLEDGE |
| HARVARD COLLEGE | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $100,000 | 2024 | MEASURING MATHER FUND |
| THE BRIDGE GOLF FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| CENTRAL PARK CONSERVANCY | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2024 | CHAIRMAN'S CIRCLE |
HARVARD COLLEGE
$2,000,000MICHELE AND TIMOTHY BARAKETT FAS DEAN'S DISCRETIONARY FUND
HARVARD COLLEGE
$1,440,000MICHELE AND TIMOTHY BARAKETT START-UP GRANT PROGRAM FUND
HARVARD COLLEGE
$1,000,000TIMOTHY AND MICHELE BARAKETT HARVARD QUANTUM INITIATIVE SUPPORT FUND
HARVARD COLLEGE
$500,000BARAKETT, GSE BARAKETT FAMILY FELLOWSHIP
HARVARD COLLEGE
$500,000COHASSET UNDERGRADUATE FUND
HARVARD COLLEGE
$500,000BARAKETT FAMILY ATHLETIC DIRECTOR'S DISCRETIONARY FUND
EDUCATION SUPER HIGHWAY
$400,000DONATION TO SUPPORT ORGANIZATION TO UPGRADE THE INTERNET ACCESS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN AMERICA
LAWRENCE CATHOLIC ACADEMY
$250,000LAWRENCE CATHOLIC ACADEMY BUILDING CAMPAIGN
HARVARD COLLEGE
$250,000HBS DEAN'S HONORARY ENDOWMENT FOR BUSINESS AND SOCIETY
DONATION TO DUBIN BREAST CENTER'S ANNUAL BENEFIT GALA
HARVARD COLLEGE
$100,000DONATION TO HBS FUND
HARVARD COLLEGE
$100,000MEASURING MATHER FUND
HARVARD COLLEGE
$100,000BRIDGET TERRY LONG MASTER'S SCHOLARSHIP FUND
THE SHED
$100,000DONATION TO CULTURAL INSTITUTION OF AND FOR THE 21ST CENTURY ARTISTS
ORGANIZATION USING GOLF TO IMPROVE LIFE OUTCOMES FOR YOUNG MEN OF COLOR IN HARLEM, NEW YORK
THE PUBLIC THEATER
$50,0001ST INSTALLMENT OF PLEDGE TO ORGANIZATION BEHIND SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK THEATER PRODUCTIONS
MEMBERSHIP LEVEL DONATION TOWARD UPKEEP AND PRESERVATION OF CENTRAL PARK
GREATER NY FOUNDATION
$25,000DONATION TO CIVIC INSTITUTION FOR CROSS-SECTOR PROBLEM SOLVING IN NEW YORK CITY
GILDER LEHRMAN INSTITUTE
$25,000DONATION TO GALA, HONORING KATHY AND KEN CHENAULT
CENTER FOR HEARING AND COMMUNICATIONS
$25,000DONATION TO ANNUAL FEAST FUNDRAISER
ORGANIZATION CREATING ACCESS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE OF COLOR TO FIRST-RATE EDUCATIONAL, LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND PROFESSIONAL ADVANCEMENT OPPORTUNITIES
DONATION TO JOIN THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR'S CIRCLE MEMBERSHIP
GENERAL DONATION TO SUPPORT INDIGENOUS PEOPLES PROTECTING THE AMAZON RAINFOREST
GALLIM DANCE COMPANY
$10,000DONATION TO INTER-DISCIPLINARY ARTS ORGANIZATION AND DANCE COMPANY
DONATION TO THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF LAB AND SCIENTIFIC SYMPOSIUM
DONATION TO ORGANIZATION PRODUCING BALLET PERFORMANCES IN NYC
DONATION TO THE FUND FOR PROFESSIONAL CHILDREN'S SCHOOL
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY
$5,000DONATION TO DANCE AGAINST CANCER BENEFIT
LULU & LEO FUND
$5,000CONTRIBUTION TO THE CHOOSE CREATIVITY AWARDS
MARISSA LOREA FUND
$3,000GENERAL DONATION TO ORGANIZATION PROVIDING SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS TO ATHLETIC GIRLS IN NORTH PROVIDENCE, RI
THE EPISCOPAL SCHOOL
$1,000DONATION TO NURSERY SCHOOL'S ANNUAL FUND
HARVARD COLLEGE
$1,440,000MICHELE AND TIMOTHY BARAKETT START-UP GRANT PROGRAM FUND
HARVARD COLLEGE
$1,254,160MICHELE AND TIMOTHY BARAKETT FAS DEAN'S DISCRETIONARY FUND
HARVARD COLLEGE
$1,000,000TIMOTHY AND MICHELE BARAKETT HARVARD QUANTUM INITIATIVE SUPPORT FUND
HARVARD COLLEGE
$500,000BARAKETT FAMILY ATHLETIC DIRECTOR'S DISCRETIONARY FUND
HARVARD COLLEGE
$500,000BARAKETT, GSE BARAKETT FAMILY FELLOWSHIP
HARVARD COLLEGE
$500,000BARAKETT FAMILY FELLOWSHIP
HARVARD COLLEGE
$250,000HBS DEAN'S HONORARY ENDOWMENT FOR BUSINESS AND SOCIETY
DONATION TO DUBIN BREAST CENTER'S ANNUAL BENEFIT GALA
HARVARD COLLEGE
$100,000DONATION TO HBS FUND
HARVARD COLLEGE
$100,000MEASURING MATHER FUND