The Paulson Family Foundation makes concentrated, high-value gifts to major research universities and prominent cultural institutions, with a notable transatlantic/Israel focus. Their grants support core missions — endowments, faculty recruitment, scholarships, capital and program support — rather than small community organizations. Funding is targeted to elite institutions that advance higher education, research capacity, and museum preservation and programming.
The Paulson Family Foundation C/o Paulson & Co Inc made a $40,000,000 grant to President & Fellows of Harvard College in 2023, a signal of how heavily it leans toward large institutional support rather than dispersed small grants. Its recent giving centers on major universities, museums, policy organizations, and Jewish communal institutions, with gifts often tied to education, research, conservation, scholarships, and core mission support. Harvard and New York University are among the clearest examples of this pattern: the foundation backed Harvard with both a $40,000,000 grant and a separate $200,000 grant for its business school, and gave New York University $7,550,000 for education-related support. The portfolio also includes targeted support for Israeli higher education through American Friends of the Hebrew University and cultural preservation through Tel Aviv Museum's American Friends Inc. Grants to institutions such as The Cathedral Church of St John the Divine and UJA Federation show that the foundation also funds social services and Jewish community needs alongside higher education and the arts.
Higher education appears across several named grants. In 2023, the foundation gave $5,000,000 to American Friends of the Hebrew University to help attract and retain faculty, build teaching and research facilities, and provide scholarships and fellowships. It also gave $7,550,000 to New York University and $40,000,000 to Harvard College for education-related support. On the arts side, it awarded $5,000,000 to Tel Aviv Museum's American Friends Inc to sustain programming, conservation, and research, and later gave $109,828 to Tel Aviv Museum of Art American Friends for the same broad purpose. Education policy and school programming also appear in the grant list: Parents Defending Education received $500,000 to promote a “healthy, non-political education for kids,” and Fund for Public Schools Inc received $220,000 for innovative K-12 education programs. Jewish community support is another thread, including $500,000 to The UJA Federation for hunger relief, mental health services, and Jewish institutions.
The typical grant size clusters around mid-six figures: p25 is $48,500, median is $57,707, and p75 is $237,500. That distribution sits alongside occasional very large institutional grants, including eight-figure support. The foundation looks active across multiple years rather than as a one-off giver; several recipients appear in both 2023 and 2025, including Manhattan Institute, Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream, Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach, Success Academy Charter Schools, Prostate Cancer Foundation, Harvard University Business School, Fund for Public Schools Inc, and Tel Aviv Museum of Art American Friends. It is classified as a regular funder, not a DAF, and it funds individuals. The recent record shows no program-related investments.
$6.6M
$1.4B
$12M
$7.3M
Most grants fall between $49K and $238K, with a median of $58K.
25th Percentile
$49K
Median
$58K
75th Percentile
$238K
John Paulson
DIRECTOR PRESIDENT & SECRETARY
Top 2 recipient countries by grant volume for Paulson Family Foundation C/O Paulson & Co.
| Rank | Country | Grants | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United StatesDomestic | 136 | $140.6M | 98.5% |
| 2 | Puerto Rico |
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Highly concentrated giving: very few but very large grants to a small set of flagship institutions. Emphasis on institutional-strengthening gifts (endowment, scholarships, capital) rather than many small or grassroots grants. Geographic concentration in major U.S. universities and selected Israeli cultural/educational institutions.
Notable grantees: President & Fellows of Harvard College, New York University, American Friends of the Hebrew University, Tel Aviv Museum's American Friends Inc
Grantmaking is heavily concentrated in New York: 74% of grants go to recipients in NY, and the top state by count is also NY. Many recipient organizations are in New York City, including New York University, The UJA Federation, Fund for Public Schools Inc, and the Cathedral Church of St John the Divine. Outside New York, grants reach Cambridge, MA; Santa Monica, CA; Palm Beach, FL; Arlington, VA; Miami Beach, FL; and Bronx, NY. The recipient-country distribution is overwhelmingly U.S.-based, with 85 grants in the United States and 2 in RQ.
Its typical grants cluster in the mid-six-figure range: the 25th percentile is $48,500, the median is $57,707, and the 75th percentile is $237,500. That said, the recent record also includes much larger institutional grants, including a $40,000,000 award to Harvard College.
Yes. Several recipients appear in both 2023 and 2025, including Manhattan Institute, Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream, Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach, Success Academy Charter Schools, Prostate Cancer Foundation, Harvard University Business School, Fund for Public Schools Inc, and Tel Aviv Museum of Art American Friends.
The recent grants point to universities, museums, policy organizations, Jewish communal institutions, and select K-12 education groups. Named recipients include Harvard College, New York University, Tel Aviv Museum's American Friends Inc, The UJA Federation, and Fund for Public Schools Inc.
It is strongly concentrated in New York. The top state by grant count is NY, and 74% of grants go to recipients in New York. The list also includes recipients in Cambridge, MA; Santa Monica, CA; Palm Beach, FL; Arlington, VA; and Miami Beach, FL.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
| 2 |
| $110K |
1.4% |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manhattan Institute | new york, NY | $2,000,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW IDEAS THAT FOSTER GREATER ECONOMIC CHOICE AND INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY. |
| MILKEN CENTER FOR ADVANCING THE AMERICAN DREAM | SANTA MONICA, CA | $750,000 | 2025 | To support people with a dream, the drive to achieve it, by providing the opportunity to make it come true through good health, good education and an economic system that works for all |
| Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach | PALM BEACH, FL | $700,000 | 2025 | To protect and celebrate the architectural, botanical, and cultural heritage of palm beach |
| The UJA Federation | New York, NY | $500,000 | 2025 | To feed the hungry, enhance mental health services, and sustain Jewish institutions |
| Success Academy Charter Schools | New York, NY | $250,000 | 2025 | To provide students of all background with high quality education. |
| PRINCESS GRACE FOUNDATION- USA | NEW YORK, NY | $242,200 | 2025 | To elevate extraordinary emerging artists in theater, dance, and film via awards in the form of grants, scholarships, and fellowships. |
| HARVARD UNIVERSITY BUSINESS SCHOOL | Boston, MA | $200,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF HARVARD TO EDUCATE THE CITIZENS AND CITIZEN-LEADERS FOR OUR SOCIETY. |
| JOHN PAULSON CAMPUS for JEWISH LIFE | MIAMI BEACH, FL | $185,000 | 2025 | To provide the education and means to promote Jewish awareness, knowledge and practice. |
| Prostate Cancer Foundation | santa monica, CA | $150,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE FOUNDATION'S EFFORTS IN CANCER RESEARCH. |
| Fund for Public Schools Inc | NEW YORK, NY | $110,000 | 2025 | To support some of the most innovative programs in 3K-12 education |
| Tel Aviv Museum of Art American Friends | New York, NY | $109,828 | 2025 | To help sustain the Museum's programming, conservation, and research. |
| MUSEO DE ARTE DE PONCE | PONCE | $100,000 | 2025 | To connect the community with Western art and its makers, from the 14th century to the present. |
| Gabrielle's Angel Foundation | New York, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | TO FUND RESEARCH TO IMPROVE THE EFFICACY OF CANCER TREATMENTS. |
| AMERICAN JEWISH COMMITTEE | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | To enhance the well-being of Jewish people and Israel. |
| Hope for Depression Research Foundation | new york, NY | $70,000 | 2025 | TO HELP THE FOUNDATION FUND DEPRESSION RESEARCH. |
| Glades Academy Foundation | West Palm Beach, FL | $55,000 | 2025 | To promote quality public school education in Florida |
| Greater New York Council Scouting America | New York, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | TO BUILD PROGRAMS THAT HELP YOUNG PEOPLE DEVELOP AND LIVE BETTER LIVES. |
| Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation | New York, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | To rapidly accelerate the development of drugs to prevent, treat and cure Alzheimer's disease. |
| Breast Cancer Research Foundation | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | To help prevent and cure breast cancer by advancing the world's most promising research |
| STANDwithUS | LOS ANGELES, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | TO EDUCATE ABOUT ISRAEL AND FIGHT RISING ANTISEMITISM |
| Museo De Arte De Puerto Rico | SAN JUAN, PR | $50,000 | 2025 | TO OPERATE AN ART MUSEUM THAT PROMOTES THE KNOWLEDGE AND APPRECIATION OF THE VISUAL ARTS IN PUERTO RICO |
| The Hoover Institution | Stanford, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | TO PROMOTE PERSONAL AND ECONOMIC LIBERTY, FREE ENTERPRISE AND LIMITED GOVERNMENT. |
| Central Park Conservancy | New York, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | To support the preservation and celebrate Central Park as a sanctuary from the pace and pressures of city life, enhancing the enjoyment and wellbeing of all |
| CENTER FOR INITIATIVES IN JEWISH EDUCATION | BROOKLYN, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | To support the mission of enhancing and enriching the quality of Jewish education across the United States |
| Lake Agawam Conservancy | Southampton, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | To cleanse and preserve Lake Agawam and its surrounding ecosystem for the sake of public health and civic enjoyment of a shared natural resource. |
| Center for Excellence in Education | McLean, VA | $50,000 | 2025 | To support the Center in seeking high achieving high school and university students from diverse economic and cultural backgrounds to further develop their mathematical and scientific skills |
| SPONSORS FOR EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY | New York, NY | $47,500 | 2025 | TO HELP PROVIDE SUPERIOR EDUCATIONAL AND CAREER PROGRAMS TO YOUNG PEOPLE FROM UNDERSERVED AND UNDERREPRESENTED COMMUNITIES. |
| LANG LANG INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FOUNDATION | New York, NY | $47,000 | 2025 | To educate, inspire, and motivate music lovers and performers. |
| Aspen Music Festival And School | ASPEN, CO | $46,500 | 2025 | To support the Aspen Music Festival & School in its mission to bring together the finest music students, artist faculty, and world-class performers in creating transformative educational experiences |
| The Southampton Hospital Foundation | southampton, NY | $43,000 | 2025 | TO ASSIST PEOPLE IN NEED OF QUALITY HEALTHCARE. |
| Salient Publications Inc | Cambridge, MA | $39,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE |
| Chabad of Southampton Jewish Center | Southampton, NY | $36,000 | 2025 | To help the organization operate a religious outreach center focused on promoting and increasing understanding of Judaism and Kosher laws |
| Benefactors of Ecuador Inc | HOLLYWOOD, FL | $32,000 | 2025 | To support the mission of improving HEALTHCARE AND MEDICAL TREATMENT OF PATIENTS IN ECUADOR |
| Furry Friends | JUPITER, FL | $30,000 | 2025 | To provide complete care for abused and abandoned animals, from rescue to medical care, rehabilitation, and placement in a forever home |
| Empire Center for Public Policy | ALBANY, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | To help make New York better by advancing free-market policies, personal responsibility, and accountable government |
| Norton Museum of Art | WEST PALM BEACH, FL | $25,000 | 2025 | To support the mission of the Norton Museum of Art, which is to experience the transformative power of art through unique and innovative programs, as well as a diverse collection |
| Catholic Charities Second Century Fund | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | TO HELP ADDRESS THE ONGOING AND EMERGING NEEDS OF NEW YORKERS |
| Friends of Palm Beach | WEST PALM BEACH, FL | $20,000 | 2025 | To support regularly beach cleanups to remove trash and unnatural debris, and to educate the community on the effects of plastics and trash on the environment and marine life |
| Jupiter Medical Center Foundation Inc | JUPITER, FL | $15,000 | 2025 | To secure the financial resources required to sustain clinical excellence and quality of care at Jupiter Medical Center, Inc. & its affiliates |
| Peconic Land Trust | SOUTHAMPTON, NY | $12,500 | 2025 | To help Peconic Land Trust protect Long Island's farms, lands, and heritage for the communities now and in the future |
| American Friends of Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra | New York, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | To support the mission of the IPO and their vital work in Israel and across the globe |
| National Alliance for Eating Disorders | WEST PALM BEACH, FL | $10,000 | 2025 | To provide education, referrals, and support for individuals with eating disorders and their loved ones, including free support groups, provider training, and low-cost treatment |
| The Frick Collection | New York, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | To serve as a center for research and to stimulate scholarship in the history of art, and the history of collecting works of art in the Western tradition, from the fourth to the mid-twentieth centuries. |
| FOURTH OF JULY PARADE | Southampton, NY | $1,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE. |
| PRESIDENT & FELLOWS OF HARVARD COLLEGE | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $50,050,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF HARVARD TO EDUCATE THE CITIZENS AND CITIZEN-LEADERS FOR OUR SOCIETY. |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF THE HEBREW UNIVERSITY | NEW YORK, NY | $5,500,000 | 2024 | TO HELP ATTRACT AND RETAIN OUTSTANDING FACULTY, BUILD TEACHING AND RESEARCH FACILITIES, AND PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS AND FELLOWSHIPS TO ISRAEL'S NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS |
| TEL AVIV MUSEUM OF ART'S AMERICAN FRIENDS | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000,000 | 2024 | TO HELP SUSTAIN THE MUSEUM'S PROGRAMMING, CONSERVATION, AND RESEARCH. |
| MANHATTAN INSTITUTE FOR POLICY RESEARCH | NEW YORK, NY | $2,000,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW IDEAS THAT FOSTER GREATER ECONOMIC CHOICE AND INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY. |
| MILKEN CENTER FOR ADVANCING THE AMERICAN DREAM | SANTA MONICA, CA | $750,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT PEOPLE WITH A DREAM, THE DRIVE TO ACHIEVE IT, BY PROVIDING THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE IT COME TRUE THROUGH GOOD HEALTH, GOOD EDUCTION AND AN ECONOMIC SYSTEM THAT WORKS FOR ALL |
| NEW YORK CITY BALLET | NEW YORK, NY | $275,000 | 2024 | TO PROMOTE THE ART OF BALLET |
Manhattan Institute
$2,000,000TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW IDEAS THAT FOSTER GREATER ECONOMIC CHOICE AND INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY.
MILKEN CENTER FOR ADVANCING THE AMERICAN DREAM
$750,000To support people with a dream, the drive to achieve it, by providing the opportunity to make it come true through good health, good education and an economic system that works for all
Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach
$700,000To protect and celebrate the architectural, botanical, and cultural heritage of palm beach
The UJA Federation
$500,000To feed the hungry, enhance mental health services, and sustain Jewish institutions
Success Academy Charter Schools
$250,000To provide students of all background with high quality education.
PRINCESS GRACE FOUNDATION- USA
To elevate extraordinary emerging artists in theater, dance, and film via awards in the form of grants, scholarships, and fellowships.
HARVARD UNIVERSITY BUSINESS SCHOOL
$200,000TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF HARVARD TO EDUCATE THE CITIZENS AND CITIZEN-LEADERS FOR OUR SOCIETY.
JOHN PAULSON CAMPUS for JEWISH LIFE
$185,000To provide the education and means to promote Jewish awareness, knowledge and practice.
Prostate Cancer Foundation
$150,000TO SUPPORT THE FOUNDATION'S EFFORTS IN CANCER RESEARCH.
Fund for Public Schools Inc
$110,000To support some of the most innovative programs in 3K-12 education
Tel Aviv Museum of Art American Friends
$109,828To help sustain the Museum's programming, conservation, and research.
MUSEO DE ARTE DE PONCE
$100,000To connect the community with Western art and its makers, from the 14th century to the present.
Gabrielle's Angel Foundation
$100,000TO FUND RESEARCH TO IMPROVE THE EFFICACY OF CANCER TREATMENTS.
AMERICAN JEWISH COMMITTEE
$100,000To enhance the well-being of Jewish people and Israel.
Hope for Depression Research Foundation
$70,000TO HELP THE FOUNDATION FUND DEPRESSION RESEARCH.
Glades Academy Foundation
$55,000To promote quality public school education in Florida
Greater New York Council Scouting America
$50,000TO BUILD PROGRAMS THAT HELP YOUNG PEOPLE DEVELOP AND LIVE BETTER LIVES.
Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation
$50,000To rapidly accelerate the development of drugs to prevent, treat and cure Alzheimer's disease.
Breast Cancer Research Foundation
$50,000To help prevent and cure breast cancer by advancing the world's most promising research
STANDwithUS
$50,000TO EDUCATE ABOUT ISRAEL AND FIGHT RISING ANTISEMITISM
Museo De Arte De Puerto Rico
$50,000TO OPERATE AN ART MUSEUM THAT PROMOTES THE KNOWLEDGE AND APPRECIATION OF THE VISUAL ARTS IN PUERTO RICO
The Hoover Institution
$50,000TO PROMOTE PERSONAL AND ECONOMIC LIBERTY, FREE ENTERPRISE AND LIMITED GOVERNMENT.
Central Park Conservancy
$50,000To support the preservation and celebrate Central Park as a sanctuary from the pace and pressures of city life, enhancing the enjoyment and wellbeing of all
CENTER FOR INITIATIVES IN JEWISH EDUCATION
$50,000To support the mission of enhancing and enriching the quality of Jewish education across the United States
Lake Agawam Conservancy
$50,000To cleanse and preserve Lake Agawam and its surrounding ecosystem for the sake of public health and civic enjoyment of a shared natural resource.
Center for Excellence in Education
$50,000To support the Center in seeking high achieving high school and university students from diverse economic and cultural backgrounds to further develop their mathematical and scientific skills
SPONSORS FOR EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY
$47,500TO HELP PROVIDE SUPERIOR EDUCATIONAL AND CAREER PROGRAMS TO YOUNG PEOPLE FROM UNDERSERVED AND UNDERREPRESENTED COMMUNITIES.
LANG LANG INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FOUNDATION
$47,000To educate, inspire, and motivate music lovers and performers.
Aspen Music Festival And School
$46,500To support the Aspen Music Festival & School in its mission to bring together the finest music students, artist faculty, and world-class performers in creating transformative educational experiences
The Southampton Hospital Foundation
$43,000TO ASSIST PEOPLE IN NEED OF QUALITY HEALTHCARE.
Salient Publications Inc
$39,000GENERAL CHARITABLE
Chabad of Southampton Jewish Center
$36,000To help the organization operate a religious outreach center focused on promoting and increasing understanding of Judaism and Kosher laws
Benefactors of Ecuador Inc
$32,000To support the mission of improving HEALTHCARE AND MEDICAL TREATMENT OF PATIENTS IN ECUADOR
Furry Friends
$30,000To provide complete care for abused and abandoned animals, from rescue to medical care, rehabilitation, and placement in a forever home
Empire Center for Public Policy
$25,000To help make New York better by advancing free-market policies, personal responsibility, and accountable government
Norton Museum of Art
$25,000To support the mission of the Norton Museum of Art, which is to experience the transformative power of art through unique and innovative programs, as well as a diverse collection
Catholic Charities Second Century Fund
$25,000TO HELP ADDRESS THE ONGOING AND EMERGING NEEDS OF NEW YORKERS
Friends of Palm Beach
$20,000To support regularly beach cleanups to remove trash and unnatural debris, and to educate the community on the effects of plastics and trash on the environment and marine life
Jupiter Medical Center Foundation Inc
$15,000To secure the financial resources required to sustain clinical excellence and quality of care at Jupiter Medical Center, Inc. & its affiliates
Peconic Land Trust
$12,500To help Peconic Land Trust protect Long Island's farms, lands, and heritage for the communities now and in the future
American Friends of Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra
$10,000To support the mission of the IPO and their vital work in Israel and across the globe
National Alliance for Eating Disorders
$10,000To provide education, referrals, and support for individuals with eating disorders and their loved ones, including free support groups, provider training, and low-cost treatment
The Frick Collection
$10,000To serve as a center for research and to stimulate scholarship in the history of art, and the history of collecting works of art in the Western tradition, from the fourth to the mid-twentieth centuries.
FOURTH OF JULY PARADE
$1,000TO SUPPORT INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE.
PRESIDENT & FELLOWS OF HARVARD COLLEGE
$50,050,000TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF HARVARD TO EDUCATE THE CITIZENS AND CITIZEN-LEADERS FOR OUR SOCIETY.
AMERICAN FRIENDS OF THE HEBREW UNIVERSITY
$5,500,000TO HELP ATTRACT AND RETAIN OUTSTANDING FACULTY, BUILD TEACHING AND RESEARCH FACILITIES, AND PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS AND FELLOWSHIPS TO ISRAEL'S NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS
TEL AVIV MUSEUM OF ART'S AMERICAN FRIENDS
$5,000,000TO HELP SUSTAIN THE MUSEUM'S PROGRAMMING, CONSERVATION, AND RESEARCH.
MANHATTAN INSTITUTE FOR POLICY RESEARCH
$2,000,000TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW IDEAS THAT FOSTER GREATER ECONOMIC CHOICE AND INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY.
MILKEN CENTER FOR ADVANCING THE AMERICAN DREAM
$750,000TO SUPPORT PEOPLE WITH A DREAM, THE DRIVE TO ACHIEVE IT, BY PROVIDING THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE IT COME TRUE THROUGH GOOD HEALTH, GOOD EDUCTION AND AN ECONOMIC SYSTEM THAT WORKS FOR ALL
NEW YORK CITY BALLET
$275,000TO PROMOTE THE ART OF BALLET