The Gray Foundation concentrates its giving almost exclusively on education, splitting major support between higher education (notably the University of Pennsylvania) and urban K–12/education opportunity work in New York City (NYC KIDS RISE). Its grants are very large and highly concentrated — repeat multi-grant relationships with a very small number of organizations — suggesting strategic, high-impact investments rather than broad small-dollar philanthropy. The foundation appears to prioritize scalable educational programs and institutional support (research, scholarships, program expansion) in Northeastern urban and academic settings.
Gray Foundation C/o the Ayco Company Lp’s recent giving is defined by repeated, very large commitments to a small set of education and biomedical institutions, especially The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania and NYC Kids Rise Inc. The pattern is not broad or scattershot: one university account alone appears across multiple years and multiple grant amounts, while NYC Kids Rise Inc receives several $5 million grants, including a $5,023,200 award in 2025. The foundation also supports higher education partners such as Harvard University, New York University, Columbia University, and the University of Pennsylvania, alongside research and clinical organizations including Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Massachusetts General Hospital. Named grant purposes point to a mix of institutional support, scholarships, cohort-based aid, and research infrastructure, including Gray Scholars, NYC Scholars Cohort, Basser Interception Center, BRCA Research, and a Neurosurgery Chair. Across the record, the foundation’s work reads as concentrated, strategic support for New York-centered education efforts and major academic medical research programs.
Education is a core theme, with large awards to NYC Kids Rise Inc in Long Island City for exempt-purpose support and to United Negro College Fund Inc for the NYC Scholars Cohort. Higher education support is also visible in grants to The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania for Gray Scholars and to New York University for a Neurosurgery Chair. On the research side, the foundation backed Dana-Farber Cancer Institute for the ATLAS Project & Team Science and Massachusetts General Hospital for BRCA Research. It also gave major support to Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, underscoring a strong preference for established academic and medical institutions rather than smaller operating nonprofits.
Typical grant size is sizable: p25 is $25,000, median is $50,000, and p75 is $132,250, but the recent record shows many gifts far above those levels. The foundation’s pattern is highly concentrated and recurring, with the same organizations appearing across multiple years, especially The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania, NYC Kids Rise Inc, New York University, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Massachusetts General Hospital. It is a regular funder and makes grants to individuals, but the recent list is dominated by institutional awards rather than open application-style grants.
$64.2M
$82.5M
$82.5M
$68.5M
Most grants fall between $25K and $132K, with a median of $50K.
25th Percentile
$25K
Median
$50K
75th Percentile
$132K
Top 2 recipient countries by grant volume for Gray Foundation C/O the Ayco Company Lp.
| Rank | Country | Grants | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United StatesDomestic | 990 | $262.8M | 99.6% |
| 2 | Canada |
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Highly concentrated giving: very large gifts split between two repeat grantees (5 grants each), indicating deep, strategic relationships rather than many small or geographically dispersed awards.
Notable grantees: THE TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA, NYC KIDS RISE INC
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly U.S.-based, with 858 grants to U.S. recipients and 4 to Canadian recipients. New York is the top state by grant count, and 70% of grants go to recipients in that state. Recent recipient cities include Philadelphia, Long Island City, New York, Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville, showing a strong Northeast concentration. The record also includes a small number of grants to Canadian recipients, but the distribution is otherwise centered in New York and nearby academic hubs.
The foundation gives mainly to universities, research hospitals, and education nonprofits. Recent recipients include The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania, NYC Kids Rise Inc, New York University, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard University, and the United Negro College Fund Inc.
The clearest themes are K-12 and college-access education, plus biomedical and academic research. Named purposes include NYC Scholars Cohort, Gray Scholars, Basser Interception Center, BRCA Research, ATLAS Project & Team Science, and Neurosurgery Chair.
The reported grant-size distribution is p25 at $25,000, median at $50,000, and p75 at $132,250. The recent grants list also shows much larger awards, including multiple grants in the millions to universities, schools, and research institutions.
Giving is concentrated in New York. Recipients in New York state account for 70% of grants, and the top state by grant count is NY. Recent recipient locations include Long Island City and New York, alongside Philadelphia, Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville.
Yes. The data shows repeated multi-year support to several institutions, including The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania, NYC Kids Rise Inc, New York University, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Massachusetts General Hospital. This indicates a recurring, relationship-based pattern rather than one-off gifts.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
| 4 |
| $499K |
0.4% |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000,000 | 2026 | FACULTY OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES |
| THE TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $13,128,273 | 2026 | PROJECT SUPPORT, DRAPKIN ATLAS PROGRAM, BASSER INTERCEPTION CENTER, GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NYC KIDS RISE INC | LONG ISLAND CITY, NY | $5,017,600 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION. |
| UNITED NEGRO COLLEGE FUND INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $2,441,399 | 2026 | GRAY NYC SCHOLARS COHORT |
| HARVARD UNIVERSITY | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $2,312,636 | 2026 | HMS PROJECT, CHEN ATLAS INFORMATICS, SANTAGATA PROJECT, SORGER PROJECT, BRUGGE-ATLAS PROJECT |
| MEMORIAL SLOAN KETTERING CANCER CENTER | NEW YORK, NY | $1,070,000 | 2026 | CYCLE FOR SURVIVAL, BLACKSTONE 2025 CFS CAMPAIGN, ATLAS/BIOPORTAL TEAM, LACOBUZIO-DONAHUE PROJECT, ENGAGE SCHOLARSHIP |
| MONTEFIORE MEDICAL CENTER | BRONX, NY | $1,000,000 | 2026 | SCHOOL BASED HEALTH PROGRAMS |
| MAYO CLINIC | ROCHESTER, MN | $1,000,000 | 2026 | BRCA/DR. DEGNIM |
| THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000,000 | 2026 | PROJECT SUPPORT |
| CUNY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| YALE UNIVERSITY | NEW HAVEN, CT | $999,246 | 2026 | BRCA MICROBIOME PROJECT |
| MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $932,280 | 2026 | PROJECT SUPPORT |
| VILLAGE ACADEMIES NETWORK INC | NEW YORK, NY | $550,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION. |
| JOHN JAY COLLEGE FOUNDATION INC | NEW YORK, NY | $500,000 | 2026 | CUSP GRANT |
| ASPHALT GREEN INC | NEW YORK, NY | $500,000 | 2026 | MAKING WAVES |
| DANA-FARBER CANCER INSTITUTE | BOSTON, MA | $434,962 | 2026 | LONG/GARBER ATLAS PROGRAM |
| MACAULAY HONORS COLLEGE FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $364,753 | 2026 | ADVANCE EQUITY IN HONORS EDUCATION |
| ALLIANCE FOR CLINICAL TRIALS IN ONCOLOGY FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $332,860 | 2026 | PROTOCOL SUPPORT |
| HUNTER COLLEGE FOUNDATION INC | NEW YORK, NY | $300,000 | 2026 | GRAY FELLOWSHIP |
| METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART | NEW YORK, NY | $270,000 | 2026 | TEENS TAKE THE MET |
| EXPANDED SCHOOLS INC | NEW YORK, NY | $250,000 | 2026 | CITYWIDE TUTORING |
| SUNY IMPACT FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $250,000 | 2026 | STONEY BROOK |
| ALBERT EINSTEIN COLLEGE OF MEDICINE | BRONX, NY | $250,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT LYNNE HOLDEN CHAIR |
| BREAST CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $200,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT, OFFIT PROJECT, 10/30 SYMPOSIUM |
| JED FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $200,000 | 2026 | NYC PROGRAMS |
| HOSPITAL FOR SPECIAL SURGERY FUND INC | NEW YORK, NY | $200,000 | 2026 | SUMMER PREMED INTERNSHIP GRANT |
| HARLEM RBI INC | NEW YORK, NY | $200,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION. |
| ROBIN HOOD FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $200,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION. |
| JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY | BALTIMORE, MD | $165,107 | 2026 | VELCULESCU PROJECT |
| THE DOOR | NEW YORK, NY | $160,000 | 2026 | SUMMERFIELD/YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH |
| SPONSORS FOR EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY INC | NEW YORK, NY | $150,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION. |
| TEACH FOR AMERICA INC | NEW YORK, NY | $125,705 | 2026 | ANNUAL FORECAST,GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FUND FOR THE CITY OF NEW YORK | NEW YORK, NY | $125,000 | 2026 | CARA, EMERGING LEADERS PROGRAM |
| NY PUBLIC LIBRARY ASTOR LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS | NEW YORK, NY | $125,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION. |
| BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL | BOSTON, MA | $115,207 | 2026 | DILLON PROJECT |
| PREP FOR PREP | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION. |
| STUDENT LEADERSHIP NETWORK | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2026 | COLLEGE BOUND INITIATIVE NYC |
| NEW YORK OPPORTUNITY NETWORK INC | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION. |
| LET'S WIN PANCREATIC CANCER FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2026 | ANNUAL BENEFIT |
| WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY | BRONX, NY | $100,000 | 2026 | CAREER LATTICE PROGRAM |
| ARIZOU DBA PROJECT BASTA | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2026 | NYC YOUTH PROGRAMS |
| UNIVERSITY SETTLEMENT SOCIETY OF NEW YORK INC | NEW YORK, NY | $93,333 | 2026 | SUMMERFIELD/YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH |
| CORNELL UNIVERSITY | ITHACA, NY | $85,141 | 2026 | NOLAN SCHOOL/CERIALE SCHOLARSHIP |
| MOUNT SINAI HOSPITAL | NEW YORK, NY | $76,666 | 2026 | ADOLESCENT HEALTH CENTER - MENTAL HEALTH |
| FACING HISTORY AND OURSELVES | BOSTON, MA | $75,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| RAMAPO FOR CHILDREN | NEW YORK, NY | $51,250 | 2026 | NYC SCHOLARSHIPS, GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JEWISH MUSEUM | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2026 | NYC YOUTH PROGRAMS |
| MOUNT SINAI CHILDREN'S CENTER FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2026 | CCF ANNUAL EVENT |
| READING PARTNERS | OAKLAND, CA | $50,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION. |
| JUMPSTART FOR YOUNG CHILDREN INC | BOSTON, MA | $50,000 | 2026 | NYC PROGRAMS |
AMERICAN FRIENDS OF TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY
$25,000,000FACULTY OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES
PROJECT SUPPORT, DRAPKIN ATLAS PROGRAM, BASSER INTERCEPTION CENTER, GENERAL SUPPORT
TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION.
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
$2,312,636HMS PROJECT, CHEN ATLAS INFORMATICS, SANTAGATA PROJECT, SORGER PROJECT, BRUGGE-ATLAS PROJECT
MEMORIAL SLOAN KETTERING CANCER CENTER
$1,070,000CYCLE FOR SURVIVAL, BLACKSTONE 2025 CFS CAMPAIGN, ATLAS/BIOPORTAL TEAM, LACOBUZIO-DONAHUE PROJECT, ENGAGE SCHOLARSHIP
MONTEFIORE MEDICAL CENTER
$1,000,000SCHOOL BASED HEALTH PROGRAMS
MAYO CLINIC
$1,000,000BRCA/DR. DEGNIM
THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK
$1,000,000PROJECT SUPPORT
CUNY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE FOUNDATION
$1,000,000SCHOLARSHIPS
VILLAGE ACADEMIES NETWORK INC
$550,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION.
MACAULAY HONORS COLLEGE FOUNDATION
$364,753ADVANCE EQUITY IN HONORS EDUCATION
ALLIANCE FOR CLINICAL TRIALS IN ONCOLOGY FOUNDATION
$332,860PROTOCOL SUPPORT
GENERAL SUPPORT, OFFIT PROJECT, 10/30 SYMPOSIUM
JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
$165,107VELCULESCU PROJECT
THE DOOR
$160,000SUMMERFIELD/YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH
TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION.
NY PUBLIC LIBRARY ASTOR LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
$125,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION.
BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL
$115,207DILLON PROJECT
NEW YORK OPPORTUNITY NETWORK INC
$100,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION.
FACING HISTORY AND OURSELVES
$75,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MOUNT SINAI CHILDREN'S CENTER FOUNDATION
$50,000CCF ANNUAL EVENT
JUMPSTART FOR YOUNG CHILDREN INC
$50,000NYC PROGRAMS