Funding search · EIN 943397785 · Palo Alto, CA

Gordon E and Betty I Moore Foundation

Name: Gordon E and Betty I Moore Foundation grants, 2020–2024
Creator: PaperOrbit
License: https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/exempt-organization-public-disclosure-and-availability-requirements

A private foundation (files IRS Form 990-PF). Most private foundations do not take unsolicited applications; the route in is usually a program officer.

4,004
grants reported: $1.46B
total given: 2020–2024
filing years: $100,000
median grant

Based on grants this organization reported to the IRS for tax years 2020–2024. This is what they filed, not a complete record of their giving, and recent years may be incomplete because filings lag.

What they fund

research development employee gift trustee recommended science quantum

Funder website ↗Full IRS filings ↗How this is built Report an error

Funding pattern

What this funder pays for, at what size, and how to position adjacent work. Read from their filings, with every number checked against the record.

Where the money goes

Marine and freshwater conservation: fisheries management, Amazon basin, Canadian coast
Fundamental science instrumentation: astronomy, quantum imaging, electron microscopy
Bay Area land acquisition, open space, and wildfire resilience science
Science museums and informal STEM learning, heavily Bay Area
Deforestation-free commodity supply chains and nature-related financial disclosure
Patient care improvement, notably diagnostic excellence in medicine

Typical grant

Median grant is $100,000, with the middle half running $5,000 to $400,000, so most of the file is small. The money concentrates at the top: multi-year initiative grants of $1M to $20M go to large intermediaries (New Venture Fund, Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, MakeWay), university instrument builds, and named research programs. Repeat giving is the norm rather than the exception; Smithsonian, UC Regents, Stanford, Exploratorium, Nature Conservancy and MakeWay each appear multiple times in a single year.

Their words

Phrases from their own grant descriptions, worth speaking back to them.

“IN SUPPORT OF”
“TO ADVANCE”
“durable marine conservation”
“science-based fisheries management”
“advancing our understanding of”
“to enable”

Positioning adjacent work

Frame instrument or method work as new capability for a field, not one lab's project.
Connect conservation work to Amazon freshwater, Bering Sea fisheries, or Bay Area land protection specifically.
Ask $1M to $3M for a multi-year build with a named platform, database, or facility.
Emphasize open data, community access, and resources shared with the broader scientific community.

Worth knowing: California dominates by a wide margin (1,366 of 4,004 grants), and Bay Area institutions like Exploratorium, UC campuses, Stanford and Cal Academy recur year after year, which reads as relationship-driven. Recent large checks flow increasingly through fiscal sponsors and intermediaries (New Venture Fund, Multiplier, Resources Legacy Fund, Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors) rather than direct to operating nonprofits.

3 grants matching “panama” · $174,898

$20,000
Smithsonian Institute · Washington, DC · 2024
In support of international participation to advance the directions of tropical research at the conference commemorating 100 years of ecology research, to be held june 17-20, 2024 on barro colorado island at the gamboa … read allIn support of international participation to advance the directions of tropical research at the conference commemorating 100 years of ecology research, to be held june 17-20, 2024 on barro colorado island at the gamboa rainforest reserve in panama. less
$50,000
Smithsonian Institution · Washington, DC · 2022
In support of a workshop on the context dependence of mutualism and parasitism to be held in december 2022 in panama.
$104,898
Smithsonian Institution · Washington, DC · 2020
In support of exploring how a land barrier, the Isthmus of Panama, catalyzed novel differentiation of symbiotic associations between marine animals and microbes over the past three million years.

Top recipients

Repeat recipients are the strongest signal of whether a funder has an open door or quietly re-funds the same organizations.

Regents of the University of California149 grants · $123.3M
The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University79 grants · $41.2M
California Institute of Technology43 grants · $33.2M
Regents of the University of California53 grants · $32.7M
World Wildlife Fund31 grants · $30.1M
New Venture Fund24 grants · $26.9M
Oceans North Conservation Society12 grants · $21.7M
Broad Institute2 grants · $21.6M
Smithsonian Institution10 grants · $21.3M
President and Fellows of Harvard College38 grants · $20.2M

Giving over time

$271.5M

2020

$386.7M

2022

$401.8M

2023

$403.0M

2024

Grant history

The 100 largest of 4,004 grants.

$20.0M
Broad Institute · Cambridge, MA · 2024
In support of a unique technology platform and associated resources that supports immersive educational experiences that also benefits frontline pandemic response.
$16.3M
Conservation International Foundation · Arlington, VA · 2023
To support the launch of a seed fund to support country packages for forests, nature, and climate.
$12.8M
New Venture Fund · Washington, DC · 2020
To support a finance hub that will support implementation of the Conservation and Financial Markets Initiative's goal of increasing awareness of natural resource risk among financial institutions.
$10.8M
Regents of the University of California · Oakland, CA · 2022
To provide support for the thirty meter telescope.
$10.0M
Makeway Foundation · 2024
In support of british columbia durability.
$10.0M
Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors · New York, NY · 2024
To support climate resilient fisheries management.
$10.0M
Regents of the University of California · San Francisco, CA · 2023
This grant will support the creation of the diagnostic excellence center for engagement, learning, and action (dxcelerator) at ucsf.
$10.0M
Coast Conservation Endowment Fund Foundation · 2022
To support the great bear sea project finance for permanence.
$10.0M
Internationaler Naturerbe Fonds - Legacy Landscapes Fund · 2022
In support of the long-term effective management, financial sustainability, and impact monitoring of the yasuni biosphere reserve, ecuador.
$10.0M
Oceans North Conservation Society · 2022
To support the qikiqtani and omushkego project finance for permanence conservation projects.
$9.6M
California Institute of Technology · Pasadena, CA · 2022
To provide support for the thirty meter telescope.
$8.9M
Regents of the University of California · Davis, CA · 2022
To support the betty irene moore school of nursing at the university of california, davis in developing, implementing and executing a national fellowship program for nurse leaders and innovators.
$8.7M
Regents of the University of California · Berkeley, CA · 2023
In support of the infrastructure, construction and renovations required for the richard b. Gump south pacific research station to be a leading venue for 21st century ecosystem research.
$8.3M
New Venture Fund · Washington, DC · 2024
To strengthen implementation of the conservation and markets initiative.
$8.1M
Regents of the University of California · Davis, CA · 2020
To support the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at the University of California, Davis in developing, implementing and executing a national fellowship program for nurse leaders and innovators.
$8.0M
Smithsonian Institution · Washington, DC · 2024
To support launch of the global geo-trees initiative for tropical forests, which will create a high-resolution carbon biomass verification system based on a worldwide network of forest research sites.
$8.0M
International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources · 2022
In support of iucn's green list protected area management certification to achieve 30% global conservation.
$7.0M
Resources Legacy Fund · Sacramento, CA · 2023
To launch a funding facility that will support countries to develop and implement ambitious policies for nature and climate.
$6.5M
Resources Legacy Fund · Sacramento, CA · 2024
To launch a funding facility that will support countries to develop and implement ambitious policies for nature and climate.
$6.2M
California Institute of Technology · Pasadena, CA · 2023
To provide support for the thirty meter telescope.
$5.9M
World Wildlife Fund · Washington, DC · 2020
To achieve the financial sustainability of 16.7 million hectares of national-level Amazon protected areas in Peru.
$5.8M
Conservation International Foundation · Arlington, VA · 2020
To support the launch of the Blue Nature Alliance for ocean conservation.
$5.0M
Regents of the University of California · San Francisco, CA · 2024
This grant will support the creation of the diagnostic excellence center for engagement, learning, and action (dxcelerator) at ucsf.
$5.0M
The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University · Redwood City, CA · 2024
To support mainstreaming the integration of natural capital approaches into development policy and finance.
$5.0M
New Venture Fund · Washington, DC · 2023
To strengthen implementation of the conservation and markets initiative.
$5.0M
Ocean Conservancy · Washington, DC · 2023
To support arctic marine habitat protection beyond national jurisdiction.
$5.0M
Oceans North Conservation Society · 2023
To support the qikiqtani and omushkego project finance for permanence conservation projects.
$5.0M
Intl Naturerbe Fonds - Legacy Landscapes · 2020
In support of the Legacy Landscapes Fund.
$5.0M
Regents of the University of California · Oakland, CA · 2020
To provide support for the Thirty Meter Telescope.
$5.0M
Wildlife Conservation Society · Bronx, NY · 2020
In support of the long-term biodiversity conservation and the improvement of livelihoods in the Greater Madidi Legacy Landscape, Bolivia.
$4.3M
Peninsula Open Space Trust · Palo Alto, CA · 2024
To support the long-term stewardship of wildlife passage, endangered species conservation and protected watershed in the south bay.
$4.0M
Napa County Land Trust · Napa, CA · 2023
To support the permanent protection of walt ranch in napa county.
$4.0M
World Wildlife Fund · Washington, DC · 2022
To support the expansion of herencia colombia to include marine protected areas.
$4.0M
Kaiser Foundation Hospitals · Oakland, CA · 2023
To fund 5 health-system-based prospective evaluations of the implementation of machine-learning-based diagnostic decision support (ml-dds) algorithms that will be coordinated through the kaiser permanente augmented inte… read allTo fund 5 health-system-based prospective evaluations of the implementation of machine-learning-based diagnostic decision support (ml-dds) algorithms that will be coordinated through the kaiser permanente augmented intelligence initiative. less
$4.0M
International Financial Reporting Standards Foundation · San Francisco, CA · 2024
To support the acceleration and standardization of nature-related disclosures at a global scale.
$3.9M
Climateworks Foundation · San Francisco, CA · 2023
To improve the protection, management, governance, and economic activities of brazilian amazon protected areas.
$3.9M
World Wildlife Fund · Washington, DC · 2023
To support the development of enabling conditions to meet the 30x30 biodiversity conservation goal in peru with a focus on andean and coastal-marine ecosystems.
$3.9M
Wildlife Conservation Society · Bronx, NY · 2022
To support the conservation and effective management of wetlands in beni, bolivia, and the amazon estuary in brazil through scientific research, knowledge, improved livelihoods, communications and applied policy.
$3.8M
Inaturalist · San Rafael, CA · 2023
To enable inaturalist to realize its potential as a global scientific and conservation sensor by 2030, harnessing data from its user community and optimizing advances in machine learning and ai to inform scientific and … read allTo enable inaturalist to realize its potential as a global scientific and conservation sensor by 2030, harnessing data from its user community and optimizing advances in machine learning and ai to inform scientific and conservation insights. less
$3.7M
World Wildlife Fund · Washington, DC · 2022
To support the development of codex planetarius and pathways for its adoption in international trade.
$3.7M
Instituto De Pesquisas Ecologicas · 2022
To secure effective management of 20 million hectares of protected areas and indigenous peoples and local communities lands in the amazon biome of brazil.
$3.7M
X Prize Foundation · Culver City, CA · 2022
To support a global xprize competition to drive innovation and hardware able to rapidly detect and extinguish wildfires.
$3.6M
National Quality Forum · Washington, DC · 2022
To support improved data infrastructure and methods for measuring diagnostic quality.
$3.6M
Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors · New York, NY · 2022
To support the development and adoption of science-based targets for nature.
$3.5M
The Conservation Fund a Nonprofit Corporation · Arlington, VA · 2024
In support of the acquisition and permanent protection of richmond ranch in santa clara county.
$3.5M
Conservation X Labs · Washington, DC · 2022
To scale breakthrough conservation technology tools and models.
$3.4M
Smithsonian Institution · Cambridge, MA · 2024
To support the construction of a prototype radio-telescope dish for the next-generation event horizon telescope at the teide observatory in the canary islands, enabling improved imaging of supermassive black holes and t… read allTo support the construction of a prototype radio-telescope dish for the next-generation event horizon telescope at the teide observatory in the canary islands, enabling improved imaging of supermassive black holes and their environments. less
$3.4M
World Economic Forum · 2023
To support nature-positive transitions that will contribute to the implementation of the global biodiversity framework.
$3.3M
Chabot Space & Science Center Foundation · Oakland, CA · 2022
In support of efforts to strengthen organizational impact through key facility renovation, exhibit development, and programming.
$3.3M
National Academy of Sciences · Washington, DC · 2022
To support the career development and advance the research of thirty scholars in diagnostic excellence.
$3.3M
Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies · Millbrook, NY · 2024
In support of a western u.s. Fire ecology and forest resilience science collaborative to advance new knowledge and improved understanding of future wildfire resilience and stewardship implications rapidly and synthetica… read allIn support of a western u.s. Fire ecology and forest resilience science collaborative to advance new knowledge and improved understanding of future wildfire resilience and stewardship implications rapidly and synthetically. less
$3.3M
Climateworks Foundation · San Francisco, CA · 2022
To support the conservation of the amazon biome in colombia and peru.
$3.3M
Science Communication Lab · Berkeley, CA · 2022
In support of a research-practice collaboration that spans the development of a compelling science documentary and the research on audience impact to provide new insights for effective, evidence-based science communicat… read allIn support of a research-practice collaboration that spans the development of a compelling science documentary and the research on audience impact to provide new insights for effective, evidence-based science communication. less
$3.2M
Universitaet Wien · 2024
In support of research to integrate quantum computing with electron microscopy, creating a new imaging technology that can provide highly detailed images of biological and material samples beyond the capabilities of cur… read allIn support of research to integrate quantum computing with electron microscopy, creating a new imaging technology that can provide highly detailed images of biological and material samples beyond the capabilities of current methods. less
$3.2M
X Prize Foundation · Culver City, CA · 2020
To support a global XPRIZE competition to drive innovation and hardware able to rapidly detect and extinguish wildfires.
$3.2M
Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York · Palisades, NY · 2024
To support the development of a three-dimensional model of the earth's internal dynamics by integrating quantum geophysics, geodynamics, and seismology, advancing our understanding of the deep earth.
$3.1M
Regents of the University of California · Davis, CA · 2023
To support the participation and graduation of 32 students in the doctoral program at the betty irene moore school of nursing at the university of california, davis.
$3.1M
World Wildlife Fund · Washington, DC · 2022
To support implementation of business practices that reduce habitat conversion, overfishing, and illegal practices in the management, sourcing, and trade of agriculture and seafood commodities.
$3.0M
Earth Fire Alliance · San Francisco, CA · 2024
In support of initial operational capability preparation of the firesat program.
$3.0M
Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund · Covington, KY · 2024
In support of seed funding for early stage, innovative opportunities in basic research, as identified by hypothesis fund's scientist scouts.
$3.0M
STEM Next Opportunity Fund · San Diego, CA · 2024
In support of organizational capacity to pivot to a new structure for broadened impact and field leadership.
$3.0M
Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors · New York, NY · 2023
In support of the conservation of biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction by activating the international high seas treaty.
$3.0M
Space Science Institute · Boulder, CO · 2022
In support of the development and distribution of solar education kits that include safe eclipse viewing glasses and educational materials and guidance for public libraries across the country.
$3.0M
Royal Inst for the Adv of Learning - McGill Univ · 2020
To support the construction of CHIME outrigger telescopes to localize Fast Radio Bursts, identify their origins, and use them as probes of the distribution of matter in the universe.
$3.0M
The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University · Redwood City, CA · 2022
To accelerate integration of natural capital approaches into development policy and finance.
$3.0M
Rare · Arlington, VA · 2022
In support of scaling up adoption of behavioral science in environmental conservation through the center for behavior & the environment.
$2.9M
New Venture Fund · Washington, DC · 2023
To support increased understanding of biodiversity adaptation to climate change and other stresses using conservation technologies.
$2.9M
Multiplier · San Francisco, CA · 2022
In support of the development, field testing, manufacturing and dissemination of sensor-based kits and platforms for education, conservation, and scientific purposes.
$2.8M
Regents of the University of California · La Jolla, CA · 2023
To support construction of a cryogenic chamber that enables the development and alignment of next-generation, large-format optical instruments for the w. M. Keck observatory.
$2.8M
Forever Costa Rica Association · 2023
To support the effective management and sustainable use of key, expanded marine protected areas.
$2.7M
Great Bear Initiative Society · 2024
In support of durable marine stewardship.
$2.7M
California Institute of Technology · Pasadena, CA · 2023
In support of research into developing a novel quantum acoustic instrument to elucidate nonequilibrium dynamical processes in individual biological macromolecules with single-quantum resolution.
$2.6M
Fundo Brasileiro Para a Biodiversidade · 2022
To support the designation of quilombola territories and sustainable use reserves as well as territorial planning, good governance, and the development of sustainable production value chains.
$2.6M
New Venture Fund · Washington, DC · 2022
To support the creation of a field-based facility and science presence spanning the interface between the andes and the amazon lowland rainforest in peru.
$2.6M
Regents of the University of California · Berkeley, CA · 2024
In support of the development, piloting, and evaluation of resources and materials that aim to teach scientifically grounded reasoning for youth and non-expert scientists.
$2.6M
Ocean Conservancy · Washington, DC · 2023
To protect ecological hotspots and secure science-based fisheries management in the u.s. Bering and chukchi seas.
$2.6M
The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University · Stanford, CA · 2022
To support continued development of a revolutionary accelerator design to expand the exploration of particle physics, enable new table-top physics, open up attosecond science and enable damage-free time-resolved study o… read allTo support continued development of a revolutionary accelerator design to expand the exploration of particle physics, enable new table-top physics, open up attosecond science and enable damage-free time-resolved study of molecular dynamics. less
$2.6M
Asociacion Para La Conservacion De La Cuenca Amazonica · 2024
In support of the infrastructure, construction and renovations required for los amigos biological station to be a leading venue for tropical forest ecosystem research in the western amazon.
$2.6M
Society To Improve Diagnosis in Medicine · Evanston, IL · 2020
To support a small grants program administered by the Society to Improve Diagnosis in Medicine to catalyze innovation in diagnostic excellence.
$2.6M
Regents of the University of California · San Francisco, CA · 2023
To establish scalable demonstrations of diagnostic performance feedback for frontline clinicians developed in partnership with select medical specialty societies.
$2.5M
Inaturalist · San Rafael, CA · 2024
To enable inaturalist to realize its potential as a global scientific and conservation sensor by 2030, harnessing data from its user community and optimizing advances in ai to inform critical insights and to connect peo… read allTo enable inaturalist to realize its potential as a global scientific and conservation sensor by 2030, harnessing data from its user community and optimizing advances in ai to inform critical insights and to connect people to nature. less
$2.5M
National Wildlife Federation · Reston, VA · 2024
In support of the implementation of deforestation and conversion-free commitments by meatpackers in south america.
$2.5M
Florida International University · Miami, FL · 2022
To support the conservation of transboundary freshwater habitat in the western amazon through scientific research and co-production of knowledge.
$2.5M
The Tech Interactive · San Jose, CA · 2024
In support of an earthquake exhibition area with a shake table simulator, themed design challenges, and interactive data visualization activities.
$2.4M
Makeway Foundation · 2024
In support of durable marine conservation.
$2.4M
Regents of the University of California · Berkeley, CA · 2023
In support of creating new genetic data resources that will expand capabilities for understanding the marine biodiversity of moorea.
$2.4M
New Venture Fund · Washington, DC · 2020
In support of accelerating solutions for the monitoring of remote, intact landscapes.
$2.4M
Napa County Land Trust · Napa, CA · 2020
To establish three high-functioning, priority wildlife corridors in Napa County through acquisition, permanent protection, and initial stewardship of strategic properties.
$2.4M
Trustees of Princeton University · Princeton, NJ · 2023
In support of research to develop an innovative instrument that will enable researchers unprecedented access to the chemical composition and distribution of small molecules within cells at nanometer resolution.
$2.4M
Regents of the University of California · Berkeley, CA · 2024
To support strategic efforts to enhance visitor experience at the public science center.
$2.4M
Regents of the University of California · Los Angeles, CA · 2024
To support the development and commissioning of the high-resolution infrared spectrograph for exoplanet characterization (hispec) for the w. M. Keck observatory, which will create new knowledge about exoplanets through … read allTo support the development and commissioning of the high-resolution infrared spectrograph for exoplanet characterization (hispec) for the w. M. Keck observatory, which will create new knowledge about exoplanets through high-resolution spectroscopy. less
$2.3M
Regents of the University of California · Berkeley, CA · 2023
In support of strategic plan implementation for integrated content development and organizational capacity building.
$2.3M
New Venture Fund · Washington, DC · 2020
In support of capacity to sustain wild salmon ecosystem conservation in Alaska.
$2.3M
The Tech Interactive · San Jose, CA · 2022
In support of improved visitor experience, including updated website, on-the-floor refresh, and new exhibit development.
$2.3M
Windward Fund · Washington, DC · 2020
In support of building grantee capacity to engage effectively around issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
$2.3M
Centre De Regulacio Genomica Fundacio Privada · 2023
In support of creating standardized approaches for aquatic symbiosis cell atlases and a cell atlas database for the scientific community.
$2.3M
California Council On Science and Technology · Sacramento, CA · 2022
In support of efforts to ensure the long-term financial stability and impact of the california council on science and technology's science and technology policy fellowship program.
$2.2M
The Exploratorium · San Francisco, CA · 2023
In support of increased fundraising and growth in organization donor base.
$2.2M
Activate Global · Berkeley, CA · 2023
In support of fellowships for scientist-entrepreneurs to transform their discoveries into applications that will benefit society.
$2.2M
California Academy of Sciences · San Francisco, CA · 2024
In support of the complete digitization and documentation of an extensive global collection of historical botany specimens.

View all 4,004 grants →

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Source: IRS Form 990-PF, Part XV, as filed by the foundation. These are grants already paid — a record of what this funder backs, not an open call.