Breakthrough Prize Foundation
Historical FunderWashington, District of Columbia · EIN 46-0677985 · Private foundation · Website
Half of its grants to organizations were between $50,000 and $1,125,025.
How to apply
The foundation filed the following application information (Form 990-PF Part XV, tax year 2024):
| Contact | BREAKTHROUGH PRIZE FOUNDATION |
|---|---|
| Address | 1900 N STREET NW, WASHINGTON DC 20036 |
| Phone | 2023464293 |
| Form and materials | THE FOUNDATION MAKES THE CANDIDATE SUBMISSION FORM AND CRITERIA AVAILABLE ON ITS WEBSITE: WWW.BREAKTHROUGHPRIZE.ORG > NOMINATIONS |
| Deadlines | PLEASE VISIT WWW.BREAKTHROUGHPRIZE.ORG FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING SUBMISSION DEADLINES. |
| Restrictions | NO BREAKTHROUGH PRIZE GRANTED BY THE FOUNDATION SHALL HAVE ANY AGE RESTRICTIONS. AGE RESTRICTIONS DO APPLY TO JR CHALLENGE AWARDS. ANY BREAKTHROUGH PRIZE OF THE FOUNDATION MAY BE RECEIVED MORE THAN ONCE. PREVIOUS WINNERS OF THE JR CHALLENGE AWARD ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN SUBSEQUENT JR CHALLENGE COMPETITIONS. MEMBERS OF THE SELECTION COMMITTEE ARE ELIGIBLE TO BE NOMINATED TO RECEIVE THE BREAKTHROUGH PRIZE AND THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY WILL GOVERN THE PROCEDURES FOR SUCH NOMINEES. ANY BREAKTHROUGH PRIZE CAN BE SHARED BY A NUMBER OF PEOPLE, INCLUDING COLLABORATIONS. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE RULES OF ANY PROGRAM CAN BE FOUND ON THE FOUNDATION WEBSITE. |
Copied as filed. Deadlines on a tax return describe the foundation's usual process; they are not confirmation of a current open cycle.
What it funds
Share of grant lines on the latest return, classified from the purpose each grant states.
Where it gives
55% of grants went outside District of Columbia.
Grants paid in tax year 2024
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Rescue Committee (Irc) | Albert Lea, MN | Tech for refugees | $1,570,000 |
| Milky Way Research Foundation | Washington, DC | Life science research | $1,225,271 |
| Milky Way Research Foundation | Washington, DC | Life science research | $1,125,025 |
| Airbnborg | San Francisco, CA | Tech for refugees | $1,000,000 |
| Milky Way Research Foundation | Washington, DC | Life science research | $466,881 |
| Arid1b Research Foundation Inc | Chevy Chase, MD | Support charitable activities | $150,000 |
| Neev Academy | Kempapura Bengalaru, IN | 2023 breakthrough junior challenge - school award | $100,000 |
| Blue Valley High School | Washington, DC | 2022 breakthrough junior challenge - school award | $100,000 |
| Los Altos Chabad | Mountain View, CA | Support charitable activities and the bay area friendship circle | $50,000 |
| University of Oxford | Oxford, UK | Support graduate studentship in particle physics | $13,564 |
| Kings Care Foundation | El Segundo, CA | Los angeles wildfire relief | $10,363 |
The return also lists 16 grants to individuals ($7,090,000). We do not publish the names of individual recipients.
Grants approved for future payment
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cern & Society Foundation | Meyrin, | 2025 breakthrough prize in fundamental physics | $3,000,000 |
| Community High School | Brooklyn, NY | 2024 breakthrough junior challenge - school award | $100,000 |
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $12,901,104 | 31 |
| 2023 | $41,715,492 | 41 |
| 2022 | $69,407,197 | 51 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2024, filed Apr 13, 2026 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202611039349100846
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 46-0677985
- Profile updated Nov 5, 2026
Facts on this page come from the foundation's own IRS Form 990-PF filings as published by the IRS. Grantvello does not know whether a foundation is accepting proposals right now: a past grant is not an open opportunity. Always confirm current guidelines with the funder before applying.