Accepts applications
Can I apply?
Accepts applications
The funder's latest Form 990-PF says it accepts applications. Read the instructions below before you write.
- How to apply
- Deadlines
The funder's latest Form 990-PF says it accepts applications. Read the instructions below before you write.
Application policy: Accepts applications, as stated on the FY2025 return.
These lines count this foundation's own Form 990-PF returns that the IRS has published as data. An amended return replaces its original. They describe past returns only.
Application guidance comes from the funder's own Form 990-PF, Part XV (the section where a private foundation says how to apply), shown as filed. It is the funder's words, not ours. These fields are free text and the IRS form cuts them short. Filers sometimes put whole sentences in the contact-name box. Shown exactly as filed.
Giving by year
Total assets by year
| Year | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Giving | Assets | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | 990-PF | $25,836,917 | $35,684,674 | $29,097,593 | $13,386,127 |
Figures are as reported on the e-filed return, with no restatement. Fiscal years are the funder's own tax year, labelled by the calendar year the period ends in. A blank line means the return does not carry that figure; a real zero shows as $0. When an amended return replaces an original, every figure here uses the amended return. The original is not shown. Giving is what the funder actually paid out toward its charitable purpose in the year (qualifying distributions on Form 990-PF, charitable disbursements otherwise). Assets are what it holds; giving is what moves.
Recipient focus areas
Where recipients are
Based on the 9% of grant rows we could match to an organization record. The rest stay as reported. The IRS assigns the NTEE category when it grants exemption. It often reflects the original filing, not today's giving.
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MILKY WAY RESEARCH FOUNDATIONWASHINGTON, DC | LIFE SCIENCE RESEARCH | $1,083,735 | 2023 | |
Recipients are shown as the funder wrote them on the return. A recipient with a link was matched to an organization record; the rest stay as reported and are never guessed. Some links come from other funders' returns: when three or more of them wrote the same name and state with one EIN, and the city on this row matches, we use that EIN. The name on this row is still shown as this funder wrote it.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yuri B Milner | PRESIDENT | 1.00 | $0 |
| Breck Hancock | DIRECTOR, TREASURER | 1.00 | $0 |
| James A Hutchinson | DIRECTOR, SECRETARY | 1.00 | $0 |
| Simon Peter Worden | CHAIRMAN, DIVISION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR |
From the officer list on the latest e-filed return. Compensation is as reported there; a blank means the return carries no figure.
| $8,433,240 |
| FY2024 | 990-PF | $60,760,522 | $57,570,255 | $39,188,476 | $19,729,292 | $18,280,997 |
| FY2023 | 990-PF | $98,745,658 | $91,429,307 | $68,862,878 | $20,787,237 | $15,090,730 |
| FY2022 | 990-PF | $48,295,695 | $47,730,404 | $28,271,878 | $10,581,357 | $7,774,379 |
| FY2021amended | 990-PF | $32,572,414 | $25,260,173 | $27,069,025 | $8,542,108 | $7,209,088 |
| FY2020 | 990-PF | $23,591,100 | $25,816,425 | $25,930,208 | $3,107,390 | −$103,153 |
| TECH FOR REFUGEES |
| $1,000,000 |
| 2025 |
| Jens GundlachWashington, DC | Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics | $1,000,000 | 2021 |
| SERGIO FERRARAWASHINGTON, DC | SPECIAL BREAKTHROUGH PRIZE IN FUNDAMENTAL PHYSICS | $1,000,000 | 2020 |
| PETER VAN NIEUWENHUIZENWASHINGTON, DC | SPECIAL BREAKTHROUGH PRIZE IN FUNDAMENTAL PHYSICS | $1,000,000 | 2020 |
| ROCKEFELLER PHILANTHROPY ADVISORSNEW YORK, NY | TECH FOR REFUGEES | $1,000,000 | 2023 |
| CHARITIES AID FOUNDATION AMERICAALEXANDRIA, VA | TECH FOR REFUGEES | $1,000,000 | 2024 |
| Blayne HeckelWashington, DC | Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics | $1,000,000 | 2021 |
| NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCESWASHINGTON, DC | TO SUPPORT UKRAINE REFUGEES AND UKRAINIAN SCIENTISTS AFFECTED BY THE CRISIS IN UKRAINE | $1,000,000 | 2022 |
| Eric AdelbergerWashington, DC | Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics | $1,000,000 | 2021 |
| DANIEL FREEDMANWASHINGTON, DC | SPECIAL BREAKTHROUGH PRIZE IN FUNDAMENTAL PHYSICS | $1,000,000 | 2020 |
| GILLES BRASSARDWASHINGTON, DC | 2023 BREAKTHROUGH PRIZE IN FUNDAMENTAL PHYSICS | $750,000 | 2023 |
| DAVID DEUTSCHWASHINGTON, DC | 2023 BREAKTHROUGH PRIZE IN FUNDAMENTAL PHYSICS | $750,000 | 2023 |
| CHARLES BENNETTWASHINGTON, DC | 2023 BREAKTHROUGH PRIZE IN FUNDAMENTAL PHYSICS | $750,000 | 2023 |
| PETER SHORWASHINGTON, DC | 2023 BREAKTHROUGH PRIZE IN FUNDAMENTAL PHYSICS | $750,000 | 2023 |
| MILKY WAY RESEARCH FOUNDATIONWASHINGTON, DC | LIFE SCIENCE RESEARCH | $536,121 | 2023 |
| MILKY WAY RESEARCH FOUNDATIONWASHINGTON, DC | LIFE SCIENCE RESEARCH | $512,499 | 2024 |
| MILKY WAY RESEARCH FOUNDATIONWASHINGTON, DC | LIFE SCIENCE RESEARCH | $502,092 | 2022 |
| INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE (IRC)ALBERT LEA, MN | TECH FOR REFUGEES | $500,000 | 2024 |
| ROCKEFELLER PHILANTHROPY ADVISORSNEW YORK, NY | TECH FOR REFUGEES | $500,000 | 2024 |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF THE TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY INCNEW YORK, NY | TO SUPPORT UKRAINE REFUGEES AND UKRAINIAN SCIENTISTS AFFECTED BY THE CRISIS IN UKRAINE | $500,000 | 2022 |
| AUSTRALIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCE | PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR SHORT-TERM RESEARCH COLLABORATIONS BETWEEN UKRAINIAN SCIENTISTS AND RESEARCH FACILITIES IN AUSTRALIA AND EFFORTS TO PROVIDE UKRAINIAN SCIENTISTS ACCESS TO AUSTRALIAN RESEARCH FACILITIES FOR SAMPLE ANALYSIS. | $500,000 | 2023 |
| MILKY WAY RESEARCH FOUNDATIONWASHINGTON, DC | LIFE SCIENCE RESEARCH | $466,881 | 2025 |
| MILKY WAY RESEARCH FOUNDATIONWASHINGTON, DC | LIFE SCIENCE RESEARCH | $460,787 | 2024 |
| MILKY WAY RESEARCH FOUNDATIONWASHINGTON, DC | LIFE SCIENCE RESEARCH | $376,586 | 2023 |
| 40.00 |
| $293,078 |
| Margot Mcginness | DIVISION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 10.00 | $224,163 |
| Karl Johansson | DIRECTOR | 2.00 | $13,125 |
Nearest by size, location and giving pattern in the database. Geography weighs heavily. Treat it as a starting list, not a ranking of fit.
Form 990-PF · FY2024 · period ending May 31, 2024IRS bulk XML
Filing id 202501049349100545
Form 990-PF · FY2023 · period ending May 31, 2023IRS bulk XML
Filing id 202441069349101064
Form 990-PF · FY2022 · period ending May 31, 2022
Filing id 202341089349100934
Form 990-PF · FY2021 · period ending May 31, 2021 · amended
Filing id 202231519349100863
Form 990-PF · FY2020 · period ending May 31, 2020
Filing id 202111059349100911
IRS filings are the source for every fact on this page. Nothing a model writes is ever a source; it can only point at a row here.