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Proteus Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

Proteus Foundation

Its FY2025 filing reports that it accepted unsolicited grant applications.

$520k
Granted FY2025still arriving
30
Grants FY2025still arriving
7
States reached
$100k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
01What it funds
01100% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2020 to 2025.

Philanthropy$718kScience & Tech$625kArts & Culture$411kEnvironment$296kEducation$226kFood & Nutrition$138kInternational$100kPublic Safety & Disaster$90kOther$0
02FY2025 · 30 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2025

  • Under $10k18 grants · $91k
  • $10k–50k8 grants · $180k
  • $50k–250k4 grants · $250k
$5,000
Median grant
7
States reached
$8.6M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE FOR MACHINE CONSCIOUSNESS$100,000
FERN HOLLOW NATURE CENTER$50,000
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF CENTRAL BLUE RIDGE$50,000
CENTER FOR OPEN SCIENCE$50,000
SWEETWATER CENTER FOR ARTS$37,500
MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY$25,000
AMERICAN SHAKESPEARE CENTER$25,000
GREEN FORESTS WORK$25,000
SANTA FE INSTITUTE$25,000
SHENANDOAH GREEN$17,000
THE LINDSAY THEATER$15,000
TREE PITTSBURGH$10,000
WVLS ALLEGHENY MOUNTAIN RADIO$5,500
HIGHLAND COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY$5,000
RENEWING HOMES OF GREATER AUGUSTA INC$5,000
02The need
03

Does the money reach high-need areas?

Each grant placed by the hardship in its grantee’s ZIP, against the area’s typical level.

show:

Its human-services grants (FY21–25, $35k) land where the poverty rate runs at 13%, against an area that typically sits at 9%. 100% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 9%AMERICAN RED CROSS: $5k → 14%AMERICAN RED CROSS: $5k → 14%HIGHLAND CHILDREN'S HOUSE: $5k → 13%HIGHLAND CHILDREN'S HOUSE: $5k → 13%HIGHLAND CHILDREN'S HOUSE: $5k → 13%HIGHLAND CHILDREN'S HOUSE: $5k → 13%HIGHLAND CHILDREN'S HOUSE: $5k → 13%0%20%40%50%more need →
grant to an above-average-need area below average· circle size = grant amount
How this is measured
Matched: human-services grants are those whose grantee’s IRS cause code is Human Services. Placed by people below the poverty line in the grantee’s ZIP, averaged from the tracts in that ZIP.

Which US states its grants reach

MA
IN
PA
CA
CO
KY
WV
VA
NM
DC
How this is measured
US grants placed by each grantee’s ZIP, which can differ from where services are delivered. Need from public data (U.S. Census/ACS, CDC PLACES, Eviction Lab, USDA), shown as context about the area, never attributed to the funder’s giving.
04

Where the work is directed

The same grants placed two ways: where each recipient sits, and where its stated purpose sends the money.

About 14% of Proteus Foundation’s grant dollars are earmarked for a different county than the recipient’s own address.

Proteus Foundationlessmore of its giving
Placed by recipient address · 2.3% directed abroad (not shown)
How this is measured
Recipient view: each grant at its grantee’s ZIP, mapped to a county. Directed view: each grant at the county its stated purpose names, falling back to the recipient’s county when the purpose names no place; US grants only. A county shows only if it carries the top 95% of that view’s dollars. Purposes are read from the funder’s own 990 grant descriptions.
03Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

Organizations funded in more than one year, against those funded once.

87%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$1.7M · 35 repeat orgs$264k to everyone else

Grantees it renews have grown median revenue +32% since the first grant, against +14% for those funded once.

35 repeat relationships: 22 still active in FY2025, 13 since wound down; 6 grantees were first funded in FY2025 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

35
10

Total granted

$1.7M
$106k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+32%
+14%

Still filing today

60%
30%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2025, 65% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $158k went to new ones.

50%100%’20’21’22’23’24’25
RenewedFirst-time

Where new relationships form · theme of each grantee’s first grant

’20’21’22’23’24’25
EnvironmentScience & TechFood & NutritionEducationCommunity ImprovementHealthOther
How this is measured
First-time means a grantee’s first year in the filing window; renewed means funded in an earlier year too. The renewed share climbs naturally as a portfolio matures, so the signal is a year that bucks it (a wave of new grantees). The earliest year is left-censored: relationships that predate the data read as new. Theme is the grantee’s IRS cause.

Backed again, and grew

  • CF
    CENTER FOR OPEN SCIENCE INC
    6× · 2020–2025 · $200k · revenue +49%
  • SANTA FE INSTITUTE
    6× · 2020–2025 · $200k · revenue +320%
  • GF
    GREEN FORESTS WORK INC
    4× · 2022–2025 · $125k · revenue +192%

Funded once

  • OG
    OPEN GLOBAL MIND CO LIONSBERG MMAP
    one grant, 2021 · $25k
  • FG
    FUTURE GENERATIONS UNIVERSITY CORPORATION
    one grant, 2024 · $16k · revenue -26%
  • GQ
    GMU QUANT SOCIAL SCIENCE PROJECT
    one grant, 2020 · $15k
How this is measured

Repeat means funded in two or more distinct years. Growth and survival are read from each grantee’s own subsequent IRS filings.

04Its field

Closest unfunded matches

The nonprofits that most resemble its grantees but are not funded by it, scored along the direction from the rest of the field toward the portfolio. A resemblance in what they say they do, not a recommendation.

1
Fsc I&P

Fsc i&p promotes environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial, and economically viable management of the world's forests. this mission aligns with the forest stewardship council (fsc), its network of offices, and other organizations.…

Philanthropy
2
The Union of Concerned Scientists Inc

The union of concerned scientists puts rigorous, independent science into action, developing solutions and advocating for a healthy, safe, and just future.

International
3
Ucar Exchange

To assume and foster certain charitable activities of the university corporation for atmospheric research (ucar). these include development of scientific innovations, related research, and application of scientific advances for the benefit…

—
4
University of Virginia Investment Management Company

The university of virginia investment management company (uvimco) is organized to invest funds on behalf of the rector and visitors of the university of virginia (the university or uva) and university-associated organizations (uaos).

Education
5
Glen Foerd Conservation Corporation

Glen foerd stewards an eclectic riverfront estate for the enjoyment and educational benefit of the community. drawing from the estate's architecture, art, material culture, and history-as well as its gardens and waterways-glen foerd…

Environment
6
The Commons Inc

To partner with individuals and organizations to access, organize, and share data that inspires action that restores our environment.

—
7
Vermont Energy Investment Corporation

Veic is a sustainable energy company on a mission to generate the energy solutions the world needs (continues in schedule o). (continued), working to combat the climate crisis, boost community resilience, and lower energy costs. for nearly…

Environment
8
American Flood Coalition Inc

To drive transformational adaptation to protect communities across the country from higher seas, stronger storms, and more frequent flooding.

Environment
9
Health and Environmental Sciences Institute

The health and environmental sciences institute (hesi) is a nonprofit institution whose mission is to engage scientists from academia, government, industry, nonprofit, and other research institutions to identify and resolve global health…

Science & Tech
10
Western Pennsylvania Conservancy

The western pennsylvania conservancy protects and restores exceptional places to provide our region with clean waters and healthy forests, wildlife and natural areas for the benefit of present and future generations. the conservancy…

Environment
11
Montgomery County Food Council Inc

Mcfc builds an equitable, resilient and sustainable local food system through collaboration, transformation, and cultivation.mcfc envisions a vibrant and equitable food system that is healthy for our community, economy, and environment.

Food & Nutrition
12
The American Chestnut Foundation

To return the iconic american chestnut to its native range.

Environment
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge; the most unlike its peers is California Institute for Machine Consciousness. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
05the grantee network

30 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2025.

Each grant beside the grantee’s revenue from every source, year by year.

How this is measured

Counted here: distinct organizations funded across 2017 to 2025, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 30 of the 54 grantees resolved in that span have returns of their own we could reconcile.

Each grantee is resolved to its own IRS returns. Association, dated; never a causal claim.

0
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
7
Early backer (in before they grew)
30/30
Grantees still filing
22/30
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

SWEETWATER CENTER FOR ARTS: $180,000 · OtherSWEETWATER CENTER FOR ARTSCIVILIZATION RESEARCH INITIATIVE CP: $100,000 · OtherCIVILIZATION RESEARCH INITIATIVE CPMIT BRAIN AND COGNITIVE SCIENCES: $75,000 · OtherMIT BRAIN AND COGNITIVE SCIENCESNEW MEXICO SCHOOL FOR ARTS: $35,000 · OtherIndividual grant recipient: $35,000 · OtherSquirrel Hill Urban Coalition: $40,000 · OtherMIT Free Speech Alliance: $40,000 · Other+29 more: $442,500 · Other+29 moreCOMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF THE CENTRAL BLUE RIDGE: $717,500 · PhilanthropyCOMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF THE C…CENTER FOR OPEN SCIENCE INC: $200,000 · Science & TechCENTER FOR OPEN SCIE…SANTA FE INSTITUTE: $200,000 · Science & TechSANTA FE INSTITUTECalifornia Institute for Machine Consciousness: $100,000 · Science & TechCalifornia Institute…GREEN FORESTS WORK INC: $125,000 · EnvironmentGREEN FORES…FRIENDS OF THE PITTSBURGH URBAN FOREST: $64,000 · EnvironmentFRIENDS OF …FERN HOLLOW NATURE CENTER INC: $55,000 · EnvironmentFERN HOLLOW…ALLEGHENY LAND TRUST: $20,000 · EnvironmentALLEGHENY L…CLEAN AIR TASK FORCE INC: $15,000 · EnvironmentCLEAN AIR T…GROW PITTSBURGH: $60,000 · Food & NutritionFOODSHED CAPITAL: $60,000 · Food & NutritionPROJECT GROWS INC: $17,500 · Food & NutritionMassachusetts Institute of Technology: $75,000 · EducationSewickley Public Library: $20,000 · EducationFUTURE GENERATIONS UNIVERSITY CORPORATION: $16,000 · EducationVIRGINIA TECH FOUNDATION INC: $10,000 · EducationSEWICKLEY ACADEMY: $5,000 · EducationMEDIATORS FOUNDATION INC: $75,000 · International
Other$947,500Philanthropy$717,500Science & Tech$500,000Environment$279,000Food & Nutrition$137,500Education$126,000International$75,000

Each grantee by its size and the funder’s share of it; top left is load-bearing

25%50%75%100%$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetCOMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF THE CENTRAL BLUE RIDGE: $717,500 over 6y, 5.0% of budgetCENTER FOR OPEN SCIENCE INC: $200,000 over 6y, 0.5% of budgetSANTA FE INSTITUTE: $200,000 over 6y, 0.4% of budgetGREEN FORESTS WORK INC: $125,000 over 4y, 1.6% of budgetMEDIATORS FOUNDATION INC: $75,000 over 2y, 1.4% of budgetMassachusetts Institute of Technology: $75,000 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetFRIENDS OF THE PITTSBURGH URBAN FOREST: $64,000 over 6y, 0.8% of budgetGROW PITTSBURGH: $60,000 over 2y, 2.0% of budgetFOODSHED CAPITAL: $60,000 over 2y, 7.9% of budgetFERN HOLLOW NATURE CENTER INC: $55,000 over 2y, 0.9% of budgetMIT Free Speech Alliance: $40,000 over 4y, 7.3% of budgetSquirrel Hill Urban Coalition: $40,000 over 2y, 17% of budgetHISTORIC STAUNTON FOUNDATION INC: $30,000 over 6y, 2.9% of budgetHIGHLAND MEDICAL CENTER INC: $30,000 over 6y, 0.1% of budgetHighland County Volunteer Rescue Squad Inc: $30,000 over 6y, 2.4% of budgetHIGHLAND COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY INC: $25,000 over 4y, 8.9% of budgetHighland Children's House: $25,000 over 5y, 1.8% of budgetSewickley Public Library: $20,000 over 4y, 0.3% of budgetALLEGHENY LAND TRUST: $20,000 over 4y, 0.1% of budgetPROJECT GROWS INC: $17,500 over 2y, 3.2% of budgetFUTURE GENERATIONS UNIVERSITY CORPORATION: $16,000 over 1y, 0.4% of budgetRENEWING HOMES OF GREATER AUGUSTA INC: $15,000 over 3y, 2.5% of budgetCLEAN AIR TASK FORCE INC: $15,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetVIRGINIA TECH FOUNDATION INC: $10,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetAmerican National Red Cross & Its Constituent Chapters and Branches: $10,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetAMERICAN SHAKESPEARE CENTER: $5,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetSEWICKLEY ACADEMY: $5,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budget
Grantee by grantee: a decade per organization, before and after funding

A decade per grantee: revenue shaded, grants as bars, all rows on one timeline.

  • Who funds COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF THE CENTRAL BLUE RIDGE ↗
  • Who funds CENTER FOR OPEN SCIENCE INC ↗
  • Who funds SANTA FE INSTITUTE ↗
  • Who funds GREEN FORESTS WORK INC ↗
  • Who funds California Institute for Machine Consciousness ↗
  • Who funds MEDIATORS FOUNDATION INC ↗
  • Who funds Massachusetts Institute of Technology ↗
  • Who funds FRIENDS OF THE PITTSBURGH URBAN FOREST ↗
  • Who funds GROW PITTSBURGH ↗
  • Who funds FOODSHED CAPITAL ↗
  • Who funds FERN HOLLOW NATURE CENTER INC ↗
  • Who funds MIT Free Speech Alliance ↗
  • Who funds Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition ↗
  • Who funds HISTORIC STAUNTON FOUNDATION INC ↗
  • Who funds HIGHLAND MEDICAL CENTER INC ↗
  • Who funds Highland County Volunteer Rescue Squad Inc ↗
  • Who funds HIGHLAND COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY INC ↗
  • Who funds Highland Children's House ↗
  • Who funds Sewickley Public Library ↗
  • Who funds ALLEGHENY LAND TRUST ↗
  • Who funds PROJECT GROWS INC ↗
  • Who funds FUTURE GENERATIONS UNIVERSITY CORPORATION ↗
  • Who funds RENEWING HOMES OF GREATER AUGUSTA INC ↗
  • Who funds CLEAN AIR TASK FORCE INC ↗
  • Who funds MCDOWELL VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY INC ↗

Co-funders

Grantmakers whose grantees overlap with this funder’s far more than size alone predicts. Closer means stronger alignment; arcs show where they also fund each other. Here they form a tightly interlocked group: most of these funders back each other's grantees too.

The Pittsburgh Founda…Community Foundation …The Community Foundat…Glen and Diane Meakem…Richard King Mellon F…The Heinz EndowmentsThe Kopf Family Found…The Grable FoundationNational Philanthropi…American Endowment Fo…Vanguard Charitable E…Paypal Charitable Giv…
The Pittsburgh FoundationPA17.7× affinity7 shared granteesties to 10 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: The Pittsburgh Foundation · Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge · The Community Foundation of Harrisonburg & Rockingham County · Glen and Diane Meakem Foundation Inc · Richard King Mellon Foundation · The Heinz Endowments · The Kopf Family Foundation · The Grable Foundation · National Philanthropic Trust · American Endowment Foundation · Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program · Paypal Charitable Giving Fund

How this is measured
Affinity is a Gamma-Poisson posterior co-funding rate, re-centered on the typical rate, so thin evidence shrinks toward no signal. Overlap is association, not proof of shared intent.

How much its grantees rely on government

Each dot is one organization Proteus Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from Proteus Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 20%1%5%11%20%funder's share of their income ↑0%23%45%68%90%share of the org’s income from government →median 35%
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology: 35% of income from government
no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
2get no government money at all
13report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
0rely on government for over half their income
⤢ axis zoomed · 0–90%
typical government reliance, FY20–25
How this is measured
Government income is each org’s traced federal awards (USASpending grants and contracts) plus state payments (open checkbooks) as a share of its total revenue (IRS Form 990); the self-reported government-grant line (990 line 1e) is carried for cross-check: a grantee that reports government grants we could not trace to a source is left off the chart rather than shown as receiving none. An association, not a claim that a grant caused the public funding. Coverage is precision-first, a floor rather than a census; state records exist for 9 states, so a grantee outside them shows no state figure (dimmed) rather than a false zero. Federal award amounts are obligations, which can span years, so a single-year share is indicative. 990 filings lag 12 to 24 months.

On method. Every financial figure here is read from IRS e-file XML, the funder’s own 990/990-PF, and from the multi-year returns of the 54 grantees we resolved, each linked to its source. Grantee outcomes are each organization’s own program-service reporting (Form 990, Part III), read as association with funding, never as caused by it. Low-confidence name matches are suppressed rather than guessed. How we build these →

How this is measured
Each figure carries one of six labels. Filed is what the funder reported on its return. Official is another government record about an organization, such as a federal award or a charity register, joined by name where no shared identifier exists. Resolved is an identity we worked out where the filing named a recipient without an EIN, kept only above a measured confidence threshold. Computed is arithmetic over those, like themes, portfolio clusters and co-funder strength. Context is a statistic about a place rather than about an organization, which is what the need overlay is: it describes the area a grantee’s address sits in, not where its work lands. Inferred is drawn by a model from text, like the partnerships read out of public news and organization websites. Each is labeled where it appears.

Generated from the IRS Form 990-PF e-file return for fiscal year 2025, released 2025. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

Source object · view filing

Play a game based on Proteus’ filings →

More from the funding graph

The unnamed billions
grants reported with no recipient in the public record
The regranting layer
51% of grant dollars land in the regranting layer
The DAF merry-go-round
$9.7B circulates between donor-advised funds
The endowment market
who holds foundation money, and what just moved
The camps
funders cluster by geography, not ideology
By state
where grant money is based, and what stays home