Foundation or philanthropic investor

Rockefeller Foundation

Checked against official source Last checked 15 November 2026

The Rockefeller Foundation operates as a private philanthropic organisation and institutional allocator dedicated to promoting the well-being of humanity globally. Established in May 1913 by a charter from the State of New York issued to John D. Rockefeller Sr., his son John D. Rockefeller Jr., and Frederick Taylor Gates, the foundation is headquartered in New York City. The foundation manages a diversified multi-billion-dollar investment endowment to fund programmatic grant-making and market-rate investments across private capital markets. The foundation is an early pioneer in the field of impact investing and catalytic finance, allocating capital into third-party venture capital, private equity buyout, and specialised impact funds. Its broader investment framework focuses heavily on advancing technological innovation, global climate transition initiatives, universal healthcare frameworks, and sustainable food security infrastructure.