AEI launches AI tool mapping $90B in foundation funding flowing to 5,270 U.S. universities

The American Enterprise Institute, a conservative policy think tank, has released an AI-driven LLM data platform tracking private foundation funding worth over $90 billion to U.S. higher education. An analysis of 2008–2025 IRS filings covering 1.1 million grants from more than 57,000 foundations  shows concentrations in funding: 1% of 5,270 institutions received half of all funding with Harvard, Stanford, and Johns Hopkins each receiving at least $2.5 billion. Recipient concentration is equally pronounced: University of Washington receives 66% of foundation funds from the Gates Foundation, Johns Hopkins 38% from Bloomberg, and Bard College 51% from Open Society. Moreover, large foundations devote 71% of awards to core academic missions, while small foundations direct 76% of funding to direct research and student support including financial assistance and scholarships.