SOURCE OF WEALTH: Baker Brothers Investments
FUNDING AREAS: Education & Youth, Health, Jewish Causes
OVERVIEW: Felix and Heather Baker conduct their philanthropy through the H&F Baker Foundation. According to recent tax filings, the foundation gave away around $6.3 million in 2017. The couple supports their alma maters. Other interests include health and Jewish causes.
BACKGROUND: Felix Baker earned both his B.S. in biology in 1991 and his Ph.D. in immunology in 1998 from Stanford University. Along with his brother Julian, he cofounded Baker Brothers Investments, a biotech and pharmaceuticals investment firm.
ISSUES:
EDUCATION & YOUTH: Baker supports his alma mater, Stanford University. The foundation supported Stanford with $2.1 million in grant funding from 2015 to 2017. Not only did he graduate from the school, but his father teaches there. Heather Baker graduated from Northwestern University and received a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from American University. The couple supports Heather’s schools, including the psychology department at American University. Other grantees include Collegiate School (Julian Baker is a trustee), 92nd Street Y Nursery School, and Barnard College.
HEALTH: The Bakers support Center for Hearing and Communication (CHC), where Heather serves on the board. Heather suffers from hearing loss and has spoken about her experiences at CHC. The center has been awarded around $400,000 in grants between 2015 and 2017.Other grantees include NYU Langone Medical Center’s Sala Institute for Child and Family Centered Care.
JEWISH CAUSES: Grantees include Camp Ramah, Hillel at the UW, and Park Avenue Synagogue.
LOOKING FORWARD: Baker and his brother Julian are still engaged in business but should be watched for greater giving down the line.
CONTACT:
H&F Baker Foundation
667 Madison Ave., 21st Fl.
New York City, NY 10065
