OpenAI Foundation
Also known as OpenAI, Inc.
The nonprofit that controls OpenAI and funds work on disease, AI resilience and communities.
Run by Bret Taylor (Chair of the board).
Led by
- Bret Taylor
Chair of the board 1
Subsidiaries
- OpenAIOrganization
controls OpenAI Group PBC and appoints all its directors; 26% equity at the October 2025 recapitalization (about $130B), plus a warrant for more if the share price rises over tenfold after 15 years · since 28 Oct 2025 source on OpenAI
- The nonprofit OpenAI was renamed the OpenAI Foundation in the October 2025 recapitalization.
- It controls OpenAI Group PBC through special voting and governance rights.
- It appoints every OpenAI Group director and can replace them at any time.
- Its Safety and Security Committee oversees safety practices across all of OpenAI.
- It grants money through programs in life sciences, AI resilience and civil society.
Why it matters
- It is the body that legally controls OpenAI, and its stake makes it one of the best-funded charities.
- Founded
- 2015, as the nonprofit OpenAI1
- Renamed
- OpenAI Foundation, announced 28 October 20251
- Stake in OpenAI Group
- 26% at the close of the recapitalization, about $130B, plus a warrant for more equity if the share price rises over tenfold after 15 years1
- Commitment
- $25 billion toward curing diseases and AI resilience2
- Spending plan
- At least $1 billion over the year from March 20262
- Executive director
- Vacant as of mid-2026; the board began a search in March 20264
Who owns and runs it
Run by Bret Taylor (Chair of the board).
Led by
- Bret Taylor
Chair of the board 1
Subsidiaries
- OpenAIOrganization
controls OpenAI Group PBC and appoints all its directors; 26% equity at the October 2025 recapitalization (about $130B), plus a warrant for more if the share price rises over tenfold after 15 years · since 28 Oct 2025 source on OpenAI
Programs
The line under a date fills as it gets older: empty when new, full at 2 years.
-
Life Sciences and Curing Diseases2
First focus areas: AI for Alzheimer's, public data for health, and high-mortality diseases.
-
AI Resilience2
AI's impact on children and youth, biosecurity, and AI model safety.
-
People-First AI Fund4
Grants to community organizations; $40.5M announced in December 2025.
Connections
Links
Sources
- Our structure (OpenAI) (opens openai.com)
- Update on the OpenAI Foundation (Bret Taylor, 24 March 2026) (opens openaifoundation.org)
- Paul Christiano joins OpenAI Foundation Board (OpenAI Foundation, 9 September 2026) (opens openaifoundation.org)
- 12 people to know at the OpenAI Foundation (Inside Philanthropy, June 2026) (opens insidephilanthropy.com)
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