Non-profit

Synergos Institute

Website:

www.synergos.org/

Location:

NEW YORK, NY

Tax ID:

13-3392006

Tax-Exempt Status:

501(c)(3)

Budget (2019):

Revenue: $15,676,280
Expenses: $15,050,935
Assets: $30,738,295

Formation:

1986

Type:

Philanthropy Advisory

Executive Directors:

Henri Van Eeghen and Marila Bezerra

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The Synergos Institute is an “important hub for the global philanthropy of wealthy families” 1 founded in 1986 by Peggy Dulany, the daughter of David Rockefeller. 2 3 4 The critical race theory-influenced principles of “equity and social justice” are two of the institute’s core values. 5

Synergos Institute also operates the Global Philanthropists Circle (GPC), whose membership includes over 400 philanthropists from more than 30 countries; 6 its Senior Fellows Network that directly works in Egypt, the Palestinian territories, Jordan, Lebanon, and Morocco to addressing poverty and “equity”; 7 and consulting and philanthropic advisory services. 8

Synergos Institute has received more than $50,000,000 in grants from the left-of-center Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation since January 2008. 9 The Institute has also received donations and grants from the Rockefeller Foundation, 10 the New Venture Fund, 11 Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, 12 the John Templeton Foundation, 13 ImpactAssets, 14 the NoVo Foundation, and others. 15

History and Leadership

Synergos Institute was founded in 1986 by Peggy Dulany, a daughter of David Rockefeller and a member of the prominent Rockefeller family. 16 17 18

Henry van Eeghen and Marilia Bezerra are co-executive directors of Synergos. 19 The Institute’s board of directors includes Liesel Pritzker Simmons, a prominent investor and donor to left-leaning political causes and member of the Pritzker family. 20

Activities and Funding

The Synergos Institute is a global organization that serves as an “important hub for the global philanthropy of wealthy families.” 21 22 The institute aims to reduce global poverty by connecting philanthropists; building partnerships between government, business, and civil society; and advising organizations how to achieve social impact. The institute’s work focuses on issues including health, nutrition, agriculture, and youth employment. 23 Critical race theory-influenced principles of “equity and social justice” are two of the institute’s core values. 24

 

Global Philanthropists Circle

In 2001, Peggy Dulany and her father David Rockefeller, Sr., established the Global Philanthropists Circle (GPC), with a commitment to create a more “just, equitable, peaceful, and regenerative world” 25 26 27 following several dinner meetings on the topic in 2000. 28 As of January 2022, GPC’s invite-only membership includes over 100 families and 400 philanthropists from more than 30 countries. 29 In 2005, GFC pursued the critical race theory-influenced concept of “restorative justice.” The group has met with world leaders and includes the founder of the left-of-center Lodestar Foundation. 30

GPC hosts workshops, site visits, retreats, and informal gatherings to help its members increase their social impact. In 2019, Synergos spent $2,518,753 to operate its global and regional philanthropy leader networks, including GFC. 31

Senior Fellows Program

In 1999, Synergos launched the Senior Fellows Network for individuals who demonstrate a commitment to changing systems that perpetuate poverty, are viewed as respected advocates for the poor, and believe in the power of partnerships to solve problems. 32 Senior Fellows specifically work in Egypt, the Palestinian territories, Jordan, Lebanon, and Morocco on issues including addressing poverty and the critical race theory-influenced concept of equity. 33

Consulting Activities

Synergos also provides consulting and philanthropic advisory services. 34 It has provided advisory services to Alwaleed Philanthropies, Bloomberg Philanthropies, the British Council, Conservation International, eBay Foundation, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, GCNYC The Fair Fashion Center, Mondelez International Foundation, Pepsico Foundation, Shell Foundation, Unilever Foundation, and the Walmart Foundation. 35

Funding

In 2019, Synergos Institute received $11,504,167 of grants and contributions and $3,152,733 of program service fees. In 2018 the institute received $10,992,572 of grants and contributions and $1,904,116 of program service fees. 36

 

In 2019, the institute spent $2,518,753 to operate its global and regional philanthropy leader networks, including the Global Philanthropists Circle (GFC) and the Senior Fellows Network. 37 That same year, Synergos spent $4,784,902 on a project with the Ethiopian government to support agricultural growth; spent $2,656,503 on similar projects in Nigeria, Namibia, and South Africa; and spent $1,954,530 on a small shareholder agricultural project in Nigeria. 38

Synergos Institute has received more than $50,000,000 in grants from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation since January 2008. 39 This includes grants worth $2,478,021 and $554,013 in 2019; a $6,605,261 grant in 2018; a $4,196,688 grant in 2016; a $7,394,287 grant in 2015; and a $10,061,631 grant in 2014. 40 41 42 43

Between January 2019 and December 2022, Synergos Institute received grants totaling $240,000 from the Rockefeller Foundation 44 46

In 2017, Synergos Institute received $1,000,215 in consulting fees from the John E. Fetzer Institute 47 and grants of $254,800 from the Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors. 48

In 2016 the institute received grants of $130,000; $67,135; and $20,000 from the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation 49 and $80,000 from the John Templeton Foundation in 2016. 50 In 2015, the institute also received grants totaling $200,000 from the Rockefeller Foundation; 51 $302,000 from Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors; 52 $50,600 from ImpactAssets; 53 $25,000 from the Mai Family Foundation 54 and $25,000 from the NoVo Foundation in 2015. 55 In 2014, the institute received a $115,000 grant from the John Templeton Foundation. 56

Between 1988 and 2000, Synergos Institute received $2,929,000 of grants from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. 57

References

  1. “The Synergos Institue Inc.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2019. Schedule R. https://pdf.guidestar.org/PDF_Images/2019/133/392/2019-133392006-202013189349307936-9.pdf.
  2. Callahan, David. “The Most Powerful Heirs in Philanthropy.” Inside Philanthropy. January 19, 2022. Accessed via Web Archive. January 25, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220120025746/https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/2022/1/19/the-most-powerful-heirs-in-philanthropy.
  3. “Synergos Institute.” LinkedIn. Accessed January 30, 2022. https://www.linkedin.com/company/synergos-institute/about/.
  4. Johnson, Yolanda F. “Meet the Philanthropist: A Conversation with Peggy Dulany Rockefeller on Philanthropic Allyship.” Women of Color in Fundraising and Philanthropy. Accessed January 30, 2022. https://www.woc-fp.com/blog/philanthropy-and-allyship-with-peggy-dulany-rockefeller.
  5. “Vision, Mission, and & Core Values.” Synergos Institute. Accessed January 25, 2022. https://www.synergos.org/about/mission.
  6. “Global Philanthropists Circle.” Synergos Institute. Accessed January 30, 2022. https://www.synergos.org/global-philanthropists-circle.
  7. “The Synergos Institue Inc.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2019. Part I. https://pdf.guidestar.org/PDF_Images/2019/133/392/2019-133392006-202013189349307936-9.pdf.
  8. “About Our Practice.” Synergos Institute. Accessed January 29, 2022. https://www.synergos.org/synergos-consulting-services/about-us
  9. “Committed Grants.” Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Accessed January 29, 2022. https://www.gatesfoundation.org/about/committed-grants?page=2&q=synergos#jump-nav-anchor0.
  10. “Our Grants.” Rockefeller Foundation. Accessed January 29, 2022. https://www.rockefellerfoundation.org/grant/grant-2019-171/.
  11. “New Venture Fund.” Return of Organization Exempt From income Tax. (Form 990). 2019. Schedule I. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/205806345/202033169349300208/full.
  12. “Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, Inc.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income tax. (Form 990). 2017. Schedule I. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/133615533/201832549349301403/IRS990ScheduleI
  13. “John Templeton Foundation.” Return of Private Foundation. (Form 990-PF). 2016. Part XV. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/262048480/201603209349302885/full.
  14. “Impactassets Inc.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2015. Schedule I. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/262048480/201603209349302885/full.
  15. “NoVo Foundation.” Return of Private Foundation. (Form 990-PF). 2015. Part XV. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/470824753/201613209349103631/full.
  16. Callahan, David. “The Most Powerful Heirs in Philanthropy.” Inside Philanthropy. January 19, 2022. Accessed via Web Archive. January 25, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220120025746/https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/2022/1/19/the-most-powerful-heirs-in-philanthropy.
  17. “Synergos Institute.” LinkedIn. Accessed January 30, 2022. https://www.linkedin.com/company/synergos-institute/about/.
  18. Johnson, Yolanda F. “Meet the Philanthropist: A Conversation with Peggy Dulany Rockefeller on Philanthropic Allyship.” Women of Color in Fundraising and Philanthropy. Accessed January 30, 2022. https://www.woc-fp.com/blog/philanthropy-and-allyship-with-peggy-dulany-rockefeller.
  19. “Staff & Representatives.” Synergos Institute. Accessed January 30, 2022. https://www.synergos.org/about/staff.
  20. “The Synergos Institue Inc.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2019. Schedule O. https://pdf.guidestar.org/PDF_Images/2019/133/392/2019-133392006-202013189349307936-9.pdf.
  21. “The Synergos Institue Inc.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2019. Schedule R. https://pdf.guidestar.org/PDF_Images/2019/133/392/2019-133392006-202013189349307936-9.pdf.
  22. Callahan, David. “The Most Powerful Heirs in Philanthropy.” Inside Philanthropy. January 19, 2022. Accessed January 30, 2022. https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/2022/1/19/the-most-powerful-heirs-in-philanthropy.
  23. “Synergos Institute.” Synergos Institute. Accessed January 30, 2022. https://www.synergos.org/.
  24. “Vision, Mission, and & Core Values.” Synergos Institute. Accessed January 25, 2022. https://www.synergos.org/about/mission.
  25. Global Philanthropists Circle.” Synergos Institute. Accessed January 30, 2022. https://www.synergos.org/global-philanthropists-circle.
  26. “Global Philanthropist Circle.” Synergos Institute. Accessed January 29, 2022. https://www.synergos.org/global-philanthropists-circle.
  27. “Global Philanthropists Circle: Our History.” Synergos Institute. Accessed January 29, 2022. https://www.synergos.org/global-philanthropists-circle/our-history.
  28. “Global Philanthropists Circle: Our History.” Synergos Institute. Accessed January 30, 2022. https://www.synergos.org/global-philanthropists-circle/our-history.
  29.  “Global Philanthropists Circle.” Synergos Institute. Accessed January 30, 2022. https://www.synergos.org/global-philanthropists-circle.
  30. “Global Philanthropists Circle: Our History.” Synergos Institute. Accessed January 29, 2022. https://www.synergos.org/global-philanthropists-circle/our-history.
  31.  “The Synergos Institue Inc.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2019. Part I. https://pdf.guidestar.org/PDF_Images/2019/133/392/2019-133392006-202013189349307936-9.pdf.
  32. “Senior Fellows.” Synergos Institute. January 30, 2022. https://www.synergos.org/senior-fellows.
  33. “The Synergos Institute Inc.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2019. Part I. https://pdf.guidestar.org/PDF_Images/2019/133/392/2019-133392006-202013189349307936-9.pdf.
  34. “About Our Practice.” Synergos Institute. Accessed January 29, 2022. https://www.synergos.org/synergos-consulting-services/about-us
  35. “Advisory Services.” Synergos Institute. Accessed January 29, 2022. https://www.templeton.org/grant/synergos-spiritual-civilization-group
  36. “The Synergos Institute Inc.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2019. Part I. https://pdf.guidestar.org/PDF_Images/2019/133/392/2019-133392006-202013189349307936-9.pdf
  37. “The Synergos Institute Inc.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2019. Part I. https://pdf.guidestar.org/PDF_Images/2019/133/392/2019-133392006-202013189349307936-9.pdf.
  38. “The Synergos Institute Inc.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (From 990). 2019. Part III. https://pdf.guidestar.org/PDF_Images/2019/133/392/2019-133392006-202013189349307936-9.pdf.
  39. “Committed Grants.” Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Accessed January 29, 2022. https://www.gatesfoundation.org/about/committed-grants?page=2&q=synergos#jump-nav-anchor0.
  40. Committed Grants.” Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Accessed January 29, 2022. https://www.gatesfoundation.org/about/committed-grants?page=2&q=synergos#jump-nav-anchor0.
  41. “Synergos Institute, Inc.” Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Accessed January 29, 2022. https://www.gatesfoundation.org/about/committed-grants/2018/07/opp1196395.
  42. “Committed Grants.” Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Accessed January 29, 2022. https://www.gatesfoundation.org/about/committed-grants/2018/07/opp1196395.
  43. Synergos Institute, Inc.” Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Accessed January 25, 2022. https://www.gatesfoundation.org/about/committed-grants/2014/08/opp1110230.
  44. “Our Grants.” Rockefeller Foundation. Accessed January 29, 2022. https://www.rockefellerfoundation.org/grant/grant-2019-171/.
  45. and a $175,000 grant from the left-of-center New Venture Fund. 45 “New Venture Fund.” Return of Organization Exempt From income Tax. (Form 990). 2019. Schedule I. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/205806345/202033169349300208/full.
  46. “John E Fetzer Institute Inc.” Return of Private Foundation. (From 990-PF). 2017. Part VIII. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/386052788/201921349349102842/full.
  47. “Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, Inc.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income tax. (Form 990). 2017. Schedule I. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/133615533/201832549349301403/IRS990ScheduleI.
  48. “Paul G. Allen Family Foundation.” Return of Private Foundation. (Form 990-PF). Schedule I. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/943082532/201743179349101789/IRS990PF.
  49. “John Templeton Foundation.” Return of Private Foundation. (Form 990-PF). 2016. Part XV. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/262048480/201603209349302885/full.
  50.  “The Rockefeller Foundation.” Return of Private Foundation. (990-PF). 2015. Part XV. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/131659629/201633199349100638/IRS990PF.
  51. “Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors Inc.” Grants and Other Assistance to Organizations, Governments and Individuals in the United States. (Form 990). 2015. Schedule I. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/133615533/201612819349301506/IRS990ScheduleI.
  52. “Impactassets Inc.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2015. Schedule I. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/262048480/201603209349302885/full.
  53.  “Mai Family Foundation.” Return of Private Foundation. (Form 990-PF). 2017. Part XV. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/133915987/201803179349101650/IRS990PF.
  54. “NoVo Foundation.” Return of Private Foundation. (Form 990-PF). 2015. Part XV. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/470824753/201613209349103631/full.
  55. “Synergos Spiritual Civilation Group.” John Templeton Foundation. Accessed January 29, 2022. https://www.templeton.org/grant/synergos-spiritual-civilization-group.
  56. “Synergos Institute, Inc.” MacArthur Foundation. Accessed January 29, 2022. https://www.macfound.org/grantee/synergos-institute-inc-1963/.

Directors, Employees & Supporters

  1. Lauren Embrey
    Board Member
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Nonprofit Information

  • Accounting Period: December - November
  • Tax Exemption Received: April 1, 1987

  • Available Filings

    Period Form Type Total revenue Total functional expenses Total assets (EOY) Total liabilities (EOY) Unrelated business income? Total contributions Program service revenue Investment income Comp. of current officers, directors, etc. Form 990
    2019 Dec Form 990 $15,676,280 $15,050,935 $30,738,295 $1,370,719 N $11,504,167 $3,152,733 $489,374 $530,102 PDF
    2018 Dec Form 990 $13,563,530 $12,501,961 $27,608,596 $1,170,124 Y $10,992,572 $1,904,116 $375,035 $434,419 PDF
    2017 Dec Form 990 $15,626,709 $13,883,049 $27,970,374 $1,249,714 N $13,462,288 $1,755,503 $234,445 $1,696,371 PDF
    2016 Dec Form 990 $11,528,062 $14,088,067 $26,521,656 $1,375,063 N $10,082,823 $929,481 $189,382 $1,341,859 PDF
    2015 Dec Form 990 $17,891,170 $12,500,538 $29,308,415 $1,761,598 N $16,099,773 $1,022,498 $306,298 $1,328,078 PDF
    2014 Dec Form 990 $18,803,215 $13,736,155 $25,199,943 $1,784,817 N $16,963,320 $1,344,689 $238,882 $1,075,267 PDF
    2013 Dec Form 990 $11,604,935 $12,148,110 $21,209,321 $2,601,741 N $9,941,436 $1,388,131 $297,348 $782,991 PDF
    2012 Dec Form 990 $6,073,994 $8,745,897 $20,813,616 $2,318,419 N $5,164,308 $647,182 $216,174 $785,091 PDF
    2011 Dec Form 990 $14,469,051 $9,271,003 $23,145,035 $2,412,958 N $14,016,245 $1,660,753 $194,599 $742,087 PDF

    Additional Filings (PDFs)

    Synergos Institute

    3 EAST 54TH STREET 14TH
    NEW YORK, NY 10022-3135