The Carnegie Institution of Washington, D.C., was founded with a generous gift of $10 million from industrialist Andrew Carnegie, underscoring the pivotal role that private philanthropy would play in supporting scientific research in the 20th century. Carnegie, recognizing the limitations of government funding for science, aimed to create an independent research institution that would operate without the constraints typically imposed on academic entities. His intention was to stimulate scientific exploration and provide an organized approach to solving pressing societal issues through scientific inquiry and collaboration. The institution started its operations focusing on a wide array of disciplines, including astronomy, biology, and earth sciences, making significant progress in advancing knowledge across these fields.

The impact of the Carnegie Institution extended beyond its immediate research contributions, as it also established a framework for future philanthropic ventures in supporting education and science. Carnegie appointed a distinguished board of trustees, which included renowned scientists and scholars, to oversee the institution’s activities and uphold its mission. By 1905, within just a few years of its founding, the institution had attracted prominent scientists who would contribute to its reputation as a leading research establishment. The Carnegie Institution's emphasis on a rigorous scientific approach laid the groundwork for future research initiatives and influenced other philanthropists to support similar ventures aimed at advancing human knowledge.

As the institution flourished, it formed various departments and research centers, fostering significant advancements in various fields. The legacy of the Carnegie Institution can be traced through its contributions to fundamental knowledge and its alignment with Carnegie's overarching philosophy of using wealth for the greater good, which would resonate throughout the century as a model for future philanthropic efforts in science and education.