Funders › New York

Mertz Gilmore Foundation

New York, NY · EIN 13-2872722. Reported 1,343 grants totalling $42.9M to 399 recipients across tax years 2021-2024. This foundation did not tell the IRS it funds only preselected organizations.

Yesaccepts unsolicited requests
$25,000median grant
$42.9Mgranted, 2021-2024
399recipients, as named on its returns
74%of grantees funded again the next year
$116.8Massets, latest filing

Does this foundation accept applications?

Yes -- on its own tax return. Form 990-PF asks every private foundation whether it makes grants only to organizations it selects itself. Of the 91,758 foundations in our data that made a grant and answered, 78% said yes -- and applying to those is wasted effort. Mertz Gilmore Foundation did not check that box on its most recent filing, which puts it in the minority that is at least open to being approached.

This is the foundation's own statement to the IRS, not our judgement, and it says nothing about whether they have a form, a deadline, or an appetite for new grantees. Treat it as the reason this foundation is worth your research time, not as an invitation. Many small foundations of this kind have no website and no application process -- a letter of inquiry is the normal first step.

How big are its grants?

The median grant is $25,000. Half of everything it gave fell between $5,000 and $50,000; the smallest was $1,000 and the largest $500,000. If you are asking for materially more than the top of that range, you are asking the wrong foundation.

$1,000 - $5,000
305 grants
$5,000 - $10,000
62 grants
$10,000 - $25,000
205 grants
$25,000 - $50,000
387 grants
$50,000 - $100,000
338 grants
$100,000 and Up
46 grants

Every organization it funded

399 recipient names appear in its filings; the 250 largest are listed here. Recipients are grouped by name and state as they were written on the returns, so an organization entered under two different names appears twice. Years funded is the number of separate tax years in which that name received money.

OrganizationLocationTotal receivedGrantsYears fundedLast
New York FoundationNew York, NY$1,140,5001742024
Project SouthAtlanta, GA$1,000,000222022
Proteus FundWaltham, MA$792,000842024
Public Policy and Education Fund of New YorkAlbany, NY$730,0001042024
Sustainable Markets FoundationAlexandria, VA$650,000842024
Virginia OrganizingPembroke, VA$570,0001142024
Center for Popular DemocracyBrooklyn, NY$560,000842024
Taproot EarthSlidell, LA$550,000222024
Appalachian VoicesBoone, NC$540,000842024
New Venture FundWashington, DC$500,000942024
Center for Cultural PowerOakland, CA$475,000742024
Neo PhilanthropyNew York, NY$435,0001232023
Center for Responsive PoliticsWashington, DC$425,000322022
William J Brennan JR Center for Justice IncNew York, NY$425,000542024
SmartmemeOakland, CA$415,000832023
Bvm Capacity Building InstituteAtlanta, GA$400,000842024
Color of Change Education FundOakland, CA$400,000442024
OpensecretsWashington, DC$400,000222024
West Harlem Environmental ActionNew York, NY$400,000842024
Dance Service New York City IncNew York, NY$355,000742024
Tides FoundationDelmar, NY$350,000742024
Salt Lake Civil NetworkSalt Lake City, UT$340,000532023
9 to 5 National Association of Working WomenMilwaukee, WI$330,000742024
Public Citizen FoundationWashington, DC$330,000842024
Climate Justice AllianceBerkeley, CA$325,000542024
New Georgia Project IncAtlanta, GA$310,000742024
Chesapeake Climate Action NetworkTakoma Park, MD$300,000442024
New Virginia Majority Education FundAlexandria, VA$300,000742024
Rockefeller Philanthropy AdvisorsNew York, NY$300,000442024
US Climate Action NetworkWashington, DC$300,000442024
New York Live ArtsNew York, NY$285,5001242024
Kentucky CoalitionLondon, KY$275,000442024
North Star FundNew York, NY$274,0001042024
Campaign Legal CenterWashington, DC$270,000442024
Foundation for LouisianaNew Orleans, LA$266,000932023
Adhikaar for Human Rights and Social JusticeWoodside, NY$260,000642024
Southeast Climate and Energy NetworkSunrise, FL$260,000442024
Action Center on Race and the Economy InstituteChicago, IL$255,000442024
Make the Road New YorkBrooklyn, NY$255,000442024
Rethink MediaSan Francisco, CA$250,000432024
Gina Gibney DanceNew York, NY$249,0001542024
Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival IncBecket, MA$240,000442024
New Immigrant Community EmpowermentJackson Heights, NY$240,000532024
We the People - MiDetroit, MI$240,000642024
New York Foundation for the ArtsNew York, NY$236,000222024
Action for the Climate EmergencyBoston, MA$230,000442024
Alliance of Artists CommunitiesProvidence, RI$230,000222023
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in WashingtonWashington, DC$230,000442024
Demos a Network for Ideas and ActionNew York, NY$227,000432024
Florida Rising TogetherMiami, FL$225,000642024
National Mobilization Against SweatshopsNew York, NY$225,000542024
Virginia Interfaith Power & LightRichmond, VA$225,000332024
Queens College FoundationQueens, NY$222,500542024
Ballot Initiative Strategy Center FoundationWashington, DC$222,000542024
Institute for Energy Economics and Financial AnalysisLakewood, OH$220,000332023
Soul SurchersChantilly, VA$220,000532023
Community Voices HeardNew York, NY$210,000542024
New York Communities Organizing FundBrooklyn, NY$210,000542024
Danspace Project IncNew York, NY$208,0001042024
Tides CenterPoughkeepsie, NY$205,000842024
Committee Against Anti-Asian ViolenceNew York, NY$203,000542024
Battered Women's Resource CenterBrooklyn, NY$200,000442024
Brandworkers InternationalLong Island City, NY$200,000542024
Crenulated Company LtdBronx, NY$200,000442024
Good Old Lower East Side IncNew York, NY$200,000442024
Voices of Community Activists & Leaders (vocal-Ny)Brooklyn, NY$200,000442024
Bronx Council on the ArtsBronx, NY$198,000432023
Brooklyn Arts Council IncBrooklyn, NY$198,000432023
Blueprint North CarolinaDurham, NC$195,000542024
New York Immigration CoalitionNew York, NY$195,000542024
Faith in New YorkCorona, NY$192,500642024
Tides FoundationMilwaukee, WI$191,000742024
African Communities TogetherNew York, NY$190,000332023
Chinese Staff and Workers' AssociationNew York, NY$190,000332023
Fifth Avenue Committee IncBrooklyn, NY$190,000442024
Minkwon Center for Community ActionFlushing, NY$190,000442024
Movement for Justice in El BarrioNew York, NY$190,000332023
North Carolina Black AllianceRaleigh, NC$190,000542024
Riders Alliance IncNew York, NY$190,000442024
Urban Justice CenterNew York, NY$190,000442024
West Atlanta Watershed Alliance IncAtlanta, GA$190,000642024
Fund for the City of New YorkNew York, NY$185,000542024
AlignNew York, NY$180,000332023
Bridging the Gap in VirginiaRichmond, VA$180,000442024
Center for Common GroundRuther Glen, VA$180,000442024
Kings Majestic CorporationBrooklyn, NY$180,0001142024
Chhaya Community Development CorporationJackson Heights, NY$175,000542024
Chinese Progressive AssociationSan Francisco, CA$175,000442024
Met Council Research and Educational FundNew York, NY$170,000442024
Movement Research IncNew York, NY$166,5001342024
Harlem StageNew York, NY$165,000942024
One VoiceJackson, MS$165,000442024
Haleakala IncNew York, NY$160,000942024
Ndn Collective IncRapid City, SD$160,000442024
Partnership for Southern EquityAtlanta, GA$160,000442024
Southern Environmental Law CenterCharlottesville, VA$160,000442024
Southern Vision AllianceDurham, NC$160,000432024
New Economy ProjectNew York, NY$155,000542024
Allied Media ProjectsDetroit, MI$151,000432023
Alliance for Youth OrganizingWashington, DC$150,000332024
Climste and Clean Energy Equity FundWashington, DC$150,000212023
Council on the Arts & Humanities for Staten IslandStaten Island, NY$150,000322022
Indigenous Environmental NetworkBemidji, MN$150,000332023
Momentum CommunityLong Beach, CA$150,000332024
New York Community TrustNew York, NY$150,000322022
Queens Council on the ArtsLong Island City, NY$150,000322022
Social Good FundSanta Barbara, CA$150,000322023
Sunrise Movement Education FundWashington, DC$150,000332023
Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development CorporationNew York, NY$150,000322022
Performance Zone IncNew York, NY$148,000942024
New American LeadersNew York, NY$147,500632023
Association for Neighborhood and Housing DevelopmentNew York, NY$145,000442024
Lawyers Alliance for New YorkNew York, NY$145,000442024
Ohio Organizing CollaborativeYoungstown, OH$145,000332024
MultiplierSyracuse, NY$140,000332024
MultiplierSan Francisco, CA$140,000332023
One ArizonaPhoenix, AZ$140,000432024
Works & Process IncNew York, NY$140,000842024
Neighborhood Funders GroupSan Francisco, CA$137,500642024
Higher Heights Leadership FundBrooklyn, NY$136,000432023
Billie Holiday TheatreBrooklyn, NY$135,000442024
Henry Street SettlementNew York, NY$135,000842024
La Mama Experimental Theatre Club IncNew York, NY$135,000942024
Environmental Grantmakers AssociationNew York, NY$132,700632023
Baryshnikov Arts CenterNew York, NY$130,000842024
Leadership Conference Education FundWashington, DC$130,000332024
Lower Manhattan Cultural CouncilNew York, NY$130,000842024
Activate 48 Education FundPhoenix, AZ$125,000112022
Mothers Out FrontBoston, MA$125,000332023
Brooklyn Arts Exchange IncBrooklyn, NY$124,5001342024
Dancing in the Streets IncBronx, NY$120,000442024
Public AlliesNew Orleans, LA$120,000322023
Takeroot JusticeNew York, NY$120,000332023
Theater Et Al IncLong Island City, NY$120,000942024
Ballet Hispanico of New YorkNew York, NY$117,000742024
Inequality MediaBerkeley, CA$115,000322024
Performance Space New YorkNew York, NY$108,500432023
Allegheny-Blue Ridge AllianceMonterey, VA$105,000332023
Eastern Environmental Law CenterNewark, NJ$105,000332023
Broadway Dance LabNew York, NY$100,000442024
Center for Law and Human Values Dba the Action LabOssining, NY$100,000222023
Common Cause Education FundRaleigh, NC$100,000322022
Gallim Dance CompanyNew York, NY$100,000442024
Local Progress Policy InstituteWashington, DC$100,000212022
Moveon Education FundBerkeley, CA$100,000222022
New York State Tenants & Neighbors Information ServiceNew York, NY$100,000332024
Progressive Multiplier FundWashington, DC$100,000112022
Tides FoundationOrlando, FL$100,000222022
Voices for a Sustainable FutureTakoma Park, MD$100,000222022
Young Men's and Young Women's Hebrew AssociationNew York, NY$100,000442024
DancenownycHellertown, PA$99,000742024
Center for Performance ResearchBrooklyn, NY$98,0001242024
Home for Contemporary Theatre and ArtNew York, NY$97,000532023
Streb IncBrooklyn, NY$97,000642024
Advocacy InstituteNew York, NY$95,000322024
Center for Traditional Music and DanceNew York, NY$95,000442024
City Parks FoundationNew York, NY$95,000442024
Roulette Intermedium IncBrooklyn, NY$90,000842024
Showing Up for Racial Justice Education FundBuffalo, NY$90,000332023
Smartmeme Aka Center for Story-Based StrategyOakland, CA$90,000212024
Apollo Theater Foundation IncNew York, NY$85,000332023
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts IncNew York, NY$85,000222024
Monica Bill Barnes & CompanyNew York, NY$85,000322022
Community Food AdvocatesNew York, NY$80,000222022
Georgia Wand Education FundAtlanta, GA$80,000222022
Hip-Hop Theater FestivalNew York, NY$80,000442024
Participatory Budgeting ProjectBrooklyn, NY$80,000222022
Baad the Bronx Academy of Arts and Dancearthur Aviles Typical TheatreBronx, NY$79,000632023
Triskelion Arts-Kick-Standance IncBrooklyn, NY$77,000932023
Center for Transformative ActionBrooklyn, NY$75,000332023
Center for Urban PedagogyBrooklyn, NY$75,000332023
Common Cause Education FundWashington, DC$75,000222024
Common Cause Education FundLos Angeles, CA$75,000322022
Documentary Educational ResourcesProvidence, RI$75,000222024
Financial Services Stakeholder ProjectChicago, IL$75,000222024
Foundation for Contemporary ArtsNew York, NY$75,000542024
Grassroots Power ProjectBerkeley, CA$75,000222024
National Association for the Advancement of Colored PeopleNew York, NY$75,000112022
New York Community Trust Aka Community Funds IncCommack, NY$75,000112024
Progressnow EducationEarlysville, VA$75,000222024
Jamaica Center for Arts and LearningJamaica, NY$72,500542024
Open Channels New York IncNew York, NY$70,000842024
Queens Theatre in the ParkCorona, NY$70,000542024
Cave Organization IncBrooklyn, NY$66,000642024
Institute for Strategic and Equitable DevelopmentBronx, NY$65,000212022
Right to the City AllianceBrooklyn, NY$65,000222024
Americans for Financial Reform Education FundWashington, DC$60,000222023
Arts Business CollaborativeLong Island City, NY$60,000112022
BricBrooklyn, NY$60,000332023
Kaatsbaan International Dance CenterTivoli, NY$60,000112021
People's Action InstituteChicago, IL$60,000332024
Tides CenterDetroit, MI$60,000332024
Philanthropy New YorkNew York, NY$57,400442024
Topaz Arts IncWoodside, NY$56,000942024
Foundation for Independent ArtistsBrooklyn, NY$55,000322022
Mijente Support CommitteePhoenix, AZ$55,000222024
National Domestic Workers Alliance IncNew York, NY$55,000222024
New 42ND Street IncNew York, NY$55,000222023
Socrates Sculpture ParkLong Island City, NY$55,000842024
State Democracy ProjectBrooklyn, NY$55,000212024
Tides CenterSan Francisco, CA$55,000222024
Dance Entropy IncLong Island City, NY$50,5001142024
Amalgamated Charitable FoundationWalnut, CA$50,000112021
Arizona Advocacy FoundationPhoenix, AZ$50,000112021
Arizona Coalition for ChangePhoenix, AZ$50,000222022
CASA De MarylandHyattsville, MD$50,000222022
Center for Empowered Politics Education FundOakland, CA$50,000112024
Chelsea FactoryNew York, NY$50,000112023
Community Foundation of Elmira - Corning and the Finger LakesHorseheads, NY$50,000112022
Community Funds IncNew York, NY$50,000112021
Dance Works IncNew York, NY$50,000112024
Fund for Constitutional GovernmentWashington, DC$50,000112022
Hopewell FundWashington, DC$50,000112023
International Association of Blacks in DanceWashington, DC$50,000222022
Joyce Theater Foundation IncNew York, NY$50,000222023
Kairos FellowshipNew York, NY$50,000112024
League of Conservation Voters Education FundWashington, DC$50,000222022
League of Women Voters Education FundWashington, DC$50,000112023
Lit Fund IncorporatedAstoria, NY$50,000222022
Lumberyard Center for Film and Performing ArtsNew York, NY$50,000112021
Maine People's Resource CenterPortland, ME$50,000222022
Protect Democracy ProjectWashington, DC$50,000112021
Proteus FundSeattle, WA$50,000112021
Queensboro Dance FestivalSunnyside, NY$50,000542024
Social and Environmental EntrepreneursCalabasas, CA$50,000112021
Western Native VoiceBillings, MT$50,000222022
Americans for the ArtsWashington, DC$45,000322022
New York Stage and Film Company IncNew York, NY$45,000222024
Progressive Maryland Education FundLargo, MD$45,000222023
Consultative Group on Biological DiversitySan Francisco, CA$42,300542024
Align the Alliance for a Greater New York IncNew York, NY$40,000112024
Alliance of Resident Theatresnew YorkBrooklyn, NY$40,000112023
CandidNew York, NY$40,000442024
Common Market PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia, PA$40,000112024
Democracy Initiative Education FundNew York, NY$40,000112022
Fiorello H Laguardia Community College Auxiliary Enterprises CorpLong Island City, NY$40,000442024
Fourth Arts Block IncNew York, NY$40,000332023
Jack Arts IncBrooklyn, NY$40,000442024
Mothering JusticeDetroit, MI$40,000222023
Power Coalition for Equity and JusticeNew Orleans, LA$40,000112024
Kingsborough Community College Auxiliary EnterprisesBrooklyn, NY$37,000422022
Layerhythm Productions IncNew York, NY$36,000222022
Center for American ProgressWashington, DC$35,000112021
Community Climate CollaborativeCharlottesville, VA$35,000112024
Dorrance Dance IncorporatedNew York, NY$35,000222023
Friends Home Association of New YorkNew York, NY$35,000222024
Highlander Research and Education CenterNew Market, TN$35,000222024
Hook Arts MediaBrooklyn, NY$35,000442024
Indivisible Civics IncWashington, DC$35,000112021
Les Ballets Trockadero De Monte CarloNew York, NY$35,000112021

268 of 399 (67%) received money in more than one year over the 4 years we hold.

Measured the way we measure every foundation -- what share of one year's grantees are funded again the next -- this one retains 74%, across 3 year-to-year transitions. The median foundation retains about 67%, so this one is about typical. This measures how often it paid the same organizations again. It says nothing about whether it would consider a new one.

What the money was for

Taken verbatim from the purpose field of its filings. This is the closest thing to a statement of what this foundation cares about, in its own words.

What kind of organizations it funds

By the activity category the IRS assigns each recipient, for the 968 grants where we could match the recipient to a registered organization. The categories are the IRS's. The match, made from the name and address on the return, is ours.

Arts & Culture
330 grants
Environment
101 grants
Civil Rights
97 grants
Education
95 grants
Public & Societal Benefit
88 grants
Community Improvement
54 grants
Human Services
42 grants
Philanthropy & Grantmaking
35 grants

Giving by year

Tax yearGrantsTotalMedian grant
2021356$11.9M$25,000
2022380$12.8M$25,000
2023322$10.7M$25,000
2024285$7,509,250$25,000

Tax years, not calendar years, and the most recent year is usually incomplete -- filings arrive about a year late, so a low final year means late paperwork rather than a foundation winding down.

Already committed for future years

Form 990-PF has a separate schedule for grants approved but not yet paid. Mertz Gilmore Foundation has 415 of them, worth $19.7M. This is the one part of the filing that looks forward rather than back.

OrganizationLocationApproved
Taproot EarthTulsa, OK$500,000
Project SouthAtlanta, GA$500,000
Project SouthAtlanta, GA$500,000
Appalachian VoicesBoone, NC$400,000
Color of Change Education FundOakland, CA$300,000
Appalachian VoicesBoone, NC$300,000
Appalachian VoicesBoone, NC$200,000
OpensecretsWashington, DC$200,000
Center for Responsive PoliticsWashington, DC$200,000
Center for Responsive PoliticsWashington, DC$200,000
New York FoundationNew York, NY$200,000
Color of Change Education FundOakland, CA$200,000
New York Foundation for the ArtsNew York, NY$196,000
Chesapeake Climate Action NetworkTakoma Park, MD$150,000
Climate and Clean Energy Equity FundWashington, DC$150,000

Where its money goes

49% of its giving went to organizations in New York. If your organization is based elsewhere, look in the recipient list for grants to your area before writing.

New York
$21.2M
District of Columbia
$4.2M
California
$3.5M
Virginia
$2.7M
Georgia
$2.2M
Massachusetts
$1.5M
North Carolina
$1.2M
Louisiana
$1.0M

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Funders that support the same organizations

These funders gave to organizations this one also funded -- some private foundations, some community foundations and other grantmaking charities. Shared grantees are a sign of overlapping priorities and nothing more: they do not show that any of these funders would consider a new organization. Each page says what its filings show.

Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund213 shared recipientsDonor Advised Charitable Giving Inc182 shared recipientsAmerican Online Giving Foundation Inc147 shared recipientsVanguard Charitable Endowment Program143 shared recipientsNational Philanthropic Trust139 shared recipientsAmalgamated Charitable Foundation Inc138 shared recipients

How to approach this foundation

  1. Check you are its size. The median grant is $25,000. A request many times that size asks for something it has rarely or never given.
  2. Check you are in its geography. Its giving is concentrated in New York.
  3. Read the recipient list above for organizations like yours. If nothing on it resembles your work, that is a real answer, and a cheap one to get.
  4. Look up the current filing before writing. The 990-PF names the foundation's officers and, where one exists, its application procedure. We link it below.

Related guides

Foundations funding arts & culture in New YorkEvery funder in this groupFoundations funding environment in New YorkEvery funder in this groupFoundations funding civil rights in New YorkEvery funder in this groupFoundations funding education in New YorkEvery funder in this group

Where these numbers come from

Everything above is taken from Mertz Gilmore Foundation's own Form 990-PF filings, which the IRS publishes in bulk. We used 4 returns (tax years 2021-2024). Grant figures are from its returns. Matching recipients to registered organizations, their IRS classifications, the retention rate and the funders that support the same organizations are our own calculations, described in how we build this.

Address of record on the latest return: 218 East 18TH Street, New York, NY, 10003. This is the address the foundation gave the IRS; many small foundations file through an accountant or a bank trust department, so it may not be where post to a programme officer should go.

EIN 13-2872722 · See the original filings on ProPublica · How we build this

This is history, not an open call. Foundation returns are published about a year after the tax year ends. Nothing on this page is a deadline. It is a record of who this foundation has actually funded.

Is something here wrong about your foundation? Email hello@funderscope.com and we will correct it.