Al Held Foundation Inc
Al Held Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Boiceville, New York. Its mission is to foster appreciation and advancement of modern art and public understanding of Al Held’s contribution to art; its activities include supporting artists, exhibitions, scholarly research, and educational programs.
Al Held Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Al Held Foundation Inc gave $100K across 11 grants in 2024 (avg $9K), mostly in New York. 27% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $100,100
- +7.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 11
- -15.4% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $9,100
- +26.9% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $10,682,774
- -2.3% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 27% first-time grantees (3 of 11, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- New York (91% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Al Held Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes grants to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 187, Boiceville, NY 12412
Phone: (212) 697-1000
Website: https://www.alheldfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Al Held Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was River Valley Arts Collective Inc ($47K). Together the top 10 received $98K.
Grant Size Distribution
52 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 51 grants of 52 (98%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 91% of grant dollars went to recipients in New York, 5% to Connecticut, and 4% to Vermont. The grants listed for that year went to organizations in those three states.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 11 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Al Held Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
27%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 3 of 11 grantees (27%) were first-time recipients. With only 11 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 9 points. First grants averaged $4K; repeat grants $11K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $5K repeat.
- 64% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+3%). Method
- In 2023 it paid out 405% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $93K (2023) to $153K (2020). In 2024 it made 11 grants totaling $100K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| River Valley Arts Collective Inc Katonah, NY | General Support | $47,100 |
| Bard College Annandaleonhudson, NY | General Support | $10,000 |
| Brooklyn Rail Inc Brooklyn, NY | General Support | $10,000 |
| Aamc Foundation New York, NY | General Support | $5,000 |
| Aica - USA New York, NY | General Support | $5,000 |
| NXTHVN New Haven, CT | General Support | $5,000 |
| Reservoir Food Pantry Boiceville, NY | General Support | $5,000 |
| Bennington College Bennington, VT | General Support | $4,000 |
| New York Foundation for the Arts New York, NY | General Support | $4,000 |
| Steven Myron Holl Foundation Inc New York, NY | To Support "T" Space Architecture Residency Program | $3,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Al Held Foundation Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $10,682,774 | $871,904 | $1,128,578 | $100,100 | 11 | $1,179,304 | $853,868 | — |
| 2023 | $10,935,892 | $1,006,089 | $1,101,397 | $93,200 | 13 | $1,083,182 | $981,775 | $267,607 |
| 2022 | $11,031,200 | $326,640 | $1,104,996 | $99,000 | 10 | $1,063,545 | $307,820 | $301,067 |
| 2021 | $11,809,556 | $883,913 | $1,063,068 | $97,450 | 10 | $1,038,244 | $848,284 | $343,116 |
| 2020 | $11,988,711 | $2,077,983 | $1,135,124 | $153,000 | 8 | — | $2,054,545 | $230,419 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation says it is responsible for stewarding Al Held’s art and creative legacy. Its stated mission is to foster appreciation and advancement of the principles of modern art and public understanding of Held’s contribution to art of the twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. Its work also includes cataloguing and maintaining the art collection, organizing and refining the archive and research materials, lending works to exhibitions, and conducting educational programs.
In 2024, the foundation’s grants included general support for arts and cultural organizations, colleges, and other nonprofits. The grantees describe their own work in varied terms: Bard College says it seeks to provide a challenging academic program and supportive environment; NXTHVN says it trains and develops professional artists and works to strengthen New Haven’s arts community; and the New York Foundation for the Arts says it provides support, resources, and opportunities to artists and cultural workers.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation made 11 grants totaling $100,100. Grants ranged from $2,000 to $47,100, with a median grant of $5,000. The largest awards were $47,100 to River Valley Arts Collective, $10,000 to Bard College, and $10,000 to Brooklyn Rail. Other notable grants included $5,000 each to AAMC Foundation, AICA – USA, NXTHVN, and Reservoir Food Pantry; $4,000 each to Bennington College and the New York Foundation for the Arts; $3,000 to the Steven Myron Holl Foundation; and $2,000 to Buffalo AKG Art Museum. The listed purposes were general support, except for the $3,000 grant to support the T Space Architecture Residency Program.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Mara Held as president and director; Michael Hecht as treasurer, vice president, and director; Richard Armstrong as secretary, vice president, and director; William Conlon, Gabriel Held-Jakubowicz, Carter Foster, and Brooke Kamin Rapaport as vice presidents and directors; and Peter Stevens as chairperson and director.
Al Held Foundation Inc is led by Mara Held, President & Director on every filing since 2020; 7 of 8 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Mara Held
President & Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$144K (2020) → $159K (2024)
Peter Stevens
Chairperson & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$5K (2020) → $5K (2024)
Brooke Kamin Rapaport
Vice President & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$3K (2020) → $5K (2024)
Carter Foster
Vice President & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$5K (2020) → $5K (2024)
Gabriel Held-Jakubowicz
Vice President & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$5K (2020) → $5K (2024)
Richard Armstrong
Secretary, Vice President & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$5K (2020) → $5K (2024)
William Conlon
Vice President & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$5K (2020) → $5K (2024)
Michael Hecht
Treasurer, Vice President & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $159K, to Mara Held (President/Director). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Al Held Foundation Inc
How much does Al Held Foundation Inc give each year?
Al Held Foundation Inc gave $100K across 11 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $93K across 13 grants.
What is Al Held Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Al Held Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $5,000, and its average grant was $9,100, across 11 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Al Held Foundation Inc that year got $4K on average.
Where does Al Held Foundation Inc give grants?
Al Held Foundation Inc gives mostly in New York: 91% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (4 grants).
Does Al Held Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 91% of Al Held Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (10 of 11) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Al Held Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Al Held Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include River Valley Arts Collective Inc ($47,100), Bard College ($10,000) and Brooklyn Rail Inc ($10,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 67% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Al Held Foundation Inc?
Al Held Foundation Inc reported $10.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $872K.
What does Al Held Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation says it is responsible for stewarding Al Held’s art and creative legacy. Its stated mission is to foster appreciation and advancement of the principles of modern art and public understanding of Held’s contribution to art of the twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Al Held Foundation Inc?
The foundation makes grants to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Al Held Foundation Inc's EIN?
Al Held Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-3596614. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Al Held Foundation Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Al Held Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Helen Frankenthaler Foundation Inc
New York, NY
The Helen Frankenthaler Foundation supports visual arts exhibitions, education, research and programming, cultural organizations’ core capacity, and sustainability projects. Its 2024 grants had a median award of $30,000, with recipients in New York, elsewhere in the U.S., and internationally. It funds preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$173.2M
Grants
105
Total Given
$14.4M
The Willem De Kooning Foundation
New York, NY
The foundation funds research, exhibitions, education, and other programs that advance appreciation of Willem de Kooning and the visual arts, including artist support and arts organizations. In 2025, it awarded nine grants of $10,000 to $100,000, primarily in New York, with some funding in California and Washington, DC. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$73.9M
Grants
9
Total Given
$502K
Von Rydingsvard and Greengard Foundation
New York, NY
In 2024, the foundation funded cultural, educational, and community organizations, with grants of $10,000–$20,000 (median $20,000). Its grants went mainly to organizations in New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Missouri, and Michigan, with a listed recipient in California. It gives only to preselected charities and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$8.2M
Grants
14
Total Given
$270K
Ponsold Motherwell Charitable Trust
Stanfordville, NY
The Ponsold Motherwell Charitable Trust supports arts and cultural organizations, educational institutions, and museums, with 2025 grants ranging from $20,000 to $1.15 million and a median of $100,000. Its giving is concentrated in Massachusetts, with additional grants in New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, and other states in the region. It funds only preselected charities and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$13.4M
Grants
16
Total Given
$3.0M
Arison Arts Foundation
Coral Gables, FL
The foundation supports performing arts, visual arts, and arts education organizations, with most 2024 funding going to Florida and New York. Its 2024 grants had a median of $30,000, though awards ranged from $1,000 to more than $10 million. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$381.2M
Grants
130
Total Given
$38.8M
The Andy Warhol Foundation
New York, NY
The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts funds U.S. arts organizations and cultural institutions advancing contemporary visual art, supporting artists, original work, experimentation, and related projects; it also supports some international organizations. Grant sizes vary widely, with a 2025 median of $50,000, and small-scale project grants are $20,000–$30,000. It accepts unsolicited proposals from U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations; international organizations must first submit a letter of inquiry.
Assets
$391.3M
Grants
203
Total Given
$17.2M
More similar funders
More Funders in New York
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Al Held Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/al-held-foundation-inc-morg_d21e4e4102d244f4ae553f7b1cdb146f
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_133596614_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Al Held Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/al-held-foundation-inc-morg_d21e4e4102d244f4ae553f7b1cdb146f},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Al Held Foundation Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Al Held Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?