American Academy of Arts and Letters
The American Academy of Arts and Letters is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and private operating foundation based in New York, NY. Founded in 1904, the Academy is an honor society comprising 300 of the country's leading architects, artists, composers, and writers. The organization was incorporated by an act of Congress in 1916 and granted tax-exempt status in March 1935. The Academy operates with a staff of 7 employees and is headquartered at 633 W 155th Street in New York.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$117.3M
+13.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.0M
+29.4% YoY
Grant Count
84
+2.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$12K
+26.3% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Academy was founded to provide recognition to distinguished achievement in literature and fine arts. The organization gives annual awards to candidates selected by award committees in order to foster, assist, and promote literature and fine arts.
In 1976, the National Institute of Arts and Letters (founded in 1898 and incorporated by an act of Congress in 1913) was merged into the American Academy of Arts and Letters, with the organization's name temporarily changed to the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters. In 1993, the name was changed back to the American Academy of Arts and Letters.
Primary funding areas include Arts, Culture & Humanities, Theater, and Music.
Grantmaking
The Academy made 138 grants in 2023. Typical grant awards range from $41,000 to $100,000. The organization's major source of revenue includes investment earnings and trust income, which support its annual awards program.
Ready to take the next step with American Academy of Arts and Letters?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Academy's grantmaking focuses primarily on New York, California, and Massachusetts.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2024:
- Total Assets: $117,341,432
- Total Revenue: $13,795,411
- Total Expenses: $5,429,074
- Net Income: $8,366,337
- Total Liabilities: $551,000
- Total Giving: $1,047,150
As of December 2023:
- Total Assets: $103,305,145
- Total Revenue: $2,818,444
- Total Expenses: $4,960,140
- Number of Employees: 6
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $117,341,432 | $103,305,145 | $105,448,975 |
| Revenue | $13,795,411 | $2,818,444 | $9,669,803 |
| Expenses | $5,429,074 | $4,960,140 | $5,299,355 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,834,872 | $2,545,140 | $2,024,987 |
| Net Investment Income | $13,155,071 | $2,324,408 | $3,002,270 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Darryl Pinckney ($100,000), Matt Connors ($25,000), Selgascano Jose Selgas and Lucia Cano ($20,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| JULIE BARGMANN CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | TO HONOR EXCEPTIONAL ACHIEVEMENT IN ARCHITECTURE. | $10,000 |
| BEATRIZ COLOMINA NEW YORK, NY | TO HONOR EXCEPTIONAL ACHIEVEMENT IN ARCHITECTURE. | $10,000 |
| LEVENBETTS DAVID LEVEN & STELLA BETTS NEW YORK, NY | TO HONOR EXCEPTIONAL ACHIEVEMENT IN ARCHITECTURE. | $10,000 |
| KRZYSZTOF WODICZKO NEW YORK, NY | TO HONOR EXCEPTIONAL ACHIEVEMENT IN ARCHITECTURE. | $10,000 |
| SELGASCANO JOSE SELGAS AND LUCIA CANO | TO HONOR AN ARCHITECT WHO HAS MADE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO ARCHITECTURE AS AN ART. | $20,000 |
| AN-MY LE BROOKLYN, NY | TO HONOR EXCEPTIONAL ACHIEVEMENT IN ART. | $10,000 |
| DARA BIRNBAUM NEW YORK, NY | TO HONOR EXCEPTIONAL ACHIEVEMENT IN ART. | $10,000 |
| HOCK E AYE VI EDGAR HEAP OF BIRDS OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | TO HONOR EXCEPTIONAL ACHIEVEMENT IN ART. | $10,000 |
| WALID RAAD MEDUSA, NY | TO HONOR EXCEPTIONAL ACHIEVEMENT IN ART. | $10,000 |
| FRED WILSON NEW YORK, NY | TO HONOR EXCEPTIONAL ACHIEVEMENT IN ART. | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board trustees include Cody Upton, Billie Tsien, and Martin Puryear.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CODY UPTON | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $289,229 |
| KWAME ANTHONY APPIAH | PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| MEL CHIN | VICE PRESIDENT FOR ART | 1 | — |
| JOAN JONAS | VICE PRESIDENT FOR ART | 1 | — |
| AMY SILLMAN | VICE PRESIDENT FOR ART | 1 | — |
| HILTON ALS | VICE PRESIDENT FOR LITERATURE | 1 | — |
| RITA DOVE | VICE PRESIDENT FOR LITERATURE | 1 | — |
| FRANCINE PROSE | VICE PRESIDENT FOR LITERATURE | 1 | — |
| ALVIN SINGLETON | VICE PRESIDENT FOR MUSIC | 1 | — |
| GEORGE LEWIS | VICE PRESIDENT FOR MUSIC | 1 | — |
| EDWARD HIRSCH | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| ANN HAMILTON | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| TOSHIKO MORI | VICE PRESIDENT FOR ARCHITECTURE | 1 | — |
| BILLIE TSIEN | VICE PRESIDENT FOR ARCHITECTURE | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Academy announced 2026 award winners across multiple disciplines including music, literature, architecture, and art. Recent honorees include K. Michael Hays, who received an American Academy of Arts and Letters award, and Leslie Marmon Silko, listed among recent grantees.
News - American Academy of Arts and LettersFrequently Asked Questions
What does American Academy of Arts and Letters fund?
The Academy was founded to provide recognition to distinguished achievement in literature and fine arts. The organization gives annual awards to candidates selected by award committees in order to foster, assist, and promote literature and fine arts. In 1976, the National Institute of Arts and Letters (founded in 1898 and incorporated by an act of Congress in 1913) was merged into the American Academy of Arts and Letters, with the organization's name temporarily changed to the American Academy …
How do I apply for a grant from American Academy of Arts and Letters?
The Academy made 138 grants in 2023. Typical grant awards range from $41,000 to $100,000. The organization's major source of revenue includes investment earnings and trust income, which support its annual awards program.
Where does American Academy of Arts and Letters make grants?
The Academy's grantmaking focuses primarily on New York, California, and Massachusetts.
What size grants does American Academy of Arts and Letters award?
In 2024, American Academy of Arts and Letters awarded 84 grants totaling $1.0M — an average of about $12K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is American Academy of Arts and Letters's EIN?
American Academy of Arts and Letters's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-0429640. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in American Academy of Arts and Letters's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
The Reich Family Charitable Trust
BROOKLYN, NY
Assets
$689K
Grants
1
Total Given
$453K
Launa Beuhler Foundation for
BROOKLYN, NY
Assets
$2K
Grants
4
Total Given
$20K
The Hilary Grace Foundation Inc
EAST AMHERST, NY
Assets
$126K
Grants
2
Total Given
$36K
Uw E J Madden Mem Open Hearts Club 10-214880
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$1.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$307K
Hindy's Foundation
BROOKLYN, NY
Assets
$142K
Grants
8
Total Given
$225K
Jeanne & Thomas Hardy Family Foundation
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$3K
Grants
3
Total Given
$3K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with American Academy of Arts and Letters on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching American Academy of Arts and Letters to a real strategy.