Arete Foundation
Arete Foundation is a private foundation based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Its filings describe contributions to tax-exempt educational, charitable, and religious organizations.
Arete Foundation at a glance
In short: Arete Foundation gave $5.4M across 19 grants in 2024 (avg $286K), top state Pennsylvania. 0% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $5,427,644
- -13.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 19
- -13.6% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $285,665
- +0.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $100,000
- Total assets
- $42,597,539
- -5.4% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 0% first-time grantees (0 of 18, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (48% 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 Arete Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation’s 2023 filing says it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. The filing describes a letter or email request with supporting materials, including an IRS tax determination letter; it lists no restrictions on awards.
- Review Cycle
- None was listed on the 2023 filing.
- Deadline
- None was listed on the 2023 filing.
- Contact
Application contact: Donna Zanghi Executive Director Are
Mailing address: 1845 Walnut St Suite 1111, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Phone: (215) 717-3344
Email: dzanghi@aretefoundation.net
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Arete Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was The Metropolitan Museum of Art ($850K). Together the top 10 received $3.0M.
Grant Size Distribution
134 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 45 grants of 134 (34%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 grant dollars were distributed primarily to recipients in Pennsylvania (48%) and New York (41%), followed by New Jersey (5%), Illinois (3%), and Florida (1%). Listed recipients also included organizations in Maine.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 19 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Arete Foundation open to new grantees?
0%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 0 of 18 grantees (0%) were first-time recipients. With only 18 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. How we count
- 100% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 25% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 203% 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 $5.4M (2024) to $10.0M (2020). In 2024 it made 19 grants totaling $5.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Various Various, PA | Various | $2,114,166 |
| The Metropolitan Museum of Art New York, NY | Educationalsupport for chairman's council 2019-2020; emergency relief fund, internships, deia strategic plan and women and the critical eye program | $850,000 |
| Asia Society New York, NY | Charitablesupport for asia game changers fy 2020; support for danniel russell work; support for abigail cohen fellowship in documentary photography; support for hong kong 30th anniversary virtual gala | $429,413 |
| The Metropolitan Opera Association Inc New York, NY | Charitablesupport for phase iii campaign for the met: securing the future; fy 21 unrestricted gift; met stars concert | $410,000 |
| University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA | Educationalsupport for arete gordon expedition fund; penn lectures world term fund adn world endowed fund | $308,000 |
| The American School of Classical Studies at Athens Princeton, NJ | Educationalsupport for gala 2020, fellowship program and loring hall renovation project | $294,500 |
| The Public Theater New York, NY | Charitablesupport for capital campaign; 2020 annual operating support; and gala | $250,000 |
| University of Chicago Chicago, IL | Educationalsupport for Abigail Cohen Fellowship and Unrestricted Gift | $150,000 |
| Artsmart Philadelphia, PA | Educationalsupport for Arts Education and Youth Mentorship Program | $100,000 |
| Lincoln Center Theater the Vivian Beaumont Theater Inc New York, NY | Charitablesupport for linctix porgram; lct3 new artists/audiences program and unrestricted gift | $100,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Arete Foundation?
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 | $42,597,539 | $8,957,390 | $3,622,767 | $5,427,644 | 19 | $5,427,643 | $2,592,110 | $2,668,428 |
| 2023 | $45,050,715 | $1,668,441 | $10,170,564 | $6,274,260 | 22 | $6,274,260 | $381,667 | $2,583,095 |
| 2022 | $52,988,507 | $6,934,017 | $12,479,949 | $7,461,511 | 25 | $7,461,511 | $3,886,459 | $3,079,036 |
| 2021 | $56,251,641 | $10,374,302 | $9,627,594 | $7,239,136 | 29 | — | $823,468 | $3,532,566 |
| 2020 | $69,704,325 | $5,927,114 | $9,153,645 | $9,973,227 | 39 | — | $1,797,276 | $3,397,164 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Arete Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.7M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No separate mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its filings identify contributions to tax-exempt educational, charitable, and religious organizations. The 2024 grants show support for activities including arts education, museum programs, performing arts, and general operating support.
Grantees describe their own missions in varied terms. The Metropolitan Museum of Art says it collects, studies, conserves, and presents works of art to connect people with creativity, knowledge, and ideas. Artsmart says it provides music lessons and performances to students who otherwise could not afford them. The Barnes Foundation says it promotes education and appreciation of fine arts and horticulture.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 19 grants totaling $5,427,644. Grant amounts ranged from $9,065 to $2,114,166, with a median of $100,000. In 2023, it reported 22 grants totaling $6,274,260; in 2022, it reported 25 grants totaling $7,461,511.
Among the largest 2024 grants were $850,000 to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, $429,413 to Asia Society, $410,000 to the Metropolitan Opera Association, $308,000 to the University of Pennsylvania, and $294,500 to the American School of Classical Studies at Athens. Other recipients included the Public Theater ($250,000), the University of Chicago ($150,000), Artsmart ($100,000), and the Barnes Foundation ($100,000).
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Edward E. Cohen as chair and Betsy Z. Cohen, Jonathan Z. Cohen, and Daniel G. Cohen as trustees.
Arete Foundation is led by Edward E. Cohen, Chair & As Required since 2024 (on filings since 2020); none of the 4 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Edward E. Cohen
Chair & As Required
Trustee & As Required → Chair & As Required, 2024
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Betsy Z. Cohen
Trustee & As Required
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Daniel G. Cohen
Trustee & As Required
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Jonathan Z. Cohen
Trustee & As Required
On filings since 2020
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.
Frequently asked questions about Arete Foundation
How much does Arete Foundation give each year?
Arete Foundation gave $5.4M across 19 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $6.3M across 22 grants.
What is Arete Foundation's typical grant size?
Arete Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $100,000, and its average grant was $285,665, across 19 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Arete Foundation give grants?
Arete Foundation's top state is Pennsylvania, with 48% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were New York (41%) and New Jersey (5%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (9 grants), Philadelphia, PA (3 grants) and Islesboro, ME (2 grants).
Does Arete Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 58% of Arete Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (11 of 19) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Arete Foundation's largest grantees?
Arete Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include The Metropolitan Museum of Art ($850,000), Asia Society ($429,413) and The Metropolitan Opera Association Inc ($410,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 31% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Arete Foundation?
Arete Foundation reported $42.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $5.4M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.7M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Arete Foundation fund?
No separate mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its filings identify contributions to tax-exempt educational, charitable, and religious organizations. The 2024 grants show support for activities including arts education, museum programs, performing arts, and general operating support. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Arete Foundation?
The foundation’s 2023 filing says it makes contributions only 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 Arete Foundation's EIN?
Arete Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-6779271. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Arete Foundation 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 October 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 Arete Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Pennsylvania
Ernst & Young Foundation
New York, NY
Ernst & Young Foundation supports higher education through employee and partner matching gifts, as well as educational and special-project grants, including research, education forums, and programs that expand educational opportunity. In 2025, it made 637 grants ranging from $5,056 to $316,005, with a median of $13,525, to recipients across multiple states; the largest shares went to New York, Texas, California, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$47.6M
Grants
637
Total Given
$16.7M
Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco the Peninsula Marin & Sonoma
San Francisco, CA
The Federation funds Jewish life and identity, antisemitism response, crisis relief, human services, and justice and inclusion, with work in the Bay Area, Israel, and beyond. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,050 to $2,405,915, with a median of $22,750. It frequently issues requests for proposals and welcomes inquiries about new Bay Area programs; no current organization grant opportunities were listed.
Assets
$2.0B
Grants
1,032
Total Given
$94.5M
The Neubauer Family Foundation
Philadelphia, PA
The Neubauer Family Foundation supports universities, education organizations, arts and cultural institutions, and other nonprofits, with most 2024 funding going to organizations in Pennsylvania, Illinois, and New York. Its 2024 grants ranged from $100 to $5.6 million, with a median of $5,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests; proposals are by invitation only.
Assets
$361.0M
Grants
199
Total Given
$17.9M
IBM International Foundation
Armonk, NY
The IBM International Foundation funds education and workforce programs that build 21st-century and technology job skills, including initiatives for underserved students and job seekers. Its 2024 grants ranged from $10,000 to $8.48 million, with a median of $100,000, and went to organizations across several U.S. states, especially Delaware and Massachusetts. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$357.7M
Grants
16
Total Given
$11.7M
The Pittsburgh Foundation
Pittsburgh, PA
The Pittsburgh Foundation funds nonprofits working in basic needs, equity and social justice, environmental action, arts and culture, and economic mobility, with most opportunities for organizations in Allegheny County or primarily serving its residents. Its 2024 grants had a median amount of about $18,600, though awards varied widely. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.5B
Grants
1,132
Total Given
$64.0M
The William Penn Foundation
Philadelphia, PA
The William Penn Foundation funds arts and culture, children and families, civic participation, the environment and public spaces, and workforce training, primarily in the Philadelphia region. Its 2024 median grant was $50,000, though awards varied widely. It accepts unsolicited requests through limited open applications and invites letters of inquiry from public charities.
Assets
$3.4B
Grants
1,027
Total Given
$148.8M
More similar funders
More Funders in Pennsylvania
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Arete Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/arete-foundation-morg_aed2f11c8d1b481c9660c2debaefb2a0
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_236779271_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Arete Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/arete-foundation-morg_aed2f11c8d1b481c9660c2debaefb2a0},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. 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 Arete Foundation'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.
Arete Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?