Arete Foundation
The Arete Foundation is a private foundation based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, established in July 1986 with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. The foundation operates as a philanthropic organization supporting charitable, educational, and religious organizations across multiple U.S. regions.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$42.6M
-5.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$5.4M
-13.5% YoY
Grant Count
19
-13.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$286K
+0.2% YoY
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.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation makes contributions to tax-exempt charitable, educational, and religious organizations. Primary funding areas include:
- Arts and culture
- Performing arts
- Museums and art museums
- Education and higher education
- Philanthropy and nonprofit support
- Religion and Judaism
- Human services
Grantmaking
The foundation does not accept public applications. It operates as a private foundation that awards grants through trustee discretion rather than through open application processes.
Grant Range
(2024): $125,000
Average Grant
approximately $981 to $2.1 million depending on year
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with Arete Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation provides funding across multiple U.S. locations including:
- Bronx, Brooklyn, New York
- Chicago, Illinois
- Cooperstown, New York
- Islesboro, Maine
- New Jersey
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Princeton, New Jersey
- Sarasota and Venice, Florida
- Unity, Maine
- Washington, DC
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (2023):
- Total assets: $45,050,715
- Total revenues: $1,668,441
- Total expenses: $10,170,564
- Total liabilities: $8,710,000
Assets & Revenue (2024):
- Total assets: $45.1 million
- Total giving: $6.3 million
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $42,597,539 | $45,050,715 | $52,988,507 |
| Revenue | $8,957,390 | $1,668,441 | $6,934,017 |
| Expenses | $3,622,767 | $10,170,564 | $12,479,949 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $5,427,643 | $6,274,260 | $7,461,511 |
| Net Investment Income | $2,592,110 | $381,667 | $3,886,459 |
| Distributable Amount | $2,668,428 | $2,583,095 | $3,079,036 |
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
134 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Various ($2,114,166), The Metropolitan Museum of Art ($850,000), Asia Society ($429,413).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ARTSMART PHILADELPHIA, PA | EDUCATIONALSUPPORT FOR ARTS EDUCATION AND YOUTH MENTORSHIP PROGRAM | $100,000 |
| 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 |
| CITY SQUASH BRONX, NY | CHARITABLEGENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $15,000 |
| COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY NEW YORK, NY | EDUCATIONALSUPPORT FOR HADRIAN'S VILLA PROGRAM | $12,500 |
| ISLESBORO COMMUNITY CENTER ISLESBORO, ME | CHARITABLEGENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| ISLESBORO ISLAND TRUST ISLESBORO, ME | CHARITABLEGENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| 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 |
| MARIE SELBY BOTANICAL GARDENS SARASOTA, FL | CHARITABLEGENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $75,000 |
| PARK AVENUE SYNAGOGUE NEW YORK, NY | RELIGIOUSGENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $100,000 |
| THE AMERICAN SCHOOL OF CLASSICAL STUDIES AT ATHENS PRINCETON, NJ | EDUCATIONALSUPPORT FOR GALA 2020, FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM AND LORING HALL RENOVATION PROJECT | $294,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Trustees:
- Edward E. Cohen
- Betsy Z. Cohen
- Jonathan Z. Cohen
- Daniel G. Cohen
Staff:
- Donna Zanghi (Executive Director)
- Jeffrey Brotman (Vice President)
- Thomas Elliott (Chief Financial Officer)
The foundation maintains 3 employees and trustees serve without compensation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDWARD E COHEN | CHAIR, AS REQUIRED | — | — |
| BETSY Z COHEN | TRUSTEE, AS REQUIRED | — | — |
| JONATHAN Z COHEN | TRUSTEE, AS REQUIRED | — | — |
| DANIEL G COHEN | TRUSTEE, AS REQUIRED | — | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation maintains a low public profile with no published grant guidelines. It operates a website and accepts donations, but does not maintain a public application process for grant seekers. The foundation is managed by the Cohen family trustees and focuses on discretionary grantmaking to established charitable organizations.
The Arete Foundation launches with inaugural Golf DayFrequently Asked Questions
What does Arete Foundation fund?
The foundation makes contributions to tax-exempt charitable, educational, and religious organizations. Primary funding areas include: • Arts and culture • Performing arts • Museums and art museums • Education and higher education • Philanthropy and nonprofit support • Religion and Judaism • Human services
How do I apply for a grant from Arete Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Total giving in 2024: $6.3 million across 22 grants • Total giving in 2023: $7.5 million across 25 grants • Total giving in 2022: $10.0 million across 39 grants • Median grant size (2024): $125,000 • Grant range: $2,000 to $1.4 million • Average grant size: approximately $981 to $2.1 million depending on year **Recent Grant Recipients (2023):** • Metropolitan Opera Association: $1,285,000 (Phase III Campaign for the Met: Securing the Future; FY 21 Unrestricted Gift; Met St…
Where does Arete Foundation make grants?
The foundation provides funding across multiple U.S. locations including: • Bronx, Brooklyn, New York • Chicago, Illinois • Cooperstown, New York • Islesboro, Maine • New Jersey • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania • Princeton, New Jersey • Sarasota and Venice, Florida • Unity, Maine • Washington, DC
What size grants does Arete Foundation award?
In 2024, Arete Foundation awarded 19 grants totaling $5.4M — an average of about $286K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Arete Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Arete Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.7M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Arete Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
The Wolf Creek Operating Foundation
WEST CONSHOHOCKEN, PA
Assets
$7.1M
Grants
0
Total Given
—
The Best Little Cat House in PA
HARRISBURG, PA
Assets
$281K
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Willis and Elsie Shenk Foundation
LANCASTER, PA
Assets
$9.4M
Grants
35
Total Given
$304K
The Irene P Sorbara Charitable Foundation
PITTSBURGH, PA
Assets
$2.5M
Grants
2
Total Given
$131K
Howmet Aerospace Foundation
PITTSBURGH, PA
Assets
$141.5M
Grants
209
Total Given
$8.4M
Penn and Lisa Seiple Conservancy
SUNBURY, PA
Assets
$1.5M
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Arete Foundation 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 Arete Foundation to a real strategy.