Art Matters Inc
Art Matters Inc is a private foundation based in New York, NY. It supports artists and collectives making work that pushes aesthetic boundaries and confronts urgent social issues, including through unrestricted grants to artists.
Art Matters Inc at a glance
In short: Art Matters Inc gave $297K across 35 grants in 2024 (avg $8K), mostly in New York. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $296,841
- +28.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 35
- +12.9% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $8,481
- +13.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $8,000
- Total assets
- $101,361
- -1.7% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- New York (95% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Art Matters Inc
- How to Apply
-
The 2024 filing lists a letter-format outline of basic needs and objectives, pertinent background, and project documentation as application materials. It lists no deadline and says grants are available only to artists.
- Contact
Application contact: Abbey Williams
Mailing address: PO Box 311 Prince Street Station, New York, NY 10012
Phone: (917) 478-1010
Website: https://www.artmattersfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Art Matters Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Ira Khonen Temple ($8K). Together the top 4 received $32K.
Organizations only. It also paid 31 grants to individuals ($265,341), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
182 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 182 grants of 182 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 95% of grant dollars went to recipients in New York and 5% to recipients in California.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 35 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Art Matters Inc gives
- Giving grew 45% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $205K (2021) to $297K (2024). In 2024 it made 35 grants totaling $297K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 31 grants to individuals Recipients not named | — | $265,341 |
| Ira Khonen Temple New York, NY | Fellowship to Create Artwork | $8,000 |
| Middle East Children's Alliance Berkeley, CA | Fellowship to Create Artwork | $8,000 |
| Open Collective Foundation Corvina, CA | Fellowship to Create Artwork | $8,000 |
| Recess Activities Inc Brooklyn, NY | Operating Support | $7,500 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $101,361 | $516,167 | $516,994 | $296,841 | 35 | $515,995 | $6,609 |
| 2023 | $103,106 | $398,798 | $426,377 | $231,300 | 31 | $417,847 | $9,342 |
| 2022 | $126,624 | $415,905 | $429,483 | $232,500 | 31 | $427,660 | $11,842 |
| 2021 | $141,947 | $451,807 | $355,355 | $205,205 | 38 | $355,232 | $9,413 |
| 2020 | $47,719 | $400,736 | $409,734 | $238,800 | 47 | — | $4,493 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Art Matters Inc reported a distributable amount of $7K 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
Art Matters says it assists artists who make work intended to break ground aesthetically and socially. Its current Artist2Artist program, launched in 2021, involves artists receiving a grant and designating a grant to another artist; the website says all grants are unrestricted.
The foundation’s 2024 filing says grants are available only to artists. Its 2024 giving also included grants to organizations. Among those recipients, the Middle East Children’s Alliance describes its work as supporting children’s rights and well-being in the Middle East, while Recess Activities says it partners with artists and youth to build a more just and equitable creative community.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, Art Matters made 35 grants totaling $296,841. Grant amounts ranged from $141 to $24,000, with a median of $8,000. The largest listed awards were to individual recipients for fellowships to create artwork.
The foundation also gave $8,000 to the Middle East Children’s Alliance and $7,500 to Recess Activities in 2024.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Laura Donnelley as chair; Gai Gherardi as president; Alexander Gray and Marianne Weems as vice presidents; Linda Earle as treasurer; and Sacha Yanow as secretary. Board members listed are Rujeko Hockley, Regine Basha, Mary Beebe, and Demian DineYazhi.
Art Matters Inc is led by Gai Gherardi, President since 2022 (on filings since 2020); 1 of 21 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Gai Gherardi
President
Vice President → President, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Laura Donnelley
Chair
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Abbey Williams
Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$75K (2020) → $97K (2024)
Alexander Gray
Vice President
President → Vice President, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bruce Yonemoto
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Catherine Gund
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cee Scott Brown
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Claire Morton
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Demian Dineyazhi
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Julio Cesar Morales
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Laurence Miller
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Linda Earle
Treasurer
Board Member → Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lowery Sims
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marianne Weems
Vice President
Board Member → Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mary Beebe
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mimi Wheeler
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Philip Yenawine
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Regine Basha
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rujeko Hockley
Board Member
Secretary → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sacha Yanow
Secretary
Board Member → Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Viet Le
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: David Mendoza (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Yoshua Okon (2020) — Treasurer
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 $97K, to Abbey Williams (Director).
Frequently asked questions about Art Matters Inc
How much does Art Matters Inc give each year?
Art Matters Inc gave $297K across 35 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $231K across 31 grants.
What is Art Matters Inc's typical grant size?
Art Matters Inc's median grant in 2024 was $8,000, and its average grant was $8,481, across 35 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Art Matters Inc give grants?
Art Matters Inc gives mostly in New York: 95% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was California (5%).
Does Art Matters Inc give general operating support?
Occasionally: 3% of Art Matters Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 35) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Fellowship to Create Artwork" (33 grants).
Who are Art Matters Inc's largest grantees?
Art Matters Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Ira Khonen Temple ($8,000), Middle East Children's Alliance ($8,000) and Open Collective Foundation ($8,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 31 grants to individuals ($265,341), which are not listed by name. Together they received 8% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Art Matters Inc?
Art Matters Inc reported $101K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $516K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $7K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Art Matters Inc fund?
Art Matters says it assists artists who make work intended to break ground aesthetically and socially. Its current Artist2Artist program, launched in 2021, involves artists receiving a grant and designating a grant to another artist; the website says all grants are unrestricted. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Art Matters Inc?
The 2024 filing lists a letter-format outline of basic needs and objectives, pertinent background, and project documentation as application materials. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Art Matters Inc's EIN?
Art Matters Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-3271577. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Art Matters Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 19, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/art-matters-inc-morg_dea8b9bf1a2c44d5a8c85e8ceb0f1e13
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_133271577_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Art Matters Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/art-matters-inc-morg_dea8b9bf1a2c44d5a8c85e8ceb0f1e13},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-19. 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 Art Matters 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.
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