Artists Fellowship Inc
Artists Fellowship Inc is a private foundation based in New York, NY. It financially assists professional visual artists and their families in times of emergency, disability, or bereavement, with assistance provided without expectation of repayment.
Artists Fellowship Inc at a glance
In short: Artists Fellowship Inc gave $238K across 44 grants in 2023 (avg $5K), mostly in New York. Source: 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2023)
- $237,683
- +5.9% vs 2022
- Grants made (2023)
- 44
- +7.3% vs 2022
- Average grant
- $5,402
- -1.3% vs 2022
- Median grant
- $4,725
- Total assets
- $5,022,282
- +3.1% vs 2022
- Primary geography
- New York (53% of itemized 2023 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2023 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2023; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Artists Fellowship Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation’s 2022 filing states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Its website also provides financial-aid application materials for artists and describes an application process.
- Contact
Application contact: Pamela Singleton
Mailing address: Salmagundi Club 47 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10003
Phone: (212) 255-7740
Website: https://www.artistsfellowship.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Artists Fellowship Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
286 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 286 grants of 286 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation is based in New York, NY, and its website says applicants must reside in the United States or its territories. In 2023, 53% of grant dollars went to recipients in New York, 16% to California, 5% to North Carolina, 4% to Kansas, and 4% to Puerto Rico.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2023 grant dollars across all 44 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Artists Fellowship Inc gives
- Giving fell 32% from 2020 to 2023. Method
- In 2023 it paid out 101% of 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 2023, annual grant giving ranged from $224K (2022) to $350K (2020). In 2023 it made 44 grants totaling $238K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 44 grants to individuals Recipients not named | — | $237,683 |
Ready to take the next step with Artists Fellowship 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $5,022,282 | $538,837 | $388,060 | $237,683 | 44 | $306,203 | $277,066 | $302,292 |
| 2022 | $4,871,505 | $533,971 | $383,199 | $224,422 | 41 | $271,441 | $349,196 | $321,807 |
| 2021 | $4,720,733 | $680,689 | $443,630 | $252,928 | 57 | — | $493,235 | $307,470 |
| 2020 | $4,483,674 | $4,082,120 | $467,777 | $350,035 | 144 | — | $3,781,341 | $222,703 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Artists Fellowship Inc reported a distributable amount of $302K for 2023 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is to provide financial assistance to professional visual artists and their families during emergencies, disability, or bereavement. Its 2022 filing describes assistance for housing, medical, and other needs-based purposes. The website identifies serious emergencies such as recent, unexpected medical or dental conditions, natural disasters, and certain accidents causing personal injury or property damage.
The website says professional artists working in visual art forms including painting, sculpture, drawing, printmaking, illustration, fine art photography, ceramics, mixed media, performance art, and installation may apply. It excludes performing and literary artists, filmmakers, commercial photographers, and several other categories. Applicants must reside in the United States or its territories. The website says a recent, unexpected hardship is required; general indebtedness and lack of employment do not qualify.
Grantmaking
In 2023, the foundation reported 44 grants totaling $237,683. Grants ranged from $380 to $20,000, with a median of $4,725. The largest awards listed were to individual recipients: $20,000, $13,500, and $11,800, each for support of artists in need of assistance. The foundation’s website separately reports that in its last fiscal year it dispersed over $245,000 to 75 artists facing medical issues, climate-related disasters, and other unforeseen emergencies; it does not specify the year for that figure.
The website asks applicants to submit a letter explaining the emergency and request for aid, a professional CV or résumé, and documentation to substantiate the request. It says applicants should have a record of professional activity and an ongoing commitment to producing visual art. Applying does not guarantee aid.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation’s 2023 filing lists Jessica Daryl Winer as president, John Anthony Varriano as vice president, Pamela Singleton as treasurer, Joyce Zeller as corresponding secretary, and Priscilla McCarthy as recording secretary. It also lists Accra Shepp, Edith Rae Brown, Peggy Kinstler, Sharon Sprung, and Bonnie Yousuf as trustees.
Artists Fellowship Inc is led by Jessica Daryl Winer, President since 2023 (on filings since 2020); none of the 16 officers listed in 2023 report compensation.
Officers on the 2023 filing
Jessica Daryl Winer
President
Vice President → President, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Accra Shepp
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bonnie Yousuf
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Christopher Sweet
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dan Thompson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Edith Rae Brown
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Peggy Kinstler
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Pia Ledy
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sharon Sprung
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David Marcus
Trustee
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Elliot Arkin
Trustee
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gabriel Ferrer
Trustee
New on the 2023 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Anthony Varriano
Vice President
Trustee → Vice President, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joyce Zeller
Correspondin
Corresponding Secretary → Correspondin, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Pamela Singleton
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Priscilla McCarthy
Recording Se
Recording Secretary → Recording Se, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Charles Yoder (2020–2022) — President
- Former: Hugo Bastidas (2020–2021) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2023. "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 Artists Fellowship Inc
How much does Artists Fellowship Inc give each year?
Artists Fellowship Inc gave $238K across 44 grants in 2023, according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2022 it gave $224K across 41 grants.
What is Artists Fellowship Inc's typical grant size?
Artists Fellowship Inc's median grant in 2023 was $4,725, and its average grant was $5,402, across 44 grants on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Artists Fellowship Inc give grants?
Artists Fellowship Inc gives mostly in New York: 53% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was California (16%).
Does Artists Fellowship Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2023: none of the 44 grants with a stated purpose on Artists Fellowship Inc's 2023 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Support Artists in Need of Assist" (34 grants) and "Support of Artists in Need of Assist" (10 grants).
How large is Artists Fellowship Inc?
Artists Fellowship Inc reported $5.0M in total assets on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $306K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $302K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Artists Fellowship Inc fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to provide financial assistance to professional visual artists and their families during emergencies, disability, or bereavement. Its 2022 filing describes assistance for housing, medical, and other needs-based purposes. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Artists Fellowship Inc?
The foundation’s 2022 filing states that 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 Artists Fellowship Inc's EIN?
Artists Fellowship Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-6122134. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2023.
Does Artists Fellowship 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 October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2023
Other open foundation grants in New York
New York Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Artists Fellowship Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Similar funders in New York
The Ford Foundation
New York, NY
The Ford Foundation funds organizations and initiatives working to reduce inequality and advance social justice, including work on civic engagement, civil rights, climate justice, disability rights, and technology and society. In 2024, its grants ranged from $45 to $15 million, with a median of $100,000, supporting work in the U.S. and internationally. It says most grants are identified by the foundation and it does not accept unsolicited proposals by mail, email, or phone; limited opportunities may be offered separately.
Assets
$17.5B
Grants
4,007
Total Given
$844.7M
The New York Community Trust
New York, NY
The New York Community Trust funds nonprofit programs in areas such as arts, education, health, the environment, workforce development, and youth development, including projects that improve services, build organizational capacity, or advance policy and systems change. Its competitive grants mainly serve New York City, Long Island, and Westchester, with some national and international environmental funding; the 2024 median grant was $20,000. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$3.5B
Grants
2,748
Total Given
$193.8M
The Simons Foundation Inc
New York, NY
The Simons Foundation funds research and public engagement in mathematics and the physical, life, autism, and neuroscience sciences. In 2024, it made 1,727 grants, with a median award of $72,000 and amounts ranging from $1,480 to $20 million, supporting organizations in the U.S. and internationally. It states that it funds only preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$4.5B
Grants
1,727
Total Given
$272.0M
Local Initiatives Support Corporation
New York, NY
LISC funds affordable housing, community development, small businesses, and related efforts that strengthen inclusive communities, providing grants as well as loans, equity, and technical assistance across the country. Its 2024 grants had a median award of $40,000, though amounts varied widely. Application access is program-specific: for its Rhode Island child care facilities planning grants, applicants are instructed to consult program staff before submitting a request.
Assets
$1.6B
Grants
1,119
Total Given
$102.8M
Wellspring Philanthropic Fund Inc
New York, NY
Wellspring Philanthropic Fund supports human rights and social and economic justice, including work on climate, the environment, civic engagement, and Jewish causes, in the United States and internationally. Its 2024 grants had a median of $200,000, with amounts ranging from $500 to $9.75 million. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests; it plans to end grantmaking by the end of 2028.
Assets
$134.4M
Grants
1,101
Total Given
$326.0M
More Funders in New York
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Artists Fellowship 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.
Artists Fellowship Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?