Arts Equity & Education Fund
Arts, Equity, & Education Fund is a private foundation established in 2017 and based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The organization operates as an independent 501(c)(3) foundation dedicated to supporting arts and education initiatives with a primary focus on the Greater Pittsburgh region and surrounding areas.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$6.6M
+3.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$556K
+0.7% YoY
Grant Count
30
-3.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$19K
+4.1% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Arts Equity & Education Fund reported a distributable amount of $540K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: Arts, Equity, & Education Fund amplifies change and elevates underrepresented voices in the arts and education ecosystems.
Core Values:
- Strong relationships are the foundation to achieving organizational goals
- Innovation and experimentation are necessary to grow and learn
- Collaboration among organizations is a multiplier for success
- Art is for everyone; it is not a luxury
- High-quality education expands opportunities
Guiding Principles: The foundation makes grantmaking decisions through an equitable and inclusive lens, prioritizing efforts to remove barriers for historically underrepresented voices, enhance representation and access, and promote lifelong learning.
Funding Priorities:
The foundation prioritizes grants for the following types of initiatives:
- Capacity Building – Investments in the future sustainability of professional arts organizations or independent schools, including support for fundraising, marketing, and strategic planning enhancements
- Exhibitions/Performances – Financial support for professional arts organizations, schools, and artists to present work in museums, schools, community spaces, or theaters
- Fellowships/Residencies – Support for professional arts organizations hosting fellowship and residency programs that immerse artists or young professionals in career paths or artistic practices through intensive mentoring and studio sessions
- Publications/Documentation – Support for producing arts-related digital, written, or recorded materials such as exhibition catalogues or documentary films
- Scholarships – Grants providing equitable advancement for underrepresented individuals
Grantmaking
Average Grant
amount: $67 (median grant amount data not specified in sources)
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation prioritizes giving in the Greater Pittsburgh region. Grant recipients are located across multiple U.S. cities and states, including Braddock, Carnegie, Columbia, Detroit, Farmington, Greensburg, New York, Pittsburgh, Seattle, Valencia, Washington, and Wilmerding. The foundation operates in states including California, District of Columbia, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Washington.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (2024):
- Total assets: $6,589,787
- Total revenues: $1,007,465
- Total expenses: $780,979
- Number of employees: 1
Funding Sources: The foundation's program areas include interest earned on investments, dividends earned on investments, and net capital gains from sales of securities.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $6,589,787 | $6,363,752 | $6,234,418 |
| Revenue | $1,007,465 | $877,849 | $383,245 |
| Expenses | $780,979 | $741,121 | $717,488 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $737,898 | $615,483 | $597,828 |
| Net Investment Income | $966,305 | $138,227 | $225,168 |
| Distributable Amount | $540,329 | $504,469 | $479,484 |
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
131 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra ($75,000), Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre ($35,000), The Ellis School ($30,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ALUMNI THEATER PITTSBURGH, PA | SUPPORT OF ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS | $10,000 |
| ART 21 FOR EVERYONE NEW YORK, NY | SUPPORT OF ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS | $13,600 |
| ASSOCIATED ARTISTS OF PITTSBURGH PITTSBURGH, PA | SUPPORT OF CREATIVE CITIZEN STUDIOS PROGRAM | $15,000 |
| BREW HOUSE ASSOCIATION PITTSBURGH, PA | SUPPORT OF ARTISTIC PROGRAMMING | $25,000 |
| BROOKLYN MUSEUM BROOKLYN, NY | SUPPORT OF ARTISTIC PROGRAMMING | $10,000 |
| BUNKER PROJECTS PITTSBURGH, PA | SUPPORT OF ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS | $25,000 |
| CARLOW UNIVERSITY PITTSBURGH, PA | SUPPORT OF CARLOW UNIVERSITY ART GALLERY | $10,000 |
| CENTER OF LIFE PITTSBURGH, PA | SUPPORT OF ARTISTIC PROGRAMMING | $15,000 |
| CHARM CITY CULTURAL CULTIVATION BALTIMORE, MD | SUPPORT OF ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS | $10,000 |
| CONTEMPORARY CRAFT PITTSBURGH, PA | SUPPORT OF ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS AND PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT | $17,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Christopher C. Fleischner – President
- Dawn N. Fleischner – Chairman of the Board
- Karla Stallworth – Executive Director
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHRISTOPHER C FLEISCHNER | PRESIDENT | 10 | — |
| DAWN N FLEISCHNER | CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD | 20 | — |
| KARLA STALLWORTH | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $90,100 |
Contact Information
- Website: www.aeefund.org
- Phone: 412-760-6992
- Address: PO Box 81068, Pittsburgh, PA 15217-0568
- EIN: 82-3746641
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Arts Equity & Education Fund fund?
**Mission:** Arts, Equity, & Education Fund amplifies change and elevates underrepresented voices in the arts and education ecosystems. **Core Values:** • Strong relationships are the foundation to achieving organizational goals • Innovation and experimentation are necessary to grow and learn • Collaboration among organizations is a multiplier for success • Art is for everyone; it is not a luxury • High-quality education expands opportunities **Guiding Principles:** The foundation makes grantma…
How do I apply for a grant from Arts Equity & Education Fund?
**Eligibility:** Grant applicants must be classified as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or have a valid fiscal sponsorship agreement. **Grant Activity:** • Total giving in 2024: $555,600 • Number of grants made: 22 grants in the most recent year • Typical award range: $1,025–$80,000 • Average grant amount: $67 (median grant amount data not specified in sources) **Recent Grant Examples:** • Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra: $75,000 (Support of Administrative Costs) •…
Where does Arts Equity & Education Fund make grants?
The foundation prioritizes giving in the Greater Pittsburgh region. Grant recipients are located across multiple U.S. cities and states, including Braddock, Carnegie, Columbia, Detroit, Farmington, Greensburg, New York, Pittsburgh, Seattle, Valencia, Washington, and Wilmerding. The foundation operates in states including California, District of Columbia, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Washington.
What size grants does Arts Equity & Education Fund award?
In 2024, Arts Equity & Education Fund awarded 30 grants totaling $556K — an average of about $19K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Arts Equity & Education Fund required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Arts Equity & Education Fund reported a distributable amount of $540K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Arts Equity & Education Fund's EIN?
Arts Equity & Education Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 82-3746641. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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