Billy Rose Foundation Inc
Billy Rose Foundation Inc is a private foundation incorporated in 1958 and based in Rockville Centre, New York. The foundation was established by the late Billy Rose, a renowned Broadway producer, lyricist, and impresario who created many famous songs during the 1920s and 1930s, including "Me and My Shadow," "It Happened in Monterey," and "It's Only a Paper Moon." Rose was instrumental in producing major Broadway productions including "Jumbo," "Billy Rose's Aquacade," and "Carmen Jones." From 1959 to 1979, Broadway's currently named Nederlander Theatre was named the Billy Rose Theatre in his honor. Rose has been inducted as a member of the Songwriter's Hall of Fame.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$8.7M
+1.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$803K
+2.0% YoY
Grant Count
34
-2.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$24K
+5.0% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Billy Rose Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $439K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports the fine and performing arts, and education.
Grantmaking
The foundation makes grants across multiple disciplines within its focus areas. Based on recent filing data:
Grant Range
**: Typical awards range from $2,500 to $120,000
Average Grant
**: $24,000
Review Cycle
.
How to Apply
**: Applications should be submitted in the form of a letter summarizing the proposal. There are no submission deadlines.
Ready to take the next step with Billy Rose Foundation Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily supports organizations in New York, with additional grantmaking in Virginia and the District of Columbia. Grantmaking reaches organizations across 11 states, with the majority of grants concentrated in New York, District of Columbia, and New Jersey.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $8,658,235
- Annual Giving: $803,200
- Total Revenues: $657,224
- Total Expenses: $989,959
- Net Investment Income: $561,324
Historical Trend: Total assets have declined from $13 million in 2011 to $8.6 million in 2024. The foundation has made approximately 150 grants totaling $3.6 million over its recent history.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $8,658,235 | $8,568,763 | $8,226,170 |
| Revenue | $657,224 | $265,831 | $-137,242 |
| Expenses | $989,959 | $1,000,073 | $1,039,920 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $907,997 | $901,347 | $936,923 |
| Net Investment Income | $561,324 | $88,656 | $4,375 |
| Distributable Amount | $438,502 | $238,919 | $438,892 |
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
182 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include American Friends of the Israel Museum ($100,000), American Composers Forum ($83,000), Dancing Dreams ($50,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Amercian Baroque Orchestra NEW HAVEN, CT | INNOVATION AND IMPROVEMENT GRANT | $3,200 |
| AMERICAN COMPOSERS FORUM ST PAUL, MN | INNOVATION AND IMPROVEMENT GRANT | $83,000 |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF THE ISRAEL MUSEUM NEW YORK, NY | INNOVATION AND IMPROVEMENT GRANT | $100,000 |
| Anti Defamation League New York, NY | INNOVATION AND IMPROVEMENT GRANT | $20,000 |
| Arlekin Players Theatre Needham, MA | INNOVATION AND IMPROVEMENT GRANT | $20,000 |
| DANCING DREAMS QUEENS, NY | INNOVATION AND IMPROVEMENT GRANT | $50,000 |
| ESSENTIAL VOICES USA NEW YORK, NY | INNOVATION AND IMPROVEMENT GRANT | $15,000 |
| FORDHAM UNIVERSITY NEW YORK, NY | INNOVATION AND IMPROVEMENT GRANT | $30,000 |
| Gina Gibney Dance Inc New York, NY | INNOVATION AND IMPROVEMENT GRANT | $15,000 |
| HAMPTON INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL INC EAST HAMPTON, NY | INNOVATION AND IMPROVEMENT GRANT | $2,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- James Mc Nasby – Chairman
- John Wohlstetter – Vice Chairman
- Gregory Little – Treasurer
- Kathleen A Fisk – Secretary & Assistant Treasurer
- Thomas Walsh – Director
- Sylvie Cherry – Director
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOHN WOHLSTETTER | VICE CHAIRMAN | 1 | $10,000 |
| JAMES MC NASBY | CHAIRMAN | 1 | $10,000 |
| GREGORY LITTLE | Treasurer | 1 | $10,000 |
| KATHLEEN A FISK | SECRETARY & Asst. Treasurer | 35 | $50,000 |
| Thomas Walsh | Director | 1 | $10,000 |
| Sylvie Cherry | Director | 1 | $10,000 |
Contact Information
- Phone: (516) 442-5413
- Address: Rockville Centre, NY
- Tax Status: 501(c)(3) organization; tax-exempt since July 1961
- EIN: 13-6165466
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Billy Rose Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation supports the fine and performing arts, and education.
How do I apply for a grant from Billy Rose Foundation Inc?
The foundation makes grants across multiple disciplines within its focus areas. Based on recent filing data: • **Grant Range**: Typical awards range from $2,500 to $120,000 • **Median Grant Size**: $20,000 • **Average Grant Size**: $24,000 • **Annual Grant Count**: Approximately 34 grants per year • **Application Process**: Applications should be submitted in the form of a letter summarizing the proposal. There are no submission deadlines. • **Eligibility**: Organizations described in section 1…
Where does Billy Rose Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation primarily supports organizations in New York, with additional grantmaking in Virginia and the District of Columbia. Grantmaking reaches organizations across 11 states, with the majority of grants concentrated in New York, District of Columbia, and New Jersey.
What size grants does Billy Rose Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Billy Rose Foundation Inc awarded 34 grants totaling $803K — an average of about $24K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Billy Rose Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Billy Rose Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $439K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Billy Rose Foundation Inc's EIN?
Billy Rose Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-6165466. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Billy Rose Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
The Reich Family Charitable Trust
BROOKLYN, NY
Assets
$689K
Grants
1
Total Given
$453K
Launa Beuhler Foundation for
BROOKLYN, NY
Assets
$2K
Grants
4
Total Given
$20K
The Hilary Grace Foundation Inc
EAST AMHERST, NY
Assets
$126K
Grants
2
Total Given
$36K
Uw E J Madden Mem Open Hearts Club 10-214880
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$1.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$307K
Hindy's Foundation
BROOKLYN, NY
Assets
$142K
Grants
8
Total Given
$225K
Jeanne & Thomas Hardy Family Foundation
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$3K
Grants
3
Total Given
$3K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Billy Rose Foundation Inc 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 Billy Rose Foundation Inc to a real strategy.