Brooklyn Arts Council Inc
Brooklyn Arts Council Inc is a public charity based in Brooklyn, New York. Founded in 1966, it says its mission is to enrich the quality of life of Brooklyn residents through promoting the arts in the community.
Brooklyn Arts Council Inc at a glance
In short: Brooklyn Arts Council Inc gave $270K across 22 grants in 2025 (avg $12K), mostly in New York. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $270,000
- +1.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 22
- -8.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $12,273
- +10.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $1,829,349
- -50.4% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- New York (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Brooklyn Arts Council Inc
- How to Apply
-
Review the guidelines for the relevant grant opportunity and submit an application during its application period. The council offers information sessions about its grants.
- Review Cycle
- October 11, 2026, for the 2027 grant applications listed on the council’s grant pages.
- Deadline
- October 11, 2026, for the 2027 grant applications listed on the council’s grant pages.
- Next open deadline
- November 7, 2026 (Charlene Victor and Ella J. Weiss Cultural Entrepreneur Fund)
- Contact
Mailing address: 10 Lafayette Ave 4, Brooklyn, NY 11217
Phone: (718) 625-0080
Website: https://brooklynartscouncil.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
7 open opportunities from Brooklyn Arts Council Inc
Brooklyn Arts Fund & Local Arts Support Grant
Brooklyn Arts Council Inc
Amount
US $2,500 - US $5,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Charlene Victor & Ella J. Weiss Cultural Entrepreneur Fund Grant
Brooklyn Arts Council Inc
Amount
US $2,500
Deadline
Deadline not published
Charlene Victor and Ella J. Weiss Cultural Entrepreneur Fund
Brooklyn Arts Council Inc
Amount
$2,500 per awardee
Deadline
Expected ~November
Based on past cycles
Who Brooklyn Arts Council Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Bailey's Cafe Inc ($26K). Together the top 10 received $163K.
Grant Size Distribution
108 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 108 grants of 108 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Brooklyn Arts Council is based in Brooklyn, and its grant programs focus on Brooklyn artists, organizations, and projects. The 2025 filing reports that all grant dollars went to New York State recipients. The Creative Equations Fund eligibility information says applicants must be based in or serve Brooklyn.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 22 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Brooklyn Arts Council Inc gives
- 23% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+15%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $30K (2021) to $367K (2023). In 2025 it made 22 grants totaling $270K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Bailey's Cafe Inc Brooklyn, NY | Brooklyn Arts Fund, Local Arts Support | $26,000 |
| Grand Pistachio Arts Corporation Brooklyn, NY | Brooklyn arts fund, creative equations fund, local arts support | $20,000 |
| Parle Endeavors Inc Brooklyn, NY | Brooklyn arts fund, creative equations fund, local arts support | $20,000 |
| Brooklyn Youth Company Inc Brooklyn, NY | Brooklyn arts fund, creative equations fund, local arts support | $17,000 |
| Brooklyn Fam Festival of Arts and Music Inc Brooklyn, NY | Creative Equations Fund, Local Arts Support | $15,000 |
| One Whale's Tale LLC Brooklyn, NY | Brooklyn Arts Fund, Creative Equations Fund | $15,000 |
| Chamberqueer Inc Brooklyn, NY | Creative Equations Fund, Local Arts Support | $15,000 |
| White Bird Productions Inc Brooklyn, NY | Creative Equations Fund, Local Arts Support | $15,000 |
| Bushwick Workshop Space Brooklyn, NY | Creative Equations Fund | $10,000 |
| Dominicans Love Haitians Movement Inc Brooklyn, NY | Brooklyn Arts Fund, Local Arts Support | $10,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Brooklyn Arts Council Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,829,349 | $3,990,995 | $4,176,377 | $270,000 | 22 | $28,440 |
| 2024 | $3,686,253 | $4,049,668 | $4,128,850 | $267,000 | 24 | $16,606 |
| 2023 | $2,145,801 | $4,308,333 | $5,067,937 | $366,967 | 35 | $555 |
| 2022 | $3,044,754 | $3,833,843 | $4,127,616 | $233,792 | 23 | $687 |
| 2021 | $3,792,186 | $4,166,214 | $2,996,750 | $30,000 | 4 | $2,889 |
| 2020 | $2,393,675 | $2,796,950 | $3,073,291 | $95,097 | 11 | $4,337 |
| 2019 | $2,188,763 | $3,683,604 | $3,264,459 | $120,572 | 14 | $3,263 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Brooklyn Arts Council’s stated mission is to enrich the quality of life of Brooklyn residents through the promotion of the arts in the community. Its filing describes workshops and residencies in artistic disciplines for school and after-school programs, senior centers, and community facilities; technical assistance and professional development for artists and nonprofit arts groups; regranting to Brooklyn cultural organizations and artists; and programming featuring and serving Brooklyn artists.
The council describes Brooklyn Arts Fund as supporting arts and cultural projects that contribute to creative experiences for Brooklyn audiences. Local Arts Support is designed for nonprofit organizations and artist-nonprofit partnerships developing local arts projects and programs with a community-engagement focus. The Creative Equations Fund supports community-engaged artists, arts organizations, cultural entrepreneurs, and researchers working on social problems through creativity.
Grantees’ stated missions reflect varied work. White Bird Productions Inc says it develops original theater about the urban environment, communities, and life experiences. Redhawk Indian Arts Council Inc says it educates the public about Native American arts, culture, and history. The Academy of Medical & Public Health Services describes itself as a nonprofit health-service organization serving underserved immigrant communities; this is the grantee’s description, not the council’s mission.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, Brooklyn Arts Council reported 22 grants totaling $270,000. Grants ranged from $6,000 to $26,000, with a median of $10,000. All reported grant dollars went to recipients in New York.
Among the largest 2025 awards were $26,000 to Bailey’s Cafe Inc; $20,000 each to Grand Pistachio Arts Corporation and Parle Endeavors Inc; and $17,000 to Brooklyn Youth Company Inc. Other awards included $15,000 each to Brooklyn Fam Festival of Arts and Music Inc, One Whale’s Tale LLC, Chamberqueer Inc, and White Bird Productions Inc. White Bird Productions says its work develops original theater about urban environments, communities, and life experiences.
Brooklyn Arts Council’s website describes its grants as supporting local creatives, collectives, and small arts organizations. For the 2027 application cycle, the website lists Brooklyn Arts Fund, Local Arts Support, and Creative Equations Fund applications opening August 17, 2026, and closing October 11, 2026. The Creative Equations Fund offers awards of up to $10,000. Its guidelines describe eligibility for Brooklyn-based or Brooklyn-serving applicants; the FAQ also says Brooklyn Arts Fund and Local Arts Support proposals must include a public-benefiting community-engagement component. The FAQ notes that seeking funding from the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs makes an applicant ineligible for Brooklyn Arts Fund, and seeking funding from the New York State Council on the Arts makes an applicant ineligible for Local Arts Support. The council’s 2025 open-call announcement described applications as hosted through an online application system and encouraged applicants to attend information sessions; the current grant pages list guidelines and upcoming sessions.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Christine Osuji as chairman; Samara Karasyk as vice chair; Frazier Holloway as treasurer; and Sidney R Jean as secretary. Trustees listed are Cey Adams, Julia Chu, Lisa Dolberry Hancock, Jack Esterson, Audrey Frank Anastasi, and Jidan Kim.
Brooklyn Arts Council Inc is led by Rasu Jilani, Executive Director on every filing since 2023; 1 of 17 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Rasu Jilani
Executive Director
On filings since 2023
35 hrs/week
$120K (2024) → $158K (2025)
Christine Osuji
Chairman
Trustee → Chairman, 2025
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Antonia Yuille Williams
Trustee
Chariman → Chairman, 2024
Chairman → Trustee, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Audrey Frank Anastasi
Trustee
Trustee → Secretary, 2020
Secretary → Trustee, 2021
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Barbara Stallworth
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jack Esterson
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jidan Kim
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Julia Chu
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lisa Dolberry Hancock
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cey Adams
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kristina Newman-Scott
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cherae Robinson
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Deidrea Miller
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeff Ross
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Frazier Holloway
Treasurer
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Samara Epstein Karasyk
Vice Chair
Trustee → Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sidney R. Jean
Secretary
Trustee → Secretary, 2021
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (23)
- Former: Ellen Gottlieb (2019–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Ashley Hart (2020–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Karen Auster (2022–2024) — Vice Chair
- Former: Charlotte Cohen (2019–2023) — Executive Director
- Former: Jilian Gersten (2019–2023) — Development Director
- Former: Tobie Stein (2022–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Antonio Reynoso (2022) — Honorary Chairman
- Former: Allison Druin (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Courtney Brennan (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Dan Marks (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Ed Rivera (2019–2021) — Finance Director
- Former: Eric Adams (2019–2021) — Honorary Chairman
- Former: Jesse Alden Williamson (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Karen Stone (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Theresa Schieber (2019–2021) — Vice Chair
- Former: Valerie D. White (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Michele Arbeeny (2019–2020) — Trustee
- Former: Ted Hovivian (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Alan Ket (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Jennifer L. Davis (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Jennifer L. Smith (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Michael Armstrong (2019) — Secretary
- Former: Thomas F. Schutte (2019) — Chairman
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $158K, to Rasu Jilani (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Brooklyn Arts Council Inc
How much does Brooklyn Arts Council Inc give each year?
Brooklyn Arts Council Inc gave $270K across 22 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $267K across 24 grants.
What is Brooklyn Arts Council Inc's typical grant size?
Brooklyn Arts Council Inc's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $12,273, across 22 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Brooklyn Arts Council Inc give grants?
Brooklyn Arts Council Inc gives mostly in New York: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Brooklyn, NY (19 grants) and New York, NY (3 grants).
Does Brooklyn Arts Council Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 22 grants with a stated purpose on Brooklyn Arts Council Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Creative Equations Fund" (8 grants), "Brooklyn Arts Fund, Local Arts Support" (7 grants) and "Creative Equations Fund, Local Arts Support" (3 grants).
Who are Brooklyn Arts Council Inc's largest grantees?
Brooklyn Arts Council Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Bailey's Cafe Inc ($26,000), Grand Pistachio Arts Corporation ($20,000) and Parle Endeavors Inc ($20,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 24% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Brooklyn Arts Council Inc?
Brooklyn Arts Council Inc reported $1.8M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $4.0M.
What does Brooklyn Arts Council Inc fund?
Brooklyn Arts Council’s stated mission is to enrich the quality of life of Brooklyn residents through the promotion of the arts in the community. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Brooklyn Arts Council Inc?
Review the guidelines for the relevant grant opportunity and submit an application during its application period. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Brooklyn Arts Council Inc's EIN?
Brooklyn Arts Council Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7072915. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS April 13, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS March 24, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 10, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 10, 2024)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS February 20, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 28, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 24, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Brooklyn Arts Council Inc funds
Arts, Culture & Humanities Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Brooklyn Arts Council Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Brooklyn Arts Council Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/brooklyn-arts-council-inc-morg_32cf867a65054942a96738e69cd06a4d
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_237072915_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Brooklyn Arts Council Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/brooklyn-arts-council-inc-morg_32cf867a65054942a96738e69cd06a4d},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. 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 Brooklyn Arts Council 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.
Brooklyn Arts Council Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?