Civis Foundation
Civis Foundation is a private foundation based in New York, New York. Its 2024 filing reports grants to seven organizations, including arts and cultural organizations and groups working on voter access and civic participation.
Civis Foundation at a glance
In short: Civis Foundation gave $230K across 7 grants in 2024 (avg $33K), mostly in New York. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $230,000
- -98.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 7
- +133.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $32,857
- -99.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $88,060,938
- +18.1% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- New York (78% 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 Civis Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Contact
Mailing address: 42 West 39Th Street 14Th Fl, New York, NY 10018
Phone: (212) 758-6221
Website: https://civismedia.eu
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Civis Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was National Black Theater ($50K). Together the top 7 received $230K.
Grant Size Distribution
84 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $50–100K range: 30 grants of 84 (36%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in New York (78%), Washington, DC (11%) and Massachusetts (11%). Listed New York recipients were based in New York City and Hudson.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 7 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Civis Foundation gives
- Giving fell 98% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 6% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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 $230K (2024) to $14.6M (2023). In 2024 it made 7 grants totaling $230K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| National Black Theater New York, NY | Supporting Programs | $50,000 |
| Headcount New York, NY | Supporting Programs | $50,000 |
| Open to Debate New York, NY | Supporting Programs | $30,000 |
| Campaign Legal Center Washington, DC | Protecting Voter Access | $25,000 |
| Student Pirg Boston, MA | Supporting Programs | $25,000 |
| TEH LGBT Community Center New York, NY | Supporting Programs | $25,000 |
| The Hudson Athens Lighthouse Hudson, NY | Supporting Programs | $25,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $88,060,938 | $14,406,462 | $1,020,442 | $230,000 | 7 | $231,500 | $2,635,315 | $3,921,470 |
| 2023 | $74,534,012 | $-1,050,089 | $15,049,247 | $14,615,000 | 3 | $14,635,132 | $358,701 | — |
| 2022 | $88,431,478 | $16,469,252 | $11,495,692 | $10,720,000 | 24 | $10,732,250 | $938,430 | — |
| 2021 | $83,457,918 | $81,147,159 | $11,888,546 | $11,471,125 | 49 | $11,478,923 | $29,762,558 | — |
| 2020 | $14,199,305 | $5,776,580 | $8,275,628 | $7,560,000 | 1 | — | $5,776,580 | — |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Civis Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.9M 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
The website describes the CIVIS Media Foundation’s work as encouraging media professionals to address migration, integration, cultural diversity and social cohesion in European immigration societies. It says the foundation awards the CIVIS Media Prize and holds media dialogues and discussions.
The 2024 grants show support for organizations with varied activities. HeadCount says its mission is to use music and popular culture to register voters and promote participation in democracy. The Campaign Legal Center describes its mission as advancing democracy through law and protecting opportunities to participate in the democratic process. The Massachusetts Student Public Interest Research Group says it conducts research and advocacy on social issues affecting Massachusetts residents and organizes college student chapters. Other 2024 recipients included National Black Theater, Open to Debate, TEH LGBT Community Center and The Hudson Athens Lighthouse.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported seven grants totaling $230,000. Grants ranged from $25,000 to $50,000, with a median of $25,000. The largest listed grants were $50,000 each to National Black Theater and HeadCount, both for supporting programs. Other listed grants included $30,000 to Open to Debate for supporting programs, $25,000 to the Campaign Legal Center for protecting voter access, and $25,000 each to Student PIRG, TEH LGBT Community Center and The Hudson Athens Lighthouse for supporting programs.
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Eric Galloway as trustee.
Civis Foundation is led by Eric Galloway, Trustee on every filing since 2020 — the only officer listed, and uncompensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Eric Galloway
Trustee
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
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.
Frequently asked questions about Civis Foundation
How much does Civis Foundation give each year?
Civis Foundation gave $230K across 7 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $14.6M across 3 grants.
What is Civis Foundation's typical grant size?
Civis Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $25,000, and its average grant was $32,857, across 7 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Civis Foundation give grants?
Civis Foundation gives mostly in New York: 78% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were District of Columbia (11%) and Massachusetts (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (4 grants).
Does Civis Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 7 grants with a stated purpose on Civis Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Supporting Programs" (6 grants).
Who are Civis Foundation's largest grantees?
Civis Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include National Black Theater ($50,000), Headcount ($50,000) and Open to Debate ($30,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 57% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Civis Foundation?
Civis Foundation reported $88.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $232K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $3.9M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Civis Foundation fund?
The website describes the CIVIS Media Foundation’s work as encouraging media professionals to address migration, integration, cultural diversity and social cohesion in European immigration societies. It says the foundation awards the CIVIS Media Prize and holds media dialogues and discussions. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Civis Foundation?
Civis Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals, according to Grantable's research on its published guidelines. Check civismedia.eu for any change to that policy.
What is Civis Foundation's EIN?
Civis Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-6215329. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Civis Foundation 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 2020–2024
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Figures come from Civis Foundation'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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