Columbus Citizens Foundation Inc
Columbus Citizens Foundation Inc is a public charity based in New York, New York. The foundation says it celebrates and preserves Italian American heritage and achievement through cultural and educational programs, scholarships, and its organization of New York City’s annual Columbus Day Parade.
Columbus Citizens Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Columbus Citizens Foundation Inc gave $131K across 12 grants in 2024 (avg $11K), mostly in New York. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $130,500
- +1.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 12
- +9.1% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $10,875
- -7.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $30,384,152
- +4.3% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- New York (87% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Columbus Citizens Foundation Inc
- Contact
Mailing address: 8 East 69Th Street, New York, NY 10021
Phone: (212) 249-9923
Website: https://columbuscitizensfd.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Columbus Citizens Foundation Inc
Who Columbus Citizens Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was The Paideia Institute ($25K). Together the top 10 received $110K.
Organizations only. It also paid 2 individual scholarships ($20,500), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
41 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 39 grants of 41 (95%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 filing reports that 87% of grant dollars went to recipients in New York and 13% to recipients in Washington, DC. The listed 2024 recipients include organizations in New York and Washington, DC.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 12 itemized grants.
Cities
How Columbus Citizens Foundation Inc gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−9%). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 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 $30K (2020) to $144K (2021). In 2024 it made 12 grants totaling $131K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Paideia Institute New York, NY | Scholarship | $25,000 |
| Italian Heritage & Culture New York, NY | Scholarship | $12,500 |
| 2 individual scholarships Recipients not named | — | $20,500 |
| Futures in Education Brooklyn, NY | Scholarship | $10,000 |
| Cooley's Anemia Foundation New York, NY | Scholarship | $10,000 |
| Italian Welfare League New York, NY | Scholarship | $10,000 |
| Italian American Leadership Forum Washington, DC | Scholarship | $10,000 |
| Mayors Fund to Advance NY New York, NY | Scholarship | $10,000 |
| National Organization of Italian American Women NY, NY | Scholarship | $7,500 |
| National Italian American FD Washington, DC | Scholarship | $7,500 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $30,384,152 | $5,463,386 | $5,226,299 | $130,500 | 12 | $1,652,391 |
| 2023 | $29,121,394 | $3,303,730 | $4,859,979 | $129,000 | 11 | $845,000 |
| 2022 | $28,431,820 | $3,614,486 | $4,393,164 | $111,400 | 8 | $1,011,074 |
| 2021 | $32,932,983 | $6,043,809 | $4,422,485 | $143,500 | 6 | $1,497,470 |
| 2020 | $30,329,837 | $3,815,444 | $4,359,099 | $30,000 | 4 | $829,572 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s filing states that its mission is to perpetuate and honor the significance of the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus and to encourage recognition of other significant contributions to the development and preservation of the United States, its institutions, and ideals. The filing also describes a scholarship program serving students in elementary school, high school, college, and graduate programs in the arts. The foundation’s website describes its scholarship recipients as deserving Italian American students.
The 2024 grants were reported for scholarship purposes. Among the recipients, the Paideia Institute says it promotes the classical humanities through academic programming, outreach, publications, and digital initiatives. Futures in Education says it provides tuition assistance to students in Brooklyn and Queens. Cooley’s Anemia Foundation says it works to improve patients’ quality of life and find a cure for the disease. These are the recipients’ own descriptions of their work.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 12 grants totaling $130,500. Grant amounts ranged from $7,500 to $25,000, with a median of $10,000. The largest reported grants included $25,000 to the Paideia Institute, $12,500 to Italian Heritage & Culture, and $10,000 each to Futures in Education, Cooley’s Anemia Foundation, Italian Welfare League, and the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City. The filing also lists grants to individual recipients.
The foundation describes scholarship opportunities including the Guarini Scholarship, which supports Italian American students attending John Cabot University in Rome, and the CCF Study Abroad Scholarship Grant. The Guarini Scholarship is described as partial tuition support, typically over four years, with payments made directly to the school. Its listed eligibility includes U.S. citizenship or residency, at least 25% Italian heritage, a GPA of 3.5 or higher, and plans to attend John Cabot University for one or two consecutive semesters. For the study abroad opportunity, applicants must confirm enrollment or explain the status of an application to an existing program in Italy and provide a detailed budget of expenses.
The filing says requests for donations other than scholarships may be forwarded to the philanthropic committee and presented to the board.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Officers and directors listed on the 2024 filing are Christopher Loiacono, president; Anthony F Giordano, vice president; Lawrence E Auriana, secretary; Claudio A De Vellis, treasurer; Marian U Pardo, chair; and governors Michael S Arena, John M Desiderio, Geraldine DiCostanzo, Joseph R Gurrera, and Thomas N Iovino.
Columbus Citizens Foundation Inc is led by Lisa Ackerman, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 4 of 20 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Lisa Ackerman
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$290K (2020) → $308K (2024)
Christopher Loiacono
President
On filings since 2022
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marian U. Pardo
Chair
President → Chair, 2022
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michelle Santoro
Director of Programs
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$119K (2024)
Deanna Stinziano
Controller
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$116K (2022) → $127K (2024)
Sari Uricheck
Deputy Director
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$131K (2024)
Aldo Verrelli
Governor
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Anthony F. Giordano
Vice President
Secretary → Vice President, 2022
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John M. Desiderio
Governor
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joseph R. Gurrera
Governor
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lawrence E. Auriana
Secretary
Governor → Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael S. Arena
Governor
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Richard T. Warus
Governor
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Salvatore M. Salibello
Governor
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Thomas N. Iovino
Governor
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Thomas P. Sculco
Governor
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Geraldine Dicostanzo
Governor
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jodi Pulice-Smith
Governor
On filings since 2022
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Claudio A. De Vellis
Treasurer
New on the 2024 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dennis Loiacono
Governor
New on the 2024 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (8)
- Former: Claudio A. Devellis (2020–2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Janice Galli Becker (2020–2023) — Governor
- Former: Maria S. Bartiromo (2020–2023) — Governor
- Former: Michael D. Sapraicone (2020–2023) — Governor
- Former: Angelo Vivolo (2021–2023) — Governor
- Former: Michael F. Pedone (2020–2021) — Vice President
- Former: Phyllis Perillo (2020–2021) — Governor
- Former: Geri Di Costanzo (2020) — Governor
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $308K, to Lisa Ackerman (Executive Director). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Columbus Citizens Foundation Inc
How much does Columbus Citizens Foundation Inc give each year?
Columbus Citizens Foundation Inc gave $131K across 12 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $129K across 11 grants.
What is Columbus Citizens Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Columbus Citizens Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $10,875, across 12 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Columbus Citizens Foundation Inc give grants?
Columbus Citizens Foundation Inc gives mostly in New York: 87% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was District of Columbia (13%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (6 grants) and Washington, DC (2 grants).
Does Columbus Citizens Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 12 grants with a stated purpose on Columbus Citizens Foundation Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Scholarship" (12 grants).
Who are Columbus Citizens Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Columbus Citizens Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include The Paideia Institute ($25,000), Italian Heritage & Culture ($12,500) and Futures in Education ($10,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. It also paid 2 individual scholarships ($20,500), which are not listed by name. Together they received 36% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Columbus Citizens Foundation Inc?
Columbus Citizens Foundation Inc reported $30.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $5.5M.
What does Columbus Citizens Foundation Inc fund?
The organization’s filing states that its mission is to perpetuate and honor the significance of the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus and to encourage recognition of other significant contributions to the development and preservation of the United States, its institutions, and ideals. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Columbus Citizens Foundation Inc?
Columbus Citizens Foundation Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check columbuscitizensfd.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Columbus Citizens Foundation Inc's EIN?
Columbus Citizens Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-6118967. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 11, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 8, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 9, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Columbus Citizens Foundation Inc funds
Arts, Culture & Humanities Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Columbus Citizens Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 18, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/columbus-citizens-foundation-inc-morg_1220598a59bd4beca7bf12137f67d731
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_136118967_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Columbus Citizens Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/columbus-citizens-foundation-inc-morg_1220598a59bd4beca7bf12137f67d731},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-18. 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 Columbus Citizens Foundation 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.
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