Cornell Family Foundation
Cornell Family Foundation is a private foundation based in New York, NY. Its 2022 filing is marked as a final return and says the foundation was liquidated under its bylaws, with remaining funds distributed to charitable organizations; it therefore appears to have wound down and stopped grantmaking.
Cornell Family Foundation at a glance
In short: Cornell Family Foundation gave $194K across 25 grants in 2023 (avg $8K), top state New York. 52% of 2023 grantees were new. Source: 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2023)
- $194,111
- +29.4% vs 2022
- Grants made (2023)
- 25
- +38.9% vs 2022
- Average grant
- $7,764
- -6.8% vs 2022
- Median grant
- $5,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 52% first-time grantees (13 of 25, 2023)
- Primary geography
- New York (30% of itemized 2023 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2023 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2023; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Cornell Family Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation stated that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
- Contact
Mailing address: 116 Pinehurst Avenue D-53, New York, NY 10033
Phone: (212) 927-6844
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Cornell Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2023
The largest 2023 recipient was Digdeep Navajo Water Project ($20K). Together the top 10 received $134K.
Grant Size Distribution
60 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 60 grants of 60 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2023, recipient organizations in New York received 30% of grant dollars, followed by California (17%), New Hampshire (13%), Colorado (7%), and Iowa (7%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2023 grant dollars across all 25 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Cornell Family Foundation open to new grantees?
52%
first-time grantees, 2023
In 2023, 13 of 25 grantees (52%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $6K; repeat grants $10K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $13K repeat.
- 44% of 2023 grantees were also funded in 2022. Method
- In 2023 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2023). 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 2021 to 2023, annual grant giving ranged from $150K (2021) to $194K (2023). In 2023 it made 25 grants totaling $194K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Digdeep Navajo Water Project Los Angeles, CA | General Programs | $20,000 |
| Fort Tryon Park Trust New York, NY | General Programs | $15,000 |
| Davis Phinney Foundation Louisville, CO | General Programs | $12,854 |
| World Food Program USA Boone, IA | General Programs | $12,854 |
| Room to Read San Francisco, CA | Nepal Education Fund | $12,853 |
| Mercy Ships Lindale, TX | General Programs | $12,853 |
| Waterorg Kansas City, MO | General Programs | $12,853 |
| Fresh Youth Initiatives New York, NY | General Programs | $12,500 |
| Dance Theatre of Harlem New York, NY | General Programs | $12,500 |
| The Smith Fund Northampton, MA | General Programs | $10,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Cornell Family Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | — | $76,738 | $206,519 | $194,111 | 25 | $194,111 | $65,708 | $7,420 |
| 2022 | $129,781 | $52,171 | $159,723 | $150,000 | 18 | $150,000 | $43,721 | $15,880 |
| 2021 | $237,333 | $84,119 | $160,748 | $150,000 | 17 | — | $74,310 | $22,282 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Cornell Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $7K for 2023 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No foundation mission is stated in the available information. Its 2023 grants included support for organizations whose own missions describe their work: Room to Read works toward a world free from illiteracy and gender inequality; Water.org seeks to bring safe water and sanitation to the world; Fresh Youth Initiatives aims to empower young people with limited resources; and Dance Theatre of Harlem enriches the lives of young people and adults through the arts. The Davis Phinney Foundation says its mission is to help people live well with Parkinson’s.
Grantmaking
In 2023, the foundation reported 25 grants totaling $194,111. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $20,000, with a median of $5,000. Notable awards included $20,000 to DIGDEEP Navajo Water Project, $15,000 to Fort Tryon Park Trust, $12,854 each to the Davis Phinney Foundation and World Food Program USA, and $12,853 each to Room to Read, Mercy Ships, and Water.org.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2023 filing lists Shelton Cornell, Elizabeth C Wilkin, and Delight C Dobby as trustees.
Cornell Family Foundation's 2023 filing lists 3 officers; none of the 3 officers listed in 2023 report compensation.
Officers on the 2023 filing
Delight C. Dobby
Trustee
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Elizabeth C. Wilkin
Trustee
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Shelton Cornell
Trustee
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2023. "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 Cornell Family Foundation
How much does Cornell Family Foundation give each year?
Cornell Family Foundation gave $194K across 25 grants in 2023, according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2022 it gave $150K across 18 grants.
What is Cornell Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Cornell Family Foundation's median grant in 2023 was $5,000, and its average grant was $7,764, across 25 grants on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Cornell Family Foundation that year got $6K on average.
Where does Cornell Family Foundation give grants?
Cornell Family Foundation's top state is New York, with 30% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were California (17%) and New Hampshire (13%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (5 grants) and Warren, NH (3 grants).
Does Cornell Family Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 84% of Cornell Family Foundation's 2023 grants with a stated purpose (21 of 25) were for general or operating support, per its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Cornell Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Cornell Family Foundation's largest 2023 grantees include Digdeep Navajo Water Project ($20,000), Fort Tryon Park Trust ($15,000) and Davis Phinney Foundation ($12,854), according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 25% of its itemized 2023 grant dollars.
What does Cornell Family Foundation fund?
No foundation mission is stated in the available information. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Cornell Family Foundation?
The foundation stated that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
How much is Cornell Family Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2023, Cornell Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $7K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Cornell Family Foundation's EIN?
Cornell Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-7533384. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2023.
Does Cornell Family Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(4)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS December 9, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS December 6, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS December 12, 2023)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2023
Live grants for the work Cornell Family Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Cornell Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Figures come from Cornell Family 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.
Cornell Family Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?