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.
Key facts about Cornell Family Foundation
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 filing.
- EIN
- 36-7533384
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990 filing, 2023
- Annual giving (2023)
- $194,111
- Grants made (2023)
- 25
- Average grant
- $7,764
- 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)
- 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. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990 filing, 2023; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2023 IRS Form 990 filing · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$194K
+29.4% YoY
Grant Count
25
+38.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$8K
-6.8% YoY
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
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 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.
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.
Ready to take the next step with Cornell Family Foundation?
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 all 25 itemized 2023 grant dollars.
States
Cities
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 2023
Grant Size Distribution
60 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
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 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Grant total | Grant count |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $194,111 | 25 |
| 2022 | $150,000 | 18 |
| 2021 | $150,000 | 17 |
| Metric | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2023
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.
Contact
Mailing address: 116 Pinehurst Avenue D-53, New York, NY 10033
Phone: (212) 927-6844
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 filing. 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 filing. 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 filing. 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 filing.
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 filing. 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. 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 …
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 ↑
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 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching Cornell Family Foundation by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Cornell Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Meredith Corporation Foundation
Des Moines, IA
The foundation funds education, human services for families and children at risk, and arts and culture, with particular interest in arts groups reaching broader audiences. Recent grants were all in Iowa and ranged from $10,000 to $315,000, with a median of $12,500. It accepts written requests during January 15–March 15 and July 15–September 15; telephone requests are not accepted.
Assets
$24.6M
Grants
12
Total Given
$600K
Duke Energy Foundation
Charlotte, NC
The Duke Energy Foundation funds workforce development, local economic development and recovery, disaster resilience, conservation, and economic opportunity in communities across North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. It reports more than $30 million in annual charitable grants; awards vary widely, with a 2024 median of $25,000, and applications of $20,000 or less are accepted on a rolling basis. Applicants should contact their local Foundation representative before applying.
Assets
$1.9M
Grants
41
Total Given
$25.6M
Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation Inc
Princeton, NJ
The Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation supports health-access initiatives for disproportionately affected populations, including cancer, blood disorders, brain health, and clinical-trial participation, in the United States and internationally. In 2024, its median grant was $134,090, though awards varied widely; it says application materials are available upon request and advises organizations to contact it about the process, but does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$83.3M
Grants
144
Total Given
$67.7M
The Sidley Austin Foundation
Chicago, IL
The Sidley Austin Foundation supports civil legal aid, higher education, community development, and children’s play spaces, with 2025 grants concentrated in Illinois, New York, California, Washington, D.C., and Maryland. Its 2025 grants ranged from $100 to $517,408, with a median of $5,000. It funds only preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$16.9M
Grants
293
Total Given
$4.0M
The Yelp Foundation
San Francisco, CA
The Yelp Foundation funds U.S. nonprofits addressing information access, education, local economic development, and freedom of expression, with grants spanning multiple states. In 2024, awards ranged from $3 to $50,000, with a median of $150. It does not accept unsolicited funding requests and gives only to preselected organizations.
Assets
—
Grants
644
Total Given
$886K
Smith Richardson Foundation Inc
Greensboro, NC
The Smith Richardson Foundation funds public-policy research and writing on international security and foreign policy, as well as domestic policy areas such as education, economic opportunity, and criminal justice; its grants support organizations and institutions, primarily in the U.S. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $400,000 in 2024, with a median of $49,715. Its website describes a process beginning with a concept paper, with full proposals by invitation; it does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$557.9M
Grants
282
Total Given
$22.9M
The Hyde and Watson Foundation
Warren Township, NJ
The Hyde and Watson Foundation funds one-time capital needs—such as construction, renovations, equipment, and furnishings—for eligible nonprofits working in human services, education, health, arts and culture, and the environment. Most grants are $5,000–$20,000, and it primarily serves New York City and Essex, Morris, and Union counties in New Jersey; the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$88.2M
Grants
611
Total Given
$6.1M
The Rockefeller Foundation
New York, NY
The Rockefeller Foundation funds large-scale efforts to improve human well-being, including work in energy, food, health, finance, and economic opportunity, in the United States and internationally. Its 2024 grants ranged from $400 to $75 million, with a median of about $171,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$6.4B
Grants
381
Total Given
$233.2M
Austin Community Foundation Inc
Austin, TX
Austin Community Foundation funds nonprofits and public efforts in areas including education, arts, health, human services, community development, and the environment, primarily across six Central Texas counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of $20,000, though amounts varied widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$556.3M
Grants
764
Total Given
$54.7M
Pinkerton Foundation
New York, NY
The Pinkerton Foundation funds direct-service programs for children, young people, and families in economically disadvantaged New York City communities, especially in academic development, career readiness, cultural enrichment, and support for youth affected by foster care or the criminal justice system. Its 2023 grants ranged from $500 to $850,000, with a median of $75,000. It accepts letters of inquiry through its Grant Portal at any time.
Assets
$689.1M
Grants
445
Total Given
$38.6M
Boston Foundation Inc
Boston, MA
The Boston Foundation funds equity-focused work in child well-being, economic opportunity, community wealth, and community leadership, primarily in Greater Boston. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000, while specific programs offer awards from up to $15,000 to $50,000; it accepts applications through some competitive initiatives, but whether it accepts unsolicited requests generally is not stated.
Assets
$2.1B
Grants
2,375
Total Given
$228.4M
American Express Foundation
New York, NY
American Express Foundation supports nonprofits working on small-business recovery, disaster relief, education and workforce development, leadership, and community needs, with grants to organizations in the U.S. and internationally. Giving varies widely: 2024 grants ranged from $1 to $3.45 million, with a median of $40. The filing lists application materials but does not say whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$48.9M
Grants
1,495
Total Given
$23.2M
More Funders in New York
Cornell Family Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?