Dedalus Foundation Inc
The Dedalus Foundation Inc is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in New York City that supports public understanding and appreciation of modern art and modernist principles. Founded by artist Robert Motherwell in 1981 as the Motherwell Foundation and renamed the Dedalus Foundation in 1991, the organization operates from 25 East 21st Street, 4th Floor, New York, New York 10010.
Key facts about Dedalus Foundation Inc
- EIN
- 13-3091704
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $390,619
- Grants made (2024)
- 47
- Average grant
- $8,311
- Median grant
- $3,000
- Total assets
- $62,987,325
- Primary geography
- New York (54% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated June 2026.
Who Dedalus Foundation Inc funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Dedalus Foundation Inc's 47 itemized 2024 grants were New York (54%), Illinois (19%) and California (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (10 grants), Brooklyn, NY (7 grants), Chicago, IL (3 grants) and Madison, WI (2 grants). None of its 47 grants with a stated purpose were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "2024 Fund for Past Fellow - Cycle 3" (8 grants), "2024 Fund for Past Fellow - Cycle 2" (8 grants) and "2024 High School Scholarship Winner" (7 grants).
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$63.0M
+1.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$391K
+11.3% YoY
Grant Count
47
+14.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$8K
-2.9% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation's stated mission is "To serve the public interest by endeavoring to foster, cultivate, develop, and support public understanding and appreciation of the principles of modern art expressed through the theories of modernism as expressed in the works and writings of Robert Motherwell and other artists."
The Foundation operates programs across five main areas:
- Motherwell Legacy
- Arts Education
- Research and Publication
- Archives and Conservation
- Exhibitions
Grantmaking
The Dedalus Foundation has provided more than 500 grants to hundreds of museums, educational institutions, and community organizations in support of programming in modern and contemporary art. The Foundation also administers several fellowship and award programs:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation maintains a primary focus on New York City, particularly in supporting high school graduates and community organizations in the city. However, grantmaking extends nationally to museums and educational institutions across the United States.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $61.9M
- Annual Revenue: $5,914,062
- Annual Expenses: $4.6M
- Total Liabilities: $0
Current Operations:
- Annual Revenue: $3,095,414
- Employees: 5
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $62,987,325 | $61,882,589 | $56,436,799 |
| Revenue | $6,865,544 | $5,914,062 | $3,583,005 |
| Expenses | $4,535,712 | $4,598,439 | $4,736,078 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $3,503,191 | $3,694,687 | $3,803,902 |
| Net Investment Income | $6,582,179 | $1,509,429 | $3,095,994 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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 2024
Grant Size Distribution
210 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Dedalus Foundation Inc
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include The New York Public Library Astor Lenox and Tilden Foundations ($60,000), Krista Thompson ($30,000), New York University Institute of Fine Arts ($30,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY ASTOR LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS NEW YORK, NY | 2024 GRANT TO THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS | $60,000 |
| KRISTA THOMPSON SKOKIE, IL | 2024 DEDALUS FOUNDATION SENIOR FELLOWSHIP | $30,000 |
| NEW YORK UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE OF FINE ARTS NEW YORK, NY | 2024 FALL INSTITUTIONAL GRANT | $30,000 |
| HAMED YOUSEFI KOUPAI CHICAGO, IL | 2024 SENIOR FELLOWSHIP | $25,000 |
| THE ELIZABETH FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS NEW YORK, NY | 2024 FALL INSTITUTIONAL GRANT | $20,000 |
| THE BROOKLYN RAIL INC BROOKLYN, NY | 2024 FALL INSTITUTIONAL GRANT | $20,000 |
| MOLLY ENGLISH CHICAGO, IL | 2024 MFA FELLOWSHIP RECIPIENT | $15,000 |
| RACHEL EMENAKER FULLERTON, CA | 2024 MFA FELLOWSHIP RECIPIENT | $15,000 |
| VOLHA PANCO TEMPE, AZ | 2024 MFA FELLOWSHIP RECIPIENT | $15,000 |
| YACINE FALL NEW HAVEN, CT | 2024 MFA FELLOWSHIP RECIPIENT | $15,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JACK FLAM | CHAIRMAN//CEO/PRESIDENT | 40 | $544,755 |
| MORGAN SPANGLE | VICE PRESIDENT/TREASURER | 40 | $423,280 |
| JOHN ELDERFIELD | DIRECTOR/CONSULTANT | 2 | — |
| KATY MARIE ROGERS | VICE PRESIDENT/SECRETARY | 40 | $371,564 |
| PAMELA AUCHINCLOSS | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| TIM CLIFFORD | DIRECTOR/SECRETARY | 2 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Foundation continues to administer its fellowship and awards programs, with recent recipients announced in 2022 and 2025. The organization maintains active archives and provides support to visual arts organizations and educational institutions. The Foundation manages a catalogue raisonné of Robert Motherwell's works and handles rights and reproductions through Artists Rights Society.
EFA RBPMW Awarded Grants from Dedalus Foundation and DHPSNY \u2014 The Elizabeth\Contact Information
Address: 25 East 21st Street, 4th Floor, New York, New York 10010
Phone: 212.220.4220
Email:
- General Inquiries: info@dedalusfoundation.org, programs@dedalusfoundation.org
- Fellowships: fellowships@dedalusfoundation.org, grants@dedalusfoundation.org
- Archives: archives@dedalusfoundation.org
- Catalogue Raisonné: catalogue@dedalusfoundation.org
Website: dedalusfoundation.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Dedalus Foundation Inc fund?
The Foundation's stated mission is "To serve the public interest by endeavoring to foster, cultivate, develop, and support public understanding and appreciation of the principles of modern art expressed through the theories of modernism as expressed in the works and writings of Robert Motherwell and other artists." The Foundation operates programs across five main areas: • Motherwell Legacy • Arts Education • Research and Publication • Archives and Conservation • Exhibitions
How do I apply for a grant from Dedalus Foundation Inc?
The Dedalus Foundation has provided more than 500 grants to hundreds of museums, educational institutions, and community organizations in support of programming in modern and contemporary art. The Foundation also administers several fellowship and award programs: • Scholarships to more than 150 New York City high school graduates • Fellowships to more than 100 young and established scholars and artists at the beginning of their professional careers • Awards programs recognizing and supporting p…
Where does Dedalus Foundation Inc make grants?
The Foundation maintains a primary focus on New York City, particularly in supporting high school graduates and community organizations in the city. However, grantmaking extends nationally to museums and educational institutions across the United States.
What size grants does Dedalus Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Dedalus Foundation Inc awarded 47 grants totaling $391K — an average of about $8K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Dedalus Foundation Inc's EIN?
Dedalus Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-3091704. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Dedalus Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.