Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art
The Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art (DDFIA) is a private operating foundation based in New York, NY, established in December 2003. The foundation is classified as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and operates as an art museum organization under the Arts, Culture & Humanities category. The foundation's primary exempt purpose is to support and preserve Islamic Art, which it fulfills in part through the operation of the Shangri La Museum in Hawaii.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$40.6M
-2.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$4.3M
+6.7% YoY
Grant Count
22
+22.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$196K
-12.7% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation promotes the study and understanding of Islamic arts and cultures. Inspired by Doris Duke's devotion to global Muslim cultures, the foundation's work explores how media and entertainment can serve as platforms for reinforcing shared humanity.
The foundation operates the Building Bridges Program, its primary grant-making initiative launched in 2007 in response to anti-Muslim sentiment following 9/11. This program has distributed over $48 million to support arts- and media-based projects working with U.S. Muslims to advance relationships and understanding among diverse communities. The Building Bridges Program is described as the only program of its kind among private U.S. foundations specifically dedicated to elevating U.S. Muslim storytelling through media and entertainment.
Grantmaking
The foundation indicates it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations. A multi-stage review process is employed, though specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed.
Grant Range
s and Range:**
Average Grant
$117,000
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in California, New York, and Illinois, with a national focus across the United States. The foundation has supported 71 unique organizations to date.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $40.6 million
- Annual Income: $12.3 million
- Total Giving: $4.3 million
- Total Expenses: $12.9 million
- Giving Rate: 31.7%
Historical Asset Growth:
- 2011: $33.3 million
- 2024: $40.6 million
2023 Financials:
- Total Assets: $41.5 million
- Total Revenue: $17.2 million
- Total Expenses: $17.1 million
- Total Liabilities: $6.53 million
The foundation has 16 employees.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $40,615,674 | $41,528,959 | $36,983,196 |
| Revenue | $12,324,284 | $17,225,453 | $11,130,266 |
| Expenses | $12,976,247 | $17,054,950 | $11,490,324 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $12,854,711 | $12,458,529 | $10,976,587 |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| 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
153 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Center for Asian American Media ($913,000), Pew Research Center ($531,250), University of Southern California ($530,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN UNIVERSITY WASHINGTON, DC | TO RENEW SUPPORT FOR THE CENTER FOR MEDIA AND SOCIAL IMPACT'S YES, AND... LAUGHTER LAB (YALL), A PROFESSIONAL SKILL-BUILDING ACCELERATOR FOR DIVERSE SOCIAL-JUSTICE-FOCUSED COMEDIANS AND COMEDY WRITERS INCLUDING U.S. MUSLIMS. | $25,000 |
| ARTEEAST INC BROOKLYN, NY | SUPPORT FOR "UNPACKING THE ARTEARCHIVE," FOCUSED ON THE PRESERVATION AND PRESENTATION OF ITS COLLECTION OF FILM AND VIDEO WORKS. | $50,000 |
| BLACKSTAR PROJECTS INC PHILADELPHIA, PA | TO SUPPORT PLATFORMS FOR US MUSLIM STORYTELLING. | $50,000 |
| CENTER FOR ASIAN AMERICAN MEDIA SAN FRANCISCO, CA | REIMAGINING AND INVESTING IN A NEW INFRASTRUCTURE FOR US MUSLIM STORYTELLING IN INDEPENDENT FILM AND MEDIA. | $913,000 |
| CENTER FOR ASIAN AMERICAN MEDIA SAN FRANCISCO, CA | TO SUPPORT THE BUILDING BRIDGES TRAVEL FUND. | $50,000 |
| CENTER FOR CULTURAL AND TECHNICAL INTERCHANGE BETWEEN EAST AND WEST HONOLULU, HI | TO SUPPORT THE CREATION OF THE DDF AND EWC INDO-PACIFIC FUTURES FELLOWSHIP, THAT SEEKS TO ENHANCE CAPACITY OF EMERGING LEADERS FROM AROUND THE INDO-PACIFIC REGION THROUGH CONNECTIONS, EXPERIENCES AND SKILLS. | $500,000 |
| EL HIBRI FOUNDATION WASHINGTON, DC | TO SUPPORT THE PUBLIC NARRATIVE PROGRAM, A LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM THAT BUILDS FUTURE COMMUNITIES AND FOSTERS SOCIAL CHANGE BY LEVERAGING THE POWER OF NARRATIVE. | $128,386 |
| FILM MAKERS COLLABORATIVE INCORPORATED MELROSE, MA | TO SUPPORT THE DOCUMENTARY "HAKEEM THE AMERICAN DREAM". | $100,000 |
| FILM MAKERS COLLABORATIVE INCORPORATED MELROSE, MA | TO SUPPORT COMPLETION AND PROMOTION OF A SIX-EPISODE DOCUMENTARY SHORTS SERIES AMERICAN MUSLIMS: A HISTORY REVEALED. | $100,000 |
| GAMES FOR CHANGE INC NEW YORK, NY | TO SUPPORT A RESEARCH STUDY THAT INVESTIGATES MUSLIM STEREOTYPES IN VIDEO GAMES. | $200,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Sam Gill – President and CEO (appointed April 2021)
- Zeyba Rahman – Program Director (promoted 2022)
- William H. Wright – Director/Chairperson
- Anthony S. Fauci – Vice Chairperson
- Peter Simmons – COO/Treasurer
- Erica Dziedzic – Secretary/Counsel
- Vishakha N. Desai – Director
- Marie Lynn Miranda – Director
- Nannerl O. Keohane – Director
- Afsaneh Beschloss – Director
- Mary Schmidt Campbell – Director
The foundation is governed by 13 officers and trustees.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAMSHER GILL | CEO/PRESIDENT | 4 | — |
| PETER SIMMONS | COO/TREASURER (THRU 02/2024) | 6 | — |
| ERICA DZIEDZIC | SECRETARY/COUNSEL | 6 | — |
| EILEEN OBERLANDER | DIRECTOR OF FINANCE & TREASURER | 6 | — |
| WILLIAM H WRIGHT | DIR./CHAIRPERSON | 0.5 | — |
| ANTHONY S FAUCI | VICE CHAIRPERSON | 0.5 | — |
| VISHAKHA N DESAI | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| MARIE LYNN MIRANDA | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| NANNERL O KEOHANE | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| AFSANEH BESCHLOSS | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| MARY SCHMIDT CAMPBELL | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| CATHERINE MARRON | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| JOHN TALTY | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| DAVID S WILCOVE | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| JT BATSON | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| BROOKE JONES | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| ROCHELLE WALENSKY | DIRECTOR (AS OF 04/2024) | 0.5 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has significantly expanded its commitment to Muslim creative communities in recent years. Recent grant announcements include:
Doris Duke Foundation Announces $1M Grant to Sundance Institute Expanding**2025 Building Bridges Completion Fund:** Doris Duke Foundation and Sundance Institute announced recipients for the 2025 Building Bridges Completion Fund
Doris Duke Foundation and Sundance Institute Announce 2025 Building Bridges**Building Bridges Fellowship:** Multiple cohorts of filmmakers have been selected through partnerships with Sundance Institute and the Islamic Scholarship Fund to amplify U.S. Muslim stories
Doris Duke Foundation and Sundance Institute Announce 2025 Building Bridges**Yes, And... Laughter Lab:** The foundation's Building Bridges Program serves as a sponsor and funder of the Yes, And... Laughter Lab, a competitive incubation lab and pitch program that lifts up diverse comedy writers and performers creating new comedy about topics that matter
Doris Duke Foundation and Sundance Institute Announce 2025 Building BridgesSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art fund?
The foundation promotes the study and understanding of Islamic arts and cultures. Inspired by Doris Duke's devotion to global Muslim cultures, the foundation's work explores how media and entertainment can serve as platforms for reinforcing shared humanity. The foundation operates the **Building Bridges Program**, its primary grant-making initiative launched in 2007 in response to anti-Muslim sentiment following 9/11. This program has distributed over $48 million to support arts- and media-base…
How do I apply for a grant from Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art?
**Grant Sizes and Range:** • Median grant: $98,000–$100,000 • Grant range: $5,625–$1,200,000 • Average grant: $117,000 **Recent Grantmaking Activity:** • 2024: $4.3 million in total giving across multiple grants • 2023: $4.0 million in annual giving; 18 grants awarded • 2022: $8.8 million distributed across 70 grants (highest activity year on record) • Total grants awarded (historical): 148 grants totaling $17.3 million **Recent Grants (2024):** • Center for Asian American Media: $913,000 for "…
Where does Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in California, New York, and Illinois, with a national focus across the United States. The foundation has supported 71 unique organizations to date.
What size grants does Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art award?
In 2024, Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art awarded 22 grants totaling $4.3M — an average of about $196K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art's EIN?
Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 05-0523809. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
The Reich Family Charitable Trust
BROOKLYN, NY
Assets
$689K
Grants
1
Total Given
$453K
Launa Beuhler Foundation for
BROOKLYN, NY
Assets
$2K
Grants
4
Total Given
$20K
The Hilary Grace Foundation Inc
EAST AMHERST, NY
Assets
$126K
Grants
2
Total Given
$36K
Uw E J Madden Mem Open Hearts Club 10-214880
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$1.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$307K
Hindy's Foundation
BROOKLYN, NY
Assets
$142K
Grants
8
Total Given
$225K
Jeanne & Thomas Hardy Family Foundation
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$3K
Grants
3
Total Given
$3K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art to a real strategy.