Ernst Foundation
Ernst Foundation is a private foundation based in New York, NY. Its 2021 filing lists 32 grants totaling $21,602, including support for arts and cultural organizations, community institutions, and organizations addressing social and educational needs.
Ernst Foundation at a glance
In short: Ernst Foundation gave $22K across 32 grants in 2021 (avg $675.063), mostly in New York. Source: 2021 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2021)
- $21,602
- +34.5% vs 2020
- Grants made (2021)
- 32
- -20.0% vs 2020
- Average grant
- $675
- +68.2% vs 2020
- Median grant
- $100
- Total assets
- $88,947
- -21.2% vs 2020
- Primary geography
- New York (72% of itemized 2021 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2021 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2021; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Ernst Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
- Contact
Mailing address: C/O N Paley 101 Central Park West, New York, NY 10023
Phone: (212) 787-8893
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Ernst Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2021
The largest 2021 recipient was Met Opera ($7K). Together the top 10 received $19K.
Grant Size Distribution
72 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 72 grants of 72 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2021, 72% of grant dollars went to recipients in New York, 14% to Massachusetts, and 12% to Washington, DC. The remaining reported shares went to Alabama (1%) and Maryland (0%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2021 grant dollars across all 32 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Ernst Foundation gives
- 34% of 2021 grantees were also funded in 2020. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021). 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 2020 to 2021, annual grant giving ranged from $16K (2020) to $22K (2021). In 2021 it made 32 grants totaling $22K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Met Opera New York, NY | Unrestricted Grant | $7,450 |
| Manhattan Thearter Club New York, NY | Unrestricted Grant | $5,000 |
| Justice in Aging Washington, DC | Unrestricted Grant | $2,500 |
| Marthas Vineyard Hebrew Center Vineyard Haven, MA | Unrestricted Grant | $2,295 |
| Central Park Conservancy New York, NY | Unrestricted Grant | $500 |
| Wooldlands Community Temple White Plains, NY | Unrestricted Grant | $360 |
| Landmark West New York, NY | Unrestricted Grant | $250 |
| Marthas Vineyard Museum Vineyard Haven, MA | Unrestricted Grant | $250 |
| Public Art Fund New York, NY | Unrestricted Grant | $250 |
| Wnyc Public Raido New York, NY | Unrestricted Grant | $212 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $88,947 | $-79 | $23,786 | $21,602 | 32 | $21,602 | $3,046 |
| 2020 | $112,812 | $33,739 | $19,512 | $16,055 | 40 | — | $3,709 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2021 grants included arts and cultural organizations such as the Metropolitan Opera, Manhattan Theatre Club, and Public Art Fund. Public Art Fund describes its work as presenting free contemporary-art exhibitions in New York City and beyond; the Martha’s Vineyard Museum says it helps people explore and strengthen their connections to the island and its heritage. Other grantees included Justice in Aging, whose mission is to advocate for the independence and well-being of low-income older and disabled Americans, and Fresh Air Fund, which provides cultural, recreational, and educational experiences for New York City children from low-income families.
Grantmaking
In 2021, the foundation made 32 grants totaling $21,602. Grants ranged from $35 to $7,450, with a median of $100. The largest grants included $7,450 to the Metropolitan Opera, $5,000 to Manhattan Theatre Club, $2,500 to Justice in Aging, and $2,295 to Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center. The filing described these grants as unrestricted.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2021 filing lists Naomi Paley as president, Judith Linn as vice president, Stuart Paley as secretary, and Victor Linn as director.
Ernst Foundation is led by Naomi Paley, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 4 officers listed in 2021 report compensation.
Officers on the 2021 filing
Naomi Paley
President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Victor Linn
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Judith Linn
Vice President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stuart Paley
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2021. "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 Ernst Foundation
How much does Ernst Foundation give each year?
Ernst Foundation gave $22K across 32 grants in 2021, according to its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2020 it gave $16K across 40 grants.
What is Ernst Foundation's typical grant size?
Ernst Foundation's median grant in 2021 was $100, and its average grant was $675, across 32 grants on its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Ernst Foundation give grants?
Ernst Foundation gives mostly in New York: 72% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Massachusetts (14%) and District of Columbia (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (18 grants) and Vineyard Haven, MA (3 grants).
Does Ernst Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Ernst Foundation's 2021 grants with a stated purpose (32 of 32) were for general or operating support, per its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Ernst Foundation's largest grantees?
Ernst Foundation's largest 2021 grantees include Met Opera ($7,450), Manhattan Thearter Club ($5,000) and Justice in Aging ($2,500), according to its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 69% of its itemized 2021 grant dollars.
How large is Ernst Foundation?
Ernst Foundation reported $89K in total assets on its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF.
What does Ernst Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2021 grants included arts and cultural organizations such as the Metropolitan Opera, Manhattan Theatre Club, and Public Art Fund. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Ernst Foundation?
The foundation states 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 Ernst Foundation's EIN?
Ernst Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 11-6004939. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2021.
Does Ernst Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2021
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