Ezra Jack Keats Foundation Inc
The Ezra Jack Keats Foundation is a private foundation based in Brooklyn, New York, established in August 1970. The foundation brings the multicultural and creative spirit of Ezra Jack Keats into children's lives and literature by supporting arts and literacy programs in public schools and libraries across the United States.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$4.6M
+3.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$183K
+11.6% YoY
Grant Count
30
+11.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$6K
+0.5% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Ezra Jack Keats Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $201K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: Bringing a multicultural spirit to children's literature and supporting literacy programs and other public charities throughout the U.S.
Primary Funding Areas:
- Arts & Culture
- Education
- Libraries
- Literacy
- Arts Education/Schools
Grantmaking
The foundation operates several key programs:
Grant Range
** $125–$36,000
How to Apply
** The foundation does not respond to unsolicited applications for funding. Interested applicants should contact the foundation directly for more information.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation provides funding nationally, with particular emphasis on New York, the District of Columbia, and Mississippi.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Most Recent Reporting (2023-2024):
- Total Assets: $4,550,292
- Total Annual Giving: $182,845
- Annual Income: $800,543 (as of December 2023)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $4,550,292 | $4,401,922 | $4,192,332 |
| Revenue | $804,358 | $800,543 | $760,948 |
| Expenses | $536,959 | $515,161 | $527,739 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $353,178 | $323,811 | $376,640 |
| Net Investment Income | $21,507 | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | $200,549 | $198,771 | $206,472 |
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
84 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include University of Southern Mississippi ($36,000), Brooklyn Public Library ($21,400), Fund for the Public Schools ($12,600).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN CILIV LIBERTIES UNION NEW YORK, NY | THE GRANTS ARE GIVED TO SUPPORT LITERARY PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES IN LIBRARIES AND PUBLIC SHCOOLS. | $6,000 |
| AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL NEW YORK, NY | THE GRANTS ARE GIVED TO SUPPORT LITERARY PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES IN LIBRARIES AND PUBLIC SHCOOLS. | $2,000 |
| BROOKLYN PUBLIC LIBRARY BROOKLYN, NY | THE GRANTS ARE GIVED TO SUPPORT LITERARY PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES IN LIBRARIES AND PUBLIC SHCOOLS. | $21,400 |
| DIRECT RELIEF SANTA BARBARA, CA | THE GRANTS ARE GIVED TO SUPPORT LITERARY PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES IN LIBRARIES AND PUBLIC SHCOOLS. | $6,000 |
| DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS NEW YORK, NY | THE GRANTS ARE GIVED TO SUPPORT LITERARY PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES IN LIBRARIES AND PUBLIC SHCOOLS. | $5,000 |
| ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND WASHINGTON DC, DC | THE GRANTS ARE GIVED TO SUPPORT LITERARY PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES IN LIBRARIES AND PUBLIC SHCOOLS. | $6,000 |
| FONDOS UNIDOS DE PUERTO RICO | THE GRANTS ARE GIVED TO SUPPORT LITERARY PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES IN LIBRARIES AND PUBLIC SHCOOLS. | $2,000 |
| FUND FOR THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS NEW YORK, NY | THE GRANTS ARE GIVED TO SUPPORT LITERARY PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES IN LIBRARIES AND PUBLIC SHCOOLS. | $12,600 |
| MAC MACDOWELL ARTIST COLONY PETERBOROUGH, NH | THE GRANTS ARE GIVED TO SUPPORT LITERARY PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES IN LIBRARIES AND PUBLIC SHCOOLS. | $5,000 |
| MARYLAND INSTITUTE OF COLLEGE ART BALTIMORE, MD | THE GRANTS ARE GIVED TO SUPPORT LITERARY PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES IN LIBRARIES AND PUBLIC SHCOOLS. | $6,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Principal Officer: Mr. Martin Pope
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEBORAH POPE | PRESIDENT | 40 | $114,172 |
| MIRIAM POPE | SECRETARY | 2 | — |
| EILEEN BAYER | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| REYNOLD RUFFINS | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| DAVID EPSTEIN | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation continues to actively administer its flagship EJK Award program, with recent award announcements and celebrations held annually. The 2024 EJK Award winners were announced with an award ceremony and panel discussion held at the Kaigler Children's Book Festival. The foundation also hosted an exhibition of 2024 winning books at the Brooklyn Public Library from May 7-31. The 2025 and 2026 award winners have also been announced, demonstrating ongoing annual activity.
The Ezra Jack Keats Foundation - 2026 Press Release: 2026 EJK Award WinnersFrequently Asked Questions
What does Ezra Jack Keats Foundation Inc fund?
**Mission:** Bringing a multicultural spirit to children's literature and supporting literacy programs and other public charities throughout the U.S. **Primary Funding Areas:** • Arts & Culture • Education • Libraries • Literacy • Arts Education/Schools
How do I apply for a grant from Ezra Jack Keats Foundation Inc?
The foundation operates several key programs: **EJK Award Program:** Awards to outstanding new writers and new illustrators of picture books for children age 9 and under. **EJK Bookmaking Competition:** A program that engages students and educators in the bookmaking process, with winning books exhibited at venues including the Brooklyn Public Library. **Mock EJK Award Program:** An educational initiative where students serve as judges using actual EJK Award protocol and criteria to select their…
Where does Ezra Jack Keats Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation provides funding nationally, with particular emphasis on New York, the District of Columbia, and Mississippi.
What size grants does Ezra Jack Keats Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Ezra Jack Keats Foundation Inc awarded 30 grants totaling $183K — an average of about $6K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Ezra Jack Keats Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Ezra Jack Keats Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $201K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Ezra Jack Keats Foundation Inc's EIN?
Ezra Jack Keats Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7072750. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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