Fifth Avenue Foundation
Fifth Avenue Foundation is a private foundation based in Fort Worth, Texas. Its 2025 filing describes grants limited to arts organizations and programs operating primarily in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.
Fifth Avenue Foundation at a glance
In short: Fifth Avenue Foundation gave $81K across 15 grants in 2025 (avg $5K), mostly in Texas. 0% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $81,000
- +1.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 15
- -16.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $5,400
- +21.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $954,165
- +6.2% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 0% first-time grantees (0 of 15, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Texas (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Fifth Avenue Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests. Submit a letter to Michael Appleman describing the need and providing proof of status as a recognized charitable organization. Awards are limited to arts organizations and programs operating primarily in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.
- Contact
Application contact: Michael Appleman
Mailing address: 600 W 6Th Street Suite 300, Fort Worth, TX 76102
Phone: (817) 877-2803
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Fifth Avenue Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Casa Manana ($10K). Together the top 10 received $70K.
Grant Size Distribution
88 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 88 grants of 88 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The filing limits awards to arts organizations and programs operating primarily in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. All 2025 grant dollars went to recipients in Texas.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 15 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Fifth Avenue Foundation open to new grantees?
0%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 0 of 15 grantees (0%) were first-time recipients. With only 15 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. How we count
- 100% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+13%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 102% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $71K (2023) to $85K (2021). In 2025 it made 15 grants totaling $81K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Casa Manana Fort Worth, TX | To SupportCharitablePurpose | $10,000 |
| Fort Worth Opera Fort Worth, TX | To SupportCharitablePurpose | $10,000 |
| Van Cliburn Foundation Fort Worth, TX | To SupportCharitablePurpose | $10,000 |
| Texas Ballet Theater Inc Fort Worth, TX | To SupportCharitablePurpose | $10,000 |
| Key School Fort Worth, TX | To Support Arts Program | $6,000 |
| Youth Orchestra of Greater Fort Worth Fort Worth, TX | To Support Charitable Purpose | $5,000 |
| Mimir Chamber Music Festival Fort Worth, TX | To Support CharitablePurpose | $5,000 |
| Amphibian Stage Productions Fort Worth, TX | To SupportCharitable Purpose | $5,000 |
| Stage West Fort Worth, TX | To SupportCharitablePurpose | $5,000 |
| Arts Fifth Avenue Fort Worth, TX | To SupportCharitablePurpose | $4,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Fifth Avenue Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $954,165 | $162,819 | $99,084 | $81,000 | 15 | $81,000 | $144,735 | $79,121 |
| 2024 | $898,422 | $107,330 | $99,798 | $80,000 | 18 | $80,000 | $87,532 | $78,422 |
| 2023 | $882,898 | $40,268 | $82,664 | $71,000 | 20 | $71,000 | $28,603 | $72,864 |
| 2022 | $925,294 | $43,492 | $90,244 | $72,000 | 18 | $72,000 | $25,521 | $74,800 |
| 2021 | $972,046 | $156,167 | $102,824 | $85,000 | 17 | $85,000 | $138,343 | $82,573 |
| 2020 | $918,703 | $81,370 | $85,740 | $72,050 | 20 | — | $67,680 | $70,223 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Fifth Avenue Foundation reported a distributable amount of $79K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The filing does not state a separate mission. Its 2025 grants show support for arts organizations and programs, including theater, opera, ballet, classical music, and youth music education.
Among its grantees, Casa Manana says it works to advance live professional theater and provide artistic enrichment and education. The Van Cliburn Foundation says it advances classical piano music through competitions, education programs, and concerts. Texas Ballet Theater says it creates, presents, and tours ballet and promotes its appreciation and accessibility. The Youth Orchestra of Greater Fort Worth says it develops young people’s musical talent through classical music education and performance.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation made 15 grants totaling $81,000. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $10,000, with a median grant of $5,000.
The largest listed grants were $10,000 each to Casa Manana, Fort Worth Opera, the Van Cliburn Foundation, and Texas Ballet Theater. Other listed awards included $6,000 to Key School; $5,000 each to the Youth Orchestra of Greater Fort Worth, Mimir Chamber Music Festival, Amphibian Stage Productions, and Stage West; and $4,000 each to Arts Fifth Avenue and Ennis Public Theatre.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Dale E Harper as president; Michael G Appleman as vice president, treasurer, and assistant secretary; and Ryan L Valdez as secretary and assistant treasurer.
Fifth Avenue Foundation is led by Dale E Harper, President since 2025 (on filings since 2020); none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Dale E Harper
President
Vice President & Assistant Secretary → President, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael G Appleman
Vice President, Treasurer & Assistant Secretary
Secretary & Assistant Treasurer → Vice President, Treasurer & Assistant Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ryan L Valdez
Secretary & Assistant Treasurer
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Harry E Bartel (2020–2024) — President & Treasurer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 Fifth Avenue Foundation
How much does Fifth Avenue Foundation give each year?
Fifth Avenue Foundation gave $81K across 15 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $80K across 18 grants.
What is Fifth Avenue Foundation's typical grant size?
Fifth Avenue Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $5,000, and its average grant was $5,400, across 15 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Fifth Avenue Foundation give grants?
Fifth Avenue Foundation gives mostly in Texas: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Fort Worth, TX (14 grants).
Does Fifth Avenue Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 15 grants with a stated purpose on Fifth Avenue Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "To SupportCharitablePurpose" (9 grants).
Who are Fifth Avenue Foundation's largest grantees?
Fifth Avenue Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Casa Manana ($10,000), Fort Worth Opera ($10,000) and Van Cliburn Foundation ($10,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 37% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Fifth Avenue Foundation?
Fifth Avenue Foundation reported $954K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $81K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $79K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Fifth Avenue Foundation fund?
The filing does not state a separate mission. Its 2025 grants show support for arts organizations and programs, including theater, opera, ballet, classical music, and youth music education. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Fifth Avenue Foundation?
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Fifth Avenue Foundation's EIN?
Fifth Avenue Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 75-1659424. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Fifth Avenue Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, 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 September 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 22, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Fifth Avenue Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Fifth Avenue Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/fifth-avenue-foundation-morg_f2e608ad26b549baad7311fe8eb5879b
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_751659424_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Fifth Avenue Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/fifth-avenue-foundation-morg_f2e608ad26b549baad7311fe8eb5879b},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Fifth Avenue Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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