Foundation for Arts Initiatives
Foundation for Arts Initiatives (FfAI) is a private foundation based in New York, NY, established in 1964. The organization provides support for operations, projects, and research to new and alternative forms of institutions active in visual art and culture, as well as grants to individuals for self-directed research and related travel.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$32.2M
+7.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.2M
-15.6% YoY
Grant Count
65
-5.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$19K
-10.4% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
FfAI supports individuals, collectives, and organizations whose work may be threatened by extreme conflict, repressive political contexts, public intolerance, or other circumstances that restrict access to funding.
Recent grants have focused on research and practices addressing:
- Escalating culture wars
- Erosion of rights
- Censorship
- Other conditions of constraint
Grants to individuals are awarded for research in specific areas central to FfAI's ongoing concerns, including:
- Alternative forms of institutionality
- Redefinition and use of archives
- New applications for the commons
- Development of dynamic definitions of community, connectivity, and solidarity
Grantmaking
Prospective applicants may submit an online inquiry if their project or plans fit FfAI's current focus and priorities. The foundation maintains an online application portal.
Grant Range
s & Activity:**
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
FfAI funds projects globally across diverse cities worldwide, including major cultural hubs and cities in developing regions. The foundation's geographic reach extends internationally.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year Ending August 2024:
- Total assets: $32,215,566
- Total revenues: $1,050,934
- Total expenses: $1,916,969
- Investment income and dividends: $674,791
- Net gain from sale of non-inventory assets: $375,984
- Number of employees: 1
Financial Trend: Investment income increased 11.6% from the prior year ($604,620 in FY 2023 to $674,791 in FY 2024).
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $32,215,566 | $30,010,208 | $29,575,352 |
| Revenue | $1,050,934 | $-550,507 | $16,183,430 |
| Expenses | $1,916,969 | $1,954,321 | $2,215,074 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,685,427 | $1,945,582 | $1,834,372 |
| Net Investment Income | $854,895 | $412,360 | $15,977,018 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,479,777 | $1,443,182 | $1,446,116 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Vasif Kortun – Chairperson, Treasurer, and Board Member
- Marie-Claude Beaud – Trustee
- Manuel J Borja-Villel – Trustee
- Joan Weakley – Secretary
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| VASIF KORTUN | CHAIRPERSON, TREASURER & BOARD MEMBER | 20 | $18,750 |
| MANUEL J BORJA-VILLEL | BOARD MEMBER | 5 | $12,500 |
| ZOE BUTT | BOARD MEMBER | 5 | $12,500 |
| FREDERICK B HENRY | BOARD MEMBER | 5 | $12,500 |
| KOYO KOUOH | BOARD MEMBER (ELECTED 11/23) | 5 | — |
| MARIA LIND | BOARD MEMBER | 5 | $12,500 |
| ALESSANDRO PETTI | BOARD MEMBER | 5 | $12,500 |
| ANN PHILBIN | BOARD MEMBER | 5 | $12,500 |
| SABINA SABOLOVIC | BOARD MEMBER | 5 | $10,000 |
| WILLIAM WELLS | BOARD MEMBER | 5 | $12,500 |
| JOAN WEAKLEY | SECRETARY | 50 | $138,000 |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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