Francis Finlay Foundation
Francis Finlay Foundation is a private foundation, based in New York, NY. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2023. In 2023, it awarded 7 grants totaling $85K. Net investment income was $212.
Key facts about Francis Finlay Foundation
In short: Francis Finlay Foundation gave $85K across 7 grants in 2023 (avg $12K), mostly in New York. Source: 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 13-3922229
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2023
- Annual giving (2023)
- $85,465
- Grants made (2023)
- 7
- Average grant
- $12,209
- Median grant
- $12,173
- Primary geography
- New York (71% of itemized 2023 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2023; updated September 2026.
Financial Overview
From 2023 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
-100.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$85K
+754.6% YoY
Grant Count
7
+600.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$12K
+22.1% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Francis Finlay Foundation reported a distributable amount of $4K for 2023 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
How Francis Finlay Foundation gives
- Giving grew 755% from 2020 to 2023. Method
- In 2023 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Ready to take the next step with Francis Finlay Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 7 itemized 2023 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2023, annual grant giving ranged from $10K (2020) to $85K (2023). In 2023 it made 7 grants totaling $85K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2023
The largest 2023 recipient was Merton College Charitable Corporation ($12K). Together the top 7 received $85K.
Grant Size Distribution
9 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 9 grants of 9 (100%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Merton College Charitable Corporation New Jersey, NJ | CIVIC | $12,427 |
| Institute for Strategic Dialogue-US | CIVIC | $12,173 |
| American Friends of the British Museum New York, NY | CIVIC | $12,173 |
| American Patrons of the National Library and Galleries of Scotland (Apnlgs) New York, NY | CIVIC | $12,173 |
| American Ditchley Foundation New York, NY | CIVIC | $12,173 |
| Americans for Oxford New York, NY | CIVIC | $12,173 |
| The Frick Collection New York, NY | CIVIC | $12,173 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | $88,939 | $98,834 |
| Revenue | $212 | $1,683 | $504 |
| Expenses | $89,151 | $11,578 | $1,809 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $89,146 | $11,552 | $1,782 |
| Net Investment Income | $212 | $131 | $52 |
| Distributable Amount | $3,962 | $4,826 | $4,867 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2023
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Francis Finlay Foundation is led by Robert Wessely, President on the 2023 filing; none of the 2 officers listed in 2023 report compensation.
Officers on the 2023 filing
Robert Wessely
President
New on the 2023 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jonna Keefe
Assistant Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Francis Finlay (2020–2022) — President
- Former: Robert Wessley (2020–2022) — Secretary
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2023. "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 Francis Finlay Foundation
How much does Francis Finlay Foundation give each year?
Francis Finlay Foundation gave $85K across 7 grants in 2023, according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2022 it gave $10K across 1 grant.
What is Francis Finlay Foundation's typical grant size?
Francis Finlay Foundation's median grant in 2023 was $12,173, and its average grant was $12,209, across 7 grants on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Francis Finlay Foundation give grants?
Francis Finlay Foundation gives mostly in New York: 71% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was New Jersey (15%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (5 grants).
Does Francis Finlay Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2023: none of the 7 grants with a stated purpose on Francis Finlay Foundation's 2023 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Civic" (7 grants).
Who are Francis Finlay Foundation's largest grantees?
Francis Finlay Foundation's largest 2023 grantees include Merton College Charitable Corporation ($12,427), Institute for Strategic Dialogue-US ($12,173) and American Friends of the British Museum ($12,173), according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 43% of its itemized 2023 grant dollars.
How much is Francis Finlay Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2023, Francis Finlay Foundation reported a distributable amount of $4K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Francis Finlay Foundation's EIN?
Francis Finlay Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-3922229. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2023.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Here's the math on researching Francis Finlay Foundation by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Francis Finlay Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
The Commonwealth Fund
New York, NY
The Commonwealth Fund supports health care research, policy, and projects that improve access, care quality, affordability, and equity, primarily through grants to health care-focused organizations. In 2025, grants ranged from $75 to $2.35 million, with a median of $15,000; it funds work in the United States and supports international learning and exchange. It accepts letters of inquiry through its online portal on a rolling basis and responds to unsolicited proposals, generally from tax-exempt charities.
Assets
$922.7M
Grants
534
Total Given
$31.3M
The James Family Charitable
Charlottesville, VA
The James Family Charitable supports families in need and grants to charitable, educational, cultural, environmental, and other organizations. Its 2024 grants ranged from $500 to $7.325 million, with a median of $20,000; most funding went to Pennsylvania, followed by New York. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$223.2M
Grants
83
Total Given
$10.8M
Hampton Roads Community Foundation
Norfolk, VA
The Hampton Roads Community Foundation funds nonprofits working in areas including education, arts and culture, the environment, disaster relief, and human services in southeastern Virginia. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000, while its open Community Leadership Partners program offers $2,500–$25,000 awards for work in Hampton Roads. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$524.1M
Grants
329
Total Given
$31.1M
Robert Lehman Foundation Inc
New York, NY
The Robert Lehman Foundation supports visual arts organizations and projects, including exhibitions, arts education, scholarly publications, art history lectureships, and capital projects, primarily in New York but also elsewhere in the U.S. and internationally. In 2025, grants ranged from $4,000 to $1,126,954, with a median of $15,000. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$38.9M
Grants
56
Total Given
$2.1M
The Ford Foundation
New York, NY
The Ford Foundation funds organizations, individuals, and ideas working to reduce inequality and advance social justice, including work in areas such as immigrant justice, criminal justice reform, gender equity, and arts and culture, through grants around the world. Its 2024 grants had a median of $100,000, with amounts ranging from $45 to $15 million; it does not accept unsolicited requests by mail, email, or phone.
Assets
$17.5B
Grants
4,007
Total Given
$844.7M
The New York Community Trust
New York, NY
The New York Community Trust funds projects in areas including arts, education, health, human services, community development, and the environment, primarily in New York City, Long Island, and Westchester, with some opportunities elsewhere. Its 2024 median grant was $20,000, though awards varied widely. It accepts applications through its open competitive grants program and selected RFPs or letters of interest; donor-advised funds do not accept proposals.
Assets
$3.5B
Grants
2,748
Total Given
$193.8M
The Simons Foundation Inc
New York, NY
The Simons Foundation funds research in mathematics and the basic sciences, as well as autism and other disease research, through grants to research centers, universities, and related organizations. In 2024, grants ranged from $1,480 to $20 million, with a median of $72,000; funding is concentrated in New York, California, and Massachusetts, with awards also made elsewhere in the U.S. and internationally. Whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$4.5B
Grants
1,727
Total Given
$272.0M
More Funders in New York
Francis Finlay Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?