Gerda Lissner Foundation Inc
Gerda Lissner Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in New York, NY. It supports young opera singers through awards connected to annual competitions and makes contributions to charitable organizations for operating support in opera and other performance fields.
Gerda Lissner Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Gerda Lissner Foundation Inc gave $98K across 33 grants in 2025 (avg $3K), top state New York. 64% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $97,500
- -10.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 33
- -36.5% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $2,955
- +40.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $1,500
- Total assets
- $5,452,625
- -2.9% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 64% first-time grantees (21 of 33, 2025)
- Primary geography
- New York (35% 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 Gerda Lissner Foundation Inc
- 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 for funds. Its filing directs applicants to the foundation’s website for forms and materials and for deadlines.
- Review Cycle
- The 2024 Lieder/Song Vocal Competition application had to be received by August 15, 2024, at 3 p.m. EST.
- Deadline
- The 2024 Lieder/Song Vocal Competition application had to be received by August 15, 2024, at 3 p.m.
- Contact
Application contact: Cornelia Beigel
Mailing address: 15 E 65Th Street, New York, NY 10065
Phone: (212) 826-0366
Email: mail@gerdalissner.org
Website: https://www.gerdalissner.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Gerda Lissner Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Magdalena Kuzma ($17K). Together the top 10 received $70K.
Grant Size Distribution
205 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 205 grants of 205 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, recipients in New York received 35% of grant dollars, followed by Maryland (18%), Texas (11%), Florida (8%), and New Jersey (5%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 33 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Gerda Lissner Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
64%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 21 of 33 grantees (64%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $2K; repeat grants $4K. How we count
Medians: $2K first-time, $2K repeat.
- 21% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−10%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 158% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2025). 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 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $50K (2021) to $118K (2023). In 2025 it made 33 grants totaling $98K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Magdalena Kuzma Maspeth, NY | To provide young opera singers with the financial support they need to pursue their craft and excel in the world of opera, | $17,000 |
| Giorgi Guliashvili Westminster, MD | To provide young opera singers with the financial support they need to pursue their craft and excel in the world of opera, | $12,000 |
| Erin Wagner El Paso, TX | To provide young opera singers with the financial support they need to pursue their craft and excel in the world of opera, | $9,000 |
| Tatev Baroyan Sarasota, FL | To provide young opera singers with the financial support they need to pursue their craft and excel in the world of opera, | $7,500 |
| Michael Butler Bowie, MD | To provide young opera singers with the financial support they need to pursue their craft and excel in the world of opera, | $6,000 |
| Sofia Gotch Brooklyn, NY | To provide young opera singers with the financial support they need to pursue their craft and excel in the world of opera, | $5,500 |
| Shelen Hughes West New York, NJ | To provide young opera singers with the financial support they need to pursue their craft and excel in the world of opera, | $5,000 |
| Amanda Batista New York, NY | To provide young opera singers with the financial support they need to pursue their craft and excel in the world of opera, | $3,000 |
| Mary Bridget Esler | To provide young opera singers with the financial support they need to pursue their craft and excel in the world of opera, | $3,000 |
| Anna Thompson Fenton, MI | To provide young opera singers with the financial support they need to pursue their craft and excel in the world of opera, | $2,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Gerda Lissner Foundation Inc?
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 | $5,452,625 | $459,815 | $623,319 | $97,500 | 33 | $496,939 | $78,587 | $313,599 |
| 2024 | $5,617,276 | $615,836 | $582,963 | $109,250 | 52 | $470,782 | $460,319 | $305,006 |
| 2023 | $5,583,335 | $306,804 | $597,838 | $118,150 | 49 | $494,348 | $144,533 | $295,059 |
| 2022 | $5,874,145 | $24,509 | $620,615 | $107,750 | 48 | $489,654 | $73,328 | $316,666 |
| 2021 | $6,469,921 | $873,151 | $483,770 | $49,500 | 23 | $353,720 | $735,723 | $359,187 |
| 2020 | $6,080,057 | $415,543 | $439,653 | — | — | — | $309,269 | $320,619 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Gerda Lissner Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $314K 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 foundation states that it provides young opera singers with financial support to pursue their craft and excel in opera, and that it considers assistance to young artists important to the continuation of the art form. It also contributes to other 501(c)(3) organizations for general operating support in opera and other performance fields.
One 2025 grantee, Classic Lyric Arts Inc, describes its mission as inspiring emerging opera singers to achieve their artistic potential by teaching vocal music through the prism of language and culture.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 33 grants totaling $97,500. Awards ranged from $250 to $17,000, with a median of $1,500. The largest grants went to Magdalena Kuzma ($17,000), Giorgi Guliashvili ($12,000), and Erin Wagner ($9,000); the stated purpose for each was to provide young opera singers with financial support to pursue their craft and excel in opera. Classic Lyric Arts Inc received $250.
The foundation’s 2024 Lieder/Song Vocal Competition rules describe awards of $7,000 for first prize, $5,000 for second prize, $3,000 for third prize, plus grants of $1,000 and encouragement awards of $500. These are competition awards to participants. The rules state that applicants must be 21–30 years old and submit five Lieder or songs for voice and piano, including at least one art song in German and at least two standard works by well-known 18th- or 19th-century composers.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Michael A. Fornabaio as president; Karl Michaelis as treasurer; Cornelia Beigel as executive director and secretary; Arlene Shrut as trustee and co-artistic director; and Mary B. Woolsey as vice president and co-artistic director.
Gerda Lissner Foundation Inc is led by Cornelia Beigel, Executive Director & Secretary since 2025 (on filings since 2020); all 5 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Cornelia Beigel
Executive Director & Secretary
Vice President & Secretary → Executive Director & Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$83K (2020) → $95K (2025)
Michael A. Fornabaio
President
On filings since 2020
25 hrs/week
$36K (2020) → $52K (2025)
Arlene R. Shrut
Trustee & Co-Artistic Director
Trustee → Trustee & Co-Artistic Director, 2025
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
$6K (2023) → $12K (2025)
Mary B. Woolsey
Vice President & Co-Artistic Director
New on the 2025 filing
5 hrs/week
$12K (2025)
Karl Michaelis
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$12K (2020) → $12K (2025)
Former officers (4)
- Former: Mary B. Woosley (2020–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Scott Barnes (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Barbara Testa (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Stephen De Maio (2020)
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $95K, to Cornelia Beigel (Exec. Director & Secretary). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Gerda Lissner Foundation Inc
How much does Gerda Lissner Foundation Inc give each year?
Gerda Lissner Foundation Inc gave $98K across 33 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $109K across 52 grants.
What is Gerda Lissner Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Gerda Lissner Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $1,500, and its average grant was $2,955, across 33 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Gerda Lissner Foundation Inc that year got $2K on average.
Where does Gerda Lissner Foundation Inc give grants?
Gerda Lissner Foundation Inc's top state is New York, with 35% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Maryland (18%) and Texas (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (5 grants) and Philadelphia, PA (3 grants).
Does Gerda Lissner Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 33 grants with a stated purpose on Gerda Lissner Foundation Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are Gerda Lissner Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Gerda Lissner Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Magdalena Kuzma ($17,000), Giorgi Guliashvili ($12,000) and Erin Wagner ($9,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 39% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Gerda Lissner Foundation Inc?
Gerda Lissner Foundation Inc reported $5.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $497K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $314K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Gerda Lissner Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation states that it provides young opera singers with financial support to pursue their craft and excel in opera, and that it considers assistance to young artists important to the continuation of the art form. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Gerda Lissner Foundation Inc?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Gerda Lissner Foundation Inc's EIN?
Gerda Lissner Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-3566516. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Gerda Lissner Foundation Inc 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 September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS August 16, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS June 8, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 3, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 7, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 30, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 9, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Gerda Lissner Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 21, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/gerda-lissner-foundation-inc-morg_f3916cb8de964b12b06633ce488fe0e4
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_133566516_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Gerda Lissner Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/gerda-lissner-foundation-inc-morg_f3916cb8de964b12b06633ce488fe0e4},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-21. 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 Gerda Lissner Foundation Inc'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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