Gerda Lissner Foundation Inc
The Gerda Lissner Foundation is a private, independent foundation established in 1994 and based in New York City. Located at 15 East 65th Street on the Upper East Side, the foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that has been recognized as tax-exempt since May 1991. The foundation operates with a staff of 2 employees and focuses on supporting young opera singers through competitive awards and financial assistance.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$5.6M
+0.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$109K
-7.5% YoY
Grant Count
52
+6.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$2K
-12.9% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Gerda Lissner Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $305K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary mission is to provide young opera singers with the financial support they need to pursue their craft and excel in the world of opera. The foundation makes grants and encouragement awards to winners of various annual competitions, with a limited number of participants selected each year. The trustees believe that encouragement and assistance to young artists toward achieving their goals is imperative for the continuation of opera as a demanding art form.
The foundation also makes contributions to other 501(c)(3) organizations for general operating support in the field of opera and other various performance organizations.
Grantmaking
The foundation operates annual vocal competitions including:
Grant Range
s and Activity:**
Average Grant
amount and median grant amount data are available but specific figures were not disclosed in the sources
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations and individuals in New York, Pennsylvania, and Texas.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2024:
- Total Assets: $5,617,276
- Total Revenue: $615,836
- Total Expenses: $582,963
- Net Income: $32,873
- Total Liabilities: $2,210
- Contributions Received: $36,400
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $5,617,276 | $5,583,335 | $5,874,145 |
| Revenue | $615,836 | $306,804 | $24,509 |
| Expenses | $582,963 | $597,838 | $620,615 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $470,782 | $494,348 | $489,654 |
| Net Investment Income | $460,319 | $144,533 | $73,328 |
| Distributable Amount | $305,006 | $295,059 | $316,666 |
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
170 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen ($15,000), Curtis Institute of Music ($9,000), Shelen Hughes ($7,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ADAM HOLTHAUS HOUSTON, TX | SEE STATEMENT 13 | $500 |
| ADRIANA STEPIEN PHILADELPHIA, PA | SEE STATEMENT 13 | $500 |
| ALICE CHUNG PHILADELPHIA, PA | SEE STATEMENT 13 | $2,000 |
| ARYEH NUSSBAUM COHEN OAKLAND, CA | SEE STATEMENT 13 | $15,000 |
| ASHLEY ROBILLARD PHILADELPHIA, PA | SEE STATEMENT 13 | $500 |
| AVA LINVOG SNOHOMISH, WA | SEE STATEMENT 13 | $1,000 |
| CURTIS INSTITUTE OF MUSIC PHILADELPHIA, PA | CHARITABLE - GEN'L OPERATING SUPPORT | $9,000 |
| DONGHOON KANG NEW YORK, NY | SEE STATEMENT 13 | $1,000 |
| ELISABETH LENEHAN WANGERMAN DALLAS, TX | SEE STATEMENT 13 | $500 |
| EMILIE KEALANI SUAREZ SAN FRANCISCO, CA | SEE STATEMENT 13 | $1,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MICHAEL A FORNABAIO | PRESIDENT | 25 | $52,000 |
| KARL MICHAELIS | TREASURER | 5 | $12,000 |
| CORNELIA BEIGEL | VP AND SECRETARY | 40 | $91,590 |
| ARLENE R SHRUT | TRUSTEE | 5 | $12,000 |
| MARY B WOOSLEY | TRUSTEE | 5 | $12,000 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**2025/2026 Season:**
The foundation presented a Winners Concert at Zankel Hall, Carnegie Hall, featuring performances by top prize winners including Titus Muzi III, Ben Reisinger, and Anna Thompson.
The Gerda Lissner Foundation Reveals Winners Of The 2026 International Vocal**2024/2025 Season:**
In April 2025, the foundation presented a special concert at Zankel Hall, Carnegie Hall, featuring winners of the Lieder/Song and International Vocal Competitions 2024/2025. This event was held in association with The Liederkranz Foundation on Wednesday, April 30, 2025.
The Gerda Lissner Foundation Reveals Winners Of The 2026 International Vocal**2024 Season:**
The foundation held a free concert at Carnegie Hall on May 2, 2024, featuring young vocal artists.
The Gerda Lissner Foundation Reveals Winners Of The 2026 International Vocal**Competition Winners:**
The foundation regularly announces winners of its annual vocal competitions, with recent announcements including winners from the 2024 Lieder/Song Vocal Competition and the 2026 International Vocal Competition.
The Gerda Lissner Foundation Reveals Winners Of The 2026 International VocalContact Information
- Phone: 212-826-6100
- Website: www.gerdalissner.org
- Address: 15 East 65th Street, New York, NY 10065
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Gerda Lissner Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation's primary mission is to provide young opera singers with the financial support they need to pursue their craft and excel in the world of opera. The foundation makes grants and encouragement awards to winners of various annual competitions, with a limited number of participants selected each year. The trustees believe that encouragement and assistance to young artists toward achieving their goals is imperative for the continuation of opera as a demanding art form. The foundation a…
How do I apply for a grant from Gerda Lissner Foundation Inc?
**Grant Sizes and Activity:** • Typical awards range from $100 to $15,000 • Total giving in 2024: $109,250 • Average grant amount and median grant amount data are available but specific figures were not disclosed in the sources **Recent Grants:** • Curtis Institute of Music: $9,000 (2024, general operating support) • Opera Index: $1,750 (2024, general operating support) **Competition-Based Awards:** The foundation operates annual vocal competitions including: • Lieder/Song Vocal Competition • I…
Where does Gerda Lissner Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations and individuals in New York, Pennsylvania, and Texas.
What size grants does Gerda Lissner Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Gerda Lissner Foundation Inc awarded 52 grants totaling $109K — an average of about $2K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Gerda Lissner Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Gerda Lissner Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $305K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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 2020–2024.
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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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