Grace Communications Foundation Inc
GRACE Communications Foundation Inc is a New York, New York-based private foundation that works to advance practical solutions in food, environmental and public health, and supports organizations working on food-system change. Its own programs include public education and communications work, alongside philanthropic partnerships with organizations addressing food and environmental issues.
Grace Communications Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Grace Communications Foundation Inc gave $295K across 15 grants in 2024 (avg $20K), top state New York. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $295,000
- +686.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 15
- +400.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $19,667
- +57.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $131,863,106
- +14.9% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- New York (25% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Grace Communications Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
GRACE does not accept unsolicited requests for funds; it states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 215 Lexington Avenue 1001, New York, NY 10016
Phone: (212) 726-9161
Website: https://www.gracecommunicationsfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Grace Communications Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Citizens Campaign Fund for Environment ($55K). Together the top 10 received $250K.
Grant Size Distribution
20 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 18 grants of 20 (90%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 grant dollars were distributed among recipients in multiple states. The largest stated shares went to New York (25%), Massachusetts (17%), Washington, DC (17%), California (14%) and Maine (14%). These figures describe the locations of recipients, not a stated geographic funding restriction.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 15 itemized grants.
Cities
How Grace Communications Foundation Inc gives
- Giving grew 294900% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 154% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $100 (2021) to $295K (2024). In 2024 it made 15 grants totaling $295K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Citizens Campaign Fund for Environment Farmingdale, NY | General Support | $55,000 |
| Earthshare Washington, DC | General Support | $50,000 |
| Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association Unity, ME | General Support | $40,000 |
| National Family Farm Coalition Gloucester, MA | General Support | $20,000 |
| North Atlantic Marine Alliance Gloucester, MA | General Support | $20,000 |
| Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors New York, NY | General Support | $20,000 |
| Regenerative Agriculture Foundation Minneapolis, MN | General Support | $15,000 |
| Farm Aid Inc Cambridge, MA | General Support | $10,000 |
| Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Funders Santa Barbara, CA | General Support | $10,000 |
| Virginia Organizing Inc Charlottesville, VA | General Support | $10,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $131,863,106 | $2,256,185 | $9,803,756 | $295,000 | 15 | $9,733,756 | $6,090,332 | $6,305,550 |
| 2023 | $114,795,044 | $5,209,850 | $10,000,406 | $37,500 | 3 | $9,865,406 | $9,561,560 | $5,276,653 |
| 2022 | $105,434,823 | $104,027,273 | $9,509,981 | $1,000 | 1 | $9,469,981 | $4,942,521 | $3,222,871 |
| 2021 | $9,222,389 | $7,837,107 | $8,822,863 | $100 | 1 | $8,747,863 | $4,366,227 | $470,716 |
| 2020 | $12,571,961 | $7,447,340 | $8,752,129 | — | — | — | $4,721,595 | $566,056 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Grace Communications Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $6.3M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
GRACE describes its work as advancing pragmatic and humane solutions to problems in food, environmental and public health, and inspiring sustainable lifestyle changes through public education and accessible messaging. Its philanthropic work often mirrors its programming and campaigns, with stated focus areas that include industrial agriculture and its impacts; sustainable alternatives such as regenerative agriculture; aquaculture; marine conservation and plastic pollution; and farm training and therapy programs for veterans.
The foundation says it supports innovative leaders and organizations, helps seed and grow movements, and invests in organizational capacity. Its partner support can include communications, professional development, capacity building, strategic planning and convening.
Grantees’ own descriptions illustrate the range of organizations supported. EarthShare says it provides individuals, businesses and nonprofits with tools to work together for a just and sustainable world. Farm Aid describes its mission as building a vibrant, family farm-centered system of agriculture in America. Civil Eats describes itself as a news source covering the American food system, with stories intended to advance sustainable agriculture and economically and socially just communities. The Regenerative Agriculture Foundation says it works to foster conditions supporting land stewardship, climate solutions, freshwater and oceans, rural communities, and diverse human and ecological life.
Grantmaking
In 2024, GRACE reported 15 grants totaling $295,000. Grants ranged from $5,000 to $55,000, with a median of $10,000. The foundation identifies general support as the purpose of its largest listed grants.
Notable 2024 grants included $55,000 to Citizens Campaign Fund for Environment, $50,000 to EarthShare, $40,000 to Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, and $20,000 each to National Family Farm Coalition, North Atlantic Marine Alliance and Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors. Other listed grants included $15,000 to Regenerative Agriculture Foundation and $10,000 each to Farm Aid, Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Funders, Virginia Organizing, Civil Eats and Multiplier. Movement Strategy Center also reported receiving $10,000.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Helaine Lerner as president, treasurer and director; Scott Cullen as vice president, director and executive director; and Marjorie Gilbert as secretary and director. It also lists Brad Goldberg, Judith Labelle, Marni Sommer and Paul Locke as directors. The filing notes that Judith Labelle resigned in December 2024 and John Dias was appointed director in December 2024.
Grace Communications Foundation Inc is led by Helaine Lerner, President, Treasurer & Director on every filing since 2020; 2 of 8 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Helaine Lerner
President, Treasurer & Director
On filings since 2020
35 hrs/week
$16K (2020) → $16K (2024)
Scott Cullen
Vice President, Director & Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$374K (2020) → $415K (2024)
Brad Goldberg
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Judith Labelle
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marjorie Gilbert
Secretary & Director
On filings since 2020
7 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marni Sommer
Director
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Paul Locke
Director
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Dias
Director
New on the 2024 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Sidney Lerner (2020–2021) — Director -
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $415K, to Scott Cullen (Vice President, Director, Exec. DIR.). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Grace Communications Foundation Inc
How much does Grace Communications Foundation Inc give each year?
Grace Communications Foundation Inc gave $295K across 15 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $38K across 3 grants.
What is Grace Communications Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Grace Communications Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $19,667, across 15 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Grace Communications Foundation Inc give grants?
Grace Communications Foundation Inc's top state is New York, with 25% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Massachusetts (17%) and District of Columbia (17%). The most frequent recipient cities were Gloucester, MA (2 grants).
Does Grace Communications Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Grace Communications Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (15 of 15) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Grace Communications Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Grace Communications Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Citizens Campaign Fund for Environment ($55,000), Earthshare ($50,000) and Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association ($40,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 49% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Grace Communications Foundation Inc?
Grace Communications Foundation Inc reported $131.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $9.7M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $6.3M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Grace Communications Foundation Inc fund?
GRACE describes its work as advancing pragmatic and humane solutions to problems in food, environmental and public health, and inspiring sustainable lifestyle changes through public education and accessible messaging. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Grace Communications Foundation Inc?
GRACE does not accept unsolicited requests for funds; it states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Grace Communications Foundation Inc's EIN?
Grace Communications Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-4777735. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Grace Communications 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
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Grace Communications Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/grace-communications-foundation-inc-morg_95af1c6359354e1bbd7e9edfc1c15c19
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_264777735_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Grace Communications Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/grace-communications-foundation-inc-morg_95af1c6359354e1bbd7e9edfc1c15c19},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. 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 Grace Communications 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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