Harpo Foundation Inc
Harpo Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Las Vegas, Nevada. Established in 2006 by artist Ed Levine, it supports emerging and under-recognized visual artists through grants and residency programs.
Harpo Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Harpo Foundation Inc gave $113K across 19 grants in 2024 (avg $6K), top state New York. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $113,300
- +19.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 19
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $5,963
- +19.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $9,000
- Total assets
- $13,833,354
- +2.6% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- New York (28% 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 Harpo Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
Applicants for Grants for Visual Artists must be self-defined under-recognized visual artists aged 21 or older and U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents. Applicants must submit an artist resume, an artist statement of up to 200 words, and up to 10 work samples through the online application system. Previous recipients of a direct artist grant from Harpo are ineligible. Current fine-arts degree students, those enrolled in a fine-arts degree program within the prior 12 months, and those planning to attend one in the coming year are also ineligible. Applicants pay a $15 application fee, with fee waivers available by request before applying for those experiencing financial hardship. Applications are reviewed by independent professional advisors, and funding decisions are made by the Board of Directors.
- Review Cycle
- The website states that the 2026 application cycle is closed and advises applicants to check back in February 2027 for information about the next cycle.
- Deadline
- The website states that the 2026 application cycle is closed and advises applicants to check back in February 2027 for…
- Contact
Application contact: Michelle West Program Manager
Mailing address: 2109 Bonnie Brae Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89102
Phone: (802) 234-1322
Email: mwest@harpofoundation.org
Website: https://www.harpofoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Harpo Foundation Inc
Who Harpo Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was The Aspen Institute ($3K).
Organizations only. It also paid 18 grants to individuals ($110,300), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
101 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 101 grants of 101 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. In 2024, its grant dollars went to recipients in New York (28%), California (25%), Hawaii (20%), Florida (9%), and Massachusetts (8%), among other states. Its residency programs include sites in Vermont.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 19 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Harpo Foundation Inc gives
- Giving grew 48% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 77% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $76K (2021) to $113K (2024). In 2024 it made 19 grants totaling $113K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 18 grants to individuals Recipients not named | — | $110,300 |
| The Aspen Institute Washington, DC | Support the Arts | $3,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Harpo 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $13,833,354 | $924,254 | $567,936 | $113,300 | 19 | $511,385 | $851,989 | $667,999 |
| 2023 | $13,477,036 | $2,573,700 | $564,730 | $95,100 | 19 | $505,942 | $257,535 | $519,860 |
| 2022 | $11,468,066 | $1,120,141 | $568,110 | $86,300 | 23 | $517,014 | $853,000 | $495,460 |
| 2021 | $10,916,035 | $9,417,101 | $520,234 | $76,350 | 17 | $466,559 | $710,175 | $407,763 |
| 2020 | $2,019,168 | $1,636,127 | $181,551 | $90,580 | 23 | — | $6,873 | $42,835 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Harpo Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $668K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to affirm the centrality of the artist in the art world, encourage new ways of making and thinking about art, and expand inclusivity and equitable representation in the visual arts. Its stated focus is visual art; it says interdisciplinary proposals may be considered when they have a strong visual-art component.
Its programs include direct grants to visual artists, the Impact Award for Native American Art, the Harpo Foundation Native American Residency at Vermont Studio Center, and the Back River Road Residency Retreat in Vermont. The foundation also supports stewardship of Vermont Village, a sculptural environment in South Royalton, Vermont. The Aspen Institute, which received a grant in 2024, describes its own mission as driving change through dialogue, leadership, and action to address society’s greatest challenges.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 19 grants totaling $113,300. Itemized grants ranged from $850 to $22,500, with a median of $9,000. The listed grant purposes were support of the arts. The largest listed grant was $22,500 to an individual recipient in Hawaii; other listed awards included $9,000 grants to individual recipients in New York, California, Florida, Massachusetts, and Minnesota. The Aspen Institute received $3,000.
The foundation’s website says it typically makes 7–10 Grants for Visual Artists awards annually, with an average award of $8,000 and a maximum of $10,000. The exception it identifies is the Impact Award for Native American Art, an annual $25,000 fellowship.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Mark Steven Greenfield as chair and director; Meg Ostrum as vice-chair and director; Susan Caraballo as secretary and director; Isaac A. Saufer as treasurer and director; Julie Deamer as executive director; and Chaim Levine, Jeremy Levine, Olivia Georgia, and Anna Tsouhlarakis as directors.
Harpo Foundation Inc is led by Julie Deamer, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 1 of 9 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Julie Deamer
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$54K (2020) → $83K (2024)
Mark Steven Greenfield
Chair & Director
Director → Chair & Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Isaac A. Saufer
Treasurer & Director
Secretary → Treasurer & Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeremy Levine
Director
Vice Chair → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Meg Ostrum
Vice Chair & Director
Director → Vice Chair, 2023
Vice Chair → Vice Chair & Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Olivia Georgia
Director
Chair → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Susan Caraballo
Secretary & Director
Treasurer → Secretary & Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Anna Tsouhlarakis
Director
On filings since 2022
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Chaim Levine
Director
Trustee → Director, 2024
On filings since 2022
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Mark Leach (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Adam Levine (2020–2021) — Trustee
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 $83K, to Julie Deamer (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Harpo Foundation Inc
How much does Harpo Foundation Inc give each year?
Harpo Foundation Inc gave $113K across 19 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $95K across 19 grants.
What is Harpo Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Harpo Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $9,000, and its average grant was $5,963, across 19 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Harpo Foundation Inc give grants?
Harpo Foundation Inc's top state is New York, with 28% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were California (25%) and Hawaii (20%).
Does Harpo Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 19 grants with a stated purpose on Harpo Foundation Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Support the Arts" (19 grants).
How large is Harpo Foundation Inc?
Harpo Foundation Inc reported $13.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $511K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $668K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Harpo Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s mission is to affirm the centrality of the artist in the art world, encourage new ways of making and thinking about art, and expand inclusivity and equitable representation in the visual arts. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Harpo Foundation Inc?
Applicants for Grants for Visual Artists must be self-defined under-recognized visual artists aged 21 or older and U.S. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Harpo Foundation Inc's EIN?
Harpo Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-4926823. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Harpo Foundation Inc funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Harpo Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Harpo Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 18, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/harpo-foundation-inc-morg_8ff1bd6c13994150b143c9558a482cac
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_204926823_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Harpo Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/harpo-foundation-inc-morg_8ff1bd6c13994150b143c9558a482cac},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-18. 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 Harpo 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.
Harpo Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?