Heisman Trophy Trust
The Heisman Trophy Trust is a private foundation based in New York, New York. It supports youth development programs in underserved communities, with a focus described by the Trust on using sports to help young people access educational activities and build skills.
Heisman Trophy Trust at a glance
In short: Heisman Trophy Trust gave $2.5M across 36 grants in 2024 (avg $69K), mostly in New York. 36% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,478,750
- -1.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 36
- +16.1% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $68,854
- -15.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $54,218,150
- +8.0% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 36% first-time grantees (13 of 36, 2024)
- Primary geography
- New York (81% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Heisman Trophy Trust
- 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.
- Contact
Mailing address: 111 Broadway 100, New York, NY 10006
Phone: (212) 425-7000
Website: https://heisman.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Heisman Trophy Trust funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was New York Community Trust ($1.9M). Together the top 10 received $2.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
167 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 153 grants of 167 (92%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Trust’s 2024 grant dollars were concentrated in New York: 81% went to recipients in that state. Other listed recipient-state shares were Minnesota, 5%; Texas, 4%; Florida, 2%; and North Carolina, 1%. The Trust describes its youth-development fund as supporting New York City charitable organizations. In a 2024 announcement, the Trust also described grants benefiting youth in New York, Long Island, Westchester, Newark, Atlanta, Dallas, and Los Angeles.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 36 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Heisman Trophy Trust open to new grantees?
36%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 13 of 36 grantees (36%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $24K; repeat grants $94K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 53% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+18%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $2.1M (2020) to $2.5M (2023). In 2024 it made 36 grants totaling $2.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| New York Community Trust New York, NY | Financial Support | $1,920,000 |
| Kaleidoscope Minneapolis, MN | Financial Support | $118,000 |
| The Defensive Line Coppell, TX | Financial Support | $75,000 |
| V Foundation Cary, NC | Financial Support | $25,000 |
| Cristo Rey New York High School New York, NY | Financial Support | $22,000 |
| The Wuerffel Foundation Atlanta, GA | Financial Support | $20,000 |
| Intervarsity Christian Fellowship- Madison, WI | Financial Support | $15,000 |
| National Football Foundation NYC Ch Melville, NY | Financial Support | $15,000 |
| Leukemia Society Rye Brook, NY | Financial Support | $10,500 |
| The Eileen Fund Corp Chester, NJ | Financial 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $54,218,150 | $9,663,317 | $6,143,236 | $2,478,750 | 36 | $2,478,750 | $1,790,929 |
| 2023 | $50,198,057 | $10,212,519 | $6,086,479 | $2,517,895 | 31 | $2,517,895 | $1,205,211 |
| 2022 | $45,563,717 | $11,130,641 | $5,537,719 | $2,485,890 | 26 | $2,485,890 | $2,616,194 |
| 2021 | $39,796,263 | $9,092,548 | $3,988,464 | $2,107,503 | 42 | — | $2,006,821 |
| 2020 | $34,412,801 | $7,180,300 | $4,245,076 | $2,086,213 | 32 | — | $1,295,864 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Trust’s mission is to grow the legacy and preserve the integrity of the Heisman Memorial Trophy. Its charitable mission is to support youth development programs in underserved communities and provide more equitable opportunities for young people.
The Heisman Trophy Fund for Youth Development, established with The New York Community Trust, supports New York City charitable organizations using sports to engage underprivileged young people ages 8–18 in educational activities. The Fund aims to make these programs available regardless of athletic ability, while helping youth develop teamwork, good sportsmanship, and a pursuit of excellence with integrity.
Examples of grantees’ stated missions illustrate the kinds of organizations receiving support. Cristo Rey New York High School describes itself as a college-preparatory school serving students who lack the educational background or financial means to attend another private college-prep school. Elkhorn Athletic Association describes its work as providing a positive learning environment for youth sports and supporting children’s development. DonorsChoose.org says it works to address educational inequity in public schools.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the Trust reported 36 grants totaling $2,478,750. Grants ranged from $5,000 to $1,920,000, with a median grant of $10,000. The largest awards included $1,920,000 to New York Community Trust, $118,000 to Kaleidoscope, and $75,000 to The Defensive Line. Other listed grants included $25,000 to V Foundation and $22,000 to Cristo Rey New York High School.
The Trust says the New York Community Trust manages the Heisman Trophy Fund for Youth Development, including issuing requests for proposals and vetting and selecting nonprofits. The Trust’s application page says the New York Community Trust application is usually available in mid-winter. The Trust says it will no longer fund new organizations outside the Fund’s guidelines; organizations specifically directed by a Heisman Trophy winner or trustee to apply for an allocated donation are directed to a separate application process.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Robert Whalen as executive director and Michael J. Comerford as president. Trustees listed were Anne F. Donahue, Brian D. Obergfell, Carol A. Pisano, Daniel W. Reed, James E. Corcoran, Marva A. Smalls, N. Richard Kalikow, and Sanford Wurmfeld.
Heisman Trophy Trust is led by Robert Whalen, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 1 of 12 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Robert Whalen
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$166K (2020) → $236K (2024)
Michael J. Comerford Esq.
President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Anne F. Donahue
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brian D. Obergfell
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carol A. Pisano
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James E. Corcoran
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
N. Richard Kalikow
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sanford Wurmfeld
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Vasili Krishnamurti
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marva A. Smalls
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
William J. Dockery
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Daniel W. Reed
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Dan Reed (2021–2022) — 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 $236K, to Robert Whalen (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Heisman Trophy Trust
How much does Heisman Trophy Trust give each year?
Heisman Trophy Trust gave $2.5M across 36 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $2.5M across 31 grants.
What is Heisman Trophy Trust's typical grant size?
Heisman Trophy Trust's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $68,854, across 36 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Heisman Trophy Trust that year got $24K on average.
Where does Heisman Trophy Trust give grants?
Heisman Trophy Trust gives mostly in New York: 81% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (4 grants).
Does Heisman Trophy Trust give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 36 grants with a stated purpose on Heisman Trophy Trust's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Financial Support" (36 grants).
Who are Heisman Trophy Trust's largest grantees?
Heisman Trophy Trust's largest 2024 grantees include New York Community Trust ($1,920,000), Kaleidoscope ($118,000) and The Defensive Line ($75,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 85% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Heisman Trophy Trust?
Heisman Trophy Trust reported $54.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $9.7M.
What does Heisman Trophy Trust fund?
The Trust’s mission is to grow the legacy and preserve the integrity of the Heisman Memorial Trophy. Its charitable mission is to support youth development programs in underserved communities and provide more equitable opportunities for young people. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Heisman Trophy Trust?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Heisman Trophy Trust's EIN?
Heisman Trophy Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-7052079. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Heisman Trophy Trust 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). Heisman Trophy Trust funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/heisman-trophy-trust-morg_3d419accba314ce998f5a44150bca973
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_137052079_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Heisman Trophy Trust funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/heisman-trophy-trust-morg_3d419accba314ce998f5a44150bca973},
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 Heisman Trophy Trust'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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