Helen Hay Whitney Foundation
Helen Hay Whitney Foundation is a private foundation, based in New City, NY. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $94.0M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 1 grant totaling $3.4M. Net investment income was $6.4M.
Helen Hay Whitney Foundation at a glance
In short: Helen Hay Whitney Foundation gave $3.4M across 1 grant in 2024 (avg $3.4M), mostly in New York. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $3,439,723
- -10.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $3,439,723
- -10.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $3,439,723
- Total assets
- $94,045,703
- +6.3% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- New York (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Helen Hay Whitney Foundation
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Helen Hay Whitney Foundation
Who Helen Hay Whitney Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Amount paid to 50 ($3.4M).
Grant Size Distribution
5 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $1–5M range: 5 grants of 5 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2024 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
How Helen Hay Whitney Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+14%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 88% 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 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $2.8M (2019) to $3.8M (2023). In 2024 it made 1 grant totaling $3.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Amount paid to 50 Fellows, NY | Monetary assistancefor medical research | $3,439,723 |
Ready to take the next step with Helen Hay Whitney Foundation?
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 | $94,045,703 | $7,555,325 | $4,525,751 | $3,439,723 | 1 | $3,869,478 | $6,368,039 | $4,392,249 |
| 2023 | $88,440,048 | $2,213,115 | $4,925,217 | $3,846,561 | 1 | $4,283,851 | $1,291,614 | $4,004,098 |
| 2022 | $80,448,408 | $7,233,705 | $4,631,632 | $3,477,405 | 1 | $3,910,982 | $6,046,239 | $4,182,972 |
| 2021 | $99,776,127 | $9,955,267 | $4,141,362 | $3,012,817 | 1 | $3,411,272 | $9,144,517 | $4,443,386 |
| 2020 | $89,444,043 | $7,502,979 | $3,881,464 | $2,984,275 | 1 | — | $6,620,874 | $4,144,948 |
| 2019 | $81,315,584 | $3,232,335 | $3,904,565 | $2,807,714 | 1 | — | $2,442,747 | $3,603,021 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Helen Hay Whitney Foundation reported a distributable amount of $4.4M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Helen Hay Whitney Foundation is led by Averil Payson Meyer, President on every filing since 2019; 7 of 9 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Averil Payson Meyer
President
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
$8K (2019) → $9K (2024)
Carla H Skodinski
Trustee
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
$8K (2019) → $9K (2024)
Robert Weinberger
Secretary & Administrator Director
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$132K (2019) → $164K (2024)
Stephen C Harrison
Trustee & Vice President
Vice President → Trustee & Vice President, 2022
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
$20K (2019) → $21K (2024)
Thomas P Sakmar
Trustee
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
$8K (2019) → $0 (2024)
Charles L Sawyers
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$8K (2020) → $9K (2024)
Joan W Payson
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
$9K (2024)
Katharine R Haydock
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
$9K (2024)
Stephen C Sherrill
Trustee & Treasurer
On filings since 2019
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: Lisa A Steiner (2019–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Payne W Middleton (2019–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Leslie B Vosshall (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Thomas M Jessell (2019) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "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 $164K, to Mr Robert Weinberger (Secr & Admin Dir). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Helen Hay Whitney Foundation
How much does Helen Hay Whitney Foundation give each year?
Helen Hay Whitney Foundation gave $3.4M across 1 grant in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $3.8M across 1 grant.
How large is Helen Hay Whitney Foundation?
Helen Hay Whitney Foundation reported $94.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $3.9M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $4.4M (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.
Where does Helen Hay Whitney Foundation operate?
Helen Hay Whitney Foundation has awarded grants in New York.
What is Helen Hay Whitney Foundation's EIN?
Helen Hay Whitney Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-1677403. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS April 14, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS July 27, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS June 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 2, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS December 17, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 1, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Helen Hay Whitney Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Similar funders in New York
The Ford Foundation
New York, NY
The Ford Foundation funds organizations and initiatives working to reduce inequality and advance social justice, including work on civic engagement, civil rights, climate justice, disability rights, and technology and society. In 2024, its grants ranged from $45 to $15 million, with a median of $100,000, supporting work in the U.S. and internationally. It says most grants are identified by the foundation and it does not accept unsolicited proposals by mail, email, or phone; limited opportunities may be offered separately.
Assets
$17.5B
Grants
4,007
Total Given
$844.7M
The New York Community Trust
New York, NY
The New York Community Trust funds nonprofit programs in areas such as arts, education, health, the environment, workforce development, and youth development, including projects that improve services, build organizational capacity, or advance policy and systems change. Its competitive grants mainly serve New York City, Long Island, and Westchester, with some national and international environmental funding; the 2024 median grant was $20,000. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$3.5B
Grants
2,748
Total Given
$193.8M
The Simons Foundation Inc
New York, NY
The Simons Foundation funds research and public engagement in mathematics and the physical, life, autism, and neuroscience sciences. In 2024, it made 1,727 grants, with a median award of $72,000 and amounts ranging from $1,480 to $20 million, supporting organizations in the U.S. and internationally. It states that it funds only preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$4.5B
Grants
1,727
Total Given
$272.0M
Local Initiatives Support Corporation
New York, NY
LISC funds affordable housing, community development, small businesses, and related efforts that strengthen inclusive communities, providing grants as well as loans, equity, and technical assistance across the country. Its 2024 grants had a median award of $40,000, though amounts varied widely. Application access is program-specific: for its Rhode Island child care facilities planning grants, applicants are instructed to consult program staff before submitting a request.
Assets
$1.6B
Grants
1,119
Total Given
$102.8M
Wellspring Philanthropic Fund Inc
New York, NY
Wellspring Philanthropic Fund supports human rights and social and economic justice, including work on climate, the environment, civic engagement, and Jewish causes, in the United States and internationally. Its 2024 grants had a median of $200,000, with amounts ranging from $500 to $9.75 million. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests; it plans to end grantmaking by the end of 2028.
Assets
$134.4M
Grants
1,101
Total Given
$326.0M
More Funders in New York
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Helen Hay Whitney Foundation'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.
Helen Hay Whitney Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?