Joseph M & Barbara Cohen Foundation Inc

NEW YORK, NY EIN: 13-3636511

Joseph M & Barbara Cohen Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in New York, NY, established in November 1991. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and functions as a private non-operating foundation. It is organized as a corporation and maintains tax-exempt status with unconditional exemption.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$377K

-40.7% YoY

Annual Giving

$264K

+16.8% YoY

Grant Count

+45.5% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$17K

-19.7% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Joseph M & Barbara Cohen Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $21K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation's primary grantmaking focuses on:

Education
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
Arts, Culture & Humanities

Grantmaking

Recent grants made by the foundation include:

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation primarily funds organizations in New York, New Jersey, and Maryland.

Grant Distribution by State

New York $1.1M (90%)

Connecticut $40K (3%)

Maryland $30K (2%)

Florida $25K (2%)

Indiana $25K (2%)

New Jersey $10K (1%)

District of Columbia $1K (0%)

States

Connecticut District of Columbia Florida Indiana Maryland New Jersey New York

Cities

FarmingHyattsvilleIndianapolisMiami BeachNew YorkPoughkeepsiePrincetonSouthamptonSouthhamptonWashingtonWatermill

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Current Financial Position (Fiscal Year 2024)

Total Assets: $376,937
Total Revenue: $16,024
Total Expenses: $275,022
Total Liabilities: $0
Total Giving: $264,000

Revenue Composition (2024)

Investment income and dividends: $16,024
Grants and contributions: $0

The foundation's revenue declined significantly in 2024, with investment income of $16,024 compared to grants and contributions of $760,878 in the prior year.

Revenue

Expenses

Qualifying Distributions

Net Investment Income

Metric	2024	2023	2022
Total Assets	$376,937	$635,935	$103,386
Revenue	$16,024	$768,486	$326,535
Expenses	$275,022	$235,937	$487,015
Qualifying Distributions	$264,100	$227,880	$484,600
Net Investment Income	$16,024	$756,332	$536,814
Distributable Amount	$21,091	$9,671	—

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

60 grants across all recorded years

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include City Meals on Wheels ($65,000), Media Cares Foundation ($30,000), Chamber Music Society ($25,000).

Recipient	Purpose	Amount
WHITNEY MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART NEW YORK, NY	TO AID DONEE ORGANIZATIONS IN THEIR TAX EXEMPT FUNCTION	$10,000
CENTRAL SYNAGOGUE NEW YORK, NY	TO HELP ORG. IN ITS EXEMPT FUNCTION	$14,000
THE BIRCH WATHEN LENOX SCHOOL NEW YORK, NY	TO HELP ORG. IN ITS EXEMPT FUNCTION	$10,000
THE JACKSON LABORATORY FARMING, CT	TO HELP ORG. IN ITS EXEMPT FUNCTION	$20,000
TISCH MSR NEW YORK NEW YORK, NY	TO HELP ORG. IN ITS EXEMPT PURPOSE	$10,000
CENTRAL PARK CONSERVANCY NEW YORK, NY	TO ELP ORG. IN ITS EXEMPT FUNCTION	$10,000
CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY NEW YORK, NY	TO HELP ORG. IN ITS EXEMPT FUNCTION	$25,000
THE FRICK COLLECTION NEW YORK, NY	TO HELP ORGANIZATION IN ITS EXEMPT FUNCTION	$10,000
CITY MEALS ON WHEELS NEW YORK, NY	TO HELP ORG. IN ITS EXEMPT FUNCTION	$65,000
MEDIA CARES FOUNDATION NEW YORK, NY	TO HELP ORG. IN ITS EXEMPT FUNCTION	$30,000

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

From 2024 filing

Name	Title	Hours	Compensation
JOSEPH M COHEN	PRESIDENT	5	—
RAYMOND MERRITT ESQ	TREASURER	5	—
JARROD COHEN	SECRETARY	5	—

Contact Information

Address: 410 E 57th St, New York, NY 10022-3059

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Joseph M & Barbara Cohen Foundation Inc fund?

The foundation's primary grantmaking focuses on: • Education • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking • Arts, Culture & Humanities

How do I apply for a grant from Joseph M & Barbara Cohen Foundation Inc?

**Grant Activity & Amounts** Recent grants made by the foundation include: • Media Cares Foundation: $30,000 (2024) • Central Synagogue: $14,000 (2024) • The Frick Collection: $10,000 (2024) The foundation made 11 grants totaling $264,000 in its most recent fiscal year (2024). Typical award amounts range from $1,000 to $100,000.

Where does Joseph M & Barbara Cohen Foundation Inc make grants?

The foundation primarily funds organizations in New York, New Jersey, and Maryland.

What size grants does Joseph M & Barbara Cohen Foundation Inc award?

In 2024, Joseph M & Barbara Cohen Foundation Inc awarded 16 grants totaling $264K — an average of about $17K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is Joseph M & Barbara Cohen Foundation Inc required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Joseph M & Barbara Cohen Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $21K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

What is Joseph M & Barbara Cohen Foundation Inc's EIN?

Joseph M & Barbara Cohen Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-3636511. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.