Joy of Giving Something Inc
Joy of Giving Something Inc. (JGS) is a private foundation based in Syracuse, New York, that supports the photographic arts through grants to museums, educational institutions, and community-based organizations. Founded in 1998 by Howard and Janet Stein, JGS also maintains an extensive photography collection, made available to the public through a virtual museum and to museums through loans.
Key facts about Joy of Giving Something Inc
In short: Joy of Giving Something Inc gave $2.7M across 50 grants in 2024 (avg $55K), top state New York. 41% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 13-4033237
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,731,254
- Grants made (2024)
- 50
- Average grant
- $54,625
- Median grant
- $35,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 41% first-time grantees (20 of 49, 2024)
- Total assets
- $39,556,749
- Primary geography
- New York (42% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to apply
- JGS makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$39.6M
-6.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.7M
-34.2% YoY
Grant Count
50
+31.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$55K
-50.0% YoY
Is Joy of Giving Something Inc open to new grantees?
41%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 20 of 49 grantees (41%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $77K; repeat grants $41K. How we count
Medians: $30K first-time, $35K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
JGS says it supports creative projects that illuminate how present-day events and discoveries may affect future conditions. Its grantmaking advances photography by supporting emerging artists producing new work and established artists needing special assistance or consideration. It also funds visual and media arts education, with an emphasis on access to visual literacy programs for middle and high school students and scholarships for students pursuing post-secondary study in photography and visual arts.
In 2024, supported organizations included museums, photography-focused organizations, schools, and community-based groups. The grantees’ own descriptions illustrate this range: Light Work Visual Studies says its mission is to encourage growth and appreciation of photographic and other visual media; the International Center of Photography describes itself as a museum and school dedicated to photography; and the Fund for Public Schools says it supports New York City public schools through private philanthropic investment. JGS also reported support for residencies, museums, schools, and community-based organizations.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, JGS awarded 50 grants totaling $2,731,254. Grants ranged from $5,000 to $401,750, with a median award of $35,000. The largest awards included $401,750 to the Museum of Photographic Arts SDMA, $219,900 to the University of Florida Foundation, $199,400 to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, $177,500 to the Carnegie Museum of Art, and $162,500 to the Trustees of Indiana University Eskinazi Museum of Art. Each was listed for artwork or photography.
Other 2024 awards included $100,000 to Light Work Visual Studies for its Urban Video Project; $80,000 to the New York Foundation for the Arts, including support for fellowships for photographers working in New York State; $75,000 to the International Center of Photography for scholarships and afterschool photography; and $65,000 to the Studio Museum in Harlem.
How to Apply
JGS makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
Ready to take the next step with Joy of Giving Something Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
JGS states that New York is its primary geographic focus for visual literacy programs and photography and visual arts scholarships. In 2024, grant dollars by recipient state were distributed as follows: New York 42%, California 27%, Pennsylvania 10%, Florida 8%, and Indiana 6%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 50 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.3M (2021) to $4.2M (2023). In 2024 it made 50 grants totaling $2.7M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Museum of Photographic Arts SDMA ($402K). Together the top 10 received $1.6M.
Organizations only. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($55,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
172 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 115 grants of 172 (67%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Museum of Photographic Arts SDMA San Diego, CA | Artwork / Photography | $401,750 |
| University of Florida Foundation Inc Gainesville, FL | Artwork / Photography | $219,900 |
| Los Angeles County Museum of Art Los Angeles, CA | Artwork / Photography | $199,400 |
| Carnegie Museum of Art Pittsburgh, PA | Artwork / Photography | $177,500 |
| Trustees of Indiana University Eskinazi Museum ART Bloomington, IN | Artwork / Photography | $162,500 |
| Museum of City of New York New York, NY | Artwork / Photography | $104,100 |
| Light Work Visual Studies Inc Syracuse, NY | Urban Video Project (UVP), a program of Light Work in partnership with the Everson Museum of Art and Onondaga County, is an outdoor architectural projection venue dedicated to the public presentation of film, video and moving image arts. UVP is one of few projects in the United States dedicated to ongoing public projections and adds a new chapter to Central New York's legacy as one of the birthplaces of video art using cutting-edge technology to bring art of the highest caliber to Syracuse, NY | $100,000 |
| The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art Kansas City, MO | Artwork / Photography | $91,800 |
| NewYork Foundation for the Arts Brooklyn, NY | To support fellowships for Photographers working in New York State.Through A Donor Advised Fund at the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) JGS was able to support Dear Dave, a tri-annual publication of photography and writing, celebrating a community of visual thinking with affection and mirth, publishing idiosyncratic and original work that is deserving of further recognition. Dear Dave, is interested in the most unpredictable work of all genres and sensibilities, and from the familiar to the unknown. | $80,000 |
| International Center of Photography New York, NY | Scholarships And Afterschool Photography.Working in partnership with JGS and DWL, ICP developed a curriculum designed specifically for the afterschool environment. ICP delivers a professional development workshop to JGS grantees each year, along with providing the curriculum, technical support for equipment purchases and workflow systems. | $75,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $39,556,749 | $890,401 | $3,433,401 | $2,731,254 |
| 2023 | $42,086,086 | $401,745 | $4,881,597 | $4,153,040 |
| 2022 | $46,565,938 | $127,540 | $2,756,430 | $2,038,007 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $39,556,749 | $42,086,086 | $46,565,938 |
| Revenue | $890,401 | $401,745 | $127,540 |
| Expenses | $3,433,401 | $4,881,597 | $2,756,430 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $3,238,775 | $4,718,444 | $2,516,230 |
| Net Investment Income | $695,335 | $519,534 | $430,131 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Officers and directors listed on the 2024 filing were Jeffrey Hoone, President; Gordon G. Davis, Director; Nina E. Stone, Secretary and Director; Margaret Beal, Director; and Leandro Villaro, Director.
Joy of Giving Something Inc is led by Jeffrey Hoone, President since 2022 (on filings since 2020); none of the 5 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Jeffrey Hoone
President
Director → President, Director & Treasurer From, 2021
President, Director & Treasurer From → President, 2022
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Gordon G. Davis Esq.
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Nina E. Stone Esq.
Secretary & Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Margaret Beal
Director
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Leandro Villaro
Director
New on the 2024 filing
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Tom Coash (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Janet Stein (2020–2021) — President, Director & Treasurer Till
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.
Contact
Mailing address: 5173 Skyline Drive, Syracuse, NY 13215
Phone: (973) 402-4264
Website: https://www.jgsinc.org
Frequently asked questions about Joy of Giving Something Inc
How much does Joy of Giving Something Inc give each year?
Joy of Giving Something Inc gave $2.7M across 50 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $4.2M across 38 grants.
What is Joy of Giving Something Inc's typical grant size?
Joy of Giving Something Inc's median grant in 2024 was $35,000, and its average grant was $54,625, across 50 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Joy of Giving Something Inc that year got $77K on average.
Where does Joy of Giving Something Inc give grants?
Joy of Giving Something Inc's top state is New York, with 42% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were California (27%) and Pennsylvania (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (16 grants), Brooklyn, NY (4 grants), Bronx, NY (3 grants) and Los Angeles, CA (2 grants).
Does Joy of Giving Something Inc give general operating support?
Occasionally: 2% of Joy of Giving Something Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 50) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Artwork / Photography" (9 grants).
Who are Joy of Giving Something Inc's largest grantees?
Joy of Giving Something Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Museum of Photographic Arts SDMA ($401,750), University of Florida Foundation Inc ($219,900) and Los Angeles County Museum of Art ($199,400), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($55,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 30% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Joy of Giving Something Inc?
Joy of Giving Something Inc reported $39.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $890K.
What does Joy of Giving Something Inc fund?
JGS says it supports creative projects that illuminate how present-day events and discoveries may affect future conditions. Its grantmaking advances photography by supporting emerging artists producing new work and established artists needing special assistance or consideration. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Joy of Giving Something Inc?
JGS makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Joy of Giving Something Inc's EIN?
Joy of Giving Something Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-4033237. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Joy of Giving Something 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.
Here's the math on researching Joy of Giving Something Inc by hand.
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