Kay Unger Family Foundation
The Kay Unger Family Foundation is a private foundation based in New York, NY. It primarily supports arts education and cancer research, including scholarships for underserved young people talented in the arts and existing foundations for cancer care and research.
Key facts about Kay Unger Family Foundation
In short: Kay Unger Family Foundation gave $580K across 43 grants in 2024 (avg $13K), mostly in New York. 60% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 26-3818784
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $580,344
- Grants made (2024)
- 43
- Average grant
- $13,496
- Median grant
- $2,143
- New grantees (estimate)
- 60% first-time grantees (26 of 43, 2024)
- Total assets
- $8,017,772
- Primary geography
- New York (83% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- 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. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 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
$8.0M
-2.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$580K
-4.6% YoY
Grant Count
43
+30.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$13K
-26.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Kay Unger Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $469K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is Kay Unger Family Foundation open to new grantees?
60%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 26 of 43 grantees (60%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $4K; repeat grants $28K. How we count
Medians: $2K first-time, $3K repeat.
- 30% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 51% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 173% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission of “venture philanthropy” includes supporting underserved youth talented in the arts and providing them with tools to develop their potential. It also supports existing foundations for cancer care and research.
Its 2024 grantees illustrate a range of supported organizations. The New School describes its mission as preparing students to contribute to a changing society and help make the world more just; the Museum of Arts and Design says it collects, displays, and interprets objects in craft art and design. Solving Kids’ Cancer says it funds clinical research trials of potential treatments for children with high-risk solid tumors and brain tumors. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own missions.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 43 grants totaling $580,344. Awards ranged from $28 to $375,747, with a median grant of $2,143. Its largest 2024 grants included $375,747 to the New York Stem Cell Foundation, $55,700 to The New School, $30,000 to Asociacion Latina de Asistencia y Prevencion de Cancer, and $18,376 to Larchmont Charter School. The listed purposes for these grants were “general and/or educational purposes.”
Ready to take the next step with Kay Unger Family Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 83% of grant dollars went to recipients in New York, 6% to Illinois, 4% each to California and the District of Columbia, and 2% to Virginia.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 43 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $337K (2022) to $608K (2023). In 2024 it made 43 grants totaling $580K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was New York STEM Cell Foundation ($376K). Together the top 10 received $528K.
Grant Size Distribution
161 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 151 grants of 161 (94%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| New York STEM Cell Foundation New York, NY | General and/or Educational Purposes | $375,747 |
| The New School New York, NY | General and/or Educational Purposes | $55,700 |
| Asociacion Latina De Asistencia Y Prevencion De Cancer Chicago, IL | General and/or Educational Purposes | $30,000 |
| Larchmont Charter School Los Angeles, CA | General and/or Educational Purposes | $18,376 |
| Media Matters for America Washington, DC | General and/or Educational Purposes | $11,000 |
| American Independent Foundation Washington, DC | General and/or Educational Purposes | $10,204 |
| The New Shul Brooklyn, NY | General and/or Educational Purposes | $7,510 |
| CFDA New York, NY | General and/or Educational Purposes | $7,000 |
| Yale University New Haven, CT | General and/or Educational Purposes | $6,250 |
| The New York City Ballet New York, NY | General and/or Educational Purposes | $6,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grant sum | Grant count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $8,017,772 | $727,885 | $931,701 | $580,344 | 43 |
| 2023 | $8,243,097 | $453,746 | $931,307 | $608,174 | 33 |
| 2022 | $8,579,448 | $405,618 | $678,932 | $337,312 | 37 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $8,017,772 | $8,243,097 | $8,579,448 |
| Revenue | $727,885 | $453,746 | $405,618 |
| Expenses | $931,701 | $931,307 | $678,932 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $809,172 | $830,587 | $538,791 |
| Net Investment Income | $605,356 | $354,020 | $265,475 |
| Distributable Amount | $469,006 | $420,085 | $458,661 |
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
The 2024 filing lists Kay Unger Pitman as president, Samuel Pitman as secretary, and Max Pitman as treasurer. The foundation’s website identifies Kay Unger as its chief executive officer.
Kay Unger Family Foundation is led by Kay Unger Pitman, President on every filing since 2020; 1 of 3 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Kay Unger Pitman
President
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
$90K (2020) → $100K (2024)
Max Pitman
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Samuel Pitman
Secretary
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
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 $100K, to Kay Unger Pitman (President).
Contact
Mailing address: 73 Wooster Street 2A, New York, NY 10012
Phone: (212) 966-3053
Website: https://kayungerdesign.com
Frequently asked questions about Kay Unger Family Foundation
How much does Kay Unger Family Foundation give each year?
Kay Unger Family Foundation gave $580K across 43 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $608K across 33 grants.
What is Kay Unger Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Kay Unger Family Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $2,143, and its average grant was $13,496, across 43 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Kay Unger Family Foundation that year got $4K on average.
Where does Kay Unger Family Foundation give grants?
Kay Unger Family Foundation gives mostly in New York: 83% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Illinois (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (19 grants), Brooklyn, NY (5 grants), Los Angeles, CA (3 grants) and Chicago, IL (2 grants).
Does Kay Unger Family Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Kay Unger Family Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (43 of 43) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Kay Unger Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Kay Unger Family Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include New York STEM Cell Foundation ($375,747), The New School ($55,700) and Asociacion Latina De Asistencia Y Prevencion De Cancer ($30,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 80% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Kay Unger Family Foundation?
Kay Unger Family Foundation reported $8.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $809K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $469K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Kay Unger Family Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission of “venture philanthropy” includes supporting underserved youth talented in the arts and providing them with tools to develop their potential. It also supports existing foundations for cancer care and research. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Kay Unger Family Foundation?
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 Kay Unger Family Foundation's EIN?
Kay Unger Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-3818784. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Kay Unger Family Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching Kay Unger Family Foundation by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Kay Unger Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in New York
The Ford Foundation
New York, NY
The Ford Foundation funds organizations, individuals, and ideas working to reduce inequality and advance social justice, including work in areas such as immigrant justice, criminal justice reform, gender equity, and arts and culture, through grants around the world. Its 2024 grants had a median of $100,000, with amounts ranging from $45 to $15 million; it does not accept unsolicited requests by mail, email, or phone.
Assets
$17.5B
Grants
4,007
Total Given
$844.7M
The New York Community Trust
New York, NY
The New York Community Trust funds projects in areas including arts, education, health, human services, community development, and the environment, primarily in New York City, Long Island, and Westchester, with some opportunities elsewhere. Its 2024 median grant was $20,000, though awards varied widely. It accepts applications through its open competitive grants program and selected RFPs or letters of interest; donor-advised funds do not accept proposals.
Assets
$3.5B
Grants
2,748
Total Given
$193.8M
The Simons Foundation Inc
New York, NY
The Simons Foundation funds research in mathematics and the basic sciences, as well as autism and other disease research, through grants to research centers, universities, and related organizations. In 2024, grants ranged from $1,480 to $20 million, with a median of $72,000; funding is concentrated in New York, California, and Massachusetts, with awards also made elsewhere in the U.S. and internationally. Whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$4.5B
Grants
1,727
Total Given
$272.0M
Local Initiatives Support Corporation
New York, NY
Local Initiatives Support Corporation funds affordable housing, economic development, education, health, child care, small businesses and other community initiatives, often through grants, loans and equity. Its 2024 grants had a median of $40,000, with awards ranging from $5,189 to $4.7 million, and its work spans communities across all 50 states. It offers specific grant opportunities, but the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests generally.
Assets
$1.6B
Grants
1,119
Total Given
$102.8M
Wellspring Philanthropic Fund Inc
New York, NY
Wellspring Philanthropic Fund supports climate and environmental work, human rights, civic engagement, Jewish causes, and some economic-opportunity initiatives, with grants reported across the U.S. and internationally. In 2024, its grants ranged from $500 to $9.75 million, with a median of $200,000. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$134.4M
Grants
1,101
Total Given
$326.0M
More Funders in New York
Kay Unger Family Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?