Kay Unger Family Foundation
The Kay Unger Family Foundation is a private independent foundation based in New York, NY, established in 2010. The foundation operates under a "venture philanthropy" model, combining strategic grantmaking with hands-on engagement in its areas of focus. The organization is tax-exempt as a 501(c)(3) entity and has been designated as such since March 2009.
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.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Kay Unger Family Foundation's mission centers on "venture philanthropy" with two primary focus areas:
- Arts Education: Supporting underserved youth talented in the arts, providing them with tools and resources to develop their potential
- Cancer Research and Care: Supporting existing foundations dedicated to cancer care and research
The foundation continues a family legacy of philanthropic commitment that began with the Epstein Fine Arts Fund, established in honor of Kay Unger's brother, Stephen Julius, who passed away in early childhood.
Grantmaking
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation supports initiatives across multiple states and cities throughout the United States, including:
States: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Wisconsin
Major urban centers: New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, along with smaller communities
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (2024):
- Total assets: $8,017,772
- Total revenues: $727,885
- Total expenses: $931,701
Assets & Revenue (2023):
- Total assets: $8,243,097
- Total revenues: $453,746
- Total expenses: $931,307
Staffing: 1 employee
| 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 |
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
161 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include New York Stem Cell Foundation ($375,747), The New School ($55,700), Asociacion Latina De Asistencia Y Prevencion De Cancer ($30,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 4ALLPROMOS OLD SAYBROOK, CT | GENERAL AND/OR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES | $2,143 |
| 92Y NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL AND/OR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES | $31 |
| 99PLEDGES PALO ALTO, CA | GENERAL AND/OR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES | $550 |
| ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL AND/OR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES | $1,592 |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF NY NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL AND/OR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES | $3,000 |
| AMERICAN INDEPENDENT FOUNDATION WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL AND/OR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES | $10,204 |
| ASOCIACION LATINA DE ASISTENCIA Y PREVENCION DE CANCER CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL AND/OR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES | $30,000 |
| BROOKLYN BRIDGE PARK BROOKLYN, NY | GENERAL AND/OR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES | $5,000 |
| BROOKLYN MUSEUM BROOKLYN, NY | GENERAL AND/OR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES | $115 |
| C200 CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL AND/OR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES | $3,200 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Kay Unger Pitman - President and Chief Executive Officer
- Compensation: $100,000 annually for 20 hours per week of work
- Founded the foundation in 2010
- Career background includes over 40 years as a fashion designer and entrepreneur
- Education: Parsons School of Design graduate
- Board memberships: The New York Stem Cell Foundation (Board of Directors), The New School (Trustee), Parsons School of Design (Chair Emerita)
Other Personnel:
- Samuel Pitman - Secretary (no compensation)
- Max Pitman - Treasurer (no compensation)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KAY UNGER PITMAN | PRESIDENT | 20 | $100,000 |
| SAMUEL PITMAN | SECRETARY | — | — |
| MAX PITMAN | TREASURER | — | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has demonstrated significant engagement with its grantees, particularly in stem cell research. Kay Unger serves on the Board of Directors for the New York Stem Cell Foundation, reflecting the foundation's active involvement beyond financial support. The foundation has also supported major institutional projects, including contributions to Parsons School of Design's Making Center for sustainable design initiatives.
Parsons Launches State-of-the-Art Making Center - The New School NewsTheSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Kay Unger Family Foundation fund?
The Kay Unger Family Foundation's mission centers on "venture philanthropy" with two primary focus areas: • **Arts Education**: Supporting underserved youth talented in the arts, providing them with tools and resources to develop their potential • **Cancer Research and Care**: Supporting existing foundations dedicated to cancer care and research The foundation continues a family legacy of philanthropic commitment that began with the Epstein Fine Arts Fund, established in honor of Kay Unger's br…
How do I apply for a grant from Kay Unger Family Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Total giving in 2024: $580,344 • Total giving in 2023: $931,307 • Typical grant awards range from $28,000 to $435,000 • The foundation made 25 grants in the most recent year **Recent Grants (2024):** • New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF): $375,747 • The New School: $55,700 • Asociacion Latina de Asistencia Y Prevencion Del Cancer de Mama: $30,000
Where does Kay Unger Family Foundation make grants?
The foundation supports initiatives across multiple states and cities throughout the United States, including: **States:** California, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Wisconsin **Major urban centers:** New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, along with smaller communities
What size grants does Kay Unger Family Foundation award?
In 2024, Kay Unger Family Foundation awarded 43 grants totaling $580K — an average of about $13K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Kay Unger Family Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Kay Unger Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $469K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Kay Unger Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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