Lily Auchincloss Foundation Inc
Lily Auchincloss Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in New York, NY. Founded in 1997, it provides grants intended to enrich quality of life in New York City, supporting organizations working in the arts, human services, and the built and natural environments.
Key facts about Lily Auchincloss Foundation Inc
In short: Lily Auchincloss Foundation Inc gave $4.3M across 168 grants in 2024 (avg $26K), mostly in New York. 22% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 13-3935995
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $4,303,000
- Grants made (2024)
- 168
- Average grant
- $25,613
- Median grant
- $20,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 22% first-time grantees (35 of 160, 2024)
- Total assets
- $55,150,322
- Primary geography
- New York (99% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to apply
- The website describes an online application process for its Foundation Grants, while the 2024 filing states that contributions are made only to preselected organizations and that the foundation does not accept… Full details ↓
- Deadline
- The website lists a Human Services application window of December 15, 2025–January 15, 2026, which has passed.
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
$55.2M
+16.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$4.3M
-4.8% YoY
Grant Count
168
+12.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$26K
-15.6% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Lily Auchincloss Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $3.1M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is Lily Auchincloss Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
22%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 35 of 160 grantees (22%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $16K; repeat grants $30K. How we count
Medians: $15K first-time, $20K repeat.
- 56% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+12%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 159% 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 mission is to provide grants to enrich the quality of life in New York City. Its stated vision is a more affordable and vibrant city. Its grant categories are Arts, Human Services, and Environmental & Preservation; the latter includes work related to preservation, parks and gardens, waterways, and environmental advocacy and education.
Examples of 2024 grantees illustrate the range of organizations it supported. Fountain House describes its mission as creating community, innovation, and social change so people most impacted by serious mental illness can lead connected and healthy lives. Part of the Solution describes itself as a Bronx community serving immediate needs and providing longer-term services. Queens Museum describes a focus on visual arts and educational programming, while Tri-State Transportation Campaign describes advocacy and policy work to reduce car dependency and promote sustainable transportation.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 168 grants totaling $4,303,000. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $1,000,000, with a median grant of $20,000. The largest listed award was $1,000,000 to Fountain House for general purposes. Other notable grants included $100,000 each to New York Community Trust and Riverkeeper, also for general purposes. Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen received $40,000; several organizations received $30,000 each, including Center for Family Representation, Sunnyside Community Services, Red Hook Initiative, Part of the Solution, CASA-NYC, Fund for the City of New York, Queens Botanical Garden, and Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden.
Review Cycle
The website lists a Human Services application window of December 15, 2025–January 15, 2026, which has passed. It gives the usual annual cycle timing as Human Services in January, Environmental & Preservation in April, and Arts in September.
How to Apply
for its Foundation Grants, while the 2024 filing states that contributions are made only to preselected organizations and that the foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. The website says applications require organizational and applicant contact information and PDF financial documentation. Organizations with budgets over $1 million must submit a current audited financial statement no older than 18 months; those with budgets under $1 million may submit a current signed Form 990 or a current audited financial statement no older than 18 months.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Lily Auchincloss Foundation Inc
Foundation Grants: Fall Cycle - Arts Grants
Lily Auchincloss Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Foundation Grants: Spring Cycle - Environmental/Preservation Grants
Lily Auchincloss Foundation Inc
Amount
US $5,000 - US $25,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Lily Auchincloss Foundation: General Grants - Human Services
Lily Auchincloss Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Ready to take the next step with Lily Auchincloss Foundation Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation states that eligible organizations must serve New York City’s five boroughs. Its 2024 grant dollars went predominantly to New York recipients: 99% were reported in New York, 1% in New Jersey, and 0% each in Illinois and Minnesota.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 168 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $3.2M (2022) to $4.5M (2023). In 2024 it made 168 grants totaling $4.3M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Fountain House ($1.0M across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $1.4M.
Grant Size Distribution
780 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 745 grants of 780 (96%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Fountain House New York, NY | General Purpose | $1,000,000 |
| New York Community Trust New York, NY | General Purpose | $100,000 |
| Riverkeeper Ossining, NY | General Purpose | $100,000 |
| Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen New York, NY | General Purpose | $40,000 |
| Center for Family Representation Ringwood, NJ | General Purpose | $30,000 |
| Sunnyside Community Services Sunnyside, NY | General Purpose | $30,000 |
| Red Hook Initiative Brooklyn, NY | General Purpose | $30,000 |
| Part of the Solution Bronx, NY | General Purpose | $30,000 |
| CASA-NYC New York, NY | General Purpose | $30,000 |
| Fund for the City of New York New York, NY | General Purpose | $30,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $55,150,322 | $12,062,105 | $5,419,066 | $4,303,000 |
| 2023 | $47,397,691 | $8,212,556 | $5,381,008 | $4,521,000 |
| 2022 | $44,681,116 | $2,314,915 | $4,257,380 | $3,171,000 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $55,150,322 | $47,397,691 | $44,681,116 |
| Revenue | $12,062,105 | $8,212,556 | $2,314,915 |
| Expenses | $5,419,066 | $5,381,008 | $4,257,380 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $4,922,522 | $5,011,135 | $3,748,713 |
| Net Investment Income | $11,697,061 | $7,967,250 | $1,955,248 |
| Distributable Amount | $3,093,199 | $2,925,367 | $3,132,647 |
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 Alexandra Herzan as director, president, and treasurer; Paul K. Herzan as director, vice president, and treasurer; Lee Auchincloss Link as director; Janet Levoff as director and secretary; and Lynne Harlow and Ingrid Dyott as directors.
Lily Auchincloss Foundation Inc is led by Alexandra Herzan, Director, President & Treasurer on every filing since 2020; 2 of 6 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Alexandra Herzan
Director, President & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
$20K (2022) → $9K (2024)
Janet Levoff
Director & Secretary
Director → Director & Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$80K (2023) → $86K (2024)
Lee Auchincloss Link
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Paul K. Herzan
Director, Vice President & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Ingrid Dyott
Director
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Lynne Harlow
Director
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: James Gara (2020–2022) — Director
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 $86K, to Janet Levoff (Director, Secretary). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: Fulton Vittoria 1 Rockefeller Plz, New York, NY 10020
Phone: (212) 737-9533
Website: https://lilynyc.org
Frequently asked questions about Lily Auchincloss Foundation Inc
How much does Lily Auchincloss Foundation Inc give each year?
Lily Auchincloss Foundation Inc gave $4.3M across 168 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $4.5M across 149 grants.
What is Lily Auchincloss Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Lily Auchincloss Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $20,000, and its average grant was $25,613, across 168 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Lily Auchincloss Foundation Inc that year got $16K on average.
Where does Lily Auchincloss Foundation Inc give grants?
Lily Auchincloss Foundation Inc gives mostly in New York: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (86 grants), Brooklyn, NY (44 grants), Bronx, NY (15 grants) and Long Island City, NY (5 grants).
Does Lily Auchincloss Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Lily Auchincloss Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (168 of 168) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Lily Auchincloss Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Lily Auchincloss Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Fountain House ($1,015,000 across 2 grants), New York Community Trust ($100,000) and Riverkeeper ($100,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 28% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Lily Auchincloss Foundation Inc?
Lily Auchincloss Foundation Inc reported $55.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $4.9M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $3.1M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Lily Auchincloss Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s mission is to provide grants to enrich the quality of life in New York City. Its stated vision is a more affordable and vibrant city. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Lily Auchincloss Foundation Inc?
The website describes an online application process for its Foundation Grants, while the 2024 filing states that contributions are made only to preselected organizations and that the foundation does not accept… Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Lily Auchincloss Foundation Inc's EIN?
Lily Auchincloss Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-3935995. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Lily Auchincloss Foundation Inc 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 Lily Auchincloss Foundation Inc by hand.
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