The New York Council for the Humanities, operating under the name Humanities New York (HNY), is a 501(c)(3) public charity established in 1975 with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Based in New York City at 150 Broadway, Suite 1700, the organization is one of 56 state and jurisdictional humanities councils across the United States. As a not-for-profit, non-partisan organization, Humanities New York strengthens civil society through conversations that bring people together to remember the past, imagine new possibilities, and build a shared future.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$3.2M
-18.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$941K
+14.9% YoY
Grant Count
73
+15.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$13K
-0.8% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Humanities New York promotes critical thinking and cultural understanding through grants, programs, and advocacy. The organization fosters civic engagement using the humanities to help New Yorkers develop how to think, rather than what to think. The organization's mission centers on strengthening civil society and fostering engaged inquiry and dialogue around social and cultural concerns, with goals to expand reach and programming impact to include all New Yorkers, serve vulnerable communities, and build the capacity of organizations and communities.
Grantmaking
Humanities New York operates three competitive grant programs:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Humanities New York operates throughout New York State, with primary focus on New York City and surrounding areas.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $3,891,088
- Total Revenue: $2,648,933
- Total Expenses: $2,902,570
- Total Liabilities: $1,350,000
- Total Giving: $1,134,920
Staffing: The organization employs 11 staff members.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $3,177,737 | $3,891,088 | $3,151,975 |
| Revenue | $2,597,970 | $2,648,933 | $3,317,326 |
| Expenses | $3,368,261 | $2,902,570 | $2,478,562 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $56,755 | $55,892 | $82,109 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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
234 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
5 open opportunities from New York Council for the Humanities
Action Grants
NEW YORK COUNCIL FOR THE HUMANITIES
Amount
$6,500 - $10,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Humanities Centers Initiative (HCI) Grants
NEW YORK COUNCIL FOR THE HUMANITIES
Amount
$4,000 per student (15 students awarded $60,000 total in 2024)
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Post-Incarceration Humanities Partnership (PIHP)
NEW YORK COUNCIL FOR THE HUMANITIES
Amount
Up to $25,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Bard College ($26,400), Art Start Incorporated ($25,000), Center for Community Alternatives ($25,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AFRICAN FILM FESTIVAL INC NEW YORK, NY | ACTION GRANT FOR PROGRAM SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| ALL KINGS PROJECT INC BROOKLYN, NY | POST-INCARCERATION HUMANITIES PARTNERHIP (PIHP) GRANT FOR PROGRAM SUPPORT | $24,488 |
| ART START INCORPORATED NEW YORK, NY | POST-INCARCERATION HUMANITIES PARTNERHIP (PIHP) GRANT FOR PROGRAM SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| ARTISTIC NOISE NEW YORK, NY | POST-INCARCERATION HUMANITIES PARTNERHIP (PIHP) GRANT FOR PROGRAM SUPPORT | $20,024 |
| ARTISTS ALLIANCE ON BEHALF OF ONE WHALES TALE NEW YORK, NY | POST-INCARCERATION HUMANITIES PARTNERHIP (PIHP) GRANT FOR PROGRAM SUPPORT | $24,950 |
| BARD COLLEGE ANNANDALEONHUDSON, NY | READING & DISCUSSION GRANT AND POST-INCARCERATION HUMANITIES PARTNERHIP (PIHP) GRANT FOR PROGRAM SUPPORT | $26,400 |
| BUFFALO ARTS STUDIO BUFFALO, NY | ACTION GRANT FOR PROGRAM SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| BUFFALO STRING WORKS BUFFALO, NY | ACTION GRANT FOR PROGRAM SUPPORT | $9,000 |
| CAYENA PRESS INC ELMHURST, NY | ACTION GRANT FOR PROGRAM SUPPORT | $6,500 |
| CENTER FOR COMMUNITY ALTERNATIVES SYRACUSE, NY | POST-INCARCERATION HUMANITIES PARTNERHIP (PIHP) GRANT FOR PROGRAM SUPPORT | $25,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| TIMOTHY MURRAY | CHAIR | 1 | — |
| STEVEN M BERZIN | VICE CHAIR | 1 | — |
| ULISES MEJIAS | VICE CHAIR | 1 | — |
| DAMALI WYNTER | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| C EVAN STEWART | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| JEFF ARNSTEIN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| HERMAN BENNETT | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| LAURA FREE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JOSEPH HADDAD | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| LINDSAY M KRYZAK | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| VALERIE PALEY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ADAM W PERRY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JASMINE K SYEDULLAH | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ROBERT J VANNI | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| BRIDGET WILLIAMS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| KAREN GANTZ ZAHLER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SARA OGGER | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $185,363 |
| JAMES TAYLOR TO 32024 | DIRECTOR OF FINANCE & ADMIN | 40 | $122,073 |
| ALYSON CASEY | DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $148,666 |
Contact Information
- Website: humanitiesny.org
- Phone: 212-233-1131
- Address: 150 Broadway, Suite 1700, New York, NY 10038-4364
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does New York Council for the Humanities fund?
Humanities New York promotes critical thinking and cultural understanding through grants, programs, and advocacy. The organization fosters civic engagement using the humanities to help New Yorkers develop how to think, rather than what to think. The organization's mission centers on strengthening civil society and fostering engaged inquiry and dialogue around social and cultural concerns, with goals to expand reach and programming impact to include all New Yorkers, serve vulnerable communities,…
How do I apply for a grant from New York Council for the Humanities?
Humanities New York operates three competitive grant programs: **Vision Grants** ($500–$1,500): Help groups develop plans for public humanities programs and initiatives built in partnership with community members. **Action Grants** ($6,500–$10,000): Support organizations in launching public humanities programs that are dynamic, responsive, and thought-provoking. **Quick Grants** ($500–$1,500): Available to organizations with operating budgets under $250,000 for implementation of public humaniti…
Where does New York Council for the Humanities make grants?
Humanities New York operates throughout New York State, with primary focus on New York City and surrounding areas.
What size grants does New York Council for the Humanities award?
In 2024, New York Council for the Humanities awarded 73 grants totaling $941K — an average of about $13K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is New York Council for the Humanities's EIN?
New York Council for the Humanities's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 51-0152266. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in New York Council for the Humanities'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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