New York Life Foundation
The New York Life Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in 1979 and based in New York City. As a company-sponsored foundation, it partners with local and national nonprofits to strengthen individuals, families, and communities by connecting them with resources to grow and persevere.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$146.2M
+3.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$27.3M
+0.1% YoY
Grant Count
621
-7.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$44K
+7.7% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to improve the lives of individuals, families, and communities. The organization primarily focuses on programs that benefit young people, particularly in the following areas:
- Childhood bereavement support — raising awareness around supporting children and families who have experienced the death of a close loved one, and investing in resources to assist them
- Educational enhancement — building academic foundations for middle schoolers during out-of-school hours to prepare them for transition to high school
- Mentoring and safe places to learn and grow
- Local area grants — supporting local and grassroots organizations making a difference in communities where the foundation operates
The foundation also fosters a culture of volunteerism and community involvement among New York Life employees and financial advisors.
Grantmaking
The New York Life Foundation has made over $470 million in contributions to nonprofits since its establishment.
Ready to take the next step with New York Life Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation operates nationally with a presence in multiple communities where New York Life employees and financial advisors work. Local engagement is described as being at the heart of their philanthropy.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2024:
- Total Revenue: $39.1 million
- Total Expenses: $28 million
- Total Assets: $146 million
- Total Liabilities: $15.2 million
- Net Income: $11.2 million
As of December 2023:
- Total Revenues: $9 million
- Total Expenses: $30.8 million
- Total Assets: $140.9 million
The foundation has distributed over $415 million in charitable contributions to national and local nonprofit organizations since 1979.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $146,229,302 | $140,917,777 | $147,747,420 |
| Revenue | $39,138,977 | $8,999,184 | $26,526,741 |
| Expenses | $27,966,215 | $30,753,252 | $24,661,647 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $27,518,032 | $27,316,125 | $27,182,339 |
| Net Investment Income | $7,138,974 | $31,976,848 | $4,553,954 |
| Distributable Amount | $5,899,294 | $6,203,896 | $6,867,072 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from New York Life Foundation
Aim High Grant Program: One-Year Grants
NEW YORK LIFE FOUNDATION
Amount
US $20,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Aim High Grant Program: Two-Year Grants
NEW YORK LIFE FOUNDATION
Amount
US $100,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Grief Reach Changemaker Supported Community Expansion Grant
NEW YORK LIFE FOUNDATION
Amount
Up to US $160,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| HEATHER NESLE | PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| MICHAEL K MCDONNELL | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| KAREN A BAIN | VICE PRESIDENT - TAX | 0.5 | — |
| MARIA V COLLINS | VICE PRESIDENT | 0.5 | — |
| MARY HALLAHAN | VP & TREASURER UNTIL 12/31/2024 | 0.5 | — |
| MICHAEL J BURKE | CORPORATE VP & COO | 0.5 | — |
| COLLEEN A MEADE | ASSOC. GENERAL COUNSEL & SECRETARY | 0.5 | — |
| EVERETT FOXX | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| CHRISTOPHER THOMPSON | CORPORATE VP - INVESTMENTS | 0.5 | — |
| CRAIG L DESANTO | DIRECTOR & CHAIRMAN | 0.5 | — |
| CATHERINE COUNCIL | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| WENDY WONG | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| MARYANN NEGRO | CORPORATE VP AND CONTROLLER | 0.5 | — |
| REGINA Y WON | ASSOC. GENERAL COUNSEL & LEGAL OFFICER | 0.5 | — |
| ERIC FELDSTEIN | MEMBER | 0.5 | — |
| KENNETH DRINKARD | MEMBER | 0.5 | — |
| AMY MILLER | VICE CHAIR & DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| MARTIN L KING | SR. VP - INVESTMENTS & DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| ROBERT DONOHUE | TREASURER SINCE 12/5/2024 | 0.5 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation announced a new round of grants to support grieving youth
New York Life Foundation Grants $1.65 Million to Eluna, Leading NonprofitNew York Life launched the Golden Futures Awards and Scholarships to strengthen financial confidence across generations
New York Life Launches Golden Futures Awards and Scholarships to StrengthenThe foundation collaborated on surveys and research to better understand its philanthropic areas of childhood bereavement and educational enhancement
Contact Information
- Address: 51 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10010-1603
- Phone: 201-942-8310
- Website: www.newyorklifefoundation.org
- EIN: 13-2989476
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with New York Life Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities