New York Life Foundation
The New York Life Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) grantmaking foundation established in 1979 and based in New York City. The foundation strengthens individuals, families, and communities by connecting them with resources to grow and persevere. Since its inception, the foundation has contributed more than $470 million to nonprofits. The foundation is company-sponsored by New York Life and fosters a culture of volunteerism and community involvement among New York Life employees and financial advisors.
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
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, New York Life Foundation reported a distributable amount of $5.9M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports organizations and programs that benefit young people, with particular emphasis on:
- Mentoring and coaching
- Safe places to learn and grow
- Educational enhancement opportunities
- Childhood bereavement support
The foundation invests in and builds programs that help young people and their families navigate life's challenges. It partners with nonprofits through a strategic framework guided by local community and nonprofit leaders to strengthen communities, expand opportunities, and create lasting change.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation distributed approximately $27.3 million in total giving to 1,089 grantees. Recent notable grants include:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's geographic focus aligns with New York Life company operations across the United States, including major presence in:
- California (multiple cities including Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento)
- New York (including New York City)
- Florida (including Tampa, Jacksonville, Miami area)
- Texas
- Illinois (including Chicago)
- Georgia (including Atlanta)
- Colorado (including Denver)
- And numerous other states with New York Life operations
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2024:
- Total Assets: $146,229,302
- Total Revenue: $39,138,977
- Total Expenses: $27,966,215
- Net Income: $11,172,762
- Net Assets: $130,988,006
Revenue Breakdown (2024):
- Contributions Received: $30,311,072
- Dividends: $3,178,988
- Sales of Assets: $5,648,917
Liabilities: $15.2 million
| 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
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include After-school All-stars ($1,200,000), Afterschool Alliance ($512,000), American Museum of Natural History ($500,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 3A BEREAVEMENT FOUNDATION HOUSTON, TX | HHS GENERAL | $20,000 |
| A BETTER DAY THERAPY LEARNING CENTER INC DBA KOALA ABA & LEARNING CENTERS DORAL, FL | EDUC. GENERAL | $500 |
| ACADEMY AT NOLA DUNN BURLESON, TX | EDUC. GENERAL | $500 |
| ACTUARIAL FOUNDATION SCHAUMBURG, IL | EDUC. GENERAL | $250,000 |
| AFTERSCHOOL ALLIANCE WASHINGTON, DC | EDUC. GENERAL | $512,000 |
| AFTER-SCHOOL ALL-STARS DALLAS, TX | EDUC. GENERAL | $50,000 |
| AFTER-SCHOOL ALL-STARS LOS ANGELES, CA | EDUC. GENERAL | $1,200,000 |
| AFTER-SCHOOL ALL-STARS DC WASHINGTON, DC | EDUC. GENERAL | $15,000 |
| AIM HIGH FOR HIGH SCHOOL SAN FRANCISCO, CA | EDUC. GENERAL | $50,000 |
| ALBEMARLE ROAD MIDDLE CHARLOTTE, NC | EDUC. GENERAL | $500 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Heather Nesle — President
Michael J Burke — Corporate Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Craig Sabal — Senior Vice President - Investments
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 committed $15 million to expand access to coaching and mentorship through a new Coaching the Future initiative.
New York Life Foundation awards $1.8 million to help middle schoolers stay on track.A new round of grants was announced to support grieving youth through expanded bereavement services.
New Round of Grants Announced to Support Grieving Youth.The foundation awarded $1.8 million in "Aim High" grants to out-of-school-time programs to help middle school students transition to 9th grade.
New York Life Foundation awards $1.8 million to help middle schoolers stay on track.The foundation and American Federation of Teachers released a COVID-19 survey on the grief support crisis in schools.
In April 2020, New York Life and Cigna launched the "Brave of Heart Fund" to raise more than $100 million to provide financial and emotional support for families of frontline healthcare workers and volunteers.
The foundation pledged $1.7 million to help amid the coronavirus outbreak in 2020.
New York Life Foundation awards $1.8 million to help middle schoolers stay on track.Frequently Asked Questions
What does New York Life Foundation fund?
The foundation supports organizations and programs that benefit young people, with particular emphasis on: • Mentoring and coaching • Safe places to learn and grow • Educational enhancement opportunities • Childhood bereavement support The foundation invests in and builds programs that help young people and their families navigate life's challenges. It partners with nonprofits through a strategic framework guided by local community and nonprofit leaders to strengthen communities, expand opportu…
How do I apply for a grant from New York Life Foundation?
In 2024, the foundation distributed approximately $27.3 million in total giving to 1,089 grantees. Recent notable grants include: • After-School All-Stars (ASAS): $1,200,000 • Eluna: $1,035,000 • City Year: $750,000 Typical grant awards range from $500 to $7,163,862. **Matching Gift Program** The foundation matches contributions made by employees and agents of New York Life to accredited schools, childhood bereavement organizations, and the foundation's educational grantees and their affiliates…
Where does New York Life Foundation make grants?
The foundation's geographic focus aligns with New York Life company operations across the United States, including major presence in: • California (multiple cities including Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento) • New York (including New York City) • Florida (including Tampa, Jacksonville, Miami area) • Texas • Illinois (including Chicago) • Georgia (including Atlanta) • Colorado (including Denver) • And numerous other states with New York Life operations
What size grants does New York Life Foundation award?
In 2024, New York Life Foundation awarded 621 grants totaling $27.3M — an average of about $44K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is New York Life Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, New York Life Foundation reported a distributable amount of $5.9M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is New York Life Foundation's EIN?
New York Life Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-2989476. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in New York Life 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 June 2026.
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