Participant Inc
Participant Inc is a New York, New York public charity and nonprofit art space. It supports artists and communities through in-depth artist collaborations, exhibitions, performances, screenings, education, and work with artists’ estates. Its own programs are free to the public.
Participant Inc at a glance
In short: Participant Inc gave $589K across 31 grants in 2024 (avg $19K), mostly in New York. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $588,645
- Grants made (2024)
- 31
- Average grant
- $18,989
- Median grant
- $19,355
- Total assets
- $976,365
- +15.4% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- New York (97% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Participant Inc
- Contact
Mailing address: 116 Elizabeth Street Floor One, New York, NY 10013-5464
Phone: (212) 254-4334
Website: https://participantinc.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Participant Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Arts For Arts Inc ($19K). Together the top 10 received $194K.
Grant Size Distribution
31 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 31 grants of 31 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Participant Inc is based in New York City. In 2024, 97% of its grant dollars went to recipients in New York and 3% to recipients in South Carolina.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 31 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
In 2024 it made 31 grants totaling $589K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Arts For Arts Inc New York, NY | CosA fiscal sponsorship | $19,355 |
| Bidoun Projects Brooklyn, NY | CosA fiscal sponsorship | $19,355 |
| Asian American Arts Alliance New York, NY | CosA fiscal sponsorship | $19,355 |
| Anthology Film ArchiveAnthology Film Archive New York, NY | CosA fiscal sponsorship | $19,355 |
| A Gathering Of Tribes New York, NY | CoSA Fiscal Sponsorship | $19,355 |
| The Brooklyn Rail Brooklyn, NY | CoSA Fiscal Sponsorship | $19,355 |
| Canopy Canopy Canopy New York, NY | CoSA Fiscal Sponsorship | $19,355 |
| Theater Et Al Inc Long Island City, NY | CoSA Fiscal Sponsorship | $19,355 |
| Danspace Project New York, NY | CoSA Fiscal Sponsorship | $19,355 |
| Electronic Arts Intermix New York, NY | CoSA Fiscal Sponsorship | $19,355 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $976,365 | $1,726,063 | $1,373,094 | $588,645 | 31 | $9 |
| 2023 | $845,798 | $755,693 | $478,788 | — | — | $7 |
| 2022 | $216,038 | $700,428 | $562,930 | — | — | $2 |
| 2021 | $74,734 | $349,783 | $435,513 | — | — | — |
| 2020 | $160,469 | $454,339 | $298,316 | — | — | — |
| 2018 | $111,602 | $338,613 | $333,063 | — | — | — |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Participant Inc’s stated mission is to serve artists through in-depth consideration, presentation, and critical writing, and to introduce their work to public audiences through exhibitions, screenings, performances, and education programs. Its website also describes its work as including estates work and as supporting generative curatorial and critical practices through the lenses of social, racial, and environmental justice. It centers LGBTQIA2S+, BIPOC, disabled, and low-income artists.
In 2024, the organization reported grants for “CoSA” or “CosA” fiscal sponsorship. Its grantees include organizations working in experimental performance, dance, video and media art, cinema, contemporary poetry, LGBTQ+ art, and publishing. For example, Theater Et Al describes itself as an artist-run and artist-centered incubator for experimental performance and a community anchor; Danspace Project says it presents dance works and commissions and presents contemporary dance; and Electronic Arts Intermix describes itself as a resource for video and media art.
Grantmaking
In 2024, Participant Inc reported 31 grants totaling $588,645. Grants ranged from $8,000 to $19,355, with a median of $19,355.
Among the reported grants of $19,355 were awards to Arts For Arts Inc, Bidoun Projects, Asian American Arts Alliance, Anthology Film Archive, A Gathering Of Tribes, The Brooklyn Rail, Canopy Canopy Canopy, Theater Et Al Inc, Danspace Project, Electronic Arts Intermix, Harvest Works Inc, and Independent Curators International. The stated purpose for these grants was CoSA/CosA fiscal sponsorship. Other reported recipients receiving $19,355 included Light Industry Cinema Projects, Movement Research, Queer Art, The Poetry Project, and Ugly Duckling Presse.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing listed Lia Gangitano as Founder/Director; Vaginal Davis as President; Mari Spirito as Vice President; Ethan Jardine as Treasurer; and Thalia Feilen as Secretary. Board members listed were Renaud Proch, Elisabeth Sussman, Annie Ohayon, Tony Oursler, and Ellen F. Salpeter. The filing noted that Annie Ohayon resigned in August 2024 and Ellen F. Salpeter resigned in October 2024.
Participant Inc is led by Vaginal Davis, President on every filing since 2020; 1 of 19 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Vaginal Davis
President
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lia Gangitano
Founder & Director
On filings since 2018
40 hrs/week
$19K (2020) → $36K (2024)
Annie Ohayon
Board Member
On filings since 2018
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
April Hunt
Board Member
On filings since 2018
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Derrick Adams
Board Member
On filings since 2018
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Elisabeth Sussman
Board Member
On filings since 2018
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ellen F. Salpeter
Board Member
On filings since 2018
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeffrey Gibson
Board Member
On filings since 2018
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joseph R. Wolin
Board Member
On filings since 2018
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Justin Vivian Bond
Board Member
On filings since 2018
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mari Spirito
Vice President
On filings since 2018
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marisa Newman
Board Member
On filings since 2018
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ramsey McPhillips
Board Member
Executive Officio → Board Member, 2020
On filings since 2018
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Renaud Proch
Board Member
On filings since 2018
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rose Lord
Board Member
On filings since 2018
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sheri Pasquarella
Board Member
On filings since 2018
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Thalia Feilen
Secretary
On filings since 2018
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tony Oursler
Board Member
On filings since 2018
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ethan Jardine
Treasurer
New on the 2024 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (6)
- Former: Ross Evangelista (2018–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Ethan Weinstock (2021–2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Timothy U. Nye (2018–2020) — Executive Officio
- Former: Jacqueline Humphries (2018) — President
- Former: Lucien Bahaj (2018) — Executive Officio
- Former: Michele Maccarone (2018) — Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2018–2024. "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 $36K, to LIA Gangitano (Founder/Director).
Frequently asked questions about Participant Inc
How much does Participant Inc give each year?
Participant Inc gave $589K across 31 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990.
What is Participant Inc's typical grant size?
Participant Inc's median grant in 2024 was $19,355, and its average grant was $18,989, across 31 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Participant Inc give grants?
Participant Inc gives mostly in New York: 97% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (16 grants), Brooklyn, NY (10 grants) and Long Island City, NY (2 grants).
Does Participant Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 31 grants with a stated purpose on Participant Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "CosA fiscal sponsorship" (30 grants).
Who are Participant Inc's largest grantees?
Participant Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Arts For Arts Inc ($19,355), Bidoun Projects ($19,355) and Asian American Arts Alliance ($19,355), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 10% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Participant Inc?
Participant Inc reported $976K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.7M.
What does Participant Inc fund?
Participant Inc’s stated mission is to serve artists through in-depth consideration, presentation, and critical writing, and to introduce their work to public audiences through exhibitions, screenings, performances, and education programs. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Participant Inc?
Participant Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check participantinc.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Participant Inc's EIN?
Participant Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-0017746. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2018–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 14, 2026)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS April 17, 2023)
Live grants for the work Participant Inc funds
Arts, Culture & Humanities Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Participant Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Participant Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/participant-inc-morg_c1ec376358f54bae9f379987992f68f6
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_260017746_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Participant Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/participant-inc-morg_c1ec376358f54bae9f379987992f68f6},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-17. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Participant Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Participant Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?