The PLM Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in 1996 and located in New York City. It operates as a 501(c)(3) organization with tax-exempt status since April 1997. The foundation is supported by Philip L. Milstein and maintains a low public profile in its philanthropic activities.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$1.6M
-20.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.7M
+21.6% YoY
Grant Count
25
+78.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$106K
-31.9% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Plm Foundation reported a distributable amount of $118K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission centers on giving primarily for higher education, including university library support, as well as funding for the arts—particularly performing arts centers—and social services.
The foundation supports the following focus areas:
- Higher education
- Arts and culture
- Performing arts
- Social services
- Jewish causes
- Public health
Grantmaking
The foundation does not publicly indicate whether it accepts unsolicited applications. Given its limited transparency, unsolicited applications are unlikely to be accepted. Networking is recommended for prospective grantees.
Grant Range
** $500 to $1,500,000
How to Apply
The foundation does not publicly indicate whether it accepts unsolicited applications. Given its limited transparency, unsolicited applications are unlikely to be accepted. Networking is recommended for prospective grantees.
Ready to take the next step with Plm Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in New York, with some activity in the District of Columbia and Wisconsin.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Data (2024)
- Total Assets: $1,625,059
- Total Revenue: $2,274,658
- Total Expenses: $2,684,288
- Net Income: -$409,630
- Total Liabilities: $0
Prior Year Data (2023)
- Total Assets: $2,034,689
- Total Revenue: $2,382,871
- Total Expenses: $2,221,374
Staffing
The foundation operates with zero employees.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,625,059 | $2,034,689 | $1,998,937 |
| Revenue | $2,274,658 | $2,382,871 | $2,292,295 |
| Expenses | $2,684,288 | $2,221,374 | $3,618,068 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,662,550 | $2,190,039 | $3,563,732 |
| Net Investment Income | $76,066 | $206,671 | $122,394 |
| Distributable Amount | $117,659 | $149,700 | $168,189 |
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
101 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York ($1,000,000), United Jewish Appeal - Federation of Jewish Philanthropies of New York Inc ($375,000), Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts Inc ($250,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK NEW YORK, NY | PUBLIC CHARITY | $1,000,000 |
| ROUNDABOUT THEATRE COMPANY INC NEW YORK, NY | PUBLIC CHARITY | $5,000 |
| PALM BEACH ORTHODOX SYNAGOGUE INC PALM BEACH, FL | PUBLIC CHARITY | $10,000 |
| LINCOLN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS INC NEW YORK, NY | PUBLIC CHARITY | $250,000 |
| TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK NEW YORK, NY | PUBLIC CHARITY | $250,000 |
| LAWYERS FOR CHILDREN INC NEW YORK, NY | PUBLIC CHARITY | $1,000 |
| NEIGHBORS LINK CORP MOUNT KISCO, NY | PUBLIC CHARITY | $5,000 |
| COLUMBIABARNARD HILLEL INC NEW YORK, NY | PUBLIC CHARITY | $10,000 |
| THE JED FOUNDATITON NEW YORK, NY | PUBLIC CHARITY | $50,000 |
| 92ND STREET Y NEW YORK, NY | PUBLIC CHARITY | $100,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Philip L. Milstein – Trustee and founder
Philip L. Milstein is a real estate mogul and philanthropist who graduated from Columbia University and holds an MBA from NYU. He serves as vice chair of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and sits on the board of 92nd Street Y (formerly serving as president) and New York-Presbyterian Hospital.
Cheryl Milstein – Co-founder
Cheryl Milstein is a lawyer and co-founder of the foundation. She is a graduate of Barnard College.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHERYL MILSTEIN | TRUSTEE | — | — |
| PHILIP MILSTEIN | TRUSTEE | — | — |
Contact Information
Address: 545 Madison Avenue, Suite 600, New York City, NY 10022-4219
Telephone: 212-339-2100
EIN: 13-7105558
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Plm Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission centers on giving primarily for higher education, including university library support, as well as funding for the arts—particularly performing arts centers—and social services. The foundation supports the following focus areas: • Higher education • Arts and culture • Performing arts • Social services • Jewish causes • Public health
How do I apply for a grant from Plm Foundation?
• **Grant Range:** $500 to $1,500,000 • **Recent Grant Activity:** The foundation made 64 grants in 2023 • Barnard College: $1,000,000 • Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York: $500,000 • Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York: $250,000 • $25 million gift to Barnard College toward a new teaching and learning center and related programs • $20 million gift to Columbia University Medical Center • $2 million gift to Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts • UJA Fede…
Where does Plm Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in New York, with some activity in the District of Columbia and Wisconsin.
What size grants does Plm Foundation award?
In 2024, Plm Foundation awarded 25 grants totaling $2.7M — an average of about $106K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Plm Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Plm Foundation reported a distributable amount of $118K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Plm Foundation's EIN?
Plm Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-7105558. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Plm 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 April 2026.
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