Robert and Mercedes Eichholz Foundation
The Robert and Mercedes Eichholz Foundation is a private family foundation based in Brooklyn, New York. Established in 2011 at the direction of Mercedes Eichholz, the foundation was created to continue the philanthropic legacy of Robert and Mercedes Eichholz, both lifelong arts enthusiasts and supporters. The foundation is overseen by a Board of Trustees composed primarily of the descendants of Robert and Mercedes Eichholz.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$3.7M
-22.0% YoY
Grant Count
103
+8.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$36K
-28.1% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to support the arts in all of their forms as a fundamental part of human life. The foundation funds arts organizations across all disciplines, including modern and contemporary painting, sculpture, ballet, classical music, jazz, musical theater, opera, photography, poetry, and textile art.
Grantmaking
Since its inception in 2011, the foundation has awarded over $30 million in grants to more than 220 unique organizations across the United States and abroad, distributing approximately 1,000 individual grants.
Grant Range
s:** Recent grants have ranged from $300,000 to $640,000, with a median grant amount of $10,000 and an average grant amount varying by year.
Average Grant
amount varying by year.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds arts organizations throughout the United States and internationally. Recent grantmaking activity indicates particular presence in New York, North Carolina, and California.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $71,274,573
- Total Revenues: $3,729,365
- Total Expenses: $4,722,774
- Total Giving: $3,741,945
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $69,300,000
- Total Revenues: $2,800,000
- Total Expenses: $5,850,000
The foundation has one employee on staff.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| 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
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Artist Repertory Theater ($260,000), American Dance Festival ($110,000), Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club ($101,910).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ACTOR'S PLAYHOUSE CORAL GABLES, FL | GENERAL | $5,000 |
| AMERICAN DANCE FESTIVAL DURHAM, NC | GENERAL | $110,000 |
| AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF MUSIC NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL | $5,000 |
| ART TRANSFORMS JONESBOROUGH, TN | TILARAN MUSIC SCHOOL | $20,000 |
| ART TRANSFORMS JONESBOROUGH, TN | FOR ASSOCIATION TILARANESE | $35,000 |
| ARTIST REPERTORY THEATER PORTLAND, OR | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN | $260,000 |
| ASHEVILLE AREA ARTS COUNCIL ASHEVILLE, NC | GENERAL | $60,000 |
| ASHEVILLE ART MUSEUM ASSOCIATION ASHEVILLE, NC | GENERAL | $40,000 |
| ASHEVILLE COMMUNITY THEATER ASHEVILLE, NC | GENERAL | $20,000 |
| ASHEVILLE SYMPHONY ASHEVILLE, NC | GENERAL | $5,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Alexa Davidson Suskin serves as Executive Director and Trustee. She is Mercedes Eichholz's only granddaughter and works 25 hours per week with annual compensation of $150,000.
The Board of Trustees includes:
- Michael C. Davidson (Trustee)
- Joan Davidson (Trustee)
- Lyn E. Davidson (Trustee)
- Roger A. Eichholz (Trustee)
- Daniel Dunn (Trustee)
- Paul N. Frimmer (Trustee)
- Marc Suskin (Trustee)
- Natalie Dunn (Trustee)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALEXA DAVIDSON SUSKIN | TRUSTEE/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 25 | $200,000 |
| MICHAEL C DAVIDSON | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| JOAN DAVIDSON | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| LYN E DAVIDSON | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| ROGER A EICHHOLZ | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| DANIEL DUNN | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| PAUL N FRIMMER | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| MARC SUSKIN | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| NATALIE DUNN | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Durham Technical Community College received a $1.5 million gift to support arts programs
Durham Tech Receives $1.5 Million Gift to Support Arts ProgramsSanta Barbara Museum of Art received a $5.5 million endowment gift
Eichholz Foundation Pledges $5.5 Million Gift to Santa Barbara Museum ofPortland Art Museum received a $2 million gift and an endowed curatorial position
Eichholz Foundation Pledges $5.5 Million Gift to Santa Barbara Museum ofYoung People's Chorus of New York City received a $1 million grant
The foundation launched a new website highlighting grantmaking from the past 12 years
Contact Information
Website: www.eichholzfoundation.org
Phone: 917-957-8642
Address: 2a Strong Place, Brooklyn, NY 11231-3709
EIN: 45-3670591
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Robert and Mercedes Eichholz Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission is to support the arts in all of their forms as a fundamental part of human life. The foundation funds arts organizations across all disciplines, including modern and contemporary painting, sculpture, ballet, classical music, jazz, musical theater, opera, photography, poetry, and textile art.
How do I apply for a grant from Robert and Mercedes Eichholz Foundation?
Since its inception in 2011, the foundation has awarded over $30 million in grants to more than 220 unique organizations across the United States and abroad, distributing approximately 1,000 individual grants. **Annual Giving:** The foundation awards $3-5 million in grants annually to arts organizations. **Grant Sizes:** Recent grants have ranged from $300,000 to $640,000, with a median grant amount of $10,000 and an average grant amount varying by year. **Recent Grants (2024):** • National Gal…
Where does Robert and Mercedes Eichholz Foundation make grants?
The foundation funds arts organizations throughout the United States and internationally. Recent grantmaking activity indicates particular presence in New York, North Carolina, and California.
What size grants does Robert and Mercedes Eichholz Foundation award?
In 2024, Robert and Mercedes Eichholz Foundation awarded 103 grants totaling $3.7M — an average of about $36K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Robert and Mercedes Eichholz Foundation's EIN?
Robert and Mercedes Eichholz Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 45-3670591. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Robert and Mercedes Eichholz 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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