Robert Rauschenberg Foundation
The Robert Rauschenberg Foundation is a New York, New York-based private foundation that supports arts and socially engaged organizations, as well as artists, scholars, and research related to Robert Rauschenberg’s work and legacy. Its programs emphasize experimentation, collaboration, equity, and the conditions that help artists and cultural organizations create and sustain their work.
Robert Rauschenberg Foundation at a glance
In short: Robert Rauschenberg Foundation gave $4.7M across 134 grants in 2025 (avg $35K), mostly in New York. 62% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $4,670,200
- +4.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 134
- +47.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $34,852
- -29.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $18,000
- Total assets
- $524,347,614
- +0.5% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 62% first-time grantees (73 of 117, 2025)
- Primary geography
- New York (59% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Robert Rauschenberg Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Invitation Only
-
The Philanthropy Program operates by invitation only and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. The Archives Research Residency has a separate application process; the Foundation says the next open call, for 2028 residencies, will be announced in fall 2027.
- Contact
Mailing address: 381 Lafayette Street, New York, NY 10003
Phone: (212) 228-5283
Website: https://rauschenbergfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Robert Rauschenberg Foundation
Who Robert Rauschenberg Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was New York Foundation for the Arts (Nyfa) ($1.1M across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $2.4M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($4,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
437 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 346 grants of 437 (79%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, New York recipients accounted for 59% of grant dollars and California recipients for 16%. Alabama and Washington, D.C., each accounted for 3%, and Georgia accounted for 2%. The Foundation also made listed 2025 grants to organizations in New Mexico and Hawaii.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 134 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Robert Rauschenberg Foundation open to new grantees?
62%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 73 of 117 grantees (62%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $47K; repeat grants $27K. How we count
Medians: $24K first-time, $11K repeat.
- 36% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 40% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 291% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $991K (2019) to $4.9M (2021). In 2025 it made 134 grants totaling $4.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| New York Foundation for the Arts (Nyfa) New York, NY | General Operating Support | $756,000 |
| New York Foundation for the Arts (Nyfa) New York, NY | General Operating Support | $336,000 |
| Clemente Solo Velez Cultural and Educational Center Inc New York, NY | General Operating Support | $250,000 |
| The Jean Paul Getty Trust Los Angeles, CA | General Operating Support | $200,000 |
| Museum of the City of New York New York, NY | General Operating Support | $190,000 |
| Myriad USA - International Society of the Museum Ludwig New York, NY | General Operating Support | $126,000 |
| Art Matters Brooklyn, NY | General Operating Support | $105,600 |
| Ekvnv Yelofecvlke Weogufka, AL | General Operating Support | $100,000 |
| Movement Research New York, NY | General Operating Support | $75,000 |
| National Black Food and Justice Alliance Atlanta, GA | General Operating Support | $75,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $524,347,614 | $25,163,251 | $17,618,005 | $4,670,200 | 134 | $29,287,498 | $12,285,154 | $10,072,455 |
| 2024 | $521,728,007 | $40,343,718 | $16,200,018 | $4,486,400 | 91 | $23,479,084 | $20,661,622 | $9,485,977 |
| 2023 | $509,159,843 | $36,534,009 | $14,130,847 | $1,976,500 | 79 | $20,025,193 | $21,226,694 | $9,409,090 |
| 2022 | $498,786,006 | $26,542,072 | $11,309,356 | $3,341,950 | 69 | $13,080,620 | $9,540,350 | $9,850,145 |
| 2021 | $494,875,513 | $24,673,227 | $10,399,504 | $4,909,750 | 64 | — | $8,500,329 | $8,485,913 |
| 2020 | $450,625,906 | $24,140,961 | $8,860,117 | $1,920,000 | 65 | — | $5,648,732 | $7,265,384 |
| 2019 | $434,118,427 | $19,459,922 | $8,300,217 | $991,053 | 55 | — | $2,862,762 | — |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Robert Rauschenberg Foundation reported a distributable amount of $10.1M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation builds on Rauschenberg’s belief that artists can drive social change and his interest in working across disciplines. It describes its philanthropic aims as creating an equitable, sustainable, and artistically vibrant world, and says it supports small to midsize arts and socially engaged organizations that are contrarian, experimental, and committed to driving toward equity.
Its stated funding initiatives are Collaboration, supporting cross-disciplinary work and multi-institutional initiatives; Change, supporting partners that assist artists and cultural workers facing crises; and Institutional Development, which the Foundation says it will launch in 2027 for previous grantee organizations. Its other activities include residencies, commissions, public platforms, exhibitions, publications, academic partnerships, and archival research.
Examples from the Foundation’s 2025 grantees illustrate the range of organizations it supports. The Museum of the City of New York says it fosters understanding of urban life and interprets the city’s past, present, and future. Movement Research describes its work as free and low-cost programs that nurture discourse and experimentation. The National Black Food and Justice Alliance says it supports Black leadership, self-determination, and food sovereignty. Brooklyn Academy of Music says it supports artistic experimentation and inclusion and accessibility in the arts.
Grantmaking
The Foundation reported 134 grants totaling $4,670,200 in 2025, compared with 91 grants totaling $4,486,400 in 2024 and 79 grants totaling $1,976,500 in 2023. In 2025, grants ranged from $2,500 to $756,000, with a median grant of $18,000. The listed grants were generally designated for general operating support.
Among the largest 2025 grants were $756,000 and $336,000 to New York Foundation for the Arts; $250,000 to Clemente Solo Velez Cultural and Educational Center; $200,000 to the Jean Paul Getty Trust; and $190,000 to the Museum of the City of New York. Other listed grants included $126,000 to Myriad USA – International Society of the Museum Ludwig, $105,600 to Art Matters, and $75,000 each to Movement Research and the National Black Food and Justice Alliance.
The Foundation also describes emergency-grant programs for professional dancers and for medical emergencies, administered in partnership with New York Foundation for the Arts. Separately, its Archives Research Residency Grant provides $500–$3,000 in partial support for individuals’ costs associated with one- to three-week onsite research intensives at the Foundation’s archives.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Christopher Rauschenberg as president; Peter Kraus as chairman; AC Hudgins as treasurer; and Glenn Ligon as secretary. Board members listed are Michael Strauss, Glenn Lowry, Kellie Jones, Rocio Aranda-Alvarado, Michelle Coffey, and James Keith Brown.
Robert Rauschenberg Foundation is led by Courtney J. Martin, Executive Director on the 2025 filing; 2 of 12 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Courtney J. Martin
Executive Director
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$626K (2025)
Christopher Rauschenberg
President
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Peter Kraus
Chairman
Board Member → Chair, 2024
Chair → Chairman, 2025
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Berenice Sarafzadeh
Chief Operating Officer
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$350K (2025)
Ac Hudgins
Treasurer
Board Member → Board Member & Treasurer, 2024
Board Member & Treasurer → Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Glenn Lowry
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kellie Jones
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Strauss
Board Member
Chair → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Glenn Ligon
Secretary
Board Member → Board Member & Secretary, 2024
Board Member & Secretary → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rocio Aranda-Alvarado
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michelle Coffey
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James Keith Brown
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (11)
- Former: Karen Elizabeth Sutton (2024) — Interim COO · Filing note: Started 723
- Former: Drummond Pike (2019–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Elizabeth Glassman (2019–2023) — Secretary
- Former: Kathy Halbreich (2019–2023) — Executive Director
- Former: Sharon Ullman (2019–2023) — Deputy Director
- Former: Gregory M. Avis (2021–2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Sidney Felsen (2019–2022) — Board Member Emeritus
- Former: Alexandra A. Herzan (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Dorothy Lichtenstein (2019–2021) — Secretary
- Former: Allan Fulkerson (2019–2020) — Treasurer
- Former: Greg Avis (2019–2020) — Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $626K, to Courtney J Martin Started 612024 (Executive Director). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Robert Rauschenberg Foundation
How much does Robert Rauschenberg Foundation give each year?
Robert Rauschenberg Foundation gave $4.7M across 134 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $4.5M across 91 grants.
What is Robert Rauschenberg Foundation's typical grant size?
Robert Rauschenberg Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $18,000, and its average grant was $34,852, across 134 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Robert Rauschenberg Foundation that year got $47K on average.
Where does Robert Rauschenberg Foundation give grants?
Robert Rauschenberg Foundation gives mostly in New York: 59% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was California (16%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (30 grants), Los Angeles, CA (13 grants), Brooklyn, NY (12 grants) and Washington, DC (5 grants).
Does Robert Rauschenberg Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Robert Rauschenberg Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (134 of 134) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Robert Rauschenberg Foundation's largest grantees?
Robert Rauschenberg Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include New York Foundation for the Arts (Nyfa) ($1,092,000 across 2 grants), Clemente Solo Velez Cultural and Educational Center Inc ($250,000) and Museum of the City of New York ($210,000 across 2 grants), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($4,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 33% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Robert Rauschenberg Foundation?
Robert Rauschenberg Foundation reported $524.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $29.3M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $10.1M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Robert Rauschenberg Foundation fund?
The Foundation builds on Rauschenberg’s belief that artists can drive social change and his interest in working across disciplines. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Robert Rauschenberg Foundation?
The Philanthropy Program operates by invitation only and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Robert Rauschenberg Foundation's EIN?
Robert Rauschenberg Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 65-0200989. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does Robert Rauschenberg Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS May 20, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS April 6, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS April 4, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS April 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 14, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 15, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Robert Rauschenberg Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/robert-rauschenberg-foundation-morg_428d143d10354665a141a7d2090f99f0
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_650200989_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Robert Rauschenberg Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/robert-rauschenberg-foundation-morg_428d143d10354665a141a7d2090f99f0},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. 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 Robert Rauschenberg Foundation'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.
Robert Rauschenberg Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?