The Robert Rauschenberg Foundation is a private operating foundation based in New York City that fosters the legacy of Robert Rauschenberg (1925–2008), a pioneering Neo-Dadaist artist. The foundation supports artists, initiatives, and institutions that embody Rauschenberg's fearlessness, innovation, and multidisciplinary approach to art and philanthropy.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$521.7M
+2.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$4.5M
+127.0% YoY
Grant Count
91
+15.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$49K
+97.1% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Robert Rauschenberg Foundation reported a distributable amount of $9.5M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission centers on the belief that art can change the world. It supports:
- Individual artists across all disciplines
- Arts organizations and arts education
- Environmental causes
- Humanitarian initiatives
- Community development
- Human services
The foundation is characterized as viewing artists as vehicles for social change and celebrates "new and even untested ways of thinking and acting." It promotes Rauschenberg's legacy of a "joyful, responsive, and irreverent approach to making work while living an empathetic and meaningful life."
Grantmaking
Most programs do not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation maintains a mailing list for updates on opportunities.
Grant Range
s & Activity:**
Average Grant
amount: approximately $45,000
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in:
- New York
- California
- Texas
These three states account for a substantial portion of grantmaking activity. The foundation's reach extends across 25 states, with Illinois also among the primary funding regions.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue:
- Total assets: $521.7M (as of 2023)
- Total assets: $509M (2023 Form 990 filing)
- Annual income: $169.4M
- Total liabilities: $15.4M (2023)
- Revenue: $36.5M (2023)
- Expenses: $14.1M (2023)
Tax Status:
- Designated as a 501(c)(3) organization
- Tax-exempt since September 2014
- EIN: 65-0200989
- Donations are tax-deductible
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $521,728,007 | $509,159,843 | $498,786,006 |
| Revenue | $40,343,718 | $36,534,009 | $26,542,072 |
| Expenses | $16,200,018 | $14,130,847 | $11,309,356 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $23,479,084 | $20,025,193 | $13,080,620 |
| Net Investment Income | $20,661,622 | $21,226,694 | $9,540,350 |
| Distributable Amount | $9,485,977 | $9,409,090 | $9,850,145 |
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
1 open opportunity from Robert Rauschenberg Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Nyfa ($1,008,000), Clemente Solo Velez Cultural and Educational Center Inc ($750,000), Nyfa ($252,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ACTIVE CITIZEN PROJECT INC NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $2,500 |
| AMERICAN PATRONS OF THE PINAKOTHEK - BRANDHORST MUSEUM WASHINGTON, DC | EXHIBITION SUPPORT RAUSCHENBERG CENTENNIAL | $112,000 |
| ART RESOURCES TRANSFER NEW YORK, NY | SUPPORT OF A.R.T. PRESS | $8,000 |
| ARTISTS SPACE INC NEW YORK, NY | TO SUPPORT FREE-TO-THE-PUBLIC PERFORMING ARTS PROGRAM | $10,000 |
| BEFORE YOUR EYES - AUNTS BROOKLYN, NY | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| BEFORE YOUR EYES - AUNTS BROOKLYN, NY | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $24,800 |
| BIDOUN PROJECT BROOKLYN, NY | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $2,500 |
| BIDOUN PROJECT BROOKLYN, NY | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $80,000 |
| BLACK AND PINK NATIONAL OMAHA, NE | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| BLACK AND WHITE PROJECT SPACE INC ARVERNE, NY | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $30,600 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Peter Kraus: Elected as Board Chairman of the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation
- Sharon Ullman: Principal Officer
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| PETER KRAUS | CHAIR | 1 | — |
| CHRISTOPHER RAUSCHENBERG | PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| AC HUDGINS | BOARD MEMBER/TREASURER | 1 | — |
| GLENN LIGON | BOARD MEMBER/SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| ROCIO ARANDA-ALVARADO | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| JAMES KEITH BROWN STARTED 113023 | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| MICHELLE COFFEY | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| KELLIE JONES | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| GLENN LOWRY | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| MICHAEL STRAUS | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| KAREN ELIZABETH SUTTON STARTED 723 | INTERIM COO | 40 | $712,500 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**Captiva Property Transition (August 2025):**
The Foundation's Board of Directors announced the decision to sell its property in Captiva, Florida, which housed the Rauschenberg Residency. The decision follows a multi-year study and addresses increasingly challenging environmental conditions, including recurring storm damage, climate risks, and rising maintenance costs. Proceeds from the sale and redirected maintenance funds will be reinvested in programs that support artists and institutions in communities where they live and work.
The Robert Rauschenberg Foundation has announced the winners ...**2026 Archives Research Residency:**
The foundation announced recipients of the 2026 Archives Research Residency, a program for individuals conducting research in the Foundation Archives in New York City.
Robert Rauschenberg Foundation Announces Recipients of the ...**Rauschenberg Centennial Award:**
The foundation announced recipients of the Rauschenberg Centennial Award, including Senga Nengudi, Chandra McCormick, Keith Calhoun, Patricia Spears Jones, and David Thomson.
Robert Rauschenberg Foundation Announces Recipients of the ...**Exhibitions & Collaborations:**
The foundation continues to support exhibitions and scholarly work on Rauschenberg's practice, including collaborations with major institutions and exhibitions exploring his work and legacy, such as exhibitions examining his far-reaching projects across Asia through the Rauschenberg Overseas Culture Interchange (ROCI) project.
Robert Rauschenberg Foundation Announces Recipients of the ...Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Robert Rauschenberg Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission centers on the belief that art can change the world. It supports: • Individual artists across all disciplines • Arts organizations and arts education • Environmental causes • Humanitarian initiatives • Community development • Human services The foundation is characterized as viewing artists as vehicles for social change and celebrates "new and even untested ways of thinking and acting." It promotes Rauschenberg's legacy of a "joyful, responsive, and irreverent approach …
How do I apply for a grant from Robert Rauschenberg Foundation?
**Grant Sizes & Activity:** • Typical awards range from $500 to $1,008,000 • Average grant amount: approximately $45,000 • Median grant amount: $10,000 • Total giving in recent years has ranged from $1.9M to $6.7M annually • Highest grantmaking activity in 2022 with $6.7M distributed across 138 grants • The foundation has made 346 grants totaling $15.5M to 149 unique organizations **Application Process:** Most programs do not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation maintains a mailing l…
Where does Robert Rauschenberg Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in: • New York • California • Texas These three states account for a substantial portion of grantmaking activity. The foundation's reach extends across 25 states, with Illinois also among the primary funding regions.
What size grants does Robert Rauschenberg Foundation award?
In 2024, Robert Rauschenberg Foundation awarded 91 grants totaling $4.5M — an average of about $49K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Robert Rauschenberg Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Robert Rauschenberg Foundation reported a distributable amount of $9.5M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Robert Rauschenberg 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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