Roy Lichtenstein Foundation
The Roy Lichtenstein Foundation is a private foundation based in New York, NY. It supports public access to Roy Lichtenstein’s work and art of his time through research, catalogue raisonné work, exhibitions, and gifts and grants to cultural and research institutions.
Roy Lichtenstein Foundation at a glance
In short: Roy Lichtenstein Foundation gave $11.9M across 14 grants in 2024 (avg $848K), mostly in North Carolina. 38% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $11,878,809
- -32.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 14
- +16.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $848,486
- -42.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $22,000
- Total assets
- $55,215,353
- -19.2% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 38% first-time grantees (5 of 13, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (62% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Roy Lichtenstein Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 236 West 26Th Street 5Nw, New York, NY 10001
Phone: (212) 255-4570
Website: https://lichtensteinfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Roy Lichtenstein Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University ($7.3M across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $11.9M.
Grant Size Distribution
75 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 49 grants of 75 (65%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 62% of grant dollars went to recipients in North Carolina, 16% to Ohio, 10% to New York, and less than 1% to Washington, DC; 11% was attributed to an unspecified recipient state.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 14 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Roy Lichtenstein Foundation open to new grantees?
38%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 5 of 13 grantees (38%) were first-time recipients. With only 13 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. First grants averaged $265K; repeat grants $1.3M. How we count
Medians: $3K first-time, $35K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $206K (2020) to $17.6M (2023). In 2024 it made 14 grants totaling $11.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University Durham, NC | Artwork contributed by the foundation to be added to the museum's collection of works by roy lichtenstein. | $7,239,083 |
| Columbus Museum of Art Columbus, OH | Artwork contributed by the foundation to be added to the museum's collection of works by roy lichtenstein. | $1,946,500 |
| Kunstmuseum Basel | Artwork contributed by the foundation to be added to the museum's collection of works by roy lichtenstein. | $1,299,200 |
| Whitney Museum of American Art New York, NY | Artwork contributed by the foundation to be added to the museum's collection of works by roy lichtenstein. | $1,213,000 |
| Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University Durham, NC | Cash contributed by the foundation to assist in funding general operations. | $75,000 |
| Spelman College Atlanta, GA | Cash contributed by the foundation to assist in funding general operations. | $43,206 |
| Aspen Institute Washington, DC | Cash contributed by the foundation to assist in funding general operations. | $26,000 |
| Archives of American Art Washington, DC | Cash contributed by the foundation to assist in funding general operations. | $18,000 |
| Ohio State University Columbus, OH | Artwork contributed by the foundation to be added to the museum's collection of works by roy lichtenstein. | $8,320 |
| International Foundation for Art Research New York, NY | Cash contributed by the foundation to assist in funding general operations. | $2,500 |
Ready to take the next step with Roy Lichtenstein Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $55,215,353 | $3,194,368 | $16,417,331 | $11,878,809 | 14 | $16,086,797 | $2,929,869 |
| 2023 | $68,343,428 | $9,886,276 | $22,834,038 | $17,552,956 | 12 | $22,468,086 | $1,322,468 |
| 2022 | $81,285,329 | $1,740,770 | $4,430,364 | $776,175 | 10 | $4,301,530 | $1,643,268 |
| 2021 | $85,182,586 | $2,378,185 | $7,544,110 | $3,811,636 | 14 | $7,107,420 | $500,634 |
| 2020 | $90,673,832 | $11,830,138 | $3,466,372 | $205,990 | 25 | — | $11,525,073 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to facilitate public access to Roy Lichtenstein’s work and the art and artists of his time, create a catalogue raisonné of his known works, and share information that supports the development and education of curators, critics, and scholars. Its stated activities also include oral history interviews, exhibitions, support for research on artists’ materials and postwar art, and the organization and donation of the Shunk-Kender photography collections.
In 2024, the foundation reported direct charitable activities involving oral histories, the catalogue raisonné, and exhibitions in New York and Vienna. Its grants and gifts supported museums, colleges, archives, and art-research organizations. The Columbus Museum of Art describes its mission as providing “great experiences with great art for everyone.” The Whitney Museum of American Art says it presents, collects, and inspires dialogue around art of the United States from the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. The International Foundation for Art describes itself as an educational and research organization concerned with integrity in the visual arts, including attribution, provenance, and ownership issues.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 14 grants totaling $11,878,809. The median grant was $22,000; amounts ranged from $1,500 to $7,239,083. Many of the largest reported gifts were artworks contributed for museum collections, while other grants supported general operations.
Notable 2024 recipients included the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University, which received $7,239,083 in artwork and $75,000 for general operations; the Columbus Museum of Art, which received $1,946,500 in artwork; Kunstmuseum Basel, which received $1,299,200 in artwork; and the Whitney Museum of American Art, which received $1,213,000 in artwork. The Archives of American Art received $18,000 for general operations, and the International Foundation for Art Research received $2,500 for general operations.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing listed Mitchell W. Lichtenstein as president, David H. Lichtenstein as vice president, William John Cowart as executive director, Steven P. Goldglit as treasurer, and Ruth Fine as board chair. It also listed Leslie B. Samuels as a board member and Elizabeth Baker, Maria Morris Hambourg, Elizabeth Glassman, and John W. Smith as directors.
Roy Lichtenstein Foundation is led by William John Cowart, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 1 of 10 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
William John Cowart
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$415K (2020) → $500K (2024)
Mitchell W. Lichtenstein
President
Vice President → President, 2024
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ruth Fine
Board Chairman
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$20K (2020) → $0 (2024)
Elizabeth Baker
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth Glassman
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John W. Smith
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Maria Morris Hambourg
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David H. Lichtenstein
Vice President
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Leslie B. Samuels
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Steven P. Goldglit
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Dorothy Lichtenstein (2020–2024) — President · Filing note: Deceased 2024
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "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 $500K, to William John Cowart (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Roy Lichtenstein Foundation
How much does Roy Lichtenstein Foundation give each year?
Roy Lichtenstein Foundation gave $11.9M across 14 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $17.6M across 12 grants.
What is Roy Lichtenstein Foundation's typical grant size?
Roy Lichtenstein Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $22,000, and its average grant was $848,486, across 14 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Roy Lichtenstein Foundation that year got $265K on average.
Where does Roy Lichtenstein Foundation give grants?
Roy Lichtenstein Foundation gives mostly in North Carolina: 62% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Ohio (16%) and New York (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (6 grants), Durham, NC (2 grants), Columbus, OH (2 grants) and Washington, DC (2 grants).
Does Roy Lichtenstein Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 64% of Roy Lichtenstein Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (9 of 14) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Roy Lichtenstein Foundation's largest grantees?
Roy Lichtenstein Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University ($7,314,083 across 2 grants), Columbus Museum of Art ($1,946,500) and Kunstmuseum Basel ($1,299,200), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 89% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Roy Lichtenstein Foundation?
Roy Lichtenstein Foundation reported $55.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $3.2M.
What does Roy Lichtenstein Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to facilitate public access to Roy Lichtenstein’s work and the art and artists of his time, create a catalogue raisonné of his known works, and share information that supports the development and education of curators, critics, and scholars. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Roy Lichtenstein Foundation?
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations 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 Roy Lichtenstein Foundation's EIN?
Roy Lichtenstein Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 91-1898350. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Roy Lichtenstein Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Roy Lichtenstein Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
IBM International Foundation
Armonk, NY
The IBM International Foundation funds education and workforce programs that build 21st-century and technology job skills, including initiatives for underserved students and job seekers. Its 2024 grants ranged from $10,000 to $8.48 million, with a median of $100,000, and went to organizations across several U.S. states, especially Delaware and Massachusetts. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$357.7M
Grants
16
Total Given
$11.7M
Helen Frankenthaler Foundation Inc
New York, NY
The Helen Frankenthaler Foundation supports visual arts exhibitions, education, research and programming, cultural organizations’ core capacity, and sustainability projects. Its 2024 grants had a median award of $30,000, with recipients in New York, elsewhere in the U.S., and internationally. It funds preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$173.2M
Grants
105
Total Given
$14.4M
Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation Inc
Princeton, NJ
The Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation supports health access and stronger health systems, with a focus on adult and pediatric cancers, blood disorders, brain health, and clinical-trial participation in the United States, Brazil, India, and ten Sub-Saharan African countries. In 2024, its median grant was about $134,000, though awards varied widely; it does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests, and advises prospective applicants to contact the Foundation about its process.
Assets
$83.3M
Grants
144
Total Given
$67.7M
United Way Worldwide
Alexandria, VA
United Way Worldwide funds community programs focused on youth opportunity, health, financial security, education, and disaster relief, with 2024 grants made across multiple U.S. states and internationally. Its 209 reported grants ranged from $5,100 to $736,333, with a median of $22,675. It does not state whether it accepts unsolicited grant requests.
Assets
$68.0M
Grants
209
Total Given
$11.4M
Charina Foundation Inc
New York, NY
Charina Foundation supports 501(c)(3) organizations across varied fields, with most 2025 grant dollars going to recipients in New York and Massachusetts. Its 2025 grants ranged from $500 to $750,000, with a median of $7,500. It funds preselected organizations only and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$10.1M
Grants
279
Total Given
$3.8M
Leon Levy Foundation
New York, NY
The Leon Levy Foundation funds operating and project support in ancient world studies, arts and humanities, human rights and civil liberties, Jewish culture, nature and gardens, and neuroscience, primarily in New York City. Its 2024 grants ranged from $40 to $8.7 million, with a median of $25,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests; grants are by invitation to preselected organizations.
Assets
$490.7M
Grants
214
Total Given
$38.5M
More similar funders
More Funders in New York
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Roy Lichtenstein Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/roy-lichtenstein-foundation-morg_0eacd6ad6f574ac88320e83248fb7a50
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_911898350_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Roy Lichtenstein Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/roy-lichtenstein-foundation-morg_0eacd6ad6f574ac88320e83248fb7a50},
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 Roy Lichtenstein 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.
Roy Lichtenstein Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?