Samuel H Kress Foundation
The Samuel H. Kress Foundation is a private foundation based in New York, New York. Established in 1929, it supports the study, conservation, and enjoyment of European art, architecture, and archaeology from antiquity to the early 19th century.
Samuel H Kress Foundation at a glance
In short: Samuel H Kress Foundation gave $2.3M across 87 grants in 2025 (avg $26K), top state New York. 15% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $2,265,113
- -3.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 87
- -11.2% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $26,036
- +9.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $12,500
- Total assets
- $95,619,750
- +8.4% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 15% first-time grantees (10 of 65, 2025)
- Primary geography
- New York (33% 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 Samuel H Kress Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The Foundation accepts Letters of Inquiry through its online application process from eligible organizations. An LOI requests a brief project summary, total project budget, and amount requested. Organizations invited to apply submit further information about project goals, history, activities, personnel, and anticipated outcomes. The Foundation’s website says grants are awarded to American organizations registered as IRS nonprofits; international applicants must identify a U.S. nonprofit fiscal sponsor before starting the process. The Foundation does not award grants directly to individuals.
- Review Cycle
- For History of Art and Conservation LOIs, the spring cycle opens February 1, with submissions due March 1 at 5 p.m. EST; the fall cycle opens August 15, with submissions due September 30 at 5 p.m. EST.
- Deadline
- For History of Art and Conservation LOIs, the spring cycle opens February 1, with submissions due March 1 at 5 p.m.
- Contact
Application contact: Lisa Schermerhorn Interim President
Mailing address: 174 E 80Th Street, New York, NY 10075
Phone: (212) 861-4993
Website: https://kressfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
4 open opportunities from Samuel H Kress Foundation
History of Art Grants
Samuel H Kress Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Interpretive Fellowships at Art Museums
Samuel H Kress Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Kress Conservation Fellowships Grant
Samuel H Kress Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Samuel H Kress Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was New York University ($305K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $1.3M.
Organizations only. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($60,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
548 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 501 grants of 548 (91%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation says it awards grants to American organizations registered as nonprofits with the IRS. International applicants must identify a U.S. nonprofit fiscal sponsor. Its 2025 grants were concentrated in New York (33% of grant dollars), Washington, DC (14%), Maryland (8%), and Massachusetts (6%); another 17% was attributed to an unspecified recipient state.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 87 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Samuel H Kress Foundation open to new grantees?
15%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 10 of 65 grantees (15%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $19K; repeat grants $37K. How we count
Medians: $8K first-time, $20K repeat.
- 62% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving fell 29% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 80% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2025). 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 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $2.3M (2025) to $3.3M (2023). In 2025 it made 87 grants totaling $2.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| New York University New York, NY | Conservation Fellowships | $275,000 |
| Foundation for Advancement in Conservation Washington, DC | Conservation Fellowships | $230,000 |
| National Gallery of Art Landover, MD | Institutional Fellowships | $170,000 |
| American Academy in Rome New York, NY | Institutional Fellowships | $120,000 |
| Alliance of HBCU Museums and Galleries Inc Marietta, GA | History of Art Grants | $89,000 |
| Harvard University Cambridge, MA | Institutional Fellowships | $55,000 |
| Middlebury College Middlebury, VT | History of Art Grants | $55,000 |
| Ithaka S & R New York, NY | History of Art Grants | $50,000 |
| Museum of Fine Arts Boston Boston, MA | History of Art Grants | $50,000 |
| Smithsonian Institution Washington, DC | Digital Art History Grants | $36,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Samuel H Kress Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
In 2025, New York University received the largest listed grant, $275,000. The median grant was $12,500.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $95,619,750 | $6,368,923 | $4,092,870 | $2,265,113 | 87 | $3,555,763 | $6,048,276 | $4,450,474 |
| 2024 | $88,206,270 | $4,936,705 | $2,928,277 | $2,341,745 | 98 | $3,880,528 | $4,455,805 | $4,098,317 |
| 2023 | $81,608,765 | $2,288,198 | $4,721,301 | $3,283,807 | 134 | $4,523,161 | $1,662,644 | $3,895,796 |
| 2022 | $75,745,725 | $5,146,879 | $3,939,678 | $3,211,889 | 134 | $4,414,359 | $4,511,567 | $4,424,808 |
| 2021 | $97,101,139 | $4,471,765 | $3,121,574 | $2,539,100 | 95 | — | $3,828,122 | $4,398,547 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Samuel H Kress Foundation reported a distributable amount of $4.5M 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’s mission is to sustain its founder’s vision by supporting the appreciation, interpretation, preservation, study, and teaching of European art and architecture from antiquity to the dawn of the modern era. Its stated work includes art history in American museums and higher education, research centers and libraries, and training and professional practice in art conservation.
Its History of Art grants support scholarly projects that enhance understanding of European art and architecture. Conservation grants support the professional practice of art conservation. The Foundation also offers fellowships, including History of Art Institutional Fellowships and Conservation Fellowships. Its website describes grants as competitive and awarded to institutions only; its fellowships support individuals at particular stages of professional preparation.
Among the 2025 grantees, the Alliance of HBCU Museums and Galleries describes its work as preparing and training students and recent alumni for museum-related fields and supporting member museums and galleries. The American Academy in Rome describes itself as a residential institute for advanced work in the arts and humanities. The National Gallery of Art says it welcomes people to explore and experience art, creativity, and shared humanity.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the Foundation reported 87 grants totaling $2,265,113. Grant amounts ranged from $250 to $275,000, with a median of $12,500. The largest listed awards included $275,000 to New York University for conservation fellowships, $230,000 to the Foundation for Advancement in Conservation for conservation fellowships, and $170,000 to the National Gallery of Art for institutional fellowships. Other listed awards included $120,000 to the American Academy in Rome for institutional fellowships and $89,000 to the Alliance of HBCU Museums and Galleries for history of art grants.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Carmela Franklin as chairman, Daniel Weiss as vice chairman, Robert Loper as secretary, and Ken Lee as treasurer. Trustees listed were Joy Connolly, William J. Higgins, Theodore Mayer, Steven Nelson, and Nina Scherago. Julia Alexander was listed as president through May 4, 2025. The Foundation’s website announces L. W. Schermerhorn as president.
Samuel H Kress Foundation is led by Julia Alexander, President on the 2025 filing; 5 of 10 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Julia Alexander
President
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$268K (2025)
Carmela Franklin
Chairman
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
$3K (2022) → $4K (2025)
William J. Higgins
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
$3K (2022) → $3K (2025)
Nina Scherago
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Steven Nelson
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Theodore Mayer
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joy Connolly
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Daniel Weiss
Vice Chairman
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
$3K (2022) → $4K (2025)
Ken Lee
Treasurer
Trustee → Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
$3K (2022) → $0 (2025)
Robert Loper
Secretary
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
$3K (2022) → $4K (2025)
Former officers (2)
- Former: Elizabeth Eveillard (2021–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Max Marmor (2021–2024) — President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "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 $268K, to Julia Alexander (President Through 5-4-25). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Samuel H Kress Foundation
How much does Samuel H Kress Foundation give each year?
Samuel H Kress Foundation gave $2.3M across 87 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $2.3M across 98 grants.
What is Samuel H Kress Foundation's typical grant size?
Samuel H Kress Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $12,500, and its average grant was $26,036, across 87 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Samuel H Kress Foundation that year got $19K on average.
Where does Samuel H Kress Foundation give grants?
Samuel H Kress Foundation's top state is New York, with 33% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were District of Columbia (14%) and Maryland (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (28 grants), Washington, DC (4 grants), Boston, MA (4 grants) and Princeton, NJ (4 grants).
Does Samuel H Kress Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 3% of Samuel H Kress Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (3 of 87) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "History of Art Grants" (27 grants), "Institutional Fellowships" (24 grants) and "Matching" (18 grants).
Who are Samuel H Kress Foundation's largest grantees?
Samuel H Kress Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include New York University ($305,000 across 2 grants), Foundation for Advancement in Conservation ($275,000 across 3 grants) and National Gallery of Art ($170,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($60,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 33% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Samuel H Kress Foundation?
Samuel H Kress Foundation reported $95.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $3.6M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $4.5M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Samuel H Kress Foundation fund?
The Foundation’s mission is to sustain its founder’s vision by supporting the appreciation, interpretation, preservation, study, and teaching of European art and architecture from antiquity to the dawn of the modern era. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Samuel H Kress Foundation?
The Foundation accepts Letters of Inquiry through its online application process from eligible organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Samuel H Kress Foundation's EIN?
Samuel H Kress Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-1624176. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 5, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 14, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 21, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Samuel H Kress Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Samuel H Kress Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/samuel-h-kress-foundation-morg_80980d6c56ba401083027a785ef7b3da
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_131624176_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Samuel H Kress Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/samuel-h-kress-foundation-morg_80980d6c56ba401083027a785ef7b3da},
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 Samuel H Kress 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.
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