Terra Foundation for American Art
The Terra Foundation for American Art is a private foundation based in Chicago, Illinois, established in 1978 by Daniel J. Terra. It supports projects engaging the visual arts of the United States and Indigenous arts of North America through grants and collection initiatives, and works with organizations and individuals locally and globally.
Terra Foundation for American Art at a glance
In short: Terra Foundation for American Art gave $15.4M across 236 grants in 2025 (avg $65K), top state New York. 59% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $15,419,104
- +7.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 236
- +18.6% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $65,335
- -9.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $620,603,048
- +2.9% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 59% first-time grantees (120 of 204, 2025)
- Primary geography
- New York (15% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Terra Foundation for American Art
- How to Apply
-
The foundation’s open application programs use a two-part process: submit a Grant Inquiry Form, then proceed to a proposal. Applicants should consult the program guidelines for required materials, restrictions, and additional eligibility details. The foundation’s filing says it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations.
- Review Cycle
- The Collections Grants inquiry deadline of August 3, 2026, has passed; proposals are due October 13, 2026, for projects beginning after May 1, 2027. For Convening Grants, the September 28, 2026, inquiry deadline has passed for programs taking place after May 1, 2027. The next listed Convening Grants cycle has an inquiry deadline of February 16, 2027, and proposal deadline of April 20, 2027, for programs taking place after November 1, 2027.
- Deadline
- The Collections Grants inquiry deadline of August 3, 2026, has passed; proposals are due October 13, 2026, for…
- Contact
Application contact: Amy Zinck
Mailing address: 120 E Erie Street, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: (312) 654-2263
Website: https://terraamericanart.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Terra Foundation for American Art
Collections Grants
Terra Foundation for American Art
Amount
US $25,000 - US $75,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Convening Grants
Terra Foundation for American Art
Amount
US $10,000 - US $25,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
TFAA: Exhibition Grants
Terra Foundation for American Art
Amount
US $25,000 - US $200,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Terra Foundation for American Art funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Forge Project Association ($550K). Together the top 10 received $3.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
958 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 461 grants of 958 (48%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation states that its grantmaking reaches different cities, regions, and countries, and describes its approach as local and global. Its filing reports grantmaking across 43 countries since 2005. In 2025, the largest reported shares of grant dollars by recipient state were New York (15%), Illinois (10%), California (9%), and Pennsylvania (5%); 25% was listed under an unspecified state entry.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 236 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Terra Foundation for American Art open to new grantees?
59%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 120 of 204 grantees (59%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $82K; repeat grants $66K. How we count
Medians: $67K first-time, $50K repeat.
- 24% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 25% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 112% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). 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 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $9.9M (2020) to $15.4M (2025). In 2025 it made 236 grants totaling $15.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Forge Project Association Ancram, NY | Arts Education | $550,000 |
| Floating Museum Chicago, IL | Arts Education | $285,000 |
| University of Maryland College Park, MD | Arts Education | $280,000 |
| Centre Pompidou | Arts Education | $250,000 |
| Palais De Tokyo | Arts Education | $250,000 |
| Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa | Arts Education | $250,000 |
| Yinka Shonibare Foundation (London) | Arts Education | $220,000 |
| Chancellor Masters & Scholars of the University of Oxford | Arts Education | $201,882 |
| Abbotsford Cultural Centre | Arts Education | $200,000 |
| Carnegie Institute Pittsburgh, PA | Arts Education | $200,000 |
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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 | $620,603,048 | $11,758,589 | $22,878,391 | $15,419,104 | 236 | $23,870,427 | $13,606,855 | $21,337,169 |
| 2024 | $602,937,364 | $25,052,658 | $25,089,633 | $14,322,498 | 199 | $23,572,653 | $23,571,572 | $19,409,395 |
| 2023 | $583,846,758 | $449,057 | $19,541,234 | $14,683,815 | 225 | $23,612,459 | $3,221,356 | $18,499,768 |
| 2022 | $559,052,944 | $96,843,650 | $27,058,116 | $12,354,606 | 116 | $19,292,653 | $106,681,372 | $19,402,865 |
| 2021 | $631,506,305 | $28,063,083 | $20,457,887 | $10,809,093 | 182 | — | $15,174,435 | $19,815,663 |
| 2020 | $545,326,737 | $16,842,308 | $18,370,700 | $9,898,386 | 197 | — | $16,508,952 | $17,594,078 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Terra Foundation for American Art reported a distributable amount of $21.3M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to foster intercultural dialogue and encourage transformative practices that expand narratives of American art. It supports projects that question and broaden understandings of American art, generate knowledge and interpretive frameworks, include a plurality of perspectives, and catalyze inclusive and expansive practices.
Its three open application programs support permanent-collection projects, exhibitions, and convenings. Collections Grants support reinterpretation and re-presentation of permanent collections; Convening Grants support conversations, symposia, and workshops; and Exhibition Grants are another open application program. Invitation-only Initiative Grants support emerging needs, including projects outside the annual grantmaking cycles.
The foundation welcomes proposals from museums, art centers, community-based cultural organizations, foundations, research centers, and universities, among other institutions. Its website says applicants must have U.S. 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status or an international equivalent; U.S.-based fiscally sponsored projects are also welcome to inquire and apply. Additional eligibility requirements vary by program.
Examples of supported organizations span several fields. Forge Project Association, which received $550,000 in 2025, describes itself as a Native-led nonprofit working to advance Indigenous leadership in arts and culture. The Institute for Freedoms, which received $200,000, says it uses art to engage the public with civic and political ideas. Carnegie Institute, also awarded $200,000, describes its mission as preserving and expanding art and science resources for personal growth and social advancement.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 236 grants totaling $15,419,104. Grant amounts ranged from $5,000 to $550,000, with a median award of $50,000. The largest listed awards included $550,000 to Forge Project Association, $285,000 to Floating Museum, $280,000 to the University of Maryland, and $250,000 each to Centre Pompidou, Palais de Tokyo, and Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Amina Dickerson and Stephanie Harris as directors and chairs; Erica Hirshler as director and secretary; Anne Munsch as CFO, assistant secretary, and treasurer; Amy Zinck as executive vice president; and Huey Copeland, Henry Johnson, Raymond McGuire, Adam Weinberg, and Jay Xu as directors.
Terra Foundation for American Art is led by Sharon Corwin, CEO & President on every filing since 2022; 16 of 20 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Sharon Corwin
CEO & President
On filings since 2022
35 hrs/week
$500K (2022) → $600K (2025)
Amina Dickerson
Director & Chair
Director → Director & Vice Chair, 2024
Director & Vice Chair → Director & Chair, 2025
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
$5K (2022) → $10K (2025)
Stephanie Harris
Director & Chair
Director → Director & Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Adam Weinberg
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$10K (2020) → $5K (2025)
Erica Hirshler
Director & Secretary
Director → Director & Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$10K (2020) → $10K (2025)
Jay Xu
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$10K (2020) → $5K (2025)
Raymond McGuire
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$5K (2023) → $0 (2025)
Huey Copeland
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$5K (2021) → $10K (2025)
Eric McKissack
Director & Treasurer
Director → Director & Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
$5K (2022) → $5K (2025)
Ravi Saligram
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
$5K (2023) → $5K (2025)
Amanda Williams
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
$5K (2023) → $5K (2025)
Catherine Sarr
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
$5K (2023) → $10K (2025)
Victoria Rogers
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
$5K (2023) → $5K (2025)
Ricardo Estrada
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
$5K (2024) → $10K (2025)
Arthur Cohen
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
$5K (2025)
Martha Tedeschi
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
$5K (2025)
Henry Johnson
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kaywin Feldman
Director & Vice Chair
Director → Director & Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Amy Zinck
Executive Vice President
On filings since 2020
35 hrs/week
$311K (2020) → $317K (2025)
Anne Munsch
CFO, Assistant Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
35 hrs/week
$335K (2020) → $397K (2025)
Former officers (18)
- Former: Joseph Gromacki (2020–2024) — Director & Chair
- Former: Charles Harper (2020–2023) — Director & Treasurer
- Former: Clare Munana (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Nora Daley (2020–2023) — Director & Vice Chair
- Former: Carl Thoma (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Greg Williamson (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Henry Loyrette (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Michael Leja (2020–2022) — Director & Secretary
- Former: Morton Shapiro (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Chet Gougis (2020–2021) — Director & Treasurer
- Former: Elizabeth Glassman (2020–2021) — CEO & President
- Former: Lonnie Bunch (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Carrie Haslett (2021) — Program Director
- Former: Catherine Ricciardelli (2021) — Director of Registration
- Former: Diego Candil (2021) — Director Tfaa
- Former: Jennifer Siegenthaler (2021) — Program Director
- Former: Peter J. Brownlee (2021) — Curator
- Former: Shannon Corwin (2021) — CEO & President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 $600K, to Sharon Corwin (CEO, President). 16 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Terra Foundation for American Art
How much does Terra Foundation for American Art give each year?
Terra Foundation for American Art gave $15.4M across 236 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $14.3M across 199 grants.
What is Terra Foundation for American Art's typical grant size?
Terra Foundation for American Art's median grant in 2025 was $50,000, and its average grant was $65,335, across 236 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Terra Foundation for American Art that year got $82K on average.
Where does Terra Foundation for American Art give grants?
Terra Foundation for American Art's top state is New York, with 15% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Illinois (10%) and California (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (42 grants), New York, NY (17 grants), Los Angeles, CA (7 grants) and Washington, DC (7 grants).
Does Terra Foundation for American Art give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 236 grants with a stated purpose on Terra Foundation for American Art's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Arts Education" (236 grants).
Who are Terra Foundation for American Art's largest grantees?
Terra Foundation for American Art's largest 2025 grantees include Forge Project Association ($550,000), University of Maryland ($400,000 across 2 grants) and Palais De Tokyo ($348,000 across 2 grants), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 8% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Terra Foundation for American Art?
Terra Foundation for American Art reported $620.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $23.9M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $21.3M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Terra Foundation for American Art fund?
The foundation’s mission is to foster intercultural dialogue and encourage transformative practices that expand narratives of American art. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Terra Foundation for American Art?
The foundation’s open application programs use a two-part process: submit a Grant Inquiry Form, then proceed to a proposal. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Terra Foundation for American Art's EIN?
Terra Foundation for American Art's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-2999442. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Terra Foundation for American Art funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/terra-foundation-for-american-art-morg_a6e664b76a8243d98163c67dba53b8b7
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_362999442_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Terra Foundation for American Art funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/terra-foundation-for-american-art-morg_a6e664b76a8243d98163c67dba53b8b7},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. 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 Terra Foundation for American Art'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.
Terra Foundation for American Art down — hundreds of funders to go?