The Amphion Foundation Inc
The Amphion Foundation, Inc. is a private foundation based in New York City dedicated to supporting contemporary concert music in the United States. Founded in 1987 by Elliott and Helen Carter, the Foundation operates as an independent grantmaking organization with a focused mission in the arts sector.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$12.9M
-2.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$789K
+3.3% YoY
Grant Count
205
+19.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$4K
-13.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Amphion Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $735K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation's mission is to encourage the performance of contemporary concert music, particularly by American composers, through support to performing and presenting organizations that have demonstrated sustained artistic excellence, in addition to service organizations.
The Foundation maintains a special interest in supporting significant projects devoted to the music of Elliott Carter, as it is the principal legatee under the wills of Elliott and Helen Carter.
Grantmaking
The Foundation operates two primary grant programs:
Review Cycle
** February 26, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation is based in New York City and funds organizations nationally, with a particular emphasis on American composers and performing organizations.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2023:
- Total Assets: $13,209,126
- Total Revenues: $755,577
- Total Expenses: $1,134,006
- Investment Income and Dividends: $330,711
- Number of Employees: 1
Organization Details:
- EIN: 13-3438528
- Tax-exempt Status: Since March 1988
- Type: Independent Private Foundation
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $12,877,864 | $13,209,126 | $13,587,555 |
| Revenue | $871,121 | $755,577 | $-13,231 |
| Expenses | $1,202,383 | $1,134,006 | $948,277 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,055,925 | $985,338 | $805,980 |
| Net Investment Income | $777,163 | $611,627 | $450,423 |
| Distributable Amount | $735,467 | $709,278 | $767,818 |
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
3 open opportunities from The Amphion Foundation Inc
Amphion Foundation Grant: Performing Ensembles Grants ( Spring cycle)
THE AMPHION FOUNDATION INC
Amount
US $1,500 - US $7,500
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Amphion Grant Programs- Music Service Organizations, Presenters, and Festivals ( Fall Cycle)
THE AMPHION FOUNDATION INC
Amount
US $1,000 - US $7,500
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Elliott Carter Special Grant Program
THE AMPHION FOUNDATION INC
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Boston Modern Orchestra Project ($20,000), Albany Symphony Orchestra Inc ($12,000), Bang on a Can Inc ($8,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 113 ST PAUL, MN | ENCOURAGE THE PERFORMANCE OF CONTEMPORARY CONCERT MUSIC | $2,000 |
| 21ST CENTURY CONSORT STERLING, VA | ENCOURAGE THE PERFORMANCE OF CONTEMPORARY CONCERT MUSIC | $2,500 |
| AKROPOLIS REED QUINTET NORTHVILLE, MI | ENCOURAGE THE PERFORMANCE OF CONTEMPORARY CONCERT MUSIC | $3,000 |
| ALARM WILL SOUND INC NEW YORK, NY | ENCOURAGE THE PERFORMANCE OF CONTEMPORARY CONCERT MUSIC | $3,500 |
| ALBANY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA INC ALBANY, NY | ENCOURAGE THE PERFORMANCE OF CONTEMPORARY CONCERT MUSIC | $12,000 |
| AMERICAN ACADEMY IN ROME | ENCOURAGE THE PERFORMANCE OF CONTEMPORARY CONCERT MUSIC | $2,000 |
| AMERICAN COMPOSERS FORUM SAINT PAUL, MN | ENCOURAGE THE PERFORMANCE OF CONTEMPORARY CONCERT MUSIC | $6,500 |
| AMERICAN COMPOSERS ORCHESTRA INC NEW YORK, NY | ENCOURAGE THE PERFORMANCE OF CONTEMPORARY CONCERT MUSIC | $6,000 |
| AMERICAN LYRIC THEATER CENTER INC NEW YORK, NY | ENCOURAGE THE PERFORMANCE OF CONTEMPORARY CONCERT MUSIC | $5,000 |
| AMERICAN OPERA PROJECTS INC BROOKLYN, NY | ENCOURAGE THE PERFORMANCE OF CONTEMPORARY CONCERT MUSIC | $7,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board of Directors:
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| President | Susan Feder |
| Vice Presidents | Virgil Blackwell, Anthony Cheung |
| Secretary | James M. Kendrick |
| Acting Interim Treasurer | John Link |
| Directors | David Fulmer, Ara Guzelimian, Amy Iwano, Zizi Mueller, Ursula Oppens, Melissa Smey, Amy Williams |
| Directors Emeritus | Allen Edwards, Fred Sherry |
Contact: Grants Manager available for inquiries at the Foundation office.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOHN LINK | Treasurer | 1 | $5,000 |
| VIRGIL BLACKWELL | Vice President | 5 | $5,000 |
| JAMES M KENDRICK | Secretary | 5 | $5,000 |
| ZIZI MUELLER | Director | 1 | $5,000 |
| URSULA OPPENS | Director | 1 | $5,000 |
| AMY IWANO | Director | 1 | $5,000 |
| AMY WILLIAMS | Director | 1 | $5,000 |
| ANTHONY CHEUNG | Vice President | 1 | $2,500 |
| ARA GUZELIMIAN | Director | 1 | $5,000 |
| SUSAN FEDER | President | 1 | $5,000 |
| DAVID C FULMER | Director | 1 | $5,000 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Foundation announced 2025 Spring Grants and 2025 Spring Elliott Carter Special Grants. The 2026 Elliott Carter Special Grant Program is currently open for applications with a deadline of April 16, 2026.
2025 Spring Grants Announced | The Amphion Foundation, Inc.The Foundation has recently made changes to how accounts are set up and managed on its website.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Amphion Foundation Inc fund?
The Foundation's mission is to encourage the performance of contemporary concert music, particularly by American composers, through support to performing and presenting organizations that have demonstrated sustained artistic excellence, in addition to service organizations. The Foundation maintains a special interest in supporting significant projects devoted to the music of Elliott Carter, as it is the principal legatee under the wills of Elliott and Helen Carter.
How do I apply for a grant from The Amphion Foundation Inc?
The Foundation operates two primary grant programs: The Amphion Grant Program encourages the performance of contemporary concert music through two annual cycles: • **Spring Cycle**: Open to performing organizations including chamber ensembles, chamber orchestras, orchestras, choral or vocal ensembles, opera companies, ballet or dance companies, and experimental or performance art groups. • **Fall Cycle**: Open to music service/advocacy organizations, professional development/training programs, …
Where does The Amphion Foundation Inc make grants?
The Foundation is based in New York City and funds organizations nationally, with a particular emphasis on American composers and performing organizations.
What size grants does The Amphion Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, The Amphion Foundation Inc awarded 205 grants totaling $789K — an average of about $4K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Amphion Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Amphion Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $735K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Amphion Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Amphion Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-3438528. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Amphion Foundation Inc'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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