The Andy Warhol Foundation
The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts is a private foundation based in New York, NY. Its mission is the advancement of the visual arts, and it supports arts organizations and cultural institutions through an artist-centered grantmaking program focused on contemporary visual art.
The Andy Warhol Foundation at a glance
In short: The Andy Warhol Foundation gave $17.2M across 203 grants in 2025 (avg $85K), top state New York. 33% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $17,184,567
- +16.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 203
- +13.4% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $84,653
- +3.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $391,333,986
- +4.0% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 33% first-time grantees (60 of 183, 2025)
- Primary geography
- New York (34% 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 The Andy Warhol Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The Foundation accepts unsolicited requests. US-based 501(c)(3) organizations may submit a proposal by mail or email; it does not accept proposals through fiscal sponsors and does not make grants directly to individuals. A full proposal should include a letter of approximately three pages describing the organization and proposed activity, a separate budget, and the organization’s IRS 501(c)(3) ruling. The Foundation evaluates proposals in part on the opportunities they offer artists, including support for creative practice, experimentation, and risk-taking. Internationally based organizations must first submit a letter of inquiry to determine whether a full proposal will be accepted.
- Review Cycle
- Proposals are due March 1 and September 1 each year. The Foundation’s published application guidance says decisions are announced July 1 and January 1, respectively.
- Deadline
- Proposals are due March 1 and September 1 each year.
- Contact
Application contact: Rachel Bers Program Director
Mailing address: 65 Bleecker St 7Th Fl, New York, NY 10012
Phone: (212) 387-7555
Email: deadline@warholfoundation.org
Website: https://warholfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
19 open opportunities from The Andy Warhol Foundation
Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts Grant
The Andy Warhol Foundation
Amount
US $60,000 - US $100,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Big Field Fund (BFF) Project Grants
The Andy Warhol Foundation
Amount
Approximately US $8,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Big Field Fund (BFF) Research/Development Grants
The Andy Warhol Foundation
Amount
US $3,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who The Andy Warhol Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Creative Capital Foundation ($3.4M across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $6.0M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($50,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
960 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $50–100K range: 387 grants of 960 (40%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation reports that its grantmaking has reached arts organizations in 49 states and abroad. In filing year 2025, New York received 34% of grant dollars, California 13%, Pennsylvania 5%, Minnesota 3%, and Missouri 2%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 203 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Andy Warhol Foundation open to new grantees?
33%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 60 of 183 grantees (33%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $75K; repeat grants $103K. How we count
Medians: $50K first-time, $50K repeat.
- 45% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+10%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 106% 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 $14.0M (2020) to $17.2M (2025). In 2025 it made 203 grants totaling $17.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Creative Capital Foundation New York, NY | General Support | $1,775,871 |
| Creative Capital Foundation New York, NY | Support for the Arts Writing Initiative | $1,590,000 |
| J Paul Getty Trust Los Angeles, CA | For the la arts community fire relief fund (restricted to visual artists and visual arts workers) | $1,000,000 |
| Andy Warhol Museum Pittsburgh, PA | General Support | $500,000 |
| Philanthropy Factory New York, NY | Program Support (Over 2 Years) | $178,228 |
| Walker Art Center Minneapolis, MN | Dyani white hawk exhibition; and curatorial research fellowship: rosario giraldes | $150,000 |
| Big Car Indianapolis, IN | Warhol Re-Granting Initiative | $110,000 |
| Pu'uhonua Society Honolulu, HI | Warhol Re-Granting Initiative | $105,000 |
| Spaces Cleveland, OH | Warhol Re-Granting Initiative | $102,083 |
| Midway Contemporary Art Minneapolis, MN | Warhol Re-Granting Initiative | $101,389 |
Ready to take the next step with The Andy Warhol Foundation?
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 | $391,333,986 | $24,321,526 | $27,558,476 | $17,184,567 | 203 | $21,352,991 | $34,545,128 | $20,115,362 |
| 2024 | $376,265,374 | $26,705,722 | $25,291,125 | $14,703,234 | 179 | $19,282,093 | $38,952,716 | $18,755,814 |
| 2023 | $357,496,436 | $23,540,275 | $26,475,110 | $15,992,822 | 195 | $21,205,084 | $14,438,139 | $18,736,191 |
| 2022 | $375,628,094 | $51,526,373 | $25,423,878 | $15,619,961 | 195 | $19,801,175 | $64,737,054 | $18,142,241 |
| 2021 | $391,698,658 | $31,716,737 | $22,470,129 | $14,895,108 | 188 | — | $36,859,425 | $18,575,582 |
| 2020 | $299,541,289 | $13,895,934 | $22,433,514 | $14,035,069 | 167 | — | $14,767,091 | $17,500,562 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Andy Warhol Foundation reported a distributable amount of $20.1M 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 stated mission is the advancement of the visual arts. Its grants support organizations that serve artists, the creation of original work, and contemporary visual arts projects. The Foundation describes its approach as encouraging experimentation and risk-taking, supporting work that challenges the status quo, and fostering a more equitable and inclusive contemporary art field.
Its grantees include a range of arts organizations. For example, Creative Capital Foundation says it supports individual artists’ projects through awards and career development services. SPACES describes its work as advancing public interest and participation in the arts by providing a resource and public forum for artists to explore and experiment. Public Space One describes itself as an artist-led, community-driven contemporary art center.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the Foundation made 203 grants totaling $17,184,567. Grants ranged from $7,182 to $1,775,871, with a median of $50,000. Large grants included $1,775,871 to Creative Capital Foundation for general support and $1,590,000 to the same organization for its Arts Writing Initiative; $1,000,000 to the J Paul Getty Trust for the LA Arts Community Fire Relief Fund, restricted to visual artists and visual arts workers; and $500,000 to the Andy Warhol Museum for general support.
Other 2025 grants included $150,000 to the Walker Art Center for an exhibition and curatorial research fellowship, and grants through the Warhol Re-granting Initiative to Big Car ($110,000), Pu'uhonua Society ($105,000), SPACES ($102,083), Midway Contemporary Art ($101,389), and Charlotte Street Foundation ($101,200). The Walker Art Center says it aims to help people experience the transformative possibilities of art and ideas; Midway Contemporary Art says it supports the creation of and reflection upon visual art.
The Foundation offers Curatorial Research Fellowships, Exhibition Support, Multi-year Program Grants, and Project Grants for Small-Scale Organizations, as well as an invitational Regional Re-granting program. Small-scale project grants are for visual arts projects by US-based nonprofit organizations with annual operating budgets of $200,000 or less; awards are $20,000–$30,000 for direct costs. Curatorial Research Fellowships are available through eligible organizations on behalf of curators and offer up to $50,000.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Joel Wachs as president; Kathleen C. Maurer as treasurer, secretary, and CFO; and Donald Warhola as vice president. Directors listed are Mamadou-Abou Sarr, Ruby Lerner, Paula Volent, Doroteo Agustin Arteaga, Jeffrey Gibson, Deborah Willis, and Cary Davis.
The Andy Warhol Foundation is led by Joel Wachs, President on every filing since 2020; all 23 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Joel Wachs
President
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$550K (2020) → $675K (2025)
Cary Davis
Director
On filings since 2020
12 hrs/week
$9K (2020) → $13K (2025)
Deborah Willis
Director
On filings since 2020
12 hrs/week
$13K (2020) → $13K (2025)
Kristan Kennedy
Director
On filings since 2020
12 hrs/week
$9K (2020) → $13K (2025)
Naomi Beckwith
Director
On filings since 2020
12 hrs/week
$13K (2020) → $13K (2025)
Paul Ha
Director
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
$9K (2020) → $3K (2025)
Ruby Lerner
Director
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
$13K (2020) → $3K (2025)
Doroteo Agustin Arteaga
Director
On filings since 2021
12 hrs/week
$9K (2021) → $13K (2025)
Jeffrey Gibson
Director
On filings since 2021
12 hrs/week
$9K (2021) → $13K (2025)
Mamadou-Abou Sarr
Director
On filings since 2022
12 hrs/week
$9K (2022) → $13K (2025)
Paula Volent
Director
On filings since 2023
12 hrs/week
$9K (2023) → $13K (2025)
Ryan N. Dennis
Director
On filings since 2023
12 hrs/week
$9K (2023) → $13K (2025)
Sarah Conley Odenkirk
Director
On filings since 2023
12 hrs/week
$9K (2023) → $13K (2025)
Max Hollein
Director
On filings since 2024
12 hrs/week
$6K (2024) → $13K (2025)
Franklin Sirmans
Director
New on the 2025 filing
12 hrs/week
$13K (2025)
Guadalupe Maravilla
Director
New on the 2025 filing
12 hrs/week
$13K (2025)
Johanna Burton
Director
New on the 2025 filing
9 hrs/week
$9K (2025)
Kemi Ilesanmi
Director
New on the 2025 filing
9 hrs/week
$9K (2025)
Paul Chan
Director
New on the 2025 filing
12 hrs/week
$13K (2025)
Donald Warhola
Vice President
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
$70K (2020) → $80K (2025)
Kathleen C. Maurer
Treasurer, Secretary & CFO
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$399K (2020) → $475K (2025)
James Keith Brown
Finance Committee Advisor
Finance Committee → Finance Committee Advisor, 2023
On filings since 2022
4 hrs/week
$4K (2022) → $4K (2025)
Michael Straus
Finance Committee Advisor
Finance Committee → Finance Committee Advisor, 2023
On filings since 2022
4 hrs/week
$4K (2022) → $4K (2025)
Former officers (12)
- Former: Anne Pasternak (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Catherine Opie (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: John Taft (2020–2024) — Board Member & Finance Committee Advisor
- Former: Meredith Franklin Sirmans (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Irvin Morazan (2023–2024) — Director
- Former: Deborah Kass (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Shana Berger (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Jonathan Lee (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Adam D. Weinberg (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Carrie Mae Weems (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Julian Zugazagoitia (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Courtney Fink (2020) — Director
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 $675K, to Joel Wachs (President). 23 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Andy Warhol Foundation
How much does The Andy Warhol Foundation give each year?
The Andy Warhol Foundation gave $17.2M across 203 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $14.7M across 179 grants.
What is The Andy Warhol Foundation's typical grant size?
The Andy Warhol Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $50,000, and its average grant was $84,653, across 203 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Andy Warhol Foundation that year got $75K on average.
Where does The Andy Warhol Foundation give grants?
The Andy Warhol Foundation's top state is New York, with 34% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were California (13%) and Pennsylvania (5%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (27 grants), Los Angeles, CA (10 grants), Brooklyn, NY (10 grants) and Minneapolis, MN (6 grants).
Does The Andy Warhol Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 1% of The Andy Warhol Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (3 of 203) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Program Support (Over 2 Years)" (102 grants), "Warhol Re-Granting Initiative" (37 grants) and "Exhibition Program Support (Over 2 Years)" (5 grants).
Who are The Andy Warhol Foundation's largest grantees?
The Andy Warhol Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Creative Capital Foundation ($3,365,871 across 2 grants), J Paul Getty Trust ($1,000,000) and Andy Warhol Museum ($500,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($50,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 28% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Andy Warhol Foundation?
The Andy Warhol Foundation reported $391.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $21.4M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $20.1M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Andy Warhol Foundation fund?
The Foundation’s stated mission is the advancement of the visual arts. Its grants support organizations that serve artists, the creation of original work, and contemporary visual arts projects. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Andy Warhol Foundation?
The Foundation accepts unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Andy Warhol Foundation's EIN?
The Andy Warhol Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-3410749. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does The Andy Warhol Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, 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
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS March 5, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS March 9, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS March 11, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS March 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS March 11, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS March 10, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Andy Warhol Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
The Ford Foundation
New York, NY
The Ford Foundation funds organizations and initiatives working to reduce inequality and advance social justice, including work on civic engagement, civil rights, climate justice, disability rights, and technology and society. In 2024, its grants ranged from $45 to $15 million, with a median of $100,000, supporting work in the U.S. and internationally. It says most grants are identified by the foundation and it does not accept unsolicited proposals by mail, email, or phone; limited opportunities may be offered separately.
Assets
$17.5B
Grants
4,007
Total Given
$844.7M
The Andrew W Mellon Foundation
New York, NY
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation supports arts and cultural organizations, higher education, and humanities-focused work, primarily through grants to organizations in the United States, with some support for eligible organizations abroad. In 2024, its grants ranged from $10,000 to $8.56 million, with a median of $500,000. Most grants are by invitation, but it accepts inquiries for some opportunities, including rolling inquiries for Humanities in Place.
Assets
$7.8B
Grants
848
Total Given
$555.0M
Terra Foundation for American Art
Chicago, IL
The Terra Foundation for American Art funds exhibitions, permanent-collection projects, and convenings focused on the visual arts of the United States and Indigenous arts of North America, with a typical grant of about $50,000. It supports organizations in the U.S. and internationally, and accepts applications through its open grant programs, which begin with a Grant Inquiry Form.
Assets
$620.6M
Grants
236
Total Given
$15.4M
The Henry Luce Foundation Inc
New York, NY
The Henry Luce Foundation supports U.S. nonprofits and international equivalents working in education, research, knowledge-sharing, and leadership, with programs focused on American art, Asia, democracy and civic life, Indigenous knowledge, and religion and theology. Its 2024 grants ranged from $75 to $1.25 million, with a median of $50,000; it accepts inquiries and proposals through an online portal, beginning with a concept note.
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
652
Total Given
$49.3M
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
Via Art Fund Inc
New York, NY
Via Art Fund is a nonprofit organization where art patrons join forces as partners in a new model of philanthropy to support visionary initiatives in art.
Assets
$2.5M
Grants
8
Total Given
$570K
More similar funders
More Funders in New York
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Andy Warhol Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-andy-warhol-foundation-for-the-morg_f6bd3f1be0ff4eecb5733d9e8ffca3af
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_133410749_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Andy Warhol Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-andy-warhol-foundation-for-the-morg_f6bd3f1be0ff4eecb5733d9e8ffca3af},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. 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 The Andy Warhol 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.
The Andy Warhol Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?