The Charles and Joan Gross Family
The Charles and Joan Gross Family is a New York, New York–based private foundation that supports creative activity in the arts, with particular emphasis on dance and music. Its website describes a focus on helping choreographers commission original music for new works and encouraging live music in performance.
The Charles and Joan Gross Family at a glance
In short: The Charles and Joan Gross Family gave $134K across 16 grants in 2025 (avg $8K), mostly in New York. 60% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $133,750
- +44.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 16
- +33.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $8,359
- +8.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $6,750
- Total assets
- $328,319
- -23.9% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 60% first-time grantees (9 of 15, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- New York (62% 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 Charles and Joan Gross Family
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Contact
Mailing address: 186 Riverside Drive 9E, New York, NY 10024
Phone: (212) 873-6046
Website: https://cjgfamilyfoundation.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Charles and Joan Gross Family funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Adrienne Westwood Projects ($15K). Together the top 10 received $82K.
Organizations only. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($40,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
66 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 66 grants of 66 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s 2025 grant dollars went to recipients in New York (62%), Massachusetts (10%), Minnesota (7%), Washington (7%), and New Jersey (6%). These figures describe the locations of listed recipients and do not establish a broader geographic restriction.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 16 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Charles and Joan Gross Family open to new grantees?
60%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 9 of 15 grantees (60%) were first-time recipients. With only 15 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. First grants averaged $11K; repeat grants $6K. How we count
Medians: $6K first-time, $6K repeat.
- 13% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 32% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 161% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $49K (2019) to $178K (2023). In 2025 it made 16 grants totaling $134K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 2 grants to individuals Recipients not named | — | $40,000 |
| Adrienne Westwood Projects Brooklyn, NY | Artist Commissions | $15,000 |
| Gallim Dance Company Inc Port Washington, NY | Artist Commissions | $10,000 |
| New Arts Center Newtonville, MA | General Operating Support | $10,000 |
| Ragamala Dance Minneapolis, MN | Artist Commissions | $9,500 |
| Pacific Northwest Ballet Seattle, WA | Artist Commissions | $8,750 |
| Producer Hub Inc Princeton, NJ | Artist Commissions | $7,500 |
| Avid Dance Corp Boulder, CO | Artist Commissions | $6,000 |
| Battery Dance Corporation New York, NY | Artist Commissions | $5,000 |
| Fractured Atlas Inc New York, NY | Artist Commissions | $5,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Charles and Joan Gross Family?
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 | $328,319 | $111,893 | $159,499 | $133,750 | 16 | $140,483 | $5,998 | $87,382 |
| 2024 | $431,612 | $227,084 | $116,164 | $92,900 | 12 | $99,225 | $9,618 | $77,050 |
| 2023 | $472,721 | $28,785 | $206,712 | $178,000 | 17 | $193,025 | $15,098 | $67,200 |
| 2022 | $650,648 | $148,440 | $122,710 | $101,500 | 14 | $107,325 | $13,163 | $74,957 |
| 2021 | $624,918 | $210,770 | $88,667 | $72,250 | 7 | $73,710 | $20,072 | $73,327 |
| 2020 | $525,985 | $61,770 | $73,707 | $58,750 | 9 | — | $17,477 | $57,379 |
| 2019 | $619,721 | $43,070 | $59,408 | $49,424 | 11 | — | $22,602 | $52,122 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Charles and Joan Gross Family reported a distributable amount of $87K 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 to support creative activity in the arts, particularly dance and music. Through its Dance/Music Project, it supports the development and performance of new works by emerging choreographers and composers, with an emphasis on live music, cross-cultural work, and trans-disciplinary collaborations.
The foundation’s grant guidelines say it funds choreographers commissioning original music for new works, and that it must be the sole commissioner. It underwrites music composition costs and may, in some cases, assist with music production expenses. It does not fund other parts of a project budget. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits; the foundation says it prefers not to work with fiscal sponsors.
Examples of supported organizations illustrate the range of dance and arts-related work among its grantees. Gallim Dance describes its work as creating and performing original dance, nurturing young artists, and engaging a diverse international audience. Ragamala Dance describes its work as multidisciplinary dance shaped by South Indian American artists and intercultural immigrant narratives. Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival says it supports dance creation, presentation, education, and preservation. Fractured Atlas describes its mission as making the journey from inspiration to practice more accessible and equitable for artists and creatives.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation gave $133,750 through 16 grants. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $20,000, with a median of $6,750. The two largest grants, $20,000 each, were listed as prizes for individual recipients.
Other notable 2025 grants included $15,000 to Adrienne Westwood Projects for artist commissions; $10,000 each to Gallim Dance Company and New Arts Center; $9,500 to Ragamala Dance; $8,750 to Pacific Northwest Ballet; and $7,500 to Producer Hub. The filing lists artist commissions as the purpose for the grants to Adrienne Westwood Projects, Gallim Dance, Ragamala Dance, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and Producer Hub, and general operating support as the purpose of the New Arts Center grant.
The foundation’s website describes a proposal process requiring a short proposal, a budget that clearly identifies the music commissioning cost, brief biographies of the composer and choreographer, and a firm premiere date; workshops are not eligible. For funded projects, the foundation requires commissioning credit for performances, an archival copy of the premiere, and related print material from the first performance. Its filing statements say it does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
The website also describes the Gross Family Prize as equal awards of $20,000 to a choreographer and composer, subject to change at the directors’ discretion. The next prize is for works performed in 2025 or 2026, with submissions due by December 31, 2026. The foundation does not accept submissions of works it has commissioned.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Charles Gross as vice president and director; Joan Gross as treasurer and director; and Emily Gross O’Neil, David Briskin, Duke Dang, Irene Miller, Norton Owen, and Patrick Riordan as directors.
The Charles and Joan Gross Family is led by Emily Gross O'Neil, President & Director since 2021 (on filings since 2019); none of the 8 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Emily Gross O'Neil
President & Director
President & Director As Re → President & Director, 2021
On filings since 2019
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Charles Gross
Vice President & Director
Vice President & Director As R → Vice President & Director, 2021
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joan Gross
Treasurer & Director
Treasurer & Director As R → Treasurer & Director, 2021
On filings since 2019
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David Briskin
Director
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Duke Dang
Director
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Irene Miller
Director
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Norton Owen
Director
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Patrick Riordan
Director
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Arlene Shuler (2021–2023) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about The Charles and Joan Gross Family
How much does The Charles and Joan Gross Family give each year?
The Charles and Joan Gross Family gave $134K across 16 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $93K across 12 grants.
What is The Charles and Joan Gross Family's typical grant size?
The Charles and Joan Gross Family's median grant in 2025 was $6,750, and its average grant was $8,359, across 16 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Charles and Joan Gross Family that year got $11K on average.
Where does The Charles and Joan Gross Family give grants?
The Charles and Joan Gross Family gives mostly in New York: 62% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Massachusetts (10%) and Minnesota (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (3 grants).
Does The Charles and Joan Gross Family give general operating support?
Yes: 19% of The Charles and Joan Gross Family's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (3 of 16) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Artist Commissions" (11 grants).
Who are The Charles and Joan Gross Family's largest grantees?
The Charles and Joan Gross Family's largest 2025 grantees include Adrienne Westwood Projects ($15,000), Gallim Dance Company Inc ($10,000) and New Arts Center ($10,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($40,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 26% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Charles and Joan Gross Family?
The Charles and Joan Gross Family reported $328K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $140K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $87K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Charles and Joan Gross Family fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to support creative activity in the arts, particularly dance and music. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Charles and Joan Gross Family?
The Charles and Joan Gross Family does not accept unsolicited proposals, according to Grantable's research on its published guidelines. Check cjgfamilyfoundation.com for any change to that policy.
What is The Charles and Joan Gross Family's EIN?
The Charles and Joan Gross Family's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-1355016. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does The Charles and Joan Gross Family 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
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 22, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 7, 2026)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS June 23, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 10, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS March 10, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS April 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS March 28, 2024)
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Charles and Joan Gross Family funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 4, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-charles-and-joan-gross-family-morg_84316d29d9ac4c1ba8106cd0454100db
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_201355016_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Charles and Joan Gross Family funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-charles-and-joan-gross-family-morg_84316d29d9ac4c1ba8106cd0454100db},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-04. 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 Charles and Joan Gross Family'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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