The Cheswatyr Foundation Inc
The Cheswatyr Foundation is a private foundation based in Brooklyn, New York, dedicated to supporting and developing creative contemporary music. Established in 1997, the foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a focus on advancing the field of contemporary music through strategic philanthropic support.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$3.4M
+4.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$217K
+6.4% YoY
Grant Count
27
+17.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$8K
-9.4% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary mission is the support and development of creative contemporary music. The foundation has demonstrated a particular commitment to empowering living composers and supporting organizations that champion contemporary music performance and creation.
Grantmaking
The Cheswatyr Foundation makes grants to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited applications or solicitations.
Grant Range
$5,000
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2023:
- Total Assets: $3,250,692
- Total Revenues: $71,366
- Total Expenses: $257,284
- Total Giving: $203,650
Revenue Breakdown (2023):
- Investment income and dividends: $95,195
- Grants and contributions: $500
- Net loss from sale of non-inventory assets: ($24,329)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $3,381,682 | $3,250,692 | $3,440,150 |
| Revenue | $418,940 | $71,366 | $47,370 |
| Expenses | $292,149 | $257,284 | $305,454 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $235,690 | $214,944 | $262,969 |
| Net Investment Income | $362,468 | $52,850 | $36,153 |
| Distributable Amount | $229,788 | $212,023 | $220,732 |
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
151 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is led by a board of five individuals:
- Emily Wasserman – President (15 hours per week)
- Wendy Wasserman – Vice President (5 hours per week)
- Stefanie Wasserman – Treasurer (1 hour per week)
- James Browne – Director (1 hour per week)
- Norian Caporal Berkowitz – Secretary (1 hour per week)
All board members serve without compensation. The foundation operates with limited paid staffing.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| EMILY WASSERMAN | PRESIDENT | 15 | — |
| WENDY WASSERMAN | VICE PRESIDENT | 5 | — |
| STEFANIE WASSERMAN | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| JAMES BROWNE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| NORIAN CAPORAL BERKOWITZ | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation continues to support contemporary music through its commissioning program. The 2025–2026 Cheswatyr Commission features a world premiere by composer Brittany J. Green, with additional works by Allison Loggins-Hull, Akua Dixon, and Jennifer Curtis, presented in partnership with Composers Now at Columbia University.
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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