The Cheswatyr Foundation Inc
The Cheswatyr Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Brooklyn, New York, that supports and develops creative contemporary music. The foundation’s website says it was started in 1997 as a family-operated foundation.
The Cheswatyr Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: The Cheswatyr Foundation Inc gave $217K across 27 grants in 2024 (avg $8K), mostly in New York. 48% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $216,600
- +6.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 27
- +17.4% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $8,022
- -9.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $3,381,682
- +4.0% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 48% first-time grantees (13 of 27, 2024)
- Primary geography
- New York (81% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Cheswatyr Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 151 Dekalb Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11217
Phone: (718) 852-9283
Website: https://cheswatyr.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Cheswatyr Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Composers Now Fund for NYC ($30K). Together the top 10 received $166K.
Grant Size Distribution
151 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 151 grants of 151 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 81% of grant dollars went to recipients in New York, followed by Pennsylvania (4%), Massachusetts (3%), Texas (3%), and Michigan (2%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 27 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Cheswatyr Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
48%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 13 of 27 grantees (48%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $3K; repeat grants $12K. How we count
Medians: $3K first-time, $7K repeat.
- 44% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−11%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 103% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $108K (2020) to $253K (2022). In 2024 it made 27 grants totaling $217K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Composers Now Fund for NYC New York, NY | Charitable | $30,000 |
| Luna Composition Lab New York, NY | Charitable | $30,000 |
| The Jazz Gallery New York, NY | Charitable | $25,000 |
| Alarm Will Sound Brooklyn, NY | Charitable | $20,000 |
| International Contemporaty Ensemble Brooklyn, NY | Charitable | $20,000 |
| KYO-Shin-an Arts Brooklyn, NY | Charitable | $10,000 |
| Make Music Alliance Philadelphia, PA | Charitable | $8,500 |
| Harlem Chamber Players New York, NY | Charitable | $8,000 |
| Looking Glass Art West Fulton, NY | Charitable | $7,500 |
| Bang on a Can Brooklyn, NY | Charitable | $7,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Cheswatyr Foundation Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $3,381,682 | $418,940 | $292,149 | $216,600 | 27 | $235,690 | $362,468 | $229,788 |
| 2023 | $3,250,692 | $71,366 | $257,284 | $203,650 | 23 | $214,944 | $52,850 | $212,023 |
| 2022 | $3,440,150 | $47,370 | $305,454 | $252,705 | 31 | $262,969 | $36,153 | $220,732 |
| 2021 | $3,673,929 | $297,371 | $296,447 | $242,806 | 47 | $250,337 | $251,055 | $238,420 |
| 2020 | $3,651,552 | $3,159,864 | $128,220 | $107,500 | 23 | — | $94,057 | $76,905 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Cheswatyr Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $230K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation describes its purpose as supporting and developing creative contemporary music. Its website names past recipients including The Jazz Gallery, Miller Theatre at Columbia University, Alarm Will Sound, New Music USA, Weeksville, and the Sphinx Foundation.
The grantees’ own descriptions illustrate the kinds of work represented in 2024 giving. Luna Composition Lab says it provides guidance, visibility, and resources to underrepresented artists in artistic and musical composition. Alarm Will Sound describes its work as including contemporary classical music tours and recordings, commissions, and education. Bang on a Can says it presents, commissions, performs, records, and teaches contemporary music. The American Composers Orchestra describes work involving American orchestral music, composer development, and education.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 27 grants totaling $216,600. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $30,000, with a median of $5,000. Among the largest awards were $30,000 each to Composers Now Fund for NYC and Luna Composition Lab; $25,000 to The Jazz Gallery; and $20,000 each to Alarm Will Sound and International Contemporary Ensemble.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Emily Wasserman as president, Wendy Wasserman as vice president, Stefanie Wasserman as treasurer, James Browne as director, and Norian Caporal Berkowitz as secretary. The foundation’s website lists Emily Wasserman, Stefanie Wasserman, Wendy Wasserman, James Errol Browne, and Norian Caporale-Berkowitz on its board of directors.
The Cheswatyr Foundation Inc is led by Emily Wasserman, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 5 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Emily Wasserman
President
On filings since 2020
15 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James Browne
Director
Director → Treasurer, 2021
Treasurer → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Norian Caporal Berkowitz
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Wendy Wasserman
Vice President
Secretary & Treasury → Vice President, 2021
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stefanie Wasserman
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Stephanie Wasserman (2020–2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "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 Cheswatyr Foundation Inc
How much does The Cheswatyr Foundation Inc give each year?
The Cheswatyr Foundation Inc gave $217K across 27 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $204K across 23 grants.
What is The Cheswatyr Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
The Cheswatyr Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $5,000, and its average grant was $8,022, across 27 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Cheswatyr Foundation Inc that year got $3K on average.
Where does The Cheswatyr Foundation Inc give grants?
The Cheswatyr Foundation Inc gives mostly in New York: 81% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (7 grants), Brooklyn, NY (5 grants) and Washington, DC (3 grants).
Does The Cheswatyr Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 27 grants with a stated purpose on The Cheswatyr Foundation Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Charitable" (27 grants).
Who are The Cheswatyr Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
The Cheswatyr Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Composers Now Fund for NYC ($30,000), Luna Composition Lab ($30,000) and The Jazz Gallery ($25,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 39% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Cheswatyr Foundation Inc?
The Cheswatyr Foundation Inc reported $3.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $236K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $230K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Cheswatyr Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation describes its purpose as supporting and developing creative contemporary music. Its website names past recipients including The Jazz Gallery, Miller Theatre at Columbia University, Alarm Will Sound, New Music USA, Weeksville, and the Sphinx Foundation. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Cheswatyr Foundation Inc?
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Cheswatyr Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Cheswatyr Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-3328552. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Cheswatyr Foundation Inc 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 September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Other open foundation grants in New York
New York Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Cheswatyr Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
The Aaron Copland Fund for Music Inc
New York, NY
The Aaron Copland Fund for Music supports organizations advancing public knowledge and appreciation of contemporary American concert music and jazz, including ensembles, presenters, music-service organizations, and record companies. Its 2025 grants ranged from $2,000 to $90,000, with a median of $5,000; funding went primarily to New York, with grants also made across the United States. It accepts preliminary applications for General Support and Project Support, but only invited applicants may submit to the main round; Legacy grants are by invitation only.
Assets
$18.4M
Grants
203
Total Given
$1.5M
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
The Howard Gilman Foundation Inc
New York, NY
The Howard Gilman Foundation supports New York City-based performing arts organizations, presenters, venues, and sector service organizations, primarily with flexible general operating support and other organizational needs. In 2024, grants ranged from $250 to $750,000, with a median of $35,000.
Assets
$630.1M
Grants
392
Total Given
$27.8M
The Amphion Foundation Inc
New York, NY
The Amphion Foundation supports professional nonprofit performing, presenting, and music-service organizations advancing contemporary concert music, especially by American composers, and significant projects involving Elliott Carter’s music; it generally excludes jazz and Broadway-style musical theater. In 2024, grants ranged from $1,500 to $28,000, with a median of $3,000. The Amphion Grant Program is not accepting applications at this time; the Elliott Carter Special Grant Program lists a November 19, 2026 deadline.
Assets
$12.9M
Grants
205
Total Given
$789K
Mid Atlantic Arts Inc
Baltimore, MD
Mid Atlantic Arts funds artists, arts organizations, presenters, and communities for artistic creation, presentation, touring, and cultural projects, including traditional arts and community-based work, primarily in the mid-Atlantic and beyond. Its 2025 grants had a median of $10,000, though awards ranged from $5,104 to $1 million; whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$19.7M
Grants
129
Total Given
$3.4M
New Music USA Inc
New York, NY
New Music USA funds US-based music creators and organizations supporting the creation, performance, and presentation of new music, including work by living composers and historically underrepresented artists. Its typical award is about $7,000, with recent grants ranging from $5,500 to $10,000.
Assets
$22.1M
Grants
88
Total Given
$657K
More similar funders
More Funders in New York
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Cheswatyr Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-cheswatyr-foundation-inc-morg_0d8ef203f0d04b1e82e527af0131c987
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_043328552_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Cheswatyr Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-cheswatyr-foundation-inc-morg_0d8ef203f0d04b1e82e527af0131c987},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-17. 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 Cheswatyr Foundation Inc'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 Cheswatyr Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?