The Daphne Foundation
The Daphne Foundation is a private foundation established in 1991 with a focus on supporting grassroots organizations in New York City. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization and is classified as a private foundation under IRS regulations.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$9.3M
+0.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$133K
-70.2% YoY
Grant Count
11
+10.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$12K
-72.9% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Daphne Foundation reported a distributable amount of $602K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Daphne Foundation invests in organizations that empower community residents directly affected by poverty, violence, and discrimination to develop solutions that result in a more equitable, fair, and peaceful New York City.
The foundation prioritizes grantees that demonstrate strength in the following areas:
- Dedication to community leaders
- Community-based organizations operating in New York City
- Work to address community concerns as defined by community members
- Promotion of strategies for systematic and/or institutional change
- Understanding of the importance of collaboration
- Commitment to organizational health and sustainability
As a signatory of Philanthropy's Promise, an initiative of the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP), the foundation has committed to allocating at least 25% of its grantmaking dollars to social justice strategies.
Grantmaking
Recent grants made by the foundation include:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's primary geographic focus is New York City. The foundation has also provided support internationally, including contributions to initiatives in Liberia.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $9,306,340
- Total Revenues: $734,003
- Total Expenses: $675,831
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $9.25 million
- Total Revenues: $729,168
- Total Expenses: $907,440
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $9,306,340 | $9,248,168 | $9,447,261 |
| Revenue | $734,003 | $729,168 | $485,572 |
| Expenses | $675,831 | $907,449 | $833,712 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $557,051 | $799,100 | $721,487 |
| Net Investment Income | $632,222 | $620,821 | $379,352 |
| Distributable Amount | $602,480 | $567,593 | $568,601 |
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
65 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include North Star Fund Inc ($100,000), Justice Committee Inc ($6,000), African Communities Together ($3,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AFRICAN COMMUNITIES TOGETHER NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $3,000 |
| BLACK WOMEN'S BLUEPRINT BROOKLYN, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $3,000 |
| Brandworkers International Inc LONG ISLAND CITY, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $3,000 |
| DRUM-DESIS RISING UP AND MOVING JACKSON HEIGHTS, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $3,000 |
| FAITH IN NEW YORK INC CORONA, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $3,000 |
| JUSTICE COMMITTEE INC JACKSON HEIGHTS, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $6,000 |
| Voices of Community Activists & Leaders(Vocal-NY) BROOKLYN, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $3,000 |
| Committee Against Anti-Asian Violence NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $3,000 |
| North Star Fund Inc NEW YORK, NY | Communities United for Police Reform | $3,000 |
| North Star Fund Inc NEW YORK, NY | Anti-White Nationalism Work Group and Pooled Fund | $100,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Ingrid Benedict - Executive Director
- Leemu Madison - Staff member
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ABIGAIL E DISNEY | SECRETARY / DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| PIERRE HAUSER II | PRESIDENT / DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| INGRID BENEDICT | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 24 | $158,270 |
| YVONNE MOORE | VP / TREASURER / DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Daphne Foundation announced that it is preparing to spend down its assets over the next few years. After over three decades of supporting grassroots organizations in New York City, the foundation has committed to making focused and increased investments in community organizing infrastructure that protects, defends, and expands a multi-racial and inclusive democracy. The foundation describes this transition as "writing its final chapter" while building a lasting legacy.
2025 HEP Grant Announcement - Laughing Gull FoundationFrequently Asked Questions
What does The Daphne Foundation fund?
The Daphne Foundation invests in organizations that empower community residents directly affected by poverty, violence, and discrimination to develop solutions that result in a more equitable, fair, and peaceful New York City. The foundation prioritizes grantees that demonstrate strength in the following areas: • Dedication to community leaders • Community-based organizations operating in New York City • Work to address community concerns as defined by community members • Promotion of strategie…
How do I apply for a grant from The Daphne Foundation?
Recent grants made by the foundation include: • North Star Fund: $100,000 for Anti-White Nationalism Work Group and Pooled Fund (2024) • Justice Committee: $6,000 for General Support (2024) • Committee Against Anti-Asian Violence (CAAAV): $3,000 for General Support (2024) The foundation also provided support to the Liberia Philanthropy Secretariat, a government agency established in 2009 to facilitate collaboration and enhance alignment between foundations' activities and Liberia's Development …
Where does The Daphne Foundation make grants?
The foundation's primary geographic focus is New York City. The foundation has also provided support internationally, including contributions to initiatives in Liberia.
What size grants does The Daphne Foundation award?
In 2024, The Daphne Foundation awarded 11 grants totaling $133K — an average of about $12K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Daphne Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Daphne Foundation reported a distributable amount of $602K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Daphne Foundation's EIN?
The Daphne Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-4288541. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Daphne Foundation'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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