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
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
No grants recorded for .
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.
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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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