The Echo Foundation
The Echo Foundation is a private foundation, based in New York, NY. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2026. As of 2026, the organization holds $19K in total assets. In 2026, it awarded 6 grants totaling $19K.
The Echo Foundation at a glance
In short: The Echo Foundation gave $19K across 6 grants in 2026 (avg $3K), mostly in New York. Source: 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2026)
- $18,790
- -35.5% vs 2025
- Grants made (2026)
- 6
- -25.0% vs 2025
- Average grant
- $3,132
- -14.0% vs 2025
- Median grant
- $3,195
- Total assets
- $19,191
- +4.4% vs 2025
- Primary geography
- New York (79% of itemized 2026 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2026 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2026; updated September 2026.
Who The Echo Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2026
The largest 2026 recipient was Fashion Institute of Technology Foundation ($8K). Together the top 4 received $14K.
Organizations only. It also paid 2 individual scholarships ($4,500), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
40 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 40 grants of 40 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2026 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Echo Foundation gives
- Giving grew 23% from 2023 to 2026. Method
- In 2026 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2026, annual grant giving ranged from $15K (2023) to $29K (2025). In 2026 it made 6 grants totaling $19K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Fashion Institute of Technology Foundation New York, NY | Scholarship | $7,500 |
| Parsons the New School of Design New York, NY | Scholarship | $3,500 |
| 2 individual scholarships Recipients not named | — | $4,500 |
| Father's Daymother's Day Council Long Island City, NY | General Purpose | $2,890 |
| Witherspoon-Jackson Historical and Cultural Society Princeton, NJ | General Purpose | $400 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $19,191 | $20,000 | $19,190 | $18,790 | 6 | $18,790 | $1,042 |
| 2025 | $18,381 | — | $29,225 | $29,140 | 8 | $29,225 | $1,972 |
| 2024 | $47,606 | $25,000 | $22,525 | $22,500 | 8 | $22,525 | $2,459 |
| 2023 | $45,131 | $50,000 | $15,395 | $15,250 | 8 | $15,395 | $1,940 |
| 2022 | $10,526 | $25,000 | $21,385 | $21,000 | 10 | $21,385 | $557 |
| 2021 | $6,911 | — | $16,915 | $16,500 | 10 | — | $856 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Echo Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1K for 2026 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Echo Foundation is led by Steven D. Roberts, President-Ceo on every filing since 2021; none of the 3 officers listed in 2026 report compensation.
Officers on the 2026 filing
Steven D. Roberts
President-Ceo
On filings since 2021
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lynn Roberts
Secretary-Treasurer
On filings since 2021
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Susan Farrell
Chief Financial Officer
On filings since 2021
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2026. "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 Echo Foundation
How much does The Echo Foundation give each year?
The Echo Foundation gave $19K across 6 grants in 2026, according to its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2025 it gave $29K across 8 grants.
What is The Echo Foundation's typical grant size?
The Echo Foundation's median grant in 2026 was $3,195, and its average grant was $3,132, across 6 grants on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Echo Foundation give grants?
The Echo Foundation gives mostly in New York: 79% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Rhode Island (19%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (2 grants).
Does The Echo Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 33% of The Echo Foundation's 2026 grants with a stated purpose (2 of 6) were for general or operating support, per its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Scholarship" (4 grants).
Who are The Echo Foundation's largest grantees?
The Echo Foundation's largest 2026 grantees include Fashion Institute of Technology Foundation ($7,500), Parsons the New School of Design ($3,500) and Father's Daymother's Day Council ($2,890), according to its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 2 individual scholarships ($4,500), which are not listed by name. Together they received 74% of its itemized 2026 grant dollars.
How large is The Echo Foundation?
The Echo Foundation reported $19K in total assets on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $19K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is The Echo Foundation's EIN?
The Echo Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7123039. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2026.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2026 (received by the IRS August 3, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Echo Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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