The Eric and Barbara Carle
The Eric and Barbara Carle is a private foundation based in Brooklyn, New York, dedicated to the stewardship of Eric Carle’s creative legacy. Its 2025 filing describes Eric Carle artwork on loan to the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art as part of the foundation’s exempt purpose of supporting the museum’s mission.
The Eric and Barbara Carle at a glance
In short: The Eric and Barbara Carle gave $3.4M across 13 grants in 2025 (avg $265K), mostly in Massachusetts. 62% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $3,445,370
- +12.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 13
- +225.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $265,028
- -65.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $78,038,197
- +27.5% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 62% first-time grantees (8 of 13, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (92% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Eric and Barbara Carle
- 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: 78 Meserole Avenue Unit 2, Brooklyn, NY 11222
Phone: (413) 345-9044
Website: https://www.carlefoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Eric and Barbara Carle funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art Inc ($3.2M). Together the top 10 received $3.4M.
Grant Size Distribution
35 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 25 grants of 35 (71%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, the reported shares of grant dollars by recipient state were Massachusetts, 92%; New York, 7%; and Pennsylvania, 1%. Maine and North Carolina each accounted for 0% as reported.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 13 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Eric and Barbara Carle open to new grantees?
62%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 8 of 13 grantees (62%) were first-time recipients. With only 13 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. First grants averaged $15K; repeat grants $666K. How we count
Medians: $9K first-time, $60K repeat.
- 31% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 65% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 131% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.1M (2019) to $3.4M (2025). In 2025 it made 13 grants totaling $3.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art Inc Amherst, MA | General Funding | $3,155,405 |
| Original Music Workshop DBA National Sawdust Brooklyn, NY | General Funding | $87,215 |
| GLSEN Inc New York, NY | General Funding | $60,000 |
| Brooklyn Public Library Philadelphia, PA | General Funding | $50,000 |
| Vision into Art Presents Inc New York, NY | General Funding | $25,000 |
| Bushwick Book Club New York, NY | General Funding | $15,000 |
| North Broolyn Parks Alliance Brooklyn, NY | General Funding | $15,000 |
| The Ashley Bryan Center Islesford, ME | General Funding | $10,000 |
| Tri-State Transportation Campaign New York, NY | General Funding | $10,000 |
| House of Speakeasy Foundation New York, NY | General Funding | $8,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Eric and Barbara Carle?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $78,038,197 | $22,248,288 | $5,428,085 | $3,445,370 | 13 | $4,767,656 | $21,762,727 | $3,644,488 |
| 2024 | $61,198,740 | $12,087,674 | $4,410,009 | $3,050,499 | 4 | $7,225,210 | $9,789,826 | $3,805,339 |
| 2023 | $53,520,751 | $8,372,636 | $3,425,506 | $2,480,000 | 6 | $3,125,158 | $7,968,741 | $3,082,926 |
| 2022 | $48,625,562 | $7,932,221 | $3,032,885 | $2,093,000 | 8 | $2,630,157 | $7,521,791 | $3,048,463 |
| 2021 | $43,726,230 | $13,549,591 | $3,081,625 | $2,190,500 | 4 | $2,698,197 | $13,043,614 | $3,149,805 |
| 2020 | $33,258,389 | $28,100,246 | $2,670,226 | $1,654,332 | 4 | — | $28,920,946 | $2,910,791 |
| 2019 | $7,828,244 | $6,556,248 | $1,751,182 | $1,125,500 | 9 | — | $2,170,333 | $3,027,882 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Eric and Barbara Carle reported a distributable amount of $3.6M for 2025 — 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’s stated mission is to steward Eric Carle’s creative legacy. Its 2025 filing reports artwork on loan to the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. That year, its grants included general funding for organizations such as the Eric Carle Museum and National Sawdust, as well as support identified as “sponsored artist” for The Performance Zone Inc. dba The Field.
Grantees’ stated missions illustrate the range of organizations supported. GLSEN says it works to make K–12 education inclusive, safe, and affirming for all students. The Ashley Bryan Center describes its work as providing a venue for art exhibits and promoting the creative arts through educational programs and gatherings. The Tri-State Transportation Campaign says it conducts advocacy and policy programs to reduce car dependency and promote sustainable transportation in the New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut metropolitan regions. House of Speakeasy Foundation says it supports and promotes the art of writing.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 13 grants totaling $3,445,370. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $3,155,405, with a median of $15,000.
The largest reported grants included $3,155,405 to the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art for general funding; $87,215 to Original Music Workshop dba National Sawdust for general funding; and $60,000 to GLSEN for general funding. Other grants included $50,000 to Brooklyn Public Library, $25,000 to Vision Into Art Presents, and $15,000 each to Bushwick Book Club and North Broolyn Parks Alliance. The Ashley Bryan Center and Tri-State Transportation Campaign each received $10,000; House of Speakeasy Foundation received $8,000.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Rolf Carle as director and president; William Keith Wiseman as treasurer; Renata Lakas as director and clerk; and Teresa Toro as director and vice president.
The Eric and Barbara Carle is led by Rolf Carle, Director & President since 2024 (on filings since 2019); none of the 4 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Rolf Carle
Director & President
Director → Director & President, 2024
On filings since 2019
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Renata Lakas
Director & Clerk--Also See Line
Director & Clerk → Director & Clerk--Also See Line, 2025
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
$90K (2024) → $0 (2025)
Teresa Toro
Director & Vice President
On filings since 2024
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
William Keith Wiseman
Treasurer
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: John F. Fortier Jr. (2019–2024) — President, Treasurer & Clerk · Filing note: Thru 930
- Former: Eric Carle (2019–2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $197K, to John F Fortier Jr Thru 930 (President, Treasurer, Cler). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Eric and Barbara Carle
How much does The Eric and Barbara Carle give each year?
The Eric and Barbara Carle gave $3.4M across 13 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $3.1M across 4 grants.
What is The Eric and Barbara Carle's typical grant size?
The Eric and Barbara Carle's median grant in 2025 was $15,000, and its average grant was $265,028, across 13 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Eric and Barbara Carle that year got $15K on average.
Where does The Eric and Barbara Carle give grants?
The Eric and Barbara Carle gives mostly in Massachusetts: 92% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was New York (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (7 grants) and Brooklyn, NY (2 grants).
Does The Eric and Barbara Carle give general operating support?
Yes: 92% of The Eric and Barbara Carle's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (12 of 13) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Eric and Barbara Carle's largest grantees?
The Eric and Barbara Carle's largest 2025 grantees include Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art Inc ($3,155,405), Original Music Workshop DBA National Sawdust ($87,215) and GLSEN Inc ($60,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 96% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Eric and Barbara Carle?
The Eric and Barbara Carle reported $78.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $4.8M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $3.6M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Eric and Barbara Carle fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to steward Eric Carle’s creative legacy. Its 2025 filing reports artwork on loan to the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Eric and Barbara Carle?
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 Eric and Barbara Carle's EIN?
The Eric and Barbara Carle's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 82-2036857. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does The Eric and Barbara Carle 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
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS March 13, 2020)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 13, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The Eric and Barbara Carle funds
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Eric and Barbara Carle funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-eric-and-barbara-carle-morg_4734f4cbbdc24eb3a98b91d0fc8d6027
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_822036857_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Eric and Barbara Carle funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-eric-and-barbara-carle-morg_4734f4cbbdc24eb3a98b91d0fc8d6027},
note = {Accessed 2026-11-03. 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 Eric and Barbara Carle'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.
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