The Esther & Morton Wohlgemuth
The Esther & Morton Wohlgemuth is a private foundation based in Brooklyn, New York. It gave 143 grants totaling $201,205 in 2024 to charitable organizations working in areas that include education, conservation, civil rights, health, and humanitarian relief, as reflected in grantees’ own descriptions of their work.
The Esther & Morton Wohlgemuth at a glance
In short: The Esther & Morton Wohlgemuth gave $201K across 143 grants in 2024 (avg $1K), top state New York. 9% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $201,205
- +2.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 143
- +2.9% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $1,407
- -0.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $900
- Total assets
- $2,372,990
- -2.2% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 9% first-time grantees (13 of 143, 2024)
- Primary geography
- New York (34% 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 Esther & Morton Wohlgemuth
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: Co Melissa Wohlgemuth 447 7Th St, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Phone: (718) 499-0104
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Esther & Morton Wohlgemuth funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Catlin Gabel School ($12K). Together the top 10 received $80K.
Grant Size Distribution
699 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 699 grants of 699 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, the largest shares of grant dollars went to recipients in New York (34%), New Mexico (15%), California (8%), Washington, DC (8%), and Oregon (8%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 143 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Esther & Morton Wohlgemuth open to new grantees?
9%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 13 of 143 grantees (9%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $431; repeat grants $2K. How we count
Medians: $350 first-time, $1K repeat.
- 88% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+3%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 101% 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 $188K (2022) to $201K (2024). In 2024 it made 143 grants totaling $201K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Catlin Gabel School Portland, OR | General Purpose | $12,000 |
| Nature Conservatory Santa Fe, NM | General Purpose | $11,000 |
| Planned Parenthood Worchester, MA | General Purpose | $11,000 |
| ACLU Foundation New York, NY | General Purpose | $10,000 |
| Pacific Forest Trust San Francisco, CA | General Purpose | $10,000 |
| Yale University New Haven, NH | General Purpose | $5,500 |
| American Cancer Society New York, NY | General Purpose | $5,000 |
| Doctors Without Borders New York, NY | General Purpose | $5,000 |
| International Rescue Committee Albertlea, MN | General Purpose | $5,000 |
| NAACP Baltimore, MD | General Purpose | $5,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Esther & Morton Wohlgemuth?
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 | $2,372,990 | $205,476 | $259,758 | $201,205 | 143 | $220,310 | $169,128 | $217,378 |
| 2023 | $2,427,275 | $170,564 | $222,566 | $196,315 | 139 | $201,143 | $149,141 | $202,240 |
| 2022 | $2,479,277 | $194,332 | $223,050 | $187,807 | 132 | $195,492 | $169,774 | $214,295 |
| 2021 | $2,507,995 | $276,316 | $234,062 | $194,435 | 147 | $200,575 | $254,646 | $211,761 |
| 2020 | $2,465,741 | $215,238 | $231,750 | $197,643 | 138 | — | $192,845 | $196,565 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Esther & Morton Wohlgemuth reported a distributable amount of $217K 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
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included organizations whose stated missions span several areas. Catlin Gabel School says it fosters compassionate, curious citizens by inspiring a love of learning and responsible action. World Wildlife Fund says its mission is to conserve nature and reduce threats to the diversity of life on Earth. The Southern Poverty Law Center describes its work as advancing racial justice and human rights, while World Central Kitchen says it provides meals in response to humanitarian, climate, and community crises.
Other 2024 recipients include Sarah Lawrence College, which describes a mission of graduating diverse citizens of the world who take intellectual and creative risks; Cascade Forest Conservancy, which says it protects and sustains forests, streams, wildlife, and communities; and Growing Gardens, which says it cultivates healthy, equitable communities through food-growing experiences.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 143 grants totaling $201,205. Grants ranged from $100 to $12,000, with a median of $900. Among the largest were $12,000 to Catlin Gabel School, $11,000 each to Nature Conservatory and Planned Parenthood, and $10,000 each to ACLU Foundation and Pacific Forest Trust. Other recipients included American Cancer Society and Doctors Without Borders, each receiving $5,000, and World Wildlife Fund, which received $5,000.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Melissa Wohlgemuth as president; Sara Wohlgemuth and Karen Wohlgemuth as trustees; Erik Wohlgemuth as treasurer; and Jessica Cintron as secretary.
The Esther & Morton Wohlgemuth is led by Melissa Wohlgemuth, President on every filing since 2020; 2 of 5 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Melissa Wohlgemuth
President
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$5K (2020) → $5K (2024)
Sara Wohlgemuth
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$5K (2020) → $5K (2024)
Karen Wohlgemuth
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Erik Wohlgemuth
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Jessica Cintron
Secretary
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $5K, to Melissa Wohlgemuth (President). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Esther & Morton Wohlgemuth
How much does The Esther & Morton Wohlgemuth give each year?
The Esther & Morton Wohlgemuth gave $201K across 143 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $196K across 139 grants.
What is The Esther & Morton Wohlgemuth's typical grant size?
The Esther & Morton Wohlgemuth's median grant in 2024 was $900, and its average grant was $1,407, across 143 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Esther & Morton Wohlgemuth that year got $431 on average.
Where does The Esther & Morton Wohlgemuth give grants?
The Esther & Morton Wohlgemuth's top state is New York, with 34% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were New Mexico (15%) and California (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (42 grants), Brooklyn, NY (24 grants), Santa Fe, NM (18 grants) and Washington, DC (11 grants).
Does The Esther & Morton Wohlgemuth give general operating support?
Yes: 99% of The Esther & Morton Wohlgemuth's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (142 of 143) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Esther & Morton Wohlgemuth's largest grantees?
The Esther & Morton Wohlgemuth's largest 2024 grantees include Catlin Gabel School ($12,000), Nature Conservatory ($11,000) and Planned Parenthood ($11,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 17% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Esther & Morton Wohlgemuth?
The Esther & Morton Wohlgemuth reported $2.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $220K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $217K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Esther & Morton Wohlgemuth fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included organizations whose stated missions span several areas. Catlin Gabel School says it fosters compassionate, curious citizens by inspiring a love of learning and responsible action. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Esther & Morton Wohlgemuth?
The foundation states that it 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 Esther & Morton Wohlgemuth's EIN?
The Esther & Morton Wohlgemuth's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-6086849. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Esther & Morton Wohlgemuth 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
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Esther & Morton Wohlgemuth funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-esther-and-morton-wohlgemuth-morg_738d1ef00de644ed8b584bbe7d30435e
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_136086849_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Esther \& Morton Wohlgemuth funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-esther-and-morton-wohlgemuth-morg_738d1ef00de644ed8b584bbe7d30435e},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. 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 Esther & Morton Wohlgemuth'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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