The Fan Fox and Leslie R Samuels
The Fan Fox and Leslie R Samuels Foundation is a private foundation based in New York, New York. It supports New York City performing arts organizations and programs serving older adults, with stated program missions focused on artistic quality and improving older New Yorkers’ health care and quality of life.
The Fan Fox and Leslie R Samuels at a glance
In short: The Fan Fox and Leslie R Samuels gave $7.9M across 251 grants in 2025 (avg $32K), mostly in New York. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $7,935,677
- +2.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 251
- +25000.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $31,616
- -99.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $230,300,876
- +54.5% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- New York (99% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The Fan Fox and Leslie R Samuels
- How to Apply
-
For performing arts requests, organizations must be not-for-profit, based in and incorporated in New York City, and may submit only once in a 12-month period. The guidelines say general operating support is most common; special project grants may be offered in some years. The foundation’s 2024 filing states that no form or materials are required and lists Julio Urbina as the contact for applications. The website directs performing arts applicants to its current guidelines and application process. Healthy Aging applicants are advised to discuss their idea or project with a program officer. The filing states that awards are restricted to New York City performing arts and to social service and healthcare programs for older adults in New York City.
- Review Cycle
- The foundation’s performing arts guidelines list four application dates for 2026–27: September 1 and December 1, 2026, and March 1 and June 1, 2027. No Healthy Aging deadline is stated in the provided materials.
- Deadline
- The foundation’s performing arts guidelines list four application dates for 2026–27: September 1 and December 1, 2026,…
- Contact
Application contact: Julio Urbina
Mailing address: 275 Madison Avenue 31St Fl, New York, NY 10016
Phone: (212) 239-3030
Email: jurbina@samuels.org
Website: https://www.samuels.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from The Fan Fox and Leslie R Samuels
Who The Fan Fox and Leslie R Samuels funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Metropolitan Opera Association Inc ($400K). Together the top 10 received $2.0M.
Grant Size Distribution
255 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 193 grants of 255 (76%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s programs specify New York City as their geographic focus: performing arts applicants must be based in and incorporated in the city, and Healthy Aging programs must serve the city’s older adults. In filing year 2025, 99% of grant dollars went to recipients in New York State and 1% to recipients in New Jersey.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 251 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Fan Fox and Leslie R Samuels gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+15%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 91% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $6.9M (2022) to $7.9M (2025). In 2025 it made 251 grants totaling $7.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Metropolitan Opera Association Inc New York, NY | Support for the 2023 production of x: the life and times of malcolm x | $400,000 |
| Brooklyn Academy of Music Inc Brooklyn, NY | General Operating Support for the 2024-2025 Season | $200,000 |
| Carnegie Hall Corporation New York, NY | Support for the 2024-2025 Season | $200,000 |
| Philharmonic-Symphony Society of New York Inc New York, NY | General operating support for the 2024-2025 New York city season | $200,000 |
| Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center Inc New York, NY | Support for the 2024-2025 Concert Season | $150,000 |
| Jazz at Lincoln Center Inc New York, NY | General Operating Support for the 2024-2025 Season | $150,000 |
| New York City Ballet Inc New York, NY | General Operating Support for the 2024-2025 Season | $150,000 |
| Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney Island Inc Brooklyn, NY | Jccgcis Medicaid Advocacy Program (Map) | $135,000 |
| Jamaica Hospital Medical Center Jamaica, NY | Supportive Oncology at Medisys Queens Cancer Center | $120,000 |
| Healthcare Educational & Research Fund Inc Rensselaer, NY | Age-friendly health systems in New York: years four and five | $110,000 |
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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 | $230,300,876 | $14,173,700 | $11,758,120 | $7,935,677 | 251 | $9,793,204 | $13,209,625 | $10,708,810 |
| 2024 | $149,091,596 | $11,210,373 | $11,167,512 | $7,729,883 | 1 | $9,804,190 | $8,754,431 | $10,053,965 |
| 2023 | $149,932,927 | $9,046,671 | $10,822,020 | $7,712,696 | 1 | $9,459,774 | $8,680,268 | $9,493,521 |
| 2022 | $151,827,424 | $18,119,765 | $10,150,689 | $6,890,859 | 1 | $8,586,685 | $16,423,219 | $9,883,414 |
| 2021 | $143,855,744 | $14,249,986 | $10,197,322 | $7,325,100 | 1 | — | $12,538,872 | $9,405,360 |
| 2020 | $140,308,398 | $5,925,479 | $10,607,726 | $7,791,830 | 1 | — | $5,419,370 | $8,502,040 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Fan Fox and Leslie R Samuels reported a distributable amount of $10.7M 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 Healthy Aging Program aims to improve health care and the overall quality of life of New York City’s older adults. Its guidelines prioritize direct services that address demonstrable needs, including care for people with acute or chronic illness, palliative care, services for underserved older adults, and programs that help people remain in their homes or improve care in long-term facilities. The foundation also prioritizes programs with potential to continue after its funding ends.
In performing arts, the foundation supports New York City not-for-profit producing and presenting organizations that deliver high-quality work in dance, music, opera, and theatre, including classical and contemporary forms. It also supports a very limited number of pre-professional conservatory and development programs for early-career artists. Its current guidelines exclude primary and secondary arts-in-education programs, broadcasting, spoken word, workshops, and media or visual arts projects related to live performance. Most often, arts grants provide general operating support.
Grantee examples reflect these areas. Brooklyn Academy of Music describes its mission as supporting artistic experimentation and championing inclusion and accessibility in the arts. Jamaica Hospital Medical Center says it provides acute, rehabilitation, hospice, trauma, and psychiatric care, including charity care for eligible patients. Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai describes its work as advancing science, medicine, and health care delivery through research, education, and clinical care.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 251 grants totaling $7,935,677. Grant amounts ranged from $100 to $400,000, with a median of $15,000.
Among its 2025 grants were $400,000 to the Metropolitan Opera Association for support of the 2023 production of *X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X*; $200,000 each to Brooklyn Academy of Music for general operating support and Carnegie Hall for its 2024–2025 season; and $200,000 to the Philharmonic-Symphony Society of New York for general operating support. Other awards included $150,000 each to Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Jazz at Lincoln Center, and New York City Ballet. In the health and social service area, awards included $135,000 to Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney Island for its Medicaid Advocacy Program, $120,000 to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center for supportive oncology, and $110,000 to Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai for care navigators supporting dementia care delivery.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Joseph C. Mitchell as chairman; Robert Marx as president and director; Julio Urbina as vice president and COO; Michael L. Ziegler as director and secretary; and Joseph W. Polisi, Mikki Shepard, and Martin Kelly as directors.
The Fan Fox and Leslie R Samuels is led by Robert Marx, President & Director since 2021 (on filings since 2020); all 7 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Robert Marx
President & Director
President → President & Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
48 hrs/week
$300K (2020) → $324K (2025)
Joseph C. Mitchell See Stmt
Chairman
New on the 2025 filing
48 hrs/week
$210K (2025)
Joseph W. Polisi
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$16K (2020) → $20K (2025)
Martin Kelly
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$8K (2020) → $20K (2025)
Michael L. Ziegler Esq.
Director & Secretary
Secretary → Director & Secretary, 2021
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
$16K (2020) → $20K (2025)
Mikki Shepard
Director
On filings since 2020
1.3 hrs/week
$16K (2020) → $20K (2025)
Julio Urbina
Vice President & COO
Vice President → Vice President & COO, 2025
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$187K (2020) → $245K (2025)
Former officers (2)
- Former: Joseph C Mitchell (2020–2024) — Chairman & Managing Director
- Former: Jacqueline M Taylor (2020–2023) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $324K, to Robert Marx (President, Director). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Fan Fox and Leslie R Samuels
How much does The Fan Fox and Leslie R Samuels give each year?
The Fan Fox and Leslie R Samuels gave $7.9M across 251 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $7.7M across 1 grant.
What is The Fan Fox and Leslie R Samuels's typical grant size?
The Fan Fox and Leslie R Samuels's median grant in 2025 was $15,000, and its average grant was $31,616, across 251 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Fan Fox and Leslie R Samuels give grants?
The Fan Fox and Leslie R Samuels gives mostly in New York: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (159 grants), Brooklyn, NY (36 grants), Bronx, NY (7 grants) and New Hyde Park, NY (4 grants).
Does The Fan Fox and Leslie R Samuels give general operating support?
Yes: 52% of The Fan Fox and Leslie R Samuels's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (130 of 251) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Support for the 2024-2025 Performing Arts Season" (4 grants) and "Support for the 2024-2025 Season" (4 grants).
Who are The Fan Fox and Leslie R Samuels's largest grantees?
The Fan Fox and Leslie R Samuels's largest 2025 grantees include Metropolitan Opera Association Inc ($400,000), Northwell Health Foundation ($260,000 across 4 grants) and Brooklyn Academy of Music Inc ($200,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 11% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Fan Fox and Leslie R Samuels?
The Fan Fox and Leslie R Samuels reported $230.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $9.8M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $10.7M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does The Fan Fox and Leslie R Samuels fund?
The foundation’s Healthy Aging Program aims to improve health care and the overall quality of life of New York City’s older adults. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Fan Fox and Leslie R Samuels?
For performing arts requests, organizations must be not-for-profit, based in and incorporated in New York City, and may submit only once in a 12-month period. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Fan Fox and Leslie R Samuels's EIN?
The Fan Fox and Leslie R Samuels's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-3124818. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 10, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Fan Fox and Leslie R Samuels funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 19, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-fan-fox-and-leslie-r-samuels-morg_f3fa5cff2ec4438b8359a50846c24c82
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_133124818_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Fan Fox and Leslie R Samuels funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-fan-fox-and-leslie-r-samuels-morg_f3fa5cff2ec4438b8359a50846c24c82},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-19. 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 Fan Fox and Leslie R Samuels'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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