The Joseph and Robert Cornell
The Joseph and Robert Cornell Memorial Foundation is a private charitable foundation established through the will of acclaimed 20th-century American artist Joseph Cornell (1903-1972). The foundation is named in honor of both Joseph, a pioneering assemblage artist and experimental filmmaker, and his younger brother Robert (1910-1965), who had severe cerebral palsy and required lifelong care. Joseph Cornell's profound devotion to his brother led him to request that the charitable trust bear both their names. Based in Charlottesville, Virginia, the foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization and has been tax-exempt since July 1984.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$64.5M
+8.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$4.6M
-4.2% YoY
Grant Count
54
-11.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$85K
+8.3% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Joseph and Robert Cornell reported a distributable amount of $5.6M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation distributes a percentage of its assets annually to nonprofit beneficiaries "with an emphasis on the arts and with the view to inspire appreciation for the creative arts in all its forms." Primary funding priorities include:
- Arts and culture
- Historical activities and historic preservation
- Education and higher education
- Health, in-patient medical care, and hospital care
- Philanthropy, voluntarism, and grantmaking
- Human services
Grantmaking
The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis and does not accept unsolicited applications or requests for funds. It makes contributions exclusively to preselected charitable organizations.
Grant Range
$2,000 - $1,000,000
Average Grant
amount varies by year
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Virginia, New York, and Massachusetts—regions connected to Joseph Cornell's life and legacy. It also supports projects in additional states including Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, New Mexico, and Pennsylvania, with grantees located in cities such as Amherst, Boston, Charlottesville, Chicago, New York, and Washington.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total assets: $64,538,806
- Total revenue: $10,400,921
- Total expenses: $5,492,641
- Net income: $4,908,280
- Total liabilities: $0
- Annual giving: $4,600,000
Historical Context: Since 2000, under the stewardship of trustees Joe Erdman and the late Richard Ader, the foundation has experienced significant growth. In recent years, the foundation has contributed more than $1.5 million annually to arts organizations.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $64,538,806 | $59,630,526 | $58,132,558 |
| Revenue | $10,400,921 | $7,044,434 | $4,107,032 |
| Expenses | $5,492,641 | $5,546,466 | $6,100,761 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $5,039,149 | $5,196,271 | $5,662,447 |
| Net Investment Income | $10,107,429 | $6,787,907 | $3,786,879 |
| Distributable Amount | $5,572,858 | $5,098,515 | $5,430,448 |
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
249 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include University of Virginia ($635,000), Metropolitan Opera Association ($600,000), Charlottesville Opera ($250,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF LAFAYETTE GAITHERSBURG, MD | GRANT IS FOR DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE | $5,000 |
| AMERICAN SHAKESPEARE CENTER STAUNTON, VA | GRANT IS FOR DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE | $50,000 |
| ARC OF THE PIEDMONT CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | GRANT IS FOR DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE | $100,000 |
| ARTSMART PHILADELPHIA, PA | GRANT IS FOR DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE | $50,000 |
| ASSOCIATION FOR THE PRESERVATION OF VIRGINIA ANTIQUITIES RICHMOND, VA | GRANT IS FOR DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE | $35,000 |
| BENNETT'S VILLAGE CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | GRANT IS FOR DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE | $50,000 |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF CENTRAL VIRGINIA CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | GRANT IS FOR DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE | $85,000 |
| CAMP HOLIDAY TRAILS INC CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | GRANT IS FOR DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE | $75,000 |
| CENTER FOR PALLADIAN STUDIES IN AMERICA INCORPORATED CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | GRANT IS FOR DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE | $5,000 |
| CHARLOTTESVILLE BALLET CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | GRANT IS FOR DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE | $100,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Joseph Erdman - Trustee (College '56), part-time resident of Charlottesville, compensation $178,685 (2024)
- Melissa A. Young - Trustee, compensation $178,685 (2024)
- Richard Ader - Former trustee (deceased 2019)
The foundation maintains a staff of 2 employees.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOSEPH ERDMAN | TRUSTEE | 20 | $196,308 |
| MELISSA YOUNG | TRUSTEE | 20 | $196,308 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation maintains an active partnership with the University of Virginia, providing substantial support to arts programs and initiatives across the institution. The Fralin Museum of Art at the University of Virginia houses an important collection of Joseph Cornell's work, made possible through the foundation's generosity. The foundation's support extends to various cultural institutions and educational programs that advance appreciation for the creative arts.
A Life Bound to the Arts - Give to UVA - The University of VirginiaSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Joseph and Robert Cornell fund?
The foundation distributes a percentage of its assets annually to nonprofit beneficiaries "with an emphasis on the arts and with the view to inspire appreciation for the creative arts in all its forms." Primary funding priorities include: • Arts and culture • Historical activities and historic preservation • Education and higher education • Health, in-patient medical care, and hospital care • Philanthropy, voluntarism, and grantmaking • Human services
How do I apply for a grant from The Joseph and Robert Cornell?
**Grant Activity:** • Made 49-54 grants in 2024 • Total annual giving: $4.6 million (2024) • Grant range: $2,000 - $1,000,000 • Average grant amount varies by year **Recent Notable Grants (2024):** • Metropolitan Opera Association: $600,000 • WNET: $525,000 • Charlottesville Opera: $250,000 **Application Process:** The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis and does not accept unsolicited applications or requests for funds. It makes contributions exclusively to preselected charitable o…
Where does The Joseph and Robert Cornell make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Virginia, New York, and Massachusetts—regions connected to Joseph Cornell's life and legacy. It also supports projects in additional states including Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, New Mexico, and Pennsylvania, with grantees located in cities such as Amherst, Boston, Charlottesville, Chicago, New York, and Washington.
What size grants does The Joseph and Robert Cornell award?
In 2024, The Joseph and Robert Cornell awarded 54 grants totaling $4.6M — an average of about $85K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Joseph and Robert Cornell required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Joseph and Robert Cornell reported a distributable amount of $5.6M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Joseph and Robert Cornell's EIN?
The Joseph and Robert Cornell's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-3097502. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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