The Lawrence and Carol Saper Foundation logo

The Lawrence and Carol Saper Foundation

Private foundation · Grantmaker New York, NY EIN: 13-3946616 Website

The Lawrence and Carol Saper Foundation is a private foundation based in New York, NY. In 2024, it reported 71 grants totaling $698,135 to charitable organizations, including museums, schools, a synagogue, and medical and arts organizations.

The Lawrence and Carol Saper Foundation at a glance

In short: The Lawrence and Carol Saper Foundation gave $698K across 71 grants in 2024 (avg $10K), mostly in New York. 41% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

Annual giving (2024)
$698,135
-4.9% vs 2023
Grants made (2024)
71
+6.0% vs 2023
Average grant
$9,833
-10.2% vs 2023
Median grant
$5,000
Total assets
$14,231,126
+11.4% vs 2023
New grantees (estimate)
41% first-time grantees (29 of 71, 2024)
Primary geography
New York (93% 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 Lawrence and Carol Saper Foundation

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 Anchin 3 Times Square, New York, NY 10036
Phone: (212) 840-3456

Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Who The Lawrence and Carol Saper Foundation funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

To Jewish Communal Fund: $250KTo Jewish Communal Fund$250KThe Metropolitan Museum of Art: $30KThe Metropolitan Museum of Art$30KMuseum of Modern Art - in Honor of Sarah Suzuki: $25KMuseum of Modern Art - inHonor of Sarah Suzuki$25KSan Francisco Museum of Modern Art: $25KSan Francisco Museum of ModernArt$25KWorld Monuments Fund: $25KWorld Monuments Fund$25KSolomon R Guggenheim Museum - to Support Megan Fontanella's Projects: $20KSolomon R Guggenheim Museum -to Support Megan Fontanella's…$20KWhitney Museum of American Art: $20KWhitney Museum of American Art$20KThe Windward School: $20KThe Windward School$20KPark Avenue Synogogue: $18KPark Avenue Synogogue$18KHospital for Special Surgery - in Honor of Karen Onel MD to Support Pediat: $15KHospital for Special Surgery -in Honor of Karen Onel MD to…$15K

The largest 2024 recipient was To Jewish Communal Fund ($250K). Together the top 10 received $448K.

Grant Size Distribution

334 grants across all recorded years

329<$50K$50–100K$100–250K5$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 329 grants of 334 (99%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

In 2024, 93% of grant dollars went to recipients in New York, 4% to California, and 1% each to Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and the District of Columbia.

Grant Distribution by State

13states

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 71 itemized grants.

Cities

New YorkEast HamptonBrooklynSag HarborWashingtonLarchmontProvidenceSouthamptonChicagoBostonBronxNew WindsorBryn MawrCold SpringDoverForest HillsJackson TownshipKansas CityLakewoodLos Angeles

Is The Lawrence and Carol Saper Foundation open to new grantees?

41%

first-time grantees, 2024

In 2024, 29 of 71 grantees (41%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $6K; repeat grants $12K. How we count

Medians: $5K first-time, $4K repeat.

  • 51% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
  • Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−5%). Method
  • In 2024 it paid out 83% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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

$0$200K$400K$600K$800K65 grants2020 63 grants2021 68 grants2022 67 grants2023 71 grants2024

From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $698K (2024) to $754K (2022). In 2024 it made 71 grants totaling $698K.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
To Jewish Communal Fund New York, NYGeneral Fund$250,000
The Metropolitan Museum of Art New York, NYGeneral Fund$30,000
Museum of Modern Art - in Honor of Sarah Suzuki New York, NYGeneral Fund$25,000
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art San Francisco, CAGeneral Fund$25,000
World Monuments Fund New York, NYGeneral Fund$25,000
Solomon R Guggenheim Museum - to Support Megan Fontanella's Projects New York, NYGeneral Fund$20,000
Whitney Museum of American Art New York, NYGeneral Fund$20,000
The Windward School White Plains, NYGeneral Fund$20,000
Park Avenue Synogogue New York, NYGeneral Fund$17,585
Hospital for Special Surgery - in Honor of Karen Onel MD to Support Pediat New York, NYGeneral Fund$15,000
Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with The Lawrence and Carol Saper Foundation?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsQualifying DistributionsNet Investment IncomeDistributable Amount
2024$14,231,126$2,308,411$846,210$698,13571$710,697$2,210,690$853,575
2023$12,770,361$820,586$830,787$734,00067$744,500$733,725$709,646
2022$12,782,988$272,755$852,814$754,00068$759,250$241,827$732,701
2021$13,328,574$1,002,300$847,433$734,05063$747,925$871,278$769,655
2020$13,138,989$332,630$811,728$718,40665—$247,626$732,919

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Lawrence and Carol Saper Foundation reported a distributable amount of $854K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants include support for arts and cultural organizations, education, religious organizations, and health-related institutions. The Metropolitan Museum of Art says it collects, studies, conserves, and presents significant works of art to connect people to creativity, knowledge, and ideas. The Whitney Museum of American Art says it presents and collects art of the United States and champions living artists. Grace Church School says it teaches intellectual excellence and ethical virtue.

Other 2024 recipients describe a range of work. The LaLELA Project says it provides educational arts for youth from under-resourced communities. The Perlman Music Program says it supports talented young musicians with instruction and mentoring. Hands Offering Hope Foundation says it provides young people with education and mentorship in a culinary community.

Grantmaking

In 2024, the foundation reported 71 grants totaling $698,135. Grant amounts ranged from $100 to $250,000, with a median of $5,000. Among the largest grants were $250,000 to Jewish Communal Fund; $30,000 to the Metropolitan Museum of Art; $25,000 each to the Museum of Modern Art in honor of Sarah Suzuki, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and World Monuments Fund; and $20,000 each to the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, Whitney Museum of American Art, and The Windward School.

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2024 filing lists Lawrence Saper as president, Carol Saper as vice-president and treasurer, and Martin Nussbaum as secretary.

The Lawrence and Carol Saper Foundation is led by Lawrence Saper, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • Lawrence Saper

    President

    On filings since 2020

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Carol Saper

    Vice President & Treasurer

    On filings since 2020

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Martin Nussbaum

    Secretary

    On filings since 2020

    2 hrs/week

    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.

Frequently asked questions about The Lawrence and Carol Saper Foundation

How much does The Lawrence and Carol Saper Foundation give each year?

The Lawrence and Carol Saper Foundation gave $698K across 71 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $734K across 67 grants.

What is The Lawrence and Carol Saper Foundation's typical grant size?

The Lawrence and Carol Saper Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $5,000, and its average grant was $9,833, across 71 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Lawrence and Carol Saper Foundation that year got $6K on average.

Where does The Lawrence and Carol Saper Foundation give grants?

The Lawrence and Carol Saper Foundation gives mostly in New York: 93% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (52 grants), Sag Harbor, NY (2 grants) and East Hampton, NY (2 grants).

Does The Lawrence and Carol Saper Foundation give general operating support?

Yes: 100% of The Lawrence and Carol Saper Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (71 of 71) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

Who are The Lawrence and Carol Saper Foundation's largest grantees?

The Lawrence and Carol Saper Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include To Jewish Communal Fund ($250,000), The Metropolitan Museum of Art ($30,000) and Museum of Modern Art - in Honor of Sarah Suzuki ($25,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 44% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.

How large is The Lawrence and Carol Saper Foundation?

The Lawrence and Carol Saper Foundation reported $14.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $711K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $854K (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 Lawrence and Carol Saper Foundation fund?

No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants include support for arts and cultural organizations, education, religious organizations, and health-related institutions. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from The Lawrence and Carol Saper Foundation?

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 Lawrence and Carol Saper Foundation's EIN?

The Lawrence and Carol Saper Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-3946616. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.

Does The Lawrence and Carol Saper Foundation 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 October 2026.

Data update history

(1)

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Live grants for the work The Lawrence and Carol Saper Foundation funds

Religion Related Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in The Lawrence and Carol Saper Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Funders that support many of the same organizations

IBM International Foundation

Armonk, NY

The IBM International Foundation funds education and workforce programs that build 21st-century and technology job skills, including initiatives for underserved students and job seekers. Its 2024 grants ranged from $10,000 to $8.48 million, with a median of $100,000, and went to organizations across several U.S. states, especially Delaware and Massachusetts. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets

$357.7M

Grants

16

Total Given

$11.7M

The Robert and Joyce Menschel Family Fdn

New York, NY

The foundation supports preselected 501(c)(3) organizations across varied areas, including arts, education and youth development, disability services, health care, and media analysis; most 2025 grant dollars went to New York recipients. Its 2025 grants totaled about $1.57 million, with a median award of $2,500 and amounts ranging from $150 to $1.15 million. It does not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets

$33.6M

Grants

46

Total Given

$1.6M

Daniel M Neidich & Brooke Garber

New York, NY

The foundation supports preselected tax-exempt organizations across areas including the arts, education, children’s mental health, environmental health, and human rights, with most of its giving going to New York recipients. In 2026, grants ranged from $250 to $361,500, with a median of $3,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets

$95K

Grants

60

Total Given

$1.3M

The Gottesman Fund

New York, NY

The Gottesman Fund supports health care and medical education, educational institutions, cultural organizations, and organizations connected to Jewish life and Israel. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,000 to about $27.9 million, with a median of $150,000; 93% of grant dollars went to New York recipients. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets

$502.4M

Grants

98

Total Given

$94.7M

Helen Frankenthaler Foundation Inc

New York, NY

The Helen Frankenthaler Foundation supports visual arts exhibitions, education, research and programming, cultural organizations’ core capacity, and sustainability projects. Its 2024 grants had a median award of $30,000, with recipients in New York, elsewhere in the U.S., and internationally. It funds preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets

$173.2M

Grants

105

Total Given

$14.4M

Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation Inc

Princeton, NJ

The Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation supports health access and stronger health systems, with a focus on adult and pediatric cancers, blood disorders, brain health, and clinical-trial participation in the United States, Brazil, India, and ten Sub-Saharan African countries. In 2024, its median grant was about $134,000, though awards varied widely; it does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests, and advises prospective applicants to contact the Foundation about its process.

Assets

$83.3M

Grants

144

Total Given

$67.7M

More similar funders

More Funders in New York

Cite this profile

Grantable. (2026). The Lawrence and Carol Saper Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 25, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-lawrence-and-carol-saper-foundation-morg_e0725d9a321c461090f08040ad7888da

BibTeX
@misc{grantable_133946616_2026,
  author       = {{Grantable}},
  title        = {{The Lawrence and Carol Saper Foundation funder profile}},
  howpublished = {GrantGraph},
  year         = {2026},
  url          = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-lawrence-and-carol-saper-foundation-morg_e0725d9a321c461090f08040ad7888da},
  note         = {Accessed 2026-10-25. 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 Lawrence and Carol Saper Foundation'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.

The Lawrence and Carol Saper Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?