The Liz Claiborne & Art Ortenberg
The Liz Claiborne & Art Ortenberg is a New York, New York–based private foundation that supports wildlife and wildland conservation and the vitality of the human communities connected to them. Its work focuses on selected wildlife landscapes in the Americas, Africa, and Asia, with an emphasis on solutions that benefit both nature and people.
The Liz Claiborne & Art Ortenberg at a glance
In short: The Liz Claiborne & Art Ortenberg gave $9.5M across 81 grants in 2024 (avg $118K), top state Montana. 18% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $9,530,697
- -3.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 81
- +35.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $117,663
- -28.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $100,000
- Total assets
- $229,502,423
- +9.3% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 18% first-time grantees (9 of 51, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Montana (24% 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 Liz Claiborne & Art Ortenberg
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. It makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1385 Broadway 23Rd Fl, New York, NY 10018-6013
Phone: (212) 333-2536
Website: https://lcaof.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Liz Claiborne & Art Ortenberg funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Wildlife Conservation Society ($1.3M across 4 grants). Together the top 10 received $5.7M.
Grant Size Distribution
317 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 113 grants of 317 (36%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation supports on-the-ground conservation in selected, globally significant terrestrial wildlife landscapes in North and South America, Africa, and Asia. Its website highlights the northern Rocky Mountain region, particularly Montana and neighboring states, as well as Canada. In 2024, 24% of grant dollars went to recipients in Montana, 16% to New York, 9% to California, and 8% to Colorado; the filing also lists an unidentified category at 15%.
Examples of 2024 grants include work in Indonesia, Thailand, Belize and Guatemala, Argentina, Tanzania, Ecuador, and Canada.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 81 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Liz Claiborne & Art Ortenberg open to new grantees?
18%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 9 of 51 grantees (18%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $112K; repeat grants $203K. How we count
Medians: $100K first-time, $109K repeat.
- 71% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 84% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 103% 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 $5.2M (2021) to $11.6M (2022). In 2024 it made 81 grants totaling $9.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Heart of the Rockies Missoula, MT | Keep It Connected Initiative | $1,100,000 |
| Wildlife Conservation Society Bronx, NY | Leuser ecosystem program, phase 2, indonesia (year 2 of 3) | $640,888 |
| Maliasili Initiatives Essex Junction, VT | Maliasili Conservation Fund (Year 3 of 4) | $500,000 |
| Wild Foundation Boulder, CO | Indigenous-Led Initiative (Year 2 of 3) | $400,000 |
| Wildlife Conservation Network San Francisco, CA | Spectacled Bear Conservation Challenge Grant, Northern Peru | $400,000 |
| Universidad San Francisco De Quito | Biodiversity conservation, connectivity, and restoration in the ecuadorian andes (tandanyapa payment 2 of 3) | $315,000 |
| Makeway Foundation | Indigenous-Led Conservation Initiatives, Canada (Year 3 of 3) | $300,000 |
| Wildlife Conservation Society Bronx, NY | Wefcom Program, Thailand (Year 3 of 3) | $250,000 |
| Wildlife Conservation Society Bronx, NY | Community-based conservation & fire management in the maya forest, belize/guatemala (year 2 of 3) | $229,139 |
| Rewild Austin, TX | Rewilding argentina: community conservation, northern argentina (year 1 of 3) | $225,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $229,502,423 | $33,167,173 | $13,568,371 | $9,530,697 | 81 | $11,878,384 | $32,471,193 | $11,479,074 |
| 2023 | $209,903,621 | $5,446,365 | $13,149,911 | $9,843,175 | 60 | $12,036,736 | $4,507,772 | $10,888,040 |
| 2022 | $217,607,167 | $4,169,306 | $14,137,321 | $11,577,914 | 52 | $12,883,857 | $3,788,714 | $11,286,556 |
| 2021 | $227,575,182 | $27,441,084 | $8,224,569 | $5,170,573 | 45 | $14,711,916 | $26,756,590 | $12,103,960 |
| 2020 | $208,358,667 | $11,296,700 | $8,109,404 | $5,667,430 | 79 | — | $10,204,975 | $10,565,959 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Liz Claiborne & Art Ortenberg reported a distributable amount of $11.5M 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
The foundation’s stated mission is to support the survival of wildlife and wildlands and the vitality of the human communities with which they are linked. It focuses on issues including species extinction, habitat destruction and fragmentation, and resource depletion. Its website describes an approach that combines good science, collaboration, sound public policy, and community-based conservation.
The foundation evaluates and seeks to strengthen five conditions for lasting conservation: reliable ecological information; well-managed protected areas and wildlife corridors; supportive government agencies and public policies; empowered local communities; and sustainable, diverse sources of financial support.
The 2024 grants illustrate support for a range of conservation organizations and projects. Wildlife Conservation Society received grants for work including the Leuser Ecosystem Program in Indonesia, the WEFCOM Program in Thailand, and conservation and fire management in the Maya Forest. The Society describes its mission as saving wildlife and wild places through science, conservation action, education, and inspiring people to value nature. Maliasili Initiatives, which received $500,000, describes its mission as accelerating community-based conservation through local organizations. Wildlife Conservation Network, which received $400,000, says it connects conservationists and supporters and provides resources, tools, and support to conservationists. Re:wild, which received $225,000, describes its work as protecting and restoring the wild. PAMS Foundation, which received $216,463, says it supports qualifying nonprofit organizations in Africa, with a focus on Tanzanian charities working in conservation and environmental education.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 81 grants totaling $9,530,697. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $1,100,000, with a median of $100,000. Among the largest awards were $1,100,000 to Heart of the Rockies for its Keep It Connected Initiative; $640,888 to Wildlife Conservation Society for the Leuser Ecosystem Program, Phase 2, in Indonesia; $500,000 to Maliasili Initiatives for the Maliasili Conservation Fund; and $400,000 each to the Wild Foundation for an Indigenous-led initiative and Wildlife Conservation Network for a spectacled bear conservation challenge grant in northern Peru.
The foundation states that it works closely with grantees to develop initiatives and projects of appropriate size and scale, pursuing both short-term catalyzing opportunities and steady partnerships and long-term support. Its 2024 filing states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Alison Richard and Victor Kovner as trustees. It lists Douglas Chadwick, Grant Parker, Ullas Karanth, William DeBuys, Yolanda Kakabadse, Helen Gichochi, and Shivsharan Someshwar as advisory board members.
The Liz Claiborne & Art Ortenberg's 2024 filing lists 9 officers; all 9 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Alison Richard
Trustee
On filings since 2020
6 hrs/week
$50K (2020) → $50K (2024)
Victor Kovner
Trustee
On filings since 2020
8 hrs/week
$83K (2020) → $100K (2024)
Douglas Chadwick
Advisory Board Member
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
$18K (2020) → $10K (2024)
Grant Parker
Advisory Board Member
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
$18K (2020) → $28K (2024)
Ullas Karanth
Advisory Board Member
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
$18K (2020) → $10K (2024)
William Debuys
Advisory Board Member
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
$18K (2020) → $28K (2024)
Helen Gichochi
Advisory Board Member
On filings since 2023
4 hrs/week
$20K (2023) → $20K (2024)
Yolanda Kakabadse
Advisory Board Member
On filings since 2023
4 hrs/week
$20K (2023) → $20K (2024)
Shivsharan Someshwar
Advisory Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
4 hrs/week
$20K (2024)
Former officers (2)
- Former: David Western (2020–2023) — Advisory Board Chairperson
- Former: William Conway (2020–2022) — Advisory Board Member
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 $100K, to Victor Kovner (Trustee). 9 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Liz Claiborne & Art Ortenberg
How much does The Liz Claiborne & Art Ortenberg give each year?
The Liz Claiborne & Art Ortenberg gave $9.5M across 81 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $9.8M across 60 grants.
What is The Liz Claiborne & Art Ortenberg's typical grant size?
The Liz Claiborne & Art Ortenberg's median grant in 2024 was $100,000, and its average grant was $117,663, across 81 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Liz Claiborne & Art Ortenberg that year got $112K on average.
Where does The Liz Claiborne & Art Ortenberg give grants?
The Liz Claiborne & Art Ortenberg's top state is Montana, with 24% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were New York (16%) and California (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were Missoula, MT (5 grants), Bronx, NY (4 grants), Boulder, CO (3 grants) and Austin, TX (3 grants).
Does The Liz Claiborne & Art Ortenberg give general operating support?
Yes: 28% of The Liz Claiborne & Art Ortenberg's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (23 of 81) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Capacity and Organizational Strengthening (Cos) Program" (9 grants).
Who are The Liz Claiborne & Art Ortenberg's largest grantees?
The Liz Claiborne & Art Ortenberg's largest 2024 grantees include Wildlife Conservation Society ($1,339,027 across 4 grants), Heart of the Rockies ($1,100,000) and Wildlife Conservation Network ($598,914 across 2 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 32% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Liz Claiborne & Art Ortenberg?
The Liz Claiborne & Art Ortenberg reported $229.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $11.9M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $11.5M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Liz Claiborne & Art Ortenberg fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to support the survival of wildlife and wildlands and the vitality of the human communities with which they are linked. It focuses on issues including species extinction, habitat destruction and fragmentation, and resource depletion. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Liz Claiborne & Art Ortenberg?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Liz Claiborne & Art Ortenberg's EIN?
The Liz Claiborne & Art Ortenberg's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-3200329. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Liz Claiborne & Art Ortenberg 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
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Liz Claiborne & Art Ortenberg funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 22, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-liz-claiborne-and-art-ortenberg-morg_01b81987dba24d048f63fa3273e53e18
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_133200329_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Liz Claiborne \& Art Ortenberg funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-liz-claiborne-and-art-ortenberg-morg_01b81987dba24d048f63fa3273e53e18},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-22. 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 Liz Claiborne & Art Ortenberg'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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