The Michele & Agnese Cestone Foundation
The Michele & Agnese Cestone Foundation is a private foundation based in Pennington, New Jersey. Its 2024 filing lists care and welfare of animals as a restriction on awards, and its grants include support for animal sanctuaries, rescue organizations, and animal-care programs.
The Michele & Agnese Cestone Foundation at a glance
In short: The Michele & Agnese Cestone Foundation gave $861K across 35 grants in 2024 (avg $25K), mostly in New York. 11% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $860,500
- -12.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 35
- -7.9% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $24,586
- -5.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $12,000
- Total assets
- $11,512,615
- -0.3% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 11% first-time grantees (4 of 35, 2024)
- Primary geography
- New York (54% 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 Michele & Agnese Cestone Foundation
- Contact
Application contact: Bank Of America Private Bank - Atte
Mailing address: PO Box 1517 - Mailcode Taobeb, Pennington, NJ 08534
Phone: (646) 855-1011
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Michele & Agnese Cestone Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Cornell University ($200K). Together the top 10 received $580K.
Grant Size Distribution
195 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 178 grants of 195 (91%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, New York recipients received 54% of grant dollars, followed by Florida at 10%, Pennsylvania at 9%, New Jersey at 8%, and Ohio at 5%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 35 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Michele & Agnese Cestone Foundation open to new grantees?
11%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 4 of 35 grantees (11%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $24K; repeat grants $25K. How we count
Medians: $20K first-time, $12K repeat.
- 80% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−1%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 119% 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 $852K (2020) to $1.2M (2022). In 2024 it made 35 grants totaling $861K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Cornell University Ithaca, NY | Cestone Scholarship Support | $200,000 |
| Farm Sanctuary Inc Watkins Glen, NY | Rescue & Refuge Program | $75,000 |
| Animal Medical Center New York, NY | Frank V.D. Lloyd Fund for Guide Dogs | $60,000 |
| Envision Access Conshohocken, PA | General Operating Support | $50,000 |
| Canine Companions for Independence New Albany, OH | Feeding & Care of Service Dogs | $45,000 |
| Raptor Trust Millington, NJ | General Operating Support | $40,000 |
| Catskill Animal Sanctuary Inc Saugerties, NY | Direct Care of Rescued Farmed Animals | $30,000 |
| Florida Research Institute for Equine Nurturing Development and Safety IN Ft Lauderdale, FL | Basic Needs for Unsponsored Horses | $30,000 |
| Bangor Humane Society Bangor, ME | Animal Care and Adoption | $25,000 |
| Center for Orangutan and Chimpanzee Conservation Inc Wauchula, FL | Ape Nutrition Program | $25,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Michele & Agnese Cestone Foundation?
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 | $11,512,615 | $999,514 | $1,035,952 | $860,500 | 35 | $946,860 | $835,257 | $792,835 |
| 2023 | $11,549,053 | $974,067 | $1,216,592 | $986,500 | 38 | $1,124,505 | $375,872 | $681,570 |
| 2022 | $11,777,155 | $536,794 | $1,486,088 | $1,242,915 | 49 | $1,405,298 | $306,107 | $715,541 |
| 2021 | $12,722,065 | $1,095,139 | $1,130,483 | $867,700 | 36 | $1,036,166 | $1,054,543 | $806,215 |
| 2020 | $12,758,650 | $450,021 | $1,114,553 | $852,300 | 37 | — | $351,934 | $743,968 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Michele & Agnese Cestone Foundation reported a distributable amount of $793K 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
The foundation’s filing identifies care and welfare of animals as a restriction on awards. Its 2024 grantees illustrate the range of organizations it supports. Farm Sanctuary says it pursues solutions to end animal agriculture and foster compassionate vegan living; Catskill Animal Sanctuary says it rescues farmed animals and champions vegan living. Equine Advocates describes its work as rescuing and protecting equines, while Bangor Humane Society says it provides shelter and adoption services for unwanted animals. Other supported organizations include Canine Companions for Independence, which says it provides trained service dogs and ongoing support to people with disabilities, and Veterinarians International, which says it provides veterinary aid and education to improve animal health and well-being.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 35 grants totaling $860,500. Awards ranged from $5,000 to $200,000, with a median grant of $12,000. Among the largest were $200,000 to Cornell University for Cestone Scholarship Support; $75,000 to Farm Sanctuary for its Rescue & Refuge Program; $60,000 to Animal Medical Center for the Frank V.D. Lloyd Fund for Guide Dogs; and $50,000 to Envision Access for general operating support. Other grants included $45,000 to Canine Companions for Independence for feeding and care of service dogs and $40,000 to Raptor Trust for general operating support.
The foundation’s filing says it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. It directs applicants to contact Bank of America Private Bank and submit a letter with the organization’s history and tax-exempt status. The filing lists no deadline and restricts awards to the care and welfare of animals.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Michele J Cestone as trustee and president, Maria A Cestone Esquire as trustee and secretary, and Dennis Bailey as trustee.
The Michele & Agnese Cestone Foundation is led by Michele J. Cestone, Trustee & President on every filing since 2020; all 3 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Michele J. Cestone
Trustee & President
On filings since 2020
35 hrs/week
$75K (2020) → $75K (2024)
Dennis Bailey
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$1K (2020) → $750 (2024)
Maria A. Cestone Esquire
Trustee & Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$1K (2020) → $750 (2024)
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 $75K, to Michele J Cestone (Trustee & President). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Michele & Agnese Cestone Foundation
How much does The Michele & Agnese Cestone Foundation give each year?
The Michele & Agnese Cestone Foundation gave $861K across 35 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $987K across 38 grants.
What is The Michele & Agnese Cestone Foundation's typical grant size?
The Michele & Agnese Cestone Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $12,000, and its average grant was $24,586, across 35 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Michele & Agnese Cestone Foundation that year got $24K on average.
Where does The Michele & Agnese Cestone Foundation give grants?
The Michele & Agnese Cestone Foundation gives mostly in New York: 54% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Florida (10%) and Pennsylvania (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (3 grants).
Does The Michele & Agnese Cestone Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 23% of The Michele & Agnese Cestone Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (8 of 35) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Michele & Agnese Cestone Foundation's largest grantees?
The Michele & Agnese Cestone Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Cornell University ($200,000), Farm Sanctuary Inc ($75,000) and Animal Medical Center ($60,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 39% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Michele & Agnese Cestone Foundation?
The Michele & Agnese Cestone Foundation reported $11.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $947K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $793K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Michele & Agnese Cestone Foundation fund?
The foundation’s filing identifies care and welfare of animals as a restriction on awards. Its 2024 grantees illustrate the range of organizations it supports. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Michele & Agnese Cestone Foundation?
The Michele & Agnese Cestone Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is The Michele & Agnese Cestone Foundation's EIN?
The Michele & Agnese Cestone Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 52-1720903. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Michele & Agnese Cestone Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Gannett Foundation Inc
New York, NY
Gannett Foundation’s 2025 grants supported a range of organizations, with listed awards generally between $1,500 and $2,500, though the available figures do not establish a typical grant size or geographic focus. The foundation has wound down: its 2026 filing reports no grants or assets, and no current application process or acceptance of unsolicited requests is stated.
Assets
—
Grants
32
Total Given
$65K
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
Aetna Foundation Inc
Hartford, CT
Aetna Foundation supported health and wellness, access to health care, and related community needs; its 2021 grants ranged from $5,000 to $1 million, with a median of $40,000, and went to organizations across multiple states, especially in D.C. and Connecticut. Its 2021 filing was marked final, so it appears to have ended or be winding down grantmaking; that filing said there were no restrictions on who could apply and pointed applicants to its website for application materials.
Assets
—
Grants
65
Total Given
$7.2M
McKesson Foundation Inc
Dallas, TX
The McKesson Foundation funds cancer support and care, healthcare workforce pathways, and emergency response, with grants mainly supporting organizations in the United States and Canada. Its 2025 grants had a median of $100,000, though amounts ranged from $10,000 to about $2.47 million. Its filing says it does not accept unsolicited requests, while its application page describes an online application process with stated submission windows.
Assets
$1.6M
Grants
76
Total Given
$16.6M
The Gerald B Shreiber Foundation
Mullica Hill, NJ
The Gerald B Shreiber Foundation funded a broad mix of charitable organizations, including health care, education, animal welfare, conservation, and organizations supporting Israel, with grants concentrated in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, California, and Illinois. Its 2022 grants ranged from $500 to $655,000, with a median of $2,500. It stated that it funded only preselected organizations and did not accept unsolicited requests; the available profile suggests it may have stopped grantmaking.
Assets
$3.7M
Grants
161
Total Given
$2.6M
The Summerlee Foundation
Dallas, TX
The Summerlee Foundation funds animal protection, with priorities including selected work in the Americas and British Isles, and research, preservation, and promotion of Texas history. Its average grant is $10,000; 2025 grants ranged from $830 to $55,000. It stated in a 2023 filing that it does not accept unsolicited requests; Texas history applicants must first discuss a project with the program director, while animal application opportunities are announced by cycle.
Assets
$85.2M
Grants
195
Total Given
$2.3M
More similar funders
More Funders in New Jersey
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Michele & Agnese Cestone Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 5, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-michele-and-agnese-cestone-foundation-morg_0c773b01b6234f1d88420af36794a64f
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_521720903_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Michele \& Agnese Cestone Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-michele-and-agnese-cestone-foundation-morg_0c773b01b6234f1d88420af36794a64f},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-05. 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 Michele & Agnese Cestone 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 Michele & Agnese Cestone Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?