The Nathan Cummings Foundation Inc
The Nathan Cummings Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in New York, New York. It partners with social-change organizations advancing racial, economic, and environmental justice, with grantmaking and program-related investments focused on creative approaches to climate change and inequality.
The Nathan Cummings Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: The Nathan Cummings Foundation Inc gave $16.6M across 281 grants in 2024 (avg $59K), top state California. 33% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $16,604,500
- -4.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 281
- -1.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $59,091
- -3.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $30,000
- Total assets
- $482,551,138
- +2.5% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 33% first-time grantees (81 of 243, 2024)
- Primary geography
- California (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 Nathan Cummings Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests through a Letter of Inquiry portal for grants or program-related investments. LOIs are reviewed on a rolling basis, and applicants are expected to be notified within approximately 12 weeks about whether their submission has been selected for further consideration. Applicants should identify the request as general support or project support and select applicable issue and focus areas.
- Review Cycle
- The foundation’s website describes LOIs as accepted on a rolling basis year-round.
- Deadline
- The foundation’s website describes LOIs as accepted on a rolling basis year-round.
- Contact
Application contact: Co The Foundation
Mailing address: 120 Wall Street 26Th Floor, New York, NY 10005
Phone: (212) 787-7300
Email: gadmin@nathancummings.org
Website: https://nathancummings.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
4 open opportunities from The Nathan Cummings Foundation Inc
Nathan Cummings Foundation - Advancement Grants
The Nathan Cummings Foundation Inc
Amount
Up to US $250,000
Deadline
Rolling
Nathan Cummings Foundation - Enterprise Grants
The Nathan Cummings Foundation Inc
Amount
More than US $250,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Nathan Cummings Foundation - Venture Grants
The Nathan Cummings Foundation Inc
Amount
Up to $100,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who The Nathan Cummings Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was New Israel Fund ($933K across 6 grants). Together the top 10 received $3.4M.
Grant Size Distribution
1,463 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 801 grants of 1,463 (55%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds organizations in the United States and Israel-Palestine, with particular interest in work in the U.S. South. Its 2024 grant dollars went primarily to recipients in California (24%), New York (21%), and the District of Columbia (16%), followed by Georgia (5%) and Massachusetts (4%). Examples of 2024 recipients include organizations in Atlanta, Minneapolis, and California, as well as New York-based New Israel Fund.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 281 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Nathan Cummings Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
33%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 81 of 243 grantees (33%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $50K; repeat grants $78K. How we count
Medians: $30K first-time, $50K repeat.
- 61% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−15%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 110% 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 $16.6M (2024) to $19.7M (2020). In 2024 it made 281 grants totaling $16.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| New Israel Fund New York, NY | General Support | $800,000 |
| Bend the Arc a Jewish Partnership for Justice New York, NY | General Support | $250,000 |
| Institute for Local Self-Reliance Inc Minneapolis, MN | General Support | $250,000 |
| Panorama Global Seattle, WA | Hyphen Partnerships' Initiative for Inclusive Entrepreneurship | $250,000 |
| Social Good Fund Richmond, CA | Rise up: Nourishing the Soul of Jewish Justice | $250,000 |
| Regents of the University of Colorado Boulder, CO | First Peoples Worldwide | $225,000 |
| Majority Action San Francisco, CA | General Support | $200,000 |
| Minneapolis Foundation Minneapolis, MN | Groundbreak Coalition | $200,000 |
| Partnership for Southern Equity Atlanta, GA | General Support | $200,000 |
| The Chisholm Legacy Project Burtonsville, MD | General Support | $200,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Nathan Cummings Foundation Inc?
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 | $482,551,138 | $16,214,058 | $30,885,327 | $16,604,500 | 281 | $25,223,521 | $18,029,888 | $22,986,000 |
| 2023 | $470,838,848 | $9,417,156 | $26,783,948 | $17,435,650 | 286 | $24,188,682 | — | $23,329,653 |
| 2022 | $460,415,201 | $6,375,711 | $31,224,441 | $19,325,636 | 293 | $26,679,876 | $49,437,529 | $24,048,927 |
| 2021 | $538,275,709 | $724,216 | $34,225,274 | $19,421,500 | 312 | $26,957,509 | $43,960,141 | $22,447,062 |
| 2020 | $472,595,985 | $2,680,263 | $26,259,748 | $19,682,890 | 291 | — | $24,106,663 | $20,538,646 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Nathan Cummings Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $23.0M 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 mission is to help create a more just, vibrant, sustainable, and democratic society by partnering with social-change organizations that have creative and catalytic solutions to climate change and inequity. Its focus areas include racial justice, economic justice, environmental justice, and combating antisemitism. It also identifies the U.S. South as a place-based priority and says it has committed 40% of its assets, financial and non-financial, to advancing justice solutions there.
Its 2024 grants illustrate support for a range of organizations and approaches. For example, the Chisholm Legacy Project describes its work as using a just transition framework to support communities on the frontlines of climate justice. Partnership for Southern Equity says it promotes equity and shared prosperity in metropolitan Atlanta through policy, research, forums, and organizing. Bend the Arc describes its mission as engaging Jews in sustained action and building a Jewish voice for equality and justice for disenfranchised residents.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 281 grants totaling $16,604,500. Grants ranged from $500 to $800,000, with a median of $30,000. Among the largest grants were $800,000 to New Israel Fund for general support; $250,000 each to Bend the Arc, Institute for Local Self-Reliance, and Social Good Fund; and $200,000 to Partnership for Southern Equity, the Chisholm Legacy Project, and the Climate Justice Alliance.
The foundation offers Venture Grants of up to $100,000 for one year and Advancement Grants of up to $250,000 annually for up to two years. Enterprise Grants of $250,000 or more annually for more than two years are invitation-only and provide multi-year unrestricted support. It also accepts program-related investment proposals. The foundation says successful proposals must align with its racial, economic, and/or environmental justice goals; proposals intersecting with place-based initiatives, including the U.S. South, are encouraged. It does not fund 501(c)(4) organizations, individuals, or direct-service projects that are not part of a larger advocacy strategy. Its Israel-Palestine portfolio is invitation-only.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Reynard Ramsey as president and CEO, Bob Bancroft as vice president of finance and mission investing, and Nealon DeVore as chief of staff and board liaison. Trustees listed include Jaimie Mayer, chair; Amy Sorensen, vice chair; Rebecca Gregg, secretary; Adam N. Cummings, treasurer; Alice Rhee; Daniel Tellalian; and Jarrett Barrios.
The Nathan Cummings Foundation Inc is led by Reynard Ramsey, President & CEO since 2022 (on filings since 2021); 4 of 17 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Reynard Ramsey
President & CEO
Interim President & CEO → President & CEO, 2022
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$225K (2021) → $475K (2024)
Jaimie Mayer
Chair & Trustee
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Phillip Sorensen
Trustee
On filings since 2022
4 hrs/week
$40K (2024)
Adam N. Cummings
Treasurer & Trustee
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Amy Sorensen
Vice Chair & Trustee
Trustee → Vice Chair & Trustee, 2023
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gabriella Morris
Trustee
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James K. Cummings
Trustee
Secretary & Trustee → Trustee, 2023
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jarrett Barrios
Trustee
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rebecca Gregg
Secretary & Trustee
Trustee → Secretary & Trustee, 2023
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Roberta F. Cummings
Trustee
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ruth Cummings
Trustee
Vice Chair & Trustee → Trustee, 2023
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alice Rhee
Trustee
On filings since 2021
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rich Deitchman
Trustee
On filings since 2022
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Daniel Tellalian
Trustee
On filings since 2023
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Melissa Bradley
Trustee
On filings since 2023
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bob Bancroft
Vice President, Finance & Mission Investing
Vice President & Finance → Vice President, Finance, Mission Investment & Assistant Treasurer, 2022
Vice President, Finance, Mission Investment & Assistant Treasurer → Vice President, Finance & Mission Investing, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$261K (2020) → $340K (2024)
Nealon Devore
Chief of Staff & Board Liason
Assistant Secretary → Chief of Staff & Assistant Secretary, 2022
Chief of Staff & Assistant Secretary → Chief of Staff & Board Liason, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$137K (2020) → $156K (2024)
Former officers (9)
- Former: Hannah Cummings (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Jason Cummings (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Jane M. Saks (2020–2021) — Governance Chair & Trustee
- Former: Sonia Simon Cummings (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Kavita Ramdas (2021) — President & CEO
- Former: Rey Ramsey (2020) — Interim President & CEO
- Former: Rick Cummings (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Sharon Alpert (2020) — President & CEO
- Former: Tricia Rose (2020) — Trustee
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 $475K, to Mr Reynard Ramsey (President & CEO). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Nathan Cummings Foundation Inc
How much does The Nathan Cummings Foundation Inc give each year?
The Nathan Cummings Foundation Inc gave $16.6M across 281 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $17.4M across 286 grants.
What is The Nathan Cummings Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
The Nathan Cummings Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $30,000, and its average grant was $59,091, across 281 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Nathan Cummings Foundation Inc that year got $50K on average.
Where does The Nathan Cummings Foundation Inc give grants?
The Nathan Cummings Foundation Inc's top state is California, with 24% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were New York (21%) and District of Columbia (16%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (50 grants), Washington, DC (43 grants), Los Angeles, CA (16 grants) and San Francisco, CA (15 grants).
Does The Nathan Cummings Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 56% of The Nathan Cummings Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (156 of 281) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "2024 Membership Dues" (8 grants) and "2024-2025 Membership Dues" (5 grants).
Who are The Nathan Cummings Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
The Nathan Cummings Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include New Israel Fund ($932,500 across 6 grants), Social Good Fund ($455,000 across 4 grants) and Tides Foundation ($350,000 across 2 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 10% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Nathan Cummings Foundation Inc?
The Nathan Cummings Foundation Inc reported $482.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $25.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $23.0M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Nathan Cummings Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s mission is to help create a more just, vibrant, sustainable, and democratic society by partnering with social-change organizations that have creative and catalytic solutions to climate change and inequity. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Nathan Cummings Foundation Inc?
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests through a Letter of Inquiry portal for grants or program-related investments. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Nathan Cummings Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Nathan Cummings Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7093201. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Nathan Cummings Foundation Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, 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
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Nathan Cummings Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Mountain View, CA
Silicon Valley Community Foundation funds work in areas such as housing, economic security, education, health, the environment, arts and culture, and civic engagement, with Community Action Grants supporting local, community-led organizations in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of $51,716, though amounts varied widely; applications depend on the program, and SVCF states that it does not accept unsolicited proposals for advised funds.
Assets
$12.3B
Grants
3,576
Total Given
$3.2B
The Ford Foundation
New York, NY
The Ford Foundation funds organizations and initiatives working to reduce inequality and advance social justice, including work on civic engagement, civil rights, climate justice, disability rights, and technology and society. In 2024, its grants ranged from $45 to $15 million, with a median of $100,000, supporting work in the U.S. and internationally. It says most grants are identified by the foundation and it does not accept unsolicited proposals by mail, email, or phone; limited opportunities may be offered separately.
Assets
$17.5B
Grants
4,007
Total Given
$844.7M
Freedom Together Foundation
New York, NY
The foundation funds work to strengthen multiracial democracy and build community and worker power, racial and gender justice, movement infrastructure, reproductive health, medical research, and community institutions. In 2024, its grants ranged from $5,000 to $14 million, with a median of $500,000; its largest shares went to organizations in Washington, DC, New York, California, Massachusetts, and Illinois. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$3.4B
Grants
595
Total Given
$470.0M
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Princeton, NJ
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation funds efforts to improve health and health equity in the United States, including systems change addressing structural barriers to health. In 2024, its grants ranged from $125 to $12.15 million, with a median of $40,000. It typically funds through targeted programs and partnerships; whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$13.4B
Grants
3,093
Total Given
$622.6M
The New York Community Trust
New York, NY
The New York Community Trust funds nonprofit programs in areas such as arts, education, health, the environment, workforce development, and youth development, including projects that improve services, build organizational capacity, or advance policy and systems change. Its competitive grants mainly serve New York City, Long Island, and Westchester, with some national and international environmental funding; the 2024 median grant was $20,000. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$3.5B
Grants
2,748
Total Given
$193.8M
The Simons Foundation Inc
New York, NY
The Simons Foundation funds research and public engagement in mathematics and the physical, life, autism, and neuroscience sciences. In 2024, it made 1,727 grants, with a median award of $72,000 and amounts ranging from $1,480 to $20 million, supporting organizations in the U.S. and internationally. It states that it funds only preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$4.5B
Grants
1,727
Total Given
$272.0M
More Funders in New York
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Nathan Cummings Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-nathan-cummings-foundation-inc-morg_25decbd949ca4b149ae82f1b00796a68
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_237093201_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Nathan Cummings Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-nathan-cummings-foundation-inc-morg_25decbd949ca4b149ae82f1b00796a68},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. 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 Nathan Cummings Foundation Inc'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 Nathan Cummings Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?