The Neel Foundation
The Neel Foundation is a private foundation established in 1964 and based in Croton on Hudson, New York. The foundation operates with no employees and focuses on supporting known local charities through charitable contributions.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$2.0M
+8.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$101K
+6.3% YoY
Grant Count
120
-15.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$842.583
+25.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Neel Foundation reported a distributable amount of $142K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary purpose is supporting known local charities. Its grantmaking activities are supported through multiple income sources, including interest income, dividend income, and investment gains, which are invested to generate funds for charitable donations.
Grantmaking
The Neel Foundation makes contributions to various 501(c)(3) charitable organizations. Recent grant activity includes:
Grant Range
**: Grants typically range from $500 to $5,000, with a median grant size of $500
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation supports organizations across multiple states, including North Carolina, Oregon, and Florida, though it maintains a focus on local charities in its home region.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2024:
- Total Assets: $1,989,331
- Total Revenue: $281,264
- Total Expenses: $133,170
- Total Distributions: $108,000
As of December 2023:
- Total Assets: $1,840,000
- Total Revenue: $151,807
- Total Expenses: $123,221
- Net Income: $28,586
The foundation generates revenue through interest income, dividend income, and investment gains, which are reinvested to support charitable giving.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,989,331 | $1,841,672 | $1,805,924 |
| Revenue | $281,264 | $151,807 | $85,725 |
| Expenses | $133,170 | $123,221 | $126,696 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $107,954 | $101,114 | $102,274 |
| Net Investment Income | $43,294 | $43,156 | $60,903 |
| Distributable Amount | $141,722 | $113,150 | $121,539 |
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
201 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Doctors Without Borders ($3,600), Briarcliff Congregational Church ($3,000), Asheville Symphony Orchestra ($2,500).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AAUW (GEM FUND)(STEAM) ARDEN, NC | CHARITABLE DONATIONCHARITABLE DONATION | $1,750 |
| ABILITY TREE INC PORT ST LUCIE, FL | CHARITABLE DONATION | $500 |
| ADOPT-A-NATIVE-ELDER SALT LAKE CITY, UT | CHARITABLE DONATION | $800 |
| ALL HANDS AND HEARTS SMART RESPONSE MATTAPOISETT, MA | CHARITABLE DONATION | $1,000 |
| AMERICAN ASSOC OF WOODTURNING ST PAUL, MN | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION | $750 |
| AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY HAGERSTOWN, MD | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION | $1,000 |
| AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION FOUNDATION INC NEW YORK, NY | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION | $400 |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS WASHINGTON, DC | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION | $250 |
| ANCHOR RIDGE N WILKESBORO, NC | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION | $500 |
| ASHEVILLE ARBORETUM ASHEVILLE, NC | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION | $1,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is led by family members serving in volunteer capacities:
- James Neel – President (1 hour per week, no compensation)
- Mary Neel Gilbert – Vice President (minimal hours, no compensation)
- Wendy Neel Ellsworth – Secretary (minimal hours, no compensation)
- Kathryn Leeds Neel – Treasurer (minimal hours, no compensation)
- Sophia Neel Kountz – Director (minimal hours, no compensation)
- Amy Bowen Neel – Director (minimal hours, no compensation)
Contact: 914-271-3428
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JAMES NEEL | PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| MARY NEEL GILBERT | VICE PRESIDENT | 0.01 | — |
| WENDY NEEL ELLSWORTH | SECRETARY | 0.01 | — |
| KATHRYN LEEDS NEEL | TREASURER | 0.01 | — |
| SOPHIA NEEL KOUNTZ | DIRECTOR | 0.01 | — |
| AMY BOWEN NEEL | DIRECTOR | 0.01 | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Neel Foundation fund?
The foundation's primary purpose is supporting known local charities. Its grantmaking activities are supported through multiple income sources, including interest income, dividend income, and investment gains, which are invested to generate funds for charitable donations.
How do I apply for a grant from The Neel Foundation?
The Neel Foundation makes contributions to various 501(c)(3) charitable organizations. Recent grant activity includes: • **Grant Range**: Grants typically range from $500 to $5,000, with a median grant size of $500 • **Recent Grants (2024)**: The foundation made approximately 120 grants totaling $108,000 in distributions, including: • Asheville Symphony Orchestra: $2,500 • Oregon Food Bank: $2,125 • Tomoka Christian Church: $2,000 • Additional 67+ grants totaling $47,465
Where does The Neel Foundation make grants?
The foundation supports organizations across multiple states, including North Carolina, Oregon, and Florida, though it maintains a focus on local charities in its home region.
What size grants does The Neel Foundation award?
In 2024, The Neel Foundation awarded 120 grants totaling $101K — an average of about $842.583 per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Neel Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Neel Foundation reported a distributable amount of $142K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Neel Foundation's EIN?
The Neel Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 54-0761588. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Neel Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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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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