The Neel Foundation
The Neel Foundation is a private foundation based in Croton on Hudson, New York. It makes charitable contributions to organizations; its 2025 filing describes its direct charitable activity as contributions to various 501(c)(3) charities.
The Neel Foundation at a glance
In short: The Neel Foundation gave $102K across 131 grants in 2025 (avg $780.42), top state New York. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $102,235
- +1.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 131
- +9.2% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $780
- -7.4% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $500
- Total assets
- $2,323,467
- +16.8% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- New York (20% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
How to apply to The Neel Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 32 Van Wyck Street, Croton On Hudson, NY 10520
Phone: (914) 271-3428
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Neel Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Kennebec Valley Community College ($5K). Together the top 10 received $31K.
Grant Size Distribution
506 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 505 grants of 506 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s 2025 grants went to organizations in multiple states. New York received 20% of grant dollars, Virginia 10%, North Carolina 10%, and the District of Columbia and California 7% each.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 131 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Neel Foundation gives
- 75% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+0%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 67% 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 (2025). 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $92K (2021) to $112K (2020). In 2025 it made 131 grants totaling $102K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Kennebec Valley Community College Fairfield, ME | Charitable Contribution | $5,000 |
| Medglobal Rolling Meadows, IL | Charitable Contribution | $4,000 |
| Natures Best Foundation McLean, VA | Charitable Contribution | $3,000 |
| Adopt-a-Native-Elder Salt Lake City, UT | Charitable Contribution | $2,700 |
| Asheville Symphony Orchestra Asheville, NC | Charitable Contribution | $2,500 |
| Briarcliff Congregational Church Briarcliff Manor, NY | Charitable Contribution | $2,500 |
| Association to Benefit Children New York, NY | Charitable Contribution | $2,000 |
| Compassion International Colorado Springs, CO | Charitable Contribution | $2,000 |
| Falcon Ridge Equine Rescue Valley Center, CA | Charitable Contribution | $2,000 |
| IRC International Rescue Committee Albert Lea, IL | Charitable Contribution | $2,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2,323,467 | $481,042 | $138,566 | $102,235 | 131 | $108,062 | $51,804 | $161,889 |
| 2024 | $1,989,331 | $281,264 | $133,170 | $101,110 | 120 | $107,954 | $43,294 | $141,722 |
| 2023 | $1,841,672 | $151,807 | $123,221 | $95,115 | 142 | $101,114 | $43,156 | $113,150 |
| 2022 | $1,805,924 | $85,725 | $126,696 | $102,274 | 1 | $102,274 | $60,903 | $121,539 |
| 2021 | $1,672,972 | $266,025 | $118,147 | $91,832 | 112 | $91,832 | $65,862 | $136,096 |
| 2020 | $1,699,076 | $118,716 | $143,228 | $111,524 | 112 | — | $70,358 | $123,843 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Neel Foundation reported a distributable amount of $162K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No separate mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its grants support a range of charitable organizations. For example, Kennebec Valley Community College says it provides scholarships and supports the college’s academic programs, capital investment, and operations. The New York Botanical Garden describes its work as plant research and improving public understanding of the natural world. Association to Benefit Children says it provides services to children and families in the New York metropolitan area, while Single Mothers Outreach says it supports single-parent families with resources and support.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation made 131 grants totaling $102,235. Grants ranged from $50 to $5,000, with a median of $500. Among the larger grants were $5,000 to Kennebec Valley Community College, $4,000 to MedGlobal, and $3,000 to Nature’s Best Foundation. Other grants included $2,500 each to Asheville Symphony Orchestra and Briarcliff Congregational Church, and $2,000 each to Association to Benefit Children, Compassion International, Falcon Ridge Equine Rescue, IRC International Rescue Committee, MedShare, and Peppertree Dog Rescue.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists James Neel as president, Mary Neel Gilbert as vice president, Wendy Neel Ellsworth as secretary, and Kathryn Leeds Neel as treasurer. Sophia Neel Kountz and Amy Bowen Neel are listed as directors.
The Neel Foundation is led by James Neel, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 6 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
James Neel
President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Amy Bowen Neel
Director
On filings since 2020
0 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sophia Neel Kountz
Director
On filings since 2020
0 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kathryn Leeds Neel
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
0 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mary Neel Gilbert
Vice President
On filings since 2020
0 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Wendy Neel Ellsworth
Secretary
On filings since 2020
0 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 Neel Foundation
How much does The Neel Foundation give each year?
The Neel Foundation gave $102K across 131 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $101K across 120 grants.
What is The Neel Foundation's typical grant size?
The Neel Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $500, and its average grant was $780, across 131 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Neel Foundation give grants?
The Neel Foundation's top state is New York, with 20% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Virginia (10%) and North Carolina (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (14 grants), New York, NY (8 grants), Asheville, NC (6 grants) and Briarcliff Manor, NY (5 grants).
Who are The Neel Foundation's largest grantees?
The Neel Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Kennebec Valley Community College ($5,000), Briarcliff Congregational Church ($4,560 across 4 grants) and Medglobal ($4,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 13% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Neel Foundation?
The Neel Foundation reported $2.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $108K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $162K (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 Neel Foundation fund?
No separate mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its grants support a range of charitable organizations. For example, Kennebec Valley Community College says it provides scholarships and supports the college’s academic programs, capital investment, and operations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Neel Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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 2020–2025.
Does The Neel Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 8, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 17, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 11, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 30, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 6, 2026)
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Neel Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-neel-foundation-morg_a358f1ef6b344fe7ba15dfe50ca4cc95
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_540761588_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Neel Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-neel-foundation-morg_a358f1ef6b344fe7ba15dfe50ca4cc95},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-17. 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 Neel 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.
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