The Pierre & Tana Matisse Foundation Inc
The Pierre & Tana Matisse Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in New York, NY. Founded in 1995, it supports arts and arts education, with a stated commitment to programs in New York City public, charter, and parochial schools, as well as scholarly research and art-related projects.
The Pierre & Tana Matisse Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: The Pierre & Tana Matisse Foundation Inc gave $6.6M across 113 grants in 2024 (avg $58K), mostly in New York. 16% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $6,607,552
- +39.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 113
- +11.9% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $58,474
- +24.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $35,000
- Total assets
- $198,051,415
- -0.6% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 16% first-time grantees (18 of 113, 2024)
- Primary geography
- New York (84% 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 Pierre & Tana Matisse Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
The 2024 filing lists a letter as the application material, Alessandra Carnielli as the contact, and no restrictions on awards.
- Review Cycle
- None listed.
- Deadline
- None listed.
- Contact
Application contact: Alessandra Carnielli
Mailing address: 1 East 53Rd Street, New York, NY 10022
Phone: (212) 355-6269
Website: https://matissefoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Pierre & Tana Matisse Foundation Inc
Who The Pierre & Tana Matisse Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was United Nego College Fund Inc ($1.0M). Together the top 10 received $2.8M.
Grant Size Distribution
533 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 344 grants of 533 (65%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s stated focus includes arts education in New York City schools and communities. In 2024, 84% of grant dollars went to recipients in New York and 15% to recipients in Washington, DC; Texas received 1%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 113 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Pierre & Tana Matisse Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
16%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 18 of 113 grantees (16%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $121K; repeat grants $47K. How we count
Medians: $28K first-time, $35K repeat.
- 76% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 45% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 133% 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 $4.6M (2021) to $6.6M (2024). In 2024 it made 113 grants totaling $6.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| United Nego College Fund Inc Washington, DC | General Support | $1,000,000 |
| Fund for Public Schools New York, NY | General Support | $688,452 |
| The New Museum New York, NY | General Support | $210,000 |
| City Lore New York, NY | General Support | $150,000 |
| Mind Builders Creative Arts Center Bronx, NY | Arts Education | $150,000 |
| Sugar Hill Children's Museum New York, NY | General Support | $150,000 |
| Community-Word Project New York, NY | General Support | $125,000 |
| The Dreamyard Project New York, NY | General Support | $125,000 |
| The Point Community Development Corp Bronx, NY | General Support | $125,000 |
| Upbeat NYC Bronx, NY | Arts Education | $120,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Pierre & Tana Matisse 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 | $198,051,415 | $10,799,446 | $10,744,478 | $6,607,552 | 113 | $8,700,897 | $8,776,460 | $6,519,334 |
| 2023 | $199,277,583 | $4,246,498 | $8,102,752 | $4,754,100 | 101 | $6,623,733 | $2,895,442 | $6,279,607 |
| 2022 | $204,243,059 | $9,170,629 | $9,239,596 | $5,957,985 | 113 | $7,227,758 | $7,841,850 | $6,380,156 |
| 2021 | $205,610,483 | $11,035,980 | $7,432,736 | $4,570,126 | 107 | $6,031,199 | $9,784,532 | $6,404,848 |
| 2020 | $201,513,951 | $12,995,130 | $7,575,141 | $4,792,688 | 99 | — | $12,106,092 | $5,431,520 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Pierre & Tana Matisse Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $6.5M 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 stated principles reflect Tana and Pierre Matisse’s generosity and pursuit of excellence in the arts. Its programs aim to make arts and arts education accessible and to promote identity, creativity, and cultural literacy.
Its grant programs include Grants for Arts and Arts Education, Arts Education Schools Choose Grants, and Arts Education Impact Grants. The general arts and arts education grants support organizations with a history of providing arts education to children and youth in underserved public schools and community settings, as well as organizations and institutions offering cultural experiences to the public. Schools Choose and Impact Grants are by invitation only. The Schools Choose program supports New York City public middle and high schools, while Impact Grants support organizations developing and implementing arts education programs in New York City schools and communities.
Examples of 2024 grantees include organizations whose own missions describe work in arts education, youth development, and cultural programming. City Lore says it fosters living cultural heritage through education and public programs; Community-Word Project says it provides multidisciplinary arts residencies for NYC youth; and UpBeat NYC says it offers free music education and ensemble performance for South Bronx children and youth.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation awarded 113 grants totaling $6,607,552. Awards ranged from $1,500 to $1,000,000, with a median grant of $35,000.
Among the largest 2024 grants were $1,000,000 to United Nego College Fund Inc for general support; $688,452 to Fund for Public Schools for general support; and $210,000 to The New Museum for general support. Other grants included $150,000 each to City Lore, Mind Builders Creative Arts Center, and Sugar Hill Children’s Museum; $125,000 each to Community-Word Project, The Dreamyard Project, and The Point Community Development Corp; and $120,000 to UpBeat NYC.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Alessandra C. Carnielli as chief executive officer; David H. Horowitz as president and director; Olivier G. Bernier as vice president, secretary, and director; and Alexandra G. Farkas as vice president, treasurer, and director.
The Pierre & Tana Matisse Foundation Inc is led by Alessandra C. Carnielli, Chief Executive Officer on every filing since 2022; all 4 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Alessandra C. Carnielli
Chief Executive Officer
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$356K (2022) → $375K (2024)
David H. Horowitz
President & Director
President Director → President & Director, 2024
On filings since 2022
10 hrs/week
$150K (2023) → $144K (2024)
Olivier G. Bernier
Vice President, Secretary & Director
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
$150K (2020) → $145K (2024)
Alexandra G. Farkas
Vice President, Treasurer & Director
Vice President & Treasurer Director → Vice President, Treasurer & Director, 2024
On filings since 2022
10 hrs/week
$38K (2022) → $144K (2024)
Former officers (2)
- Former: Janos Farkas (2020–2022) — Vice President, Assistant Secretary & Director
- Former: Robert H. Horowitz (2020–2022) — President, Treasurer & Director
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 $375K, to Alessandra C Carnielli (Chief Executive Officer). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Pierre & Tana Matisse Foundation Inc
How much does The Pierre & Tana Matisse Foundation Inc give each year?
The Pierre & Tana Matisse Foundation Inc gave $6.6M across 113 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $4.8M across 101 grants.
What is The Pierre & Tana Matisse Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
The Pierre & Tana Matisse Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $35,000, and its average grant was $58,474, across 113 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Pierre & Tana Matisse Foundation Inc that year got $121K on average.
Where does The Pierre & Tana Matisse Foundation Inc give grants?
The Pierre & Tana Matisse Foundation Inc gives mostly in New York: 84% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was District of Columbia (15%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (66 grants), Brooklyn, NY (20 grants), Bronx, NY (8 grants) and Washington, DC (3 grants).
Does The Pierre & Tana Matisse Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 70% of The Pierre & Tana Matisse Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (79 of 113) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Arts Education" (23 grants) and "Art Education" (8 grants).
Who are The Pierre & Tana Matisse Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
The Pierre & Tana Matisse Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include United Nego College Fund Inc ($1,000,000), Fund for Public Schools ($688,452) and The New Museum ($210,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 29% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Pierre & Tana Matisse Foundation Inc?
The Pierre & Tana Matisse Foundation Inc reported $198.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $8.7M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $6.5M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Pierre & Tana Matisse Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s stated principles reflect Tana and Pierre Matisse’s generosity and pursuit of excellence in the arts. Its programs aim to make arts and arts education accessible and to promote identity, creativity, and cultural literacy. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Pierre & Tana Matisse Foundation Inc?
The 2024 filing lists a letter as the application material, Alessandra Carnielli as the contact, and no restrictions on awards. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Pierre & Tana Matisse Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Pierre & Tana Matisse Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-3838457. 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
Live grants for the work The Pierre & Tana Matisse Foundation Inc funds
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Pierre & Tana Matisse Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 22, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-pierre-and-tana-matisse-foundation-inc-morg_06c201220a604cd7b26d144558dc8cda
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_133838457_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Pierre \& Tana Matisse Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-pierre-and-tana-matisse-foundation-inc-morg_06c201220a604cd7b26d144558dc8cda},
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 Pierre & Tana Matisse 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.
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