The Pollock-krasner Foundation Inc
The Pollock-Krasner Foundation is a private foundation established in 1985 by artist Lee Krasner to support visual artists. Based in New York, NY, the foundation was created from the estate of Lee Krasner and Jackson Pollock, valued at approximately $20 million at the time of its establishment. It is recognized as the first successful foundation established by an artist, for artists.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$66.0M
+0.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.2M
-16.5% YoY
Grant Count
70
-27.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$31K
+14.6% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports "worthy and needy visual artists" around the world. It is known for providing smart, personal, flexible, and fast philanthropy with a focus on emergency financial assistance to artists. The foundation has historically provided support for rent, health care, mental health services, and other critical needs for talented visual artists.
The foundation funds only visual artists who work in the categories of painting, sculpture, and installation. It has no requirements in terms of artistic style.
Grantmaking
Visual artists apply through an online application submitted via desktop computer on a rolling, ongoing basis. Required materials include:
Grant Range
of $30,000
Review Cycle
have supported approximately 70-97 artists and nonprofit organizations
Grant Types
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation supports visual artists around the world.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
- Assets: $97 million (as of fiscal year ending June 2024)
- Tax-exempt status: Since April 1985
- EIN: 13-3255693
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $66,018,516 | $65,544,279 | $63,910,484 |
| Revenue | $6,722,246 | $8,312,697 | $11,270,127 |
| Expenses | $6,285,192 | $6,644,912 | $6,417,469 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $4,897,308 | $5,134,664 | $4,873,209 |
| Net Investment Income | $5,399,514 | $7,013,438 | $9,845,918 |
| Distributable Amount | $4,303,706 | $4,167,767 | $4,567,251 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Ronald Spencer – Chairman/CEO
- Samuel Sachs – President
- Caroline Black – Secretary/Treasurer/Executive Director
- Kerrie Buitrago – Executive Vice President
- Beth Cochems-Budris – Program Director
- Jennifer Gillett – Grants/Communications Manager
- Glynnis Dolbee – Collections Manager
- Carol Cannon – Office Manager
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| RONALD SPENCER | CHAIRMAN / CEO | 40 | $372,737 |
| SAMUEL SACHS | PRESIDENT | 20 | $200,000 |
| CAROLINE BLACK | SEC/TREAS/EXEC DIRECTOR | 40 | $293,750 |
| KERRIE BUITRAGO | EXECUTIVE V.P. | 40 | $149,973 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation maintains an active presence through artist interviews and news coverage. Recent activities include:
Pollock-Krasner Foundation Awards $3 Million to 97 Artists and Nonprofit**July 2025:** Announced 2024-2025 grants totaling over $3.2 million distributed to artists and nonprofit organizations
Pollock-Krasner Foundation Announces 2024 \u2013 2025 Grants Totaling Over\**June-September 2025:** Published artist interviews featuring grant recipients and supported artists
Pollock-Krasner Foundation Awards $3 Million to 97 Artists and Nonprofit**February 2026:** Featured in The New York Times coverage regarding Lee Krasner and Jackson Pollock exhibitions at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Pollock-Krasner Foundation Announces 2024 \u2013 2025 Grants Totaling Over\The foundation actively curates and shares insights related to Lee Krasner and Jackson Pollock's legacies through press releases, artist interviews, and news coverage.
Pollock-Krasner Foundation Announces 2024 \u2013 2025 Grants Totaling Over\Related Funders
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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