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
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Pollock-krasner Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $4.3M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Musee National Picasso-paris ($100,000), Villa Bergerie ($40,000), Betty Beaumont ($40,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ART TABLE NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL | $15,000 |
| ARTADIA BROOKLYN, NY | GENERAL | $15,000 |
| BRONX MUSEUM OF THE ARTS BRONX, NY | GENERAL | $30,000 |
| MACDOWELL NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL | $20,000 |
| NEW YORK FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS BROOKLYN, NY | GENERAL | $30,000 |
| OLIVER LEE JACKSON OAKLAND, CA | GENERAL | $30,000 |
| VILLA BERGERIE | GENERALGENERAL | $40,000 |
| WAVE HILL CENTER BRONX, NY | GENERAL | $30,000 |
| YADDO SARATOGE SPRINGS, NY | GENERAL | $36,000 |
| ABDULAZIZ EBTISAM WASHINGTON, DC | GENERALGENERAL | $28,000 |
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\Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Pollock-krasner Foundation Inc fund?
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 ter…
How do I apply for a grant from The Pollock-krasner Foundation Inc?
**Grant Types & Sizes:** • Individual artist grants are unrestricted and can be used in any way that allows an artist to meaningfully pursue their practice • Grants have ranged from $1,000 to $125,000, with a median grant size of $30,000 • Organization grants are also available • The Lee Krasner Award recognizes an artist's lifetime achievement and is awarded by nomination only **Application Process:** Visual artists apply through an online application submitted via desktop computer on a rollin…
Where does The Pollock-krasner Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation supports visual artists around the world.
What size grants does The Pollock-krasner Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, The Pollock-krasner Foundation Inc awarded 70 grants totaling $2.2M — an average of about $31K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Pollock-krasner Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Pollock-krasner Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $4.3M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Pollock-krasner Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Pollock-krasner Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-3255693. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Pollock-krasner Foundation Inc'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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