The Robert and Joyce Menschel Family

NEW YORK, NY EIN: 13-6098443

TCLF-Launches-Oral-History-of-Nicholas-Quennell.html?aid=IrX6A01nE9Q&soid=1104293310034 type: exa:news title: ENews | TCLF Launches Oral History of Nicholas Quennell type: exa:news title: "\\n Light Work Announces the Jeffery J. Hoone Gallery\\n \ \ <\\/h1>\\n <\\/div>\\n<\\/div>\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n \\n \\n \\\ n\\t \\n\\t \\n\\t\\t \\n \\n\\t\\n\\n \\n (SYRACUSE, NY September\ \ 28, 2023) - Light Work announces the Jeffrey J. Hoone Gallery.<\\/p> The Jeffrey\ \ J. Hoone Gallery was made possible by contributions from Carrie Mae Weems, Richard\ \ L. Menschel, Joy of Giving Something Inc., and many artists, friends, and family.\ \ You may contribute to the Jeffrey J. Hoone Gallery Endowment by visiting the\ \ Syracuse University online giving page.<\\/a><\\/p> In 2012, Hoone named the\ \ Main Gallery at Light Work after his mother, Kathleen O. Ellis, and established\ \ an endowment to support exhibitions in the gallery well into the future. With\ \ the naming of the Jeffrey J. Hoone Gallery at Light Work, his name will stand\ \ with his mother\\u2019s and that of Robert B. Menschel. Please join us to congratulate\ \ Jeff for his extraordinary work of supporting artists and leaving a legacy that\ \ will lead the gallery into the future with strength and confidence.<\\/p> Hoone's\ \ tenure at Light Work established sustainable, long-term support for deserving\ \ artists. This new endowment in his name is a fitting tribute to his hard work,\ \ lifelong dedication and vision.<\\/p> ABOUT JEFFREY J. HOONE & LIGHT WORK<\\\ /strong> It is our great pleasure to dedicate the Hallway Gallery at Light Work\ \ as the Jeffrey J. Hoone Gallery in honor of his visionary leadership at Light\ \ Work. Starting in 1980, Hoone worked with founding directors Phil Block and\ \ Tom Bryan for two years. After becoming director in 1982, he led the organization\ \ on a path of steady and sustainable growth while expanding the core Artist-in-Residence,\ \ exhibition and publishing programs. After 41 years in a leadership position,\ \ Hoone retired in 2021, leaving behind a legacy that included curating over 200\ \ exhibitions, hosting over 400 Artists-in-Residence, producing over 250 publications,\ \ raising over $ 25 million, and establishing five endowment funds totaling close\ \ to $3 million. During his last 15 years, he helped start, and then run, the\ \ Coalition of Museum and Art Centers at Syracuse University. He also helped start\ \ Urban Video Project, the Photography and Literacy Project, managed a major permanent\ \ installation by Sol LeWitt and established the Syracuse University Art Museum.<\\\ /p> Hoone considers the diversity of the programs and the artists that have been\ \ supported by Light Work to be his most important achievement. These efforts\ \ were recognized nationally and internationally as Light Work received top grants\ \ from the New York State Council on the Arts, the National Endowment for the\ \ Arts and several national foundations. Hoone developed a close relationship\ \ with Syracuse University alumnus and philanthropist Robert B. Menschel. For\ \ nearly four decades until he passed away in 2022, Menschel was Light Work\\\ u2019s biggest benefactor and helped support a major renovation that resulted\ \ in the creation of the Robert B. Menschel Center, Light Work\\u2019s home since\ \ 2001. Menschel introduced Hoone to collector Howard Stein. Together, they formed\ \ the foundation Joy of Giving Something (JGS). After 20 years on the board, Hoone\ \ also now serves as president of JGS, which provides support to Light Work, Urban\ \ Video Project, the PAL Project and other photography organizations across the\ \ country to support emerging and under-recognized artists. The dedication ceremony\ \ took place in the Jeffrey J. Hoone Gallery at Light Work on September 14th at\ \ 6 PM.<\\/p> PRESS IMAGES & INTERVIEW REQUESTS<\\/strong> To request high-resolution\ \ images for press reproduction and interviews, contact Cali Banks, Light Work\ \ Communications Coordinator, at cali@lightwork.org.<\\/p> GALLERY HOURS, ADMISSION\ \ & GENERAL INFORMATION<\\/strong> Find Light Work\\u2019s galleries in the Robert\ \ B. Menschel Media Center, 316 Waverly Ave., Syracuse, New York. Gallery hours\ \ are: Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday,\ \ 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Light Work closes on all major holidays. Contact Light Work\ \ to schedule a guided tour of the galleries or the Light Work Lab. Follow Light\ \ Work on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. For general information, please visit\ \ www.lightwork.org, call (315) 443-1300, or email info@lightwork.org.<\\/p> PARKING<\\\ /strong> Paid parking is available in the Booth Garage at the intersection of\ \ Comstock and Waverly Avenues, diagonally across the street from Light Work.\ \ There is also metered parking in front of the Syracuse University Library, on\ \ Walnut Avenue, and on Comstock Avenue across from Booth Garage. Light Work\\\ u2019s gallery and office and the Community Darkrooms facility are located on\ \ the main floor of the Robert B. Menschel Media Center. Visit parking.syr.edu\ \ for more information on parking and directions to the galleries.<\\/p> ABOUT\ \ LIGHT WORK<\\/strong> Light Work is a non-profit, artist-run organization dedicated\ \ to the support of artists working in photography and electronic media, located\ \ in the Robert B. Menschel Media Center. Light Work invites groups and individuals\ \ to schedule tours of the exhibitions and facility and to attend gallery talks.\ \ Limited metered parking is available on Waverly Avenue and paid parking is available\ \ in Booth Parking Garage. Light Work thanks Syracuse University and Robert B.\ \ Menschel and Vital Projects, as well as the Andy Warhol Foundation, CNY Arts,\ \ the Central New York Community Foundation, JGS (Joy of Giving Something Inc.),\ \ the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York State Council on the Arts,\ \ and the subscribers to Contact Sheet for their dedicated and ongoing support\ \ of our programs. Light Work is a member of CMAC, the Coalition of Museum and\ \ Art Centers at Syracuse University.<\\/p> \_<\\/p> Cali Banks (she, her) Light\ \ Work, Communications Coordinator p: 315.443.9933 e: cali@lightwork.org<\\/p>\\\ n <\\/div>\\n\\n \\n<\\/div>\\n\\n\\t<\\/div>\\n<\\/div>\\n\\n \\n\\\ n\\n \\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n \\n\\t\\t\\t \\n\\t\\t\\t\\t \\n\\t\\\ t\\t\\t\\t \\n \\n\\n\\n \\n \\n \\n ,\ \ \\n \\n \\n Margaret McKinnis<\\\ /a>\\n \\n \\n <\\/div>\\n \\n\\n \\n\ \ Posted\\n 2 years ago<\\/a>\\n <\\/div>\\n\\n \\n<\\/div>\\\ n\\n\\t\\t\\t\\t<\\/div>\\n\\t\\t\\t<\\/div>\\n\\t\\t<\\/div>\\n <\\/article>\\\ n\\n\\t\\n<\\/div>\\n\\n\\n\\n <\\/div>\\n \\n<\\/div>\\n\"}" type: exa:news title: Launching the Harvard Teacher Fellows type: exa:news title: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Announces $10 Million Gift to Name the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Center for Advanced Holocaust Studies

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$21.3M

+391.2% YoY

Annual Giving

$1.2M

+8.7% YoY

Grant Count

48

-34.2% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$26K

+65.3% YoY

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation's primary funding interests include:

  • Arts and Culture — Particularly photography and visual arts, reflecting the founders' deep commitment to these fields
  • Education — Support for educational institutions and programs
  • Health — Healthcare-related initiatives
  • Human Services — Community-based social services
  • Human Rights and Criminal Justice — Policy and advocacy work in these areas

The foundation has demonstrated particular strength in supporting photography institutions and visual arts organizations, with notable connections to major cultural institutions in New York City.

Grantmaking

The foundation does not maintain a public website or online presence. Applicants should contact the foundation directly at the address and phone number listed below.

Grant Range

$5,000 to $100,000

Average Grant

amount: $15,638

How to Apply

**

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation primarily supports organizations in New York City, with some national support for arts and cultural organizations.

Grant Distribution by State

19states
+11 more states

Cities

AlbertaArlingtonAtlantaAustinBaton RougeBridgehamptonBronxBrooklynCambridgeChicagoColumbiaEast HamptonElmsfordEnglewoodFalmouthIrvingLos AngelesMall StopMontgomeryNaples

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

As of 2024:

  • Total assets: $21,289,338
  • Total revenues: $18,474,245
  • Total expenses: $1,519,300
  • Annual giving: $1,241,050
  • Number of employees: 0
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$5M$10M$15M$20M20202021202220232024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$21,289,338$4,334,044$4,410,665
Revenue$18,474,245$1,119,540$1,332,152
Expenses$1,519,300$1,196,161$1,433,950
Qualifying Distributions$1,260,550$1,157,400$1,430,650
Net Investment Income$18,470,495$1,110,506$1,323,852
Distributable Amount$1,631,467$1,801,959$1,980,695

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$413K$825K$1M$2M1 grants2020142 grants2021120 grants202273 grants202348 grants2024

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

NEW YORK CITY COMMUNITY …$600KMETROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART$184KMAKEWAY FOUNDATION$150KLOYOLA UNIVERSITY NEW OR…$125KLIGHT WORK VISUAL STUDIES$50KPUBLICOLOR$25KAMERICAN ASSOCIATES OF N…$10KL'ARCHE LONG ISLAND$10KMEDIA MATTERS FOR AMERICAN$10KTREE FOLKS$10K

Grant Size Distribution

199 grants across all recorded years

187<$50K3$50–100K5$100–250K1$250–500K2$500K–1M1$1–5M$5M+

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

No grants recorded for .

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

  • David F. Menschel — President
  • Lauren E. Menschel — Secretary
  • Joyce F. Menschel — Vice President

The foundation is now led by the children of founders Robert B. Menschel and Joyce F. Menschel, with Joyce F. Menschel continuing in a leadership capacity.

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

From 2024 filing

NameTitleHoursCompensation
DAVID F MENSCHELPRESIDENT/TREASURER/DIRECTOR2
JOYCE F MENSCHELVICE-PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR4
LAUREN E MENSCHELSECRETARY/DIRECTOR0.25
MARIANNE SAMMARCOASSISTANT SECRETARY0.25

Recent News & Activity

Recent developments and announcements

2022

Robert B. Menschel passed away in 2022 at the age of 92. The foundation continues to operate under the leadership of his children, David and Lauren Menschel, with Joyce F. Menschel serving as Vice President.

2024

The foundation has maintained its commitment to supporting photography and visual arts institutions. Light Work Visual Studies, a photography organization at Syracuse University, received a $50,000 grant in 2024. The Robert B. Menschel Media Center at Syracuse University, which houses Light Work, stands as a testament to Menschel's long-term support of the organization over nearly four decades.

Contact Information

Mailing Address: C/O David Menschel 375 Park Avenue, Suite 3601 New York, NY 10152

Phone: (212) 440-0800

Related Funders

Similar funders by location and focus area

Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.

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