The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation Inc
The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation is a private foundation based in New York City dedicated to advancing two core missions established by its founder: promoting photography as a fine art and supporting medical research to advance the cure and treatment of HIV/AIDS. The foundation was established on May 27, 1988, by photographer Robert Mapplethorpe, the year before his death, to protect his artistic legacy and promote the causes he cared about.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$191.6M
-0.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$331K
-14.7% YoY
Grant Count
9
+12.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$37K
-24.2% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $609K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation operates under two primary mandates:
Photography as Art: To promote photography as an art form in order to achieve its recognition and respect at the same level as painting and sculpture. The foundation supports museums, universities, and other institutions through exhibitions, acquisitions, and publications of quality photography materials and books.
HIV/AIDS Medical Research: To support scientific research directed towards the treatment or cure of AIDS and HIV-related infections. The foundation also supports qualified HIV prevention and care-related programs, including clinical HIV research, HIV care and treatment, and funding of equipment and facilities to allow for improved HIV research and care.
Grantmaking
The foundation makes grants across both of its focus areas. Recent grants include:
Ready to take the next step with The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in New York and New Hampshire. Its institutional partnerships and major gifts have supported museums and cultural institutions nationally and internationally, including institutions in Scotland.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $191,586,726
- Total Revenues: $2,064,882
- Total Expenses: $3,194,157
- Total Giving: $331,487
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $193,000,000
- Total Revenues: $1,370,000
- Total Expenses: $2,850,000
The foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization established in 1989 with EIN 13-3480472. It maintains no liabilities.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $191,586,726 | $192,715,001 | $194,200,594 |
| Revenue | $2,064,882 | $1,374,980 | $2,886,823 |
| Expenses | $3,194,157 | $2,853,773 | $8,067,506 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,490,070 | $1,276,118 | $5,604,597 |
| Net Investment Income | $281,123 | — | $819,849 |
| Distributable Amount | $608,726 | $589,672 | $558,577 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 9 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
65 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation Inc
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Solomon R Guggenheim Foundation ($195,000), Bard College ($60,000), Metropolitan Museum of Art ($37,500).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| SOLOMON R GUGGENHEIM FOUNDATION NEW YORK, NY | FOR DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE | $195,000 |
| BARD COLLEGE ANNANDALEONHUDSON, NY | FOR DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE | $60,000 |
| METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART NEW YORK, NY | FOR DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE | $37,500 |
| CURRIER MUSEUM OF ART MANCHESTER, NH | NON-CASH DONATION OF ART FOR DONEE SUPPORT | $16,000 |
| WHITNEY MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART NEW YORK, NY | FOR DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE | $12,500 |
| NEW YORK CITY AIDS MEMORIAL NEW YORK, NY | FOR DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE | $5,000 |
| KATONAH MUSEUM OF ART KATONAH, NY | FOR DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE | $2,487 |
| THE STUDIO MUSEUM IN HARLEM NEW YORK, NY | FOR DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE | $2,000 |
| VISUAL ARTS FOUNDATION NEW YORK, NY | FOR DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE | $1,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Joree Adilman Einstein – Managing Director
- Carol Distefano – Bookkeeper
- Adam Rosenthal – Archivist/Art Handlers
- Julia Garrigan – Assistant
The foundation employs 5 staff members.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MICHAEL WARD STOUT ESQ | PRESIDENT | 2 | — |
| ERIC R JOHNSON ESQ | TREASURER | 1.5 | — |
| STEWART SHINING | VICE PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| DIMITRI LEVAS | VICE PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| BURT G LIPSKY ESQ | VICE PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
Contact Information
Address: 260 Madison Ave, Floor 17, New York City, NY 10016-2410
Phone: 212-754-6120
Website: www.mapplethorpe.org
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation operates under two primary mandates: **Photography as Art:** To promote photography as an art form in order to achieve its recognition and respect at the same level as painting and sculpture. The foundation supports museums, universities, and other institutions through exhibitions, acquisitions, and publications of quality photography materials and books. **HIV/AIDS Medical Research:** To support scientific research directed towards the treatment or cure of AIDS and HIV-related i…
How do I apply for a grant from The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation Inc?
The foundation makes grants across both of its focus areas. Recent grants include: • Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation: $195,000 (2024) • Bard College: $60,000 (2024) • Metropolitan Museum of Art: $37,500 (2024) Typical grant awards range from $1,000 to $2,290,500. The foundation has supported major institutional initiatives, including historic gifts that resulted in permanently named galleries and facilities at leading museums. Notable institutional partnerships include: • **Solomon R. Guggenhe…
Where does The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in New York and New Hampshire. Its institutional partnerships and major gifts have supported museums and cultural institutions nationally and internationally, including institutions in Scotland.
What size grants does The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation Inc awarded 9 grants totaling $331K — an average of about $37K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $609K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-3480472. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
The Reich Family Charitable Trust
BROOKLYN, NY
Assets
$689K
Grants
1
Total Given
$453K
Launa Beuhler Foundation for
BROOKLYN, NY
Assets
$2K
Grants
4
Total Given
$20K
The Hilary Grace Foundation Inc
EAST AMHERST, NY
Assets
$126K
Grants
2
Total Given
$36K
Uw E J Madden Mem Open Hearts Club 10-214880
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$1.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$307K
Hindy's Foundation
BROOKLYN, NY
Assets
$142K
Grants
8
Total Given
$225K
Jeanne & Thomas Hardy Family Foundation
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$3K
Grants
3
Total Given
$3K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation Inc on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation Inc to a real strategy.