The Roy Cockrum Foundation
The Roy Cockrum Foundation is a private foundation based in Wilmington, Delaware. It supports performing arts projects, including productions at not-for-profit professional theaters.
The Roy Cockrum Foundation at a glance
In short: The Roy Cockrum Foundation gave $3.4M across 6 grants in 2024 (avg $561K), mostly in New York. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $3,365,700
- -15.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 6
- -33.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $560,950
- +26.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $538,350
- Total assets
- $47,279,153
- -1.3% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- New York (58% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The Roy Cockrum Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: Foundation Source 501 Silverside Rd, Wilmington, DE 19809-1377
Phone: (800) 839-1754
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Roy Cockrum Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 6 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Atlantic Theater Company ($800K). Together the top 6 received $3.4M.
Grant Size Distribution
41 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $500K–1M range: 11 grants of 41 (27%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in New York (58%), Tennessee (16%), California (16%), and Maryland (10%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Roy Cockrum Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+20%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 126% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.6M (2020) to $4.0M (2023). In 2024 it made 6 grants totaling $3.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Atlantic Theater Company New York, NY | for production of The Welkin by Lucy Kirkwood | $800,000 |
| St Ann's Warehouse Brooklyn, NY | The Hunt | $700,000 |
| The University of Tennessee Foundation Inc Knoxville, TN | Knoxville | $550,400 |
| Old Globe Theatre San Diego, CA | Henry VI | $526,300 |
| Manhattan Theatre Club Inc New York, NY | Broadway Premiere of Joshua Harmon's PRAYER FOR THE FRENCH REPUBLIC | $450,000 |
| Round House Theatre Inc Bethesda, MD | The Inheritance by Matthew Lopez | $339,000 |
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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 | $47,279,153 | $4,341,667 | $4,986,671 | $3,365,700 | 6 | $3,985,395 | $2,925,921 | $3,166,861 |
| 2023 | $47,924,157 | $1,652,591 | $5,433,108 | $3,986,000 | 9 | $4,496,605 | $922,253 | $3,163,196 |
| 2022 | $51,704,674 | $1,159,114 | $5,688,045 | $3,260,802 | 6 | $3,688,820 | — | $3,390,493 |
| 2021 | $56,233,605 | $5,326,983 | $4,372,126 | $2,811,665 | 8 | $3,156,146 | $4,119,273 | $3,733,397 |
| 2020 | $55,278,748 | $4,958,816 | $3,011,702 | $1,569,953 | 12 | — | $3,947,072 | $2,959,243 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Roy Cockrum Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.2M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is to award grants supporting world-class performing arts projects in not-for-profit professional theaters throughout the United States. Its 2024 grants included support for productions at theaters and a grant to the University of Tennessee Foundation.
The grantees describe a range of work in their own missions. Atlantic Theater Company says it empowers storytelling to foster understanding, while St. Ann’s Warehouse describes itself as an artistic home for avant-garde work, international companies, and emerging artists. The Old Globe says its mission includes advancing American theatre through productions, programming, and education. Manhattan Theatre Club describes its work as producing and developing new plays, nurturing artists, and providing education programs. Round House Theatre says it offers theatrical and educational experiences intended to enrich its community.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported six grants totaling $3,365,700. Grants ranged from $339,000 to $800,000, with a median grant of $538,350.
Notable 2024 grants included $800,000 to Atlantic Theater Company for a production of *The Welkin* by Lucy Kirkwood; $700,000 to St. Ann’s Warehouse for *The Hunt*; and $550,400 to the University of Tennessee Foundation for *Knoxville*. Other grants were $526,300 to the Old Globe for *Henry VI*, $450,000 to Manhattan Theatre Club for the Broadway premiere of *Prayer for the French Republic* by Joshua Harmon, and $339,000 to Round House Theatre for *The Inheritance* by Matthew Lopez.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Roy E Cockrum as director, chair, and president; Kenneth Y Elliott as secretary and director; Benita Hofstetter Koman as director and vice president; and Frazier Wyatt Marsh as director.
The Roy Cockrum Foundation is led by Roy E Cockrum, Director, Chair & President on every filing since 2020; 3 of 4 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Roy E Cockrum
Director, Chair & President
On filings since 2020
30 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Frazier Wyatt Marsh
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$10K (2020) → $18K (2024)
Kenneth Y Elliott
Secretary & Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$18K (2020) → $18K (2024)
Benita Hofstetter Koman
Director & Vice President
Director → Director & Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
$9K (2022) → $18K (2024)
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 $18K, to Kenneth Y Elliott (Sec, Dir). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Roy Cockrum Foundation
How much does The Roy Cockrum Foundation give each year?
The Roy Cockrum Foundation gave $3.4M across 6 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $4.0M across 9 grants.
What is The Roy Cockrum Foundation's typical grant size?
The Roy Cockrum Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $538,350, and its average grant was $560,950, across 6 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Roy Cockrum Foundation give grants?
The Roy Cockrum Foundation gives mostly in New York: 58% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Tennessee (16%) and California (16%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (2 grants).
Does The Roy Cockrum Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 6 grants with a stated purpose on The Roy Cockrum Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are The Roy Cockrum Foundation's largest grantees?
The Roy Cockrum Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Atlantic Theater Company ($800,000), St Ann's Warehouse ($700,000) and The University of Tennessee Foundation Inc ($550,400), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 61% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Roy Cockrum Foundation?
The Roy Cockrum Foundation reported $47.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $4.0M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $3.2M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Roy Cockrum Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to award grants supporting world-class performing arts projects in not-for-profit professional theaters throughout the United States. Its 2024 grants included support for productions at theaters and a grant to the University of Tennessee Foundation. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Roy Cockrum Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Roy Cockrum Foundation's EIN?
The Roy Cockrum Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 30-0839745. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Roy Cockrum Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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