The Taft Foundation
The Taft Foundation is a private foundation based in New York, New York, established in 2004 by Don Taft. Its primary mission is to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) to lead fulfilling lives, and it also aims to enhance the well-being of children facing serious illness.
The Taft Foundation at a glance
In short: The Taft Foundation gave $12.2M across 94 grants in 2024 (avg $130K), mostly in New York. 15% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $12,215,702
- +7.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 94
- -8.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $129,954
- +17.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $82,500
- Total assets
- $239,983,928
- +8.6% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 15% first-time grantees (14 of 93, 2024)
- Primary geography
- New York (61% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Taft Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Invitation Only
-
Grantmaking is by invitation only; the Foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. It describes its approach as collaborative and informed by stakeholder experience, community expertise, and data.
- Contact
Mailing address: 530 Fifth Avenue 9Th Fl Suite 805, New York, NY 10036
Phone: (347) 871-4131
Website: https://thetaftfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Taft Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Children's Aid ($600K). Together the top 10 received $4.6M.
Grant Size Distribution
489 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 211 grants of 489 (43%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation states that it supports nonprofit service providers in the New York City Metro Area and Southeast Florida, defined as Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. In 2024, 61% of grant dollars went to recipients in New York and 37% to recipients in Florida.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 94 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Taft Foundation open to new grantees?
15%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 14 of 93 grantees (15%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $98K; repeat grants $137K. How we count
Medians: $9K first-time, $100K repeat.
- 82% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+15%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 121% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $10.6M (2021) to $12.2M (2024). In 2024 it made 94 grants totaling $12.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Children's Aid New York, NY | General Operating Support | $600,000 |
| The Center for Discovery Harris, NY | Healing Arts Program | $600,000 |
| The Arc Westchester Hawthorne, NY | General Operating Support | $559,759 |
| Nova Southeastern University - Shepard Broad College of Law Ft Lauderdale, FL | Disability & Advocacy Law (Dial) Clinic | $482,200 |
| Arc Broward Inc Sunrise, FL | Transition and employment programs, infrastructure improvments and staff retention efforts | $450,000 |
| Brooklyn Law School Brooklyn, NY | Disability and Civil Rights Clinic | $416,661 |
| Els for Autism Foundation Jupiter, FL | Adult Services | $385,000 |
| Healthy Humor Inc New York, NY | Red nose docs in harlem, jacobi, and bronxcare hospitals | $379,167 |
| Cooke School and Institute New York, NY | Transition to Life Program | $361,837 |
| University of Miami - Mailman Center for Child Development Coral Gables, FL | Family Navigator Program | $348,600 |
Ready to take the next step with The Taft Foundation?
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 | $239,983,928 | $15,261,940 | $14,574,303 | $12,215,702 | 94 | $13,669,756 | $14,215,024 | $11,321,511 |
| 2023 | $220,938,159 | $9,589,359 | $13,348,164 | $11,358,437 | 103 | $12,606,749 | $9,109,660 | $10,204,700 |
| 2022 | $199,581,101 | $16,163,495 | $13,705,581 | $11,668,575 | 93 | $12,714,811 | $15,396,258 | $10,212,095 |
| 2021 | $179,728,457 | $20,078,844 | $12,268,596 | $10,643,870 | 97 | $11,539,140 | $19,475,245 | $10,980,715 |
| 2020 | $170,615,570 | $4,256,804 | $12,348,083 | $10,801,940 | 102 | — | $3,775,251 | $9,460,072 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Taft Foundation reported a distributable amount of $11.3M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
For I/DD grantmaking, the Foundation organizes its priorities around Access, Thrive, and Include. Its stated aims include connecting people with I/DD and their families to information and services, expanding transition planning and employment opportunities, and fostering connection and individual growth. The Foundation also supports services for children facing serious illness.
Its 2024 grants illustrate the range of organizations and services it supports. The Center for Discovery, which received $600,000, describes its work as providing educational, clinical, residential, social, and creative arts experiences for people with disabilities and medical frailties and their families. Arc Broward, a $450,000 recipient, says it provides therapeutic, educational, vocational, and residential services to people with developmental disabilities and other life challenges. Healthy Humor, which received $379,167, describes itself as an arts organization whose performers bring joy and comfort to hospitalized children and others in need.
The Foundation funds direct services and says it does not fund capital projects, endowments, or academic research.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the Foundation’s filing records 94 grants totaling $12,215,702. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $600,000, with a median of $82,500.
Among the largest 2024 awards were $600,000 to Children’s Aid for general operating support; $600,000 to The Center for Discovery for its Healing Arts Program; $559,759 to The Arc Westchester for general operating support; and $482,200 to Nova Southeastern University’s Shepard Broad College of Law for its Disability & Advocacy Law Clinic. Other substantial awards included $450,000 to Arc Broward for transition and employment programs, infrastructure improvements, and staff retention efforts; $416,661 to Brooklyn Law School for its Disability and Civil Rights Clinic; and $385,000 to Els for Autism Foundation for adult services.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Howard Rothman as president, board chair, and director; Phoebe Boyer as vice president, secretary, and director; William Rupp as vice president, treasurer, and director; Joan Rothman as director; and Nina Bershadker as executive director.
The Taft Foundation is led by Howard Rothman, President, Board Chair & Director on every filing since 2020; 2 of 5 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Howard Rothman
President, Board Chair & Director
On filings since 2020
15 hrs/week
$85K (2020) → $113K (2024)
Nina Bershadker
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$227K (2020) → $320K (2024)
Joan Rothman
Director
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Phoebe Boyer
Vice President, Secretary & Director
Vice President & Director → Vice President, Secretary & Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
William Rupp
Vice President, Treasurer & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
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 $320K, to Nina Bershadker (Executive Director). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Taft Foundation
How much does The Taft Foundation give each year?
The Taft Foundation gave $12.2M across 94 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $11.4M across 103 grants.
What is The Taft Foundation's typical grant size?
The Taft Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $82,500, and its average grant was $129,954, across 94 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Taft Foundation that year got $98K on average.
Where does The Taft Foundation give grants?
The Taft Foundation gives mostly in New York: 61% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Florida (37%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (34 grants), Brooklyn, NY (8 grants), Fort Lauderdale, FL (7 grants) and Miami, FL (6 grants).
Does The Taft Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 51% of The Taft Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (48 of 94) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Taft Foundation's largest grantees?
The Taft Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Children's Aid ($600,000), The Center for Discovery ($600,000) and The Arc Westchester ($559,759), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 14% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Taft Foundation?
The Taft Foundation reported $240.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $13.7M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $11.3M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Taft Foundation fund?
For I/DD grantmaking, the Foundation organizes its priorities around Access, Thrive, and Include. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Taft Foundation?
Grantmaking is by invitation only; the Foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Taft Foundation's EIN?
The Taft Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-1232852. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Taft 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 September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Taft Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Taft Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-taft-foundation-morg_5a897585ba9c4c2f83d2a7a1cfeba65c
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_201232852_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Taft Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-taft-foundation-morg_5a897585ba9c4c2f83d2a7a1cfeba65c},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from The Taft Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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