The Vilcek Foundation is a private nonprofit foundation established in 2000 and based in New York City. The organization celebrates and supports immigrant contributions to American society through prizes, grants, and cultural programming. The foundation operates from its location at 21 E 70th Street in New York.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$133.9M
-2.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.1M
+48.5% YoY
Grant Count
27
+35.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$40K
+10.0% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Vilcek Foundation raises awareness of immigrant contributions in the United States and fosters appreciation of the arts and sciences. The foundation is committed to diversity and inclusive exchange, recognizing that diversity sparks dialogue, propels innovation, and refines ideas within creative and scientific fields.
The foundation's work centers on:
- Arts and Sciences: Celebrating immigrant artists and scientists whose work strengthens American cultural and scientific communities
- Immigration Advocacy: Supporting cultural leaders and advocates who advance immigrant contributions
- Arts and Culture: Managing an art collection and facilitating exhibitions and cultural dialogue
Grantmaking
The Vilcek Foundation invests in nonprofit organizations whose missions or programs focus on supporting immigrant contributions in the arts, sciences, culture, and society.
Grant Range
$1,000 to $100,000
Review Cycle
for 2026 grants: April 30, 2026
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds organizations primarily in New York, Hawaii, and California, though it supports programs throughout the United States.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Giving:
- Total assets: $133.9 million–$137.5 million (as of 2024)
- Annual giving rate: Approximately 0.8% of assets
- Historical revenue (2014): $19,837,752
- Historical expenses (2014): $4,822,527
Staffing:
- 13 employees
IRS Status:
- 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
- EIN: 51-0404790
- Established: 2000
- IRS ruling year: 2001
- Files Form 990-PF
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $133,877,740 | $137,210,824 | $136,548,438 |
| Revenue | $5,528,306 | $10,670,656 | $5,095,097 |
| Expenses | $8,861,390 | $10,008,270 | $8,848,887 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $8,191,505 | $10,050,992 | $6,125,086 |
| Net Investment Income | $3,446,907 | $10,038,113 | $4,291,573 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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
132 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from The Vilcek Foundation Inc
2026 Vilcek Prizes for Creative Promise in Biomedical Science Grant
THE VILCEK FOUNDATION INC
Amount
US $50,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
2026 Vilcek Prizes for Creative Promise in Fashion & Design and Fashion & Culture Grant
THE VILCEK FOUNDATION INC
Amount
US $50,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Wolfram Koeppe ($100,000), Luciano Marraffini ($100,000), Monika Bincsik ($100,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| WOLFRAM KOEPPE NEW YORK, NY | MARICA VILCEK PRIZE IN ART HISTORY | $100,000 |
| LUCIANO MARRAFFINI BROOKLYN, NY | VILCEK PRIZE IN BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE | $100,000 |
| GERTA HOXHAJ DALLAS, TX | VILCEK PRIZE FOR CREATIVE PROMISE IN BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE | $50,000 |
| JUAN CARLOS NOGUERA CARDOZA ROCHESTER, NY | VILCEK PRIZE FOR CREATIVE PROMISE IN DESIGN | $50,000 |
| MONIKA BINCSIK NEW YORK, NY | MARICA VILCEK PRIZE IN ART HISTORY | $100,000 |
| RAMON TEJADA PROVIDENCE, RI | VILCEK PRIZE IN DESIGN | $100,000 |
| TOMASZ NOWAKOWSKI SAN FRANCISCO, CA | VILCEK PRIZE FOR CREATIVE PROMISE IN BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE | $50,000 |
| WAEL MORCOS BROOKLYN, NY | VILCEK PRIZE FOR CREATIVE PROMISE IN DESIGN | $50,000 |
| MARYAM TURKEY ODENTON, MD | VILCEK PRIZE FOR CREATIVE PROMISE IN DESIGN | $50,000 |
| TAKANORI TAKEBE CINCINNATI, OH | VILCEK PRIZE FOR CREATIVE PROMISE IN BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE | $50,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Jan Vilcek – Co-founder (biomedical scientist, immigrant from former Czechoslovakia)
- Marica Vilcek – Co-founder (art historian, immigrant from former Czechoslovakia; In Memoriam 1936–2026)
- Rick Kinsel – President
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR JAN VILCEK | COFOUNDER, CEO & CHAIRMAN | 20 | — |
| MARICA VILCEK | COFOUNDER, VICE CHAIR & SECRETARY | 20 | — |
| KATERINA HERAN DARWIN | DIRECTOR | 1 | $29,000 |
| JOAN MASSAGUE | DIRECTOR | 1 | $1,500 |
| JUNG LEE SANDERS | DIRECTOR | 1 | $1,500 |
| CHRISTINA MOSSAIDES STRASSFIELD | DIRECTOR | 1 | $1,500 |
| RICK KINSEL | PRESIDENT | 35 | $515,915 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Vilcek Foundation marked 25 years of giving in 2025, announcing continued commitment to its mission through expanded grant opportunities. The foundation announced a $200,000 open call for grant applications and increased grant funding to support nonprofits uplifting immigrant contributions. The 2026 Vilcek Foundation Prizes honored fourteen outstanding prizewinners for achievements in biomedical research, fashion, and art history.
Vilcek Foundation to Award $200,000 in Grants to Nonprofits Uplifting ImmigrantSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Vilcek Foundation Inc fund?
The Vilcek Foundation raises awareness of immigrant contributions in the United States and fosters appreciation of the arts and sciences. The foundation is committed to diversity and inclusive exchange, recognizing that diversity sparks dialogue, propels innovation, and refines ideas within creative and scientific fields. The foundation's work centers on: • **Arts and Sciences**: Celebrating immigrant artists and scientists whose work strengthens American cultural and scientific communities • *…
How do I apply for a grant from The Vilcek Foundation Inc?
The Vilcek Foundation invests in nonprofit organizations whose missions or programs focus on supporting immigrant contributions in the arts, sciences, culture, and society. **Grant Characteristics:** • Typical grant range: $1,000 to $100,000 • Median grant size: $25,000–$35,000 • The foundation prioritizes organizations taking creative approaches to their missions and developing unique projects that effectively achieve meaningful goals **Application Process:** • The foundation accepts applicati…
Where does The Vilcek Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation funds organizations primarily in New York, Hawaii, and California, though it supports programs throughout the United States.
What size grants does The Vilcek Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, The Vilcek Foundation Inc awarded 27 grants totaling $1.1M — an average of about $40K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is The Vilcek Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Vilcek Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 51-0404790. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Vilcek 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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