Theodore L Cross
Theodore L Cross is a private foundation based in Commack, New York. It makes grants to preselected charitable organizations and, according to its filing, does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
Theodore L Cross at a glance
In short: Theodore L Cross gave $1.4M across 61 grants in 2024 (avg $24K), top state New York. 32% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,437,500
- +0.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 61
- +29.8% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $23,566
- -22.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $12,036,300
- -3.7% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 32% first-time grantees (19 of 60, 2024)
- Primary geography
- New York (35% 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 Theodore L Cross
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 5036 Jericho Turnpike 208, Commack, NY 11725
Phone: (516) 478-6000
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Theodore L Cross funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Project Horseshoe Farm ($85K). Together the top 10 received $675K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($25,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
237 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 176 grants of 237 (74%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, recipients in New York received 35% of grant dollars, followed by Massachusetts (16%), Florida (14%), Washington, DC (9%), and Alabama (8%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 61 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Theodore L Cross open to new grantees?
32%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 19 of 60 grantees (32%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $7K; repeat grants $32K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $25K repeat.
- 68% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+16%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 141% 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 $1.2M (2020) to $1.4M (2024). In 2024 it made 61 grants totaling $1.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Project Horseshoe Farm Greensboro, AL | General Purpose | $85,000 |
| Planned Parenthood Federation New York, NY | General Purpose | $80,000 |
| Club House International New York, NY | General Purposes | $75,000 |
| Nantucket Historical Association Nantucket, MA | General Purpose | $75,000 |
| The Foundation for City College New York, NY | General Purpose | $65,000 |
| ACLU Foundation Beaverton, OR | General Purposes | $60,000 |
| Ding Darling Society Sanibel, FL | General Purposes | $60,000 |
| Fish Friends in Service Here Sanibel, FL | General Purposes | $60,000 |
| Child First Norwalk, CT | General Purpose | $60,000 |
| Brennan Center for Justice at NYU New York, NY | General Purposes | $55,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Theodore L Cross?
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 | $12,036,300 | $1,082,064 | $1,541,210 | $1,437,500 | 61 | $1,438,557 | $992,905 | $1,021,523 |
| 2023 | $12,495,446 | $356,966 | $1,520,844 | $1,427,500 | 47 | $1,428,723 | $268,593 | $998,741 |
| 2022 | $13,659,324 | $535,734 | $1,513,190 | $1,412,500 | 43 | $1,414,165 | $442,953 | $986,476 |
| 2021 | $14,636,780 | $1,639,022 | $1,354,486 | $1,240,000 | 43 | $1,242,989 | $1,549,182 | $1,034,762 |
| 2020 | $14,352,244 | $241,837 | $1,251,981 | $1,170,000 | 43 | — | $164,786 | $998,765 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Theodore L Cross reported a distributable amount of $1.0M 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
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its grants show support for a range of charitable organizations. For example, Project Horseshoe Farm describes its mission as working with its community to improve the lives of vulnerable neighbors and prepare future service leaders. The Nantucket Historical Association says it preserves and interprets Nantucket’s history, while The Foundation for City College describes itself as supporting City College of New York students and programs.
Other 2024 grantees describe work that includes helping children and families affected by trauma (Child First), providing meals in response to crises (World Central Kitchen), addressing hunger on Long Island (Long Island Cares), serving people with multiple disabilities (Perkins School for the Blind), and advancing racial justice and human rights (Southern Poverty Law Center).
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 61 grants totaling $1,437,500. Grants ranged from $2,500 to $85,000, with a median of $15,000.
Among the largest grants were $85,000 to Project Horseshoe Farm, $80,000 to Planned Parenthood Federation, $75,000 each to Club House International and the Nantucket Historical Association, and $65,000 to The Foundation for City College. Other grants included $60,000 each to ACLU Foundation, Ding Darling Society, Fish Friends in Service Here, and Child First; and $55,000 each to Brennan Center for Justice at NYU and League Women Voters.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Amanda B Cross, Lisa W Pownall-Gray, Adrienne Cannella, and John W Halloran as trustees.
Theodore L Cross's 2024 filing lists 4 officers; none of the 4 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Adrienne Cannella
Trustee
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Amanda B. Cross
Trustee
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John W. Halloran
Trustee
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lisa W. Pownall-Gray
Trustee
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/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.
Frequently asked questions about Theodore L Cross
How much does Theodore L Cross give each year?
Theodore L Cross gave $1.4M across 61 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.4M across 47 grants.
What is Theodore L Cross's typical grant size?
Theodore L Cross's median grant in 2024 was $15,000, and its average grant was $23,566, across 61 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Theodore L Cross that year got $7K on average.
Where does Theodore L Cross give grants?
Theodore L Cross's top state is New York, with 35% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Massachusetts (16%) and Florida (14%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (10 grants), Washington, DC (5 grants), Nantucket, MA (4 grants) and Seattle, WA (3 grants).
Does Theodore L Cross give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Theodore L Cross's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (61 of 61) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Theodore L Cross's largest grantees?
Theodore L Cross's largest 2024 grantees include Project Horseshoe Farm ($85,000), Planned Parenthood Federation ($80,000) and Club House International ($75,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($25,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 17% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Theodore L Cross?
Theodore L Cross reported $12.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.4M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.0M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Theodore L Cross fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its grants show support for a range of charitable organizations. For example, Project Horseshoe Farm describes its mission as working with its community to improve the lives of vulnerable neighbors and prepare future service leaders. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Theodore L Cross?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and 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 Theodore L Cross's EIN?
Theodore L Cross's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-3254361. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Theodore L Cross 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 Theodore L Cross's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in New York
Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation Inc
Princeton, NJ
The Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation supports health access and stronger health systems, with a focus on adult and pediatric cancers, blood disorders, brain health, and clinical-trial participation in the United States, Brazil, India, and ten Sub-Saharan African countries. In 2024, its median grant was about $134,000, though awards varied widely; it does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests, and advises prospective applicants to contact the Foundation about its process.
Assets
$83.3M
Grants
144
Total Given
$67.7M
The Ford Foundation
New York, NY
The Ford Foundation funds organizations and initiatives working to reduce inequality and advance social justice, including work on civic engagement, civil rights, climate justice, disability rights, and technology and society. In 2024, its grants ranged from $45 to $15 million, with a median of $100,000, supporting work in the U.S. and internationally. It says most grants are identified by the foundation and it does not accept unsolicited proposals by mail, email, or phone; limited opportunities may be offered separately.
Assets
$17.5B
Grants
4,007
Total Given
$844.7M
The New York Community Trust
New York, NY
The New York Community Trust funds nonprofit programs in areas such as arts, education, health, the environment, workforce development, and youth development, including projects that improve services, build organizational capacity, or advance policy and systems change. Its competitive grants mainly serve New York City, Long Island, and Westchester, with some national and international environmental funding; the 2024 median grant was $20,000. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$3.5B
Grants
2,748
Total Given
$193.8M
The Simons Foundation Inc
New York, NY
The Simons Foundation funds research and public engagement in mathematics and the physical, life, autism, and neuroscience sciences. In 2024, it made 1,727 grants, with a median award of $72,000 and amounts ranging from $1,480 to $20 million, supporting organizations in the U.S. and internationally. It states that it funds only preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$4.5B
Grants
1,727
Total Given
$272.0M
Local Initiatives Support Corporation
New York, NY
LISC funds affordable housing, community development, small businesses, and related efforts that strengthen inclusive communities, providing grants as well as loans, equity, and technical assistance across the country. Its 2024 grants had a median award of $40,000, though amounts varied widely. Application access is program-specific: for its Rhode Island child care facilities planning grants, applicants are instructed to consult program staff before submitting a request.
Assets
$1.6B
Grants
1,119
Total Given
$102.8M
Wellspring Philanthropic Fund Inc
New York, NY
Wellspring Philanthropic Fund supports human rights and social and economic justice, including work on climate, the environment, civic engagement, and Jewish causes, in the United States and internationally. Its 2024 grants had a median of $200,000, with amounts ranging from $500 to $9.75 million. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests; it plans to end grantmaking by the end of 2028.
Assets
$134.4M
Grants
1,101
Total Given
$326.0M
More Funders in New York
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Theodore L Cross funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/theodore-l-cross-morg_6f97f8b0d98d43349db7d96c7bf3284e
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_043254361_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Theodore L Cross funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/theodore-l-cross-morg_6f97f8b0d98d43349db7d96c7bf3284e},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. 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 Theodore L Cross'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.
Theodore L Cross down — hundreds of funders to go?