Three Cairns Foundation Inc
Three Cairns Foundation Inc is a private foundation, based in New York, NY. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $90.6M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 3 grants totaling $2.3M. Net investment income was $1.7M.
Three Cairns Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Three Cairns Foundation Inc gave $2.3M across 3 grants in 2024 (avg $767K), mostly in New York. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,300,000
- -70.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 3
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $766,667
- -70.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $500,000
- Total assets
- $90,605,896
- +14.3% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- New York (78% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Three Cairns Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 2 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Community Funds Inc ($1.8M across 2 grants). Together the top 2 received $2.3M.
Grant Size Distribution
12 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $1–5M range: 6 grants of 12 (50%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 3 itemized grants.
Cities
How Three Cairns Foundation Inc gives
- Giving fell 36% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 65% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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 $2.3M (2024) to $7.8M (2023). In 2024 it made 3 grants totaling $2.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Community Funds Inc New York, NY | Care Coordination Fund | $1,500,000 |
| Activate Global Inc Berkeley, CA | General Purpose | $500,000 |
| Community Funds Inc New York, NY | Congestion Pricing Go Fund | $300,000 |
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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 | $90,605,896 | $12,808,732 | $3,163,268 | $2,300,000 | 3 | $2,784,587 | $1,732,198 | $4,305,810 |
| 2023 | $79,275,708 | $797,690 | $8,009,787 | $7,837,000 | 3 | $7,847,401 | $400,739 | $4,604,096 |
| 2022 | $86,487,805 | $-2,458,560 | $5,710,220 | $5,500,000 | 2 | $5,507,963 | — | $4,930,596 |
| 2021 | $94,656,585 | $30,937,522 | $3,758,832 | $3,572,248 | 3 | $3,578,002 | $11,072,146 | $4,439,680 |
| 2020 | $66,248,329 | $1,950,203 | $4,616,477 | $3,696,980 | 1 | — | $1,143,228 | $3,751,791 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Three Cairns Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $4.3M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Three Cairns Foundation Inc is led by Elizabeth B. Strickler, Director President & Secretary on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Elizabeth B. Strickler
Director President & Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark T. Gallogly
Director Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brian Osias
CIO & Assistant Secretary
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.
Frequently asked questions about Three Cairns Foundation Inc
How much does Three Cairns Foundation Inc give each year?
Three Cairns Foundation Inc gave $2.3M across 3 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $7.8M across 3 grants.
What is Three Cairns Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Three Cairns Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $500,000, and its average grant was $766,667, across 3 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Three Cairns Foundation Inc give grants?
Three Cairns Foundation Inc gives mostly in New York: 78% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was California (22%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (2 grants).
Does Three Cairns Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 33% of Three Cairns Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 3) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
How large is Three Cairns Foundation Inc?
Three Cairns Foundation Inc reported $90.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.8M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $4.3M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What is Three Cairns Foundation Inc's EIN?
Three Cairns Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-5548408. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Three Cairns Foundation Inc funds
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