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.
Key facts about Three Cairns Foundation Inc
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.
- EIN
- 47-5548408
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,300,000
- Grants made (2024)
- 3
- Average grant
- $766,667
- Median grant
- $500,000
- Total assets
- $90,605,896
- Primary geography
- New York (78% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$90.6M
+14.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.3M
-70.7% YoY
Grant Count
3
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$767K
-70.7% YoY
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.
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.
Ready to take the next step with Three Cairns Foundation Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 3 itemized grants.
Cities
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.
Grant Insights
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%).
Giving History
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 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $90,605,896 | $79,275,708 | $86,487,805 |
| Revenue | $12,808,732 | $797,690 | $-2,458,560 |
| Expenses | $3,163,268 | $8,009,787 | $5,710,220 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,784,587 | $7,847,401 | $5,507,963 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,732,198 | $400,739 | — |
| Distributable Amount | $4,305,810 | $4,604,096 | $4,930,596 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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.
Here's the math on researching Three Cairns Foundation Inc by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Three Cairns Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Mountain View, CA
Silicon Valley Community Foundation funds work in areas such as housing, economic security, education, health, the environment, arts and culture, and civic engagement, with Community Action Grants supporting local, community-led organizations in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of $51,716, though amounts varied widely; applications depend on the program, and SVCF states that it does not accept unsolicited proposals for advised funds.
Assets
$12.3B
Grants
3,576
Total Given
$3.2B
Boston Foundation Inc
Boston, MA
The Boston Foundation funds equity-focused work in child well-being, economic opportunity, community wealth, and community leadership, primarily in Greater Boston. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000, while specific programs offer awards from up to $15,000 to $50,000; it accepts applications through some competitive initiatives, but whether it accepts unsolicited requests generally is not stated.
Assets
$2.1B
Grants
2,375
Total Given
$228.4M
Freedom Together Foundation
New York, NY
The foundation funds work to strengthen multiracial democracy and build community and worker power, racial and gender justice, movement infrastructure, reproductive health, medical research, and community institutions. In 2024, its grants ranged from $5,000 to $14 million, with a median of $500,000; its largest shares went to organizations in Washington, DC, New York, California, Massachusetts, and Illinois. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$3.4B
Grants
595
Total Given
$470.0M
The James and Judith K Dimon Foundation
New York, NY
The James and Judith K Dimon Foundation supports organizations in education, health care, environmental protection, wildlife conservation, arts, and services for people with vision loss, with 2024 grants concentrated in New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island. Its 49 grants ranged from $1,000 to $1,456,393, with a median of $25,000. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$216.4M
Grants
49
Total Given
$9.9M
Dechomai Foundation Inc
Jacksonville, FL
Dechomai Foundation Inc is a national donor-advised fund that manages and liquidates non-cash gifts, then makes grants to public charities recommended by its donors; its grantmaking can support a range of charitable causes. Reported grants totaled about $360 million across 56 grants in 2023, but typical grant sizes are not specified. The information provided does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$169.5M
Grants
89
Total Given
$498.0M
The New York Community Trust
New York, NY
The New York Community Trust funds projects in areas including arts, education, health, human services, community development, and the environment, primarily in New York City, Long Island, and Westchester, with some opportunities elsewhere. Its 2024 median grant was $20,000, though awards varied widely. It accepts applications through its open competitive grants program and selected RFPs or letters of interest; donor-advised funds do not accept proposals.
Assets
$3.5B
Grants
2,748
Total Given
$193.8M
The Andrew W Mellon Foundation
New York, NY
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation funds arts and culture, higher education, the humanities, and public access to knowledge, primarily through grants to eligible nonprofit organizations in the U.S. and abroad. Its 2024 grants ranged from $10,000 to $8.56 million, with a median of $500,000. Most grants are by invitation, though the Foundation occasionally issues open calls and accepts inquiries for some programs.
Assets
$7.8B
Grants
848
Total Given
$555.0M
The Carroll and Milton Petrie Foundation Inc
New York, NY
The Carroll and Milton Petrie Foundation supports education and career pathways for low-income New Yorkers, including college readiness and success, student emergency aid, and access to careers. In 2024, its 48 grants ranged from $7,500 to $1,444,796, with a median of $94,975; most grant dollars went to New York recipients. It does not accept unsolicited requests and funds only preselected organizations.
Assets
$110.8M
Grants
48
Total Given
$6.5M
The Ford Foundation
New York, NY
The Ford Foundation funds organizations, individuals, and ideas working to reduce inequality and advance social justice, including work in areas such as immigrant justice, criminal justice reform, gender equity, and arts and culture, through grants around the world. Its 2024 grants had a median of $100,000, with amounts ranging from $45 to $15 million; it does not accept unsolicited requests by mail, email, or phone.
Assets
$17.5B
Grants
4,007
Total Given
$844.7M
More Funders in New York
Three Cairns Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?