Wolf Kahn Foundation Inc
Wolf Kahn Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in New York, New York. It is dedicated to preserving and promoting the artistic achievements of Wolf Kahn and supports artists and arts organizations through grants and other initiatives, including work that advances artists’ careers and educates youth and the broader public.
Wolf Kahn Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Wolf Kahn Foundation Inc gave $255K across 21 grants in 2024 (avg $12K), top state Vermont. 43% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $255,000
- +22.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 21
- -8.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $12,143
- +34.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $21,494,763
- +1.8% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 43% first-time grantees (9 of 21, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Vermont (42% 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 Wolf Kahn Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The Foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Its website describes an invited process in which eligible organizations submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI); after review, the Foundation invites selected organizations to apply. The LOI asks applicants to describe their proposal and its fit with the Foundation’s mission, or to give examples of mission-aligned programming when seeking general operating support, and to state the requested amount. Eligible organizations must be U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofits with visual arts central to their mission, and the proposed project must directly support the organization’s mission. School-based arts education programs without their own 501(c)(3) status, academic journals, archives, endowments, re-granting programs, and organizations outside the United States are ineligible. Organizations funded for three consecutive years must take one year off before reapplying.
- Review Cycle
- The next LOI deadline listed on the Foundation’s website is January 9, 2026; the LOI form was scheduled to open December 5, 2025.
- Deadline
- The next LOI deadline listed on the Foundation’s website is January 9, 2026; the LOI form was scheduled to open…
- Contact
Mailing address: 134 W 26Th Street 1150, New York, NY 10001
Phone: (917) 922-7669
Website: https://wolfkahnfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Wolf Kahn Foundation Inc
Who Wolf Kahn Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Vermont Studio Center ($62K). Together the top 10 received $182K.
Grant Size Distribution
101 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 93 grants of 101 (92%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation’s stated eligibility geography is New York City, New England, or a region where Wolf Kahn had a significant affiliation. In 2024, 42% of grant dollars went to Vermont recipients, 31% to New York, 12% to Massachusetts, 6% to Connecticut, and 6% to Rhode Island.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 21 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Wolf Kahn Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
43%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 9 of 21 grantees (43%) were first-time recipients. With only 21 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 5 points. First grants averaged $10K; repeat grants $14K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 33% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 134% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 184% 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 $103K (2020) to $4.6M (2022). In 2024 it made 21 grants totaling $255K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont Studio Center Johnson, VT | Wolf kahn - emily mason fellowship fund and emergency gift | $62,000 |
| American Academy of Arts and Letters New York, NY | Support for Artist Fees | $15,000 |
| Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown Inc Provincetown, MA | Summer Exhibition | $15,000 |
| NXTHVN New Haven, CT | General Operating Support | $15,000 |
| Rose Art Museum at Brandeis University Waltham, MA | Artist Residency for Hugh Hayden | $15,000 |
| Smack Mellon Studios Inc Brooklyn, NY | General Operating Support | $15,000 |
| Woonasquatucket Valley Community Build IN Providence, RI | Residency Program Support | $15,000 |
| ART21 Inc New York, NY | Education and Public Programs | $10,000 |
| Parrish Art Museum Water Mill, NY | Julia Chiang Exhibition | $10,000 |
| Sandglass Center for Puppetry and Theater Putney, VT | Festival and Exhibition Funding | $10,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The 2024 filing reported 21 grants; the 2023 filing reported 23, and the 2022 filing reported 18.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $21,494,763 | $1,318,133 | $937,529 | $255,000 | 21 | $790,989 | $1,215,355 | $430,390 |
| 2023 | $21,113,803 | $944,722 | $727,157 | $207,600 | 23 | $675,849 | $895,497 | $355,489 |
| 2022 | $19,980,295 | $557,130 | $5,112,976 | $4,577,219 | 18 | $5,069,474 | $390,423 | $359,538 |
| 2021 | $23,685,169 | $21,929,718 | $471,486 | $109,200 | 20 | — | $4,208,907 | $178,919 |
| 2020 | $2,227,022 | $95,733 | $172,238 | $102,500 | 19 | — | $74,795 | $127,846 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Wolf Kahn Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $430K 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
The Foundation’s mission is to preserve and promote Wolf Kahn’s artistic achievements and share his work with audiences, scholars, and other artists to foster greater understanding of his work and contribution to American art.
Grantmaking supports projects such as exhibitions, publications, residencies, and community- or museum-based arts education. The Foundation emphasizes projects that advance social justice or environmental awareness through the arts, and considers general operating support for organizations whose programming aligns with its priorities.
Examples from 2024 illustrate the kinds of organizations supported. Vermont Studio Center describes its mission as supporting artists and writers through studio residencies in an inclusive international community. NXTHVN says it trains and develops professional artists and seeks to help New Haven become a sustainable arts community. Smack Mellon describes its work as supporting emerging, under-recognized mid-career, and women artists through exhibitions, workspace, and technical assistance. ART21 says it expands access to contemporary art through documentary films, resources, and public programs.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the Foundation reported 21 grants totaling $255,000. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $62,000, with a median grant of $10,000. Its website says grants are usually in the $5,000–$15,000 range.
The largest reported 2024 grant was $62,000 to Vermont Studio Center for the Wolf Kahn–Emily Mason Fellowship Fund and emergency gift. Other notable grants included $15,000 each to the American Academy of Arts and Letters for artist fees; Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown for a summer exhibition; NXTHVN for general operating support; Rose Art Museum at Brandeis University for an artist residency for Hugh Hayden; Smack Mellon Studios for general operating support; and Woonasquatucket Valley Community Build for residency program support. The Foundation also gave $10,000 to ART21 for education and public programs and $10,000 to the Phillips Collection for Art Links.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Mara Williams as chair; Ellen McCulloch-Lovell as president; David Kapp as treasurer; and Dean Nic yper as secretary. It also lists Bo Foard, Cecily Kahn, Robert A. Mandell, Lydia Gordon Peabody, and Michael Rubenstein as board members.
Wolf Kahn Foundation Inc is led by Ellen McCulloch-Lovell, President since 2022 (on filings since 2021); 1 of 9 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Ellen McCulloch-Lovell
President
Interim President → President, 2022
On filings since 2021
20 hrs/week
$41K (2021) → $77K (2024)
Mara Williams
Chair
Chair, President & Treasurer → Chair, 2021
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bo Foard
Board Member
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cecily Kahn
Board Member
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David Kapp
Treasurer
Vice President & Secretary → Treasurer, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dean Nicyper
Secretary
Board Member → Secretary, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lydia Gordon Peabody
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Rubenstein
Board Member
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert A. Mandell
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (6)
- Former: Raven Blue (2023) — Board Member
- Former: Melany Kahn (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Kim Benzel (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Emily Mason (2020) — Dec. & Dec
- Former: Nari Ward (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Wolf Kahn (2020) — Dec. & Mar
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 $77K, to Ellen McCulloch-Lovell (President).
Frequently asked questions about Wolf Kahn Foundation Inc
How much does Wolf Kahn Foundation Inc give each year?
Wolf Kahn Foundation Inc gave $255K across 21 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $208K across 23 grants.
What is Wolf Kahn Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Wolf Kahn Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $12,143, across 21 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Wolf Kahn Foundation Inc that year got $10K on average.
Where does Wolf Kahn Foundation Inc give grants?
Wolf Kahn Foundation Inc's top state is Vermont, with 42% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were New York (31%) and Massachusetts (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (5 grants), Brattleboro, VT (3 grants) and Brooklyn, NY (2 grants).
Does Wolf Kahn Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 14% of Wolf Kahn Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (3 of 21) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Wolf Kahn Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Wolf Kahn Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Vermont Studio Center ($62,000), American Academy of Arts and Letters ($15,000) and Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown Inc ($15,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 36% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Wolf Kahn Foundation Inc?
Wolf Kahn Foundation Inc reported $21.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $791K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $430K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Wolf Kahn Foundation Inc fund?
The Foundation’s mission is to preserve and promote Wolf Kahn’s artistic achievements and share his work with audiences, scholars, and other artists to foster greater understanding of his work and contribution to American art. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Wolf Kahn Foundation Inc?
The Foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it 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 Wolf Kahn Foundation Inc's EIN?
Wolf Kahn Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-4036532. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Wolf Kahn Foundation Inc 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
Live grants for the work Wolf Kahn Foundation Inc funds
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Wolf Kahn Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 19, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/wolf-kahn-foundation-inc-morg_9031c0f6d8654f72b155bde39b7704a7
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_134036532_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Wolf Kahn Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/wolf-kahn-foundation-inc-morg_9031c0f6d8654f72b155bde39b7704a7},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-19. 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 Wolf Kahn Foundation Inc'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.
Wolf Kahn Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?