The Wolf Kahn Foundation is a private family foundation established in 1998 and based in New York City. The foundation is dedicated to preserving and promoting the artistic achievements of Wolf Kahn (1927-2020), a prominent painter of the Second Generation New York School, and to sharing his work with audiences, scholars, and other artists. The foundation grew out of the Wolf Kahn | Emily Mason Foundation, which was founded in 2000 by Wolf Kahn and his wife Emily Mason, who were married for 62 years.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$21.5M
+1.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$255K
+22.8% YoY
Grant Count
21
-8.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$12K
+34.5% YoY
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.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Wolf Kahn Foundation is dedicated to preserving and promoting the artistic achievements of Wolf Kahn and to sharing them with audiences, scholars, and other artists towards a greater understanding of his work and his lasting contribution to American art of the Second Generation New York School.
Through its grants program and other initiatives, the Foundation supports artists and arts organizations that:
- Educate youth and the broader public
- Advance artists' careers through exhibitions, publications, and residencies
- Reflect practices that shaped Wolf Kahn's life and work: observation, experimentation, and respect for the work of other artists
The Foundation is driven by a spirit of generosity, transparency, and inclusivity. It continues Wolf Kahn's life-long commitment to fellow artists, the environment and its effect on creative work, and to the vitality of arts and educational organizations that advance the arts, arts education, and visual artists.
Recent successful proposals include support for exhibitions, publications, residencies, and community or museum-based arts education programs, with an emphasis on projects that advance social justice or environmental awareness through the arts. General operating support for organizations whose programming aligns with these priorities is also considered.
Grantmaking
Grants are typically in the range of $5,000 to $15,000.
Grant Range
and Range:**
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation supports organizations located in:
- New York City
- New England
- Regions where Wolf Kahn had a significant affiliation
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $21,494,763
Annual Giving: $255,000
EIN: 13-4036532
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $21,494,763 | $21,113,803 | $19,980,295 |
| Revenue | $1,318,133 | $944,722 | $557,130 |
| Expenses | $937,529 | $727,157 | $5,112,976 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $790,989 | $675,849 | $5,069,474 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,215,355 | $895,497 | $390,423 |
| Distributable Amount | $430,390 | $355,489 | $359,538 |
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
101 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Wolf Kahn Foundation Inc
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Vermont Studio Center ($62,000), American Academy of Arts and Letters ($15,000), Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown Inc ($15,000).
| 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 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MARA WILLIAMS | CHAIR | 2 | — |
| ELLEN MCCULLOCH-LOVELL | PRESIDENT | 20 | $77,007 |
| DAVID KAPP | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| DEAN NICYPER | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| BO FOARD | BOARD MEMBER | 0.5 | — |
| CECILY KAHN | BOARD MEMBER | 0.5 | — |
| ROBERT A MANDELL | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| LYDIA GORDON PEABODY | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| MICHAEL RUBENSTEIN | BOARD MEMBER | 0.5 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Wolf Kahn Foundation announced the Wolf Kahn 100 initiative, a nationwide celebration of the centenary of the artist's birth in 2027. Throughout the year, museums across the country will show their Wolf Kahn paintings and works on paper in special exhibitions, collection rotations, and by appointment in study centers.
In 2022, the Wolf Kahn and Emily Mason Foundations awarded $800,000 to six institutions, including $100,000 each to BMAC and Vermont Studio Center.
Wolf Kahn, Emily Mason foundations award $800K | Entertainment | reformer.comSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Wolf Kahn Foundation Inc fund?
The Wolf Kahn Foundation is dedicated to preserving and promoting the artistic achievements of Wolf Kahn and to sharing them with audiences, scholars, and other artists towards a greater understanding of his work and his lasting contribution to American art of the Second Generation New York School. Through its grants program and other initiatives, the Foundation supports artists and arts organizations that: • Educate youth and the broader public • Advance artists' careers through exhibitions, p…
How do I apply for a grant from Wolf Kahn Foundation Inc?
**Grant Size and Range:** Grants are typically in the range of $5,000 to $15,000. **Application Process:** Eligible organizations are invited to submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI). After a review, the Foundation will invite applications from those who best meet the criteria. **Eligibility Requirements:** To be eligible, organizations must meet the following criteria: • The organization is a nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) • The visual arts are central to the mission of the organization • The proj…
Where does Wolf Kahn Foundation Inc make grants?
The Foundation supports organizations located in: • New York City • New England • Regions where Wolf Kahn had a significant affiliation
What size grants does Wolf Kahn Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Wolf Kahn Foundation Inc awarded 21 grants totaling $255K — an average of about $12K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Wolf Kahn Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Wolf Kahn Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $430K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Wolf Kahn 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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