Mertz Gilmore Foundation
The Mertz Gilmore Foundation is a private grantmaking institution based in New York City. As a charitable foundation, it operates as a philanthropic organization supporting marginalized people and their allies in pursuing racial, economic, environmental, and gender justice.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$86.2M
-4.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$7.5M
Grant Count
285
Avg Grant Size
$26K
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports marginalized people and their allies in seeking racial, economic, environmental, and gender justice as crucial components of maintaining vibrant communities and a sustainable environment.
The foundation employs a variety of philanthropic strategies to:
- Strengthen civic and cultural institutions in underserved communities
- Address the climate crisis
- Build a democracy that works for all
Primary funding areas include:
- Arts and culture
- Performing arts
- Dance (specifically modern dance)
- Environment and natural resources
- Energy resources, energy efficiency, and renewable energy
- Community and economic development
- Community improvement and organizing
Grantmaking
The foundation awarded approximately $12.8 million in grants in its most recent fiscal year. Annual expenses are approximately $16.8 million.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation supports projects across numerous cities and states throughout the United States, including major cities such as New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Washington, D.C.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
- Total Assets: Approximately $89.9 million to $101 million
- Annual Giving: Approximately $12.8 million
- Annual Revenue: Approximately $10.8 million
- Annual Expenses: Approximately $16.8 million
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $86,201,106 | $89,860,542 | $101,025,828 |
| Revenue | $8,640,036 | — | $10,813,697 |
| Expenses | $12,299,472 | — | $16,815,863 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $10,931,285 | — | $15,292,759 |
| Net Investment Income | $7,811,047 | — | $5,124,659 |
| Distributable Amount | $5,590,800 | — | $5,863,490 |
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
200 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation employs 5 people and is led by a Chief Operating Officer (Kalin D).
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANDREA SHOLLER | CHAIRPERSON | 1 | $25,000 |
| CIARA TORRES-SPELLISCY | VICE CHAIRPERSON | 1 | $12,000 |
| RINI BANERJEE | TREASURER | 1 | $21,000 |
| ROBIN KRAUSE | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| SURINA KHAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | $12,000 |
| MIKKI SHEPARD | DIRECTOR | 1 | $16,000 |
| GEORGE SUTTLES | DIRECTOR | 1 | $15,000 |
| AARON TANAKA | DIRECTOR | 1 | $12,000 |
| ADITI VAIDYA | PRESIDENT | 35 | $327,600 |
| MARION CAPPIELLO | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 35 | $228,036 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has been active in supporting dance through partnerships, including the renewal of a seed fund for dance for Upper Manhattan artists and choreographers in collaboration with the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone. The foundation has also announced inaugural dancer award recipients through the New York Foundation for the Arts.
NYFA Announces Inaugural Mertz Gilmore Foundation Dancer Award RecipientsRelated Funders
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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