The Berry Charitable Foundation is a relatively concentrated arts and civic benefactor that prioritizes major support for high-profile performing arts institutions and prominent urban cultural amenities, while also making sizable gifts to a few faith and education institutions. Its giving is dominated by large multi-year or repeat grants to flagship organizations (notably the Metropolitan Opera) and targeted support for cultural production, park stewardship, and local community institutions.
A defining feature of Berry Charitable Foundation (f/k/a the Paiko Foundation) is its repeated support for the Metropolitan Opera, including $1.5 million in 2025 for "Transforming the Met: A New Campaign to Secure Our Future" and $1 million in 2023 for the same campaign. That pattern sits at the center of a grantmaking profile built around large commitments to performing arts institutions, with parallel support for the New York City Ballet, the New York Philharmonic, and Young Concert Artists. The foundation also backs cultural infrastructure beyond performance stages, including Central Park Conservancy, and it extends selected support to faith and education institutions such as Central Presbyterian Church and Florida Gulf Coast University. Its recent grants show a funder that favors substantial, often multi-year commitments rather than small, isolated awards. The portfolio includes both general operating support and project-specific gifts, such as sponsorship of George Balanchine’s "Errante" at NYC Ballet and production support for "Carmen" at the Metropolitan Opera. In addition to arts and civic giving, the foundation has made targeted grants for medical research and residency training at The Johns Hopkins Hospital.
Performing arts dominate the foundation’s recent grantmaking. It gave $800,000 to Bravo Colorado at Vail-beaver Creek in 2025 for annual support for the performing arts and production of "La Boheme," and $516,285 to NYC Ballet for sponsorship of George Balanchine’s "Errante." The Metropolitan Opera also received multiple project and operating grants, including support for the production of "Carmen" and for general operations and programs. Beyond the major stage institutions, the foundation funded music organizations such as the NY Philharmonic and Young Concert Artists, indicating support for both large-scale institutions and artist-development infrastructure. The foundation also made targeted grants outside the arts. Central Park Conservancy received support for park stewardship, while Central Presbyterian Church was funded for the ministry of the church. In education, Florida Gulf Coast University received scholarship funding for the DNAP and Jubilee Scholarship Fund. Medical giving reached The Johns Hopkins Hospital for medical research and a urology residency program.
$5.1M
$74.6M
$7.9M
$5.4M
Most grants fall between $32K and $619K, with a median of $210K.
25th Percentile
$32K
Median
$210K
75th Percentile
$619K
About 3% of grants go to recipients in NY.
Top 2 recipient countries by grant volume for Berry Charitable Foundation (F/K/A the Paiko Foundation).
| Rank | Country | Grants | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United StatesDomestic | 38 | $14M | 92.7% |
| 2 |
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Concentrated, high-dollar grants with repetition to a small set of flagship cultural institutions; few large gifts rather than many small grants, combining multi-year/pledge-style support and event/production sponsorships.
Notable grantees: The Metropolitan Opera, Central Park Conservancy, NYC Ballet, Bravo Colorado at Vail‑Beaver Creek, Central Presbyterian Church
Typical grant size is $32,000 at the 25th percentile, $210,000 at the median, and $619,009 at the 75th percentile, which points to a portfolio centered on sizable awards. Recent activity shows repeat support to the same organizations across multiple years, including the Metropolitan Opera, Central Park Conservancy, Central Presbyterian Church, Florida Gulf Coast University, NY Philharmonic, NYC Ballet, and the Academy of St Martin in the Fields. The foundation is not operating through program-related investments. It also funds individuals, which is consistent with scholarship support appearing in the grants list.
The foundation gives nationally, with most grants going to recipients in New York City. Among recent grantees, New York, NY appears repeatedly, including the Metropolitan Opera, NYC Ballet, NY Philharmonic, Young Concert Artists, Central Park Conservancy, and Central Presbyterian Church. Fort Myers, FL also appears through Florida Gulf Coast University, while Vail, CO appears through Bravo Colorado at Vail-beaver Creek. Outside the U.S., the only named recipient country in the recent grants is the UK, represented by Academy of St Martin in the Fields in London.
Recent grants are concentrated in major performing arts institutions, especially opera, ballet, and orchestral organizations. The Metropolitan Opera, NYC Ballet, NY Philharmonic, Young Concert Artists, and Academy of St Martin in the Fields all appear in the grant list, along with support for Central Park Conservancy and a few faith, education, and medical recipients.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including The Metropolitan Opera, Central Park Conservancy, Central Presbyterian Church, Florida Gulf Coast University, NY Philharmonic, NYC Ballet, and Academy of St Martin in the Fields. The repeated grants suggest ongoing relationships rather than one-time support only.
Its grant-size distribution is weighted toward larger awards: the 25th percentile is $32,000, the median is $210,000, and the 75th percentile is $619,009. That pattern matches the recent list, which includes several six- and seven-figure grants.
Yes. The foundation’s profile indicates that it funds individuals, and the recent grants include scholarship support such as Florida Gulf Coast University’s DNAP and Jubilee Scholarship Fund.
Most grants go to recipients in New York, NY. Other recent recipient locations include Fort Myers, FL; Vail, CO; Baltimore, MD; and London, UK. The recipient-country mix is overwhelmingly U.S.-based, with a smaller set of grants to the UK.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
| 3 |
| $150K |
7.3% |
Recipient country reflects the grantee's headquarters per IRS 990-PF and Schedule F filings, not the program's implementation country.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE METROPOLITAN OPERA | NEW YORK, NY | $1,500,000 | 2025 | TRANSFORMING THE MET: A NEW CAMPAIGN TO SECURE OUR FUTURE |
| THE METROPOLITAN OPERA | NEW YORK, NY | $1,300,000 | 2025 | THE RECOVERY FUND PLEDGE |
| CENTRAL PARK CONSERVANCY | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE GENERAL SUPPORT FOR THE PARK |
| BRAVO COLORADO AT VAIL-BEAVER CREEK | VAIL, CO | $800,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL SUPPORT FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & PRODUCTION OF LA BOHEME |
| THE METROPOLITAN OPERA | NEW YORK, NY | $750,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE PRODUCTION OF CARMEN |
| THE METROPOLITAN OPERA | NEW YORK, NY | $750,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE PRODUCTION OF CARMEN |
| FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY | FORT MYERS, FL | $708,679 | 2025 | DNAP AND JUBLIEE SCHOLARSHIP FUND |
| NYC BALLET | NEW YORK, NY | $516,285 | 2025 | SPONSORSHIP OF GEORGE BALANCHINE'S "ERRANTE" |
| THE METROPOLITAN OPERA | NEW YORK, NY | $350,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE GENERAL OPERATIONS AND PROGRAMS OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| THE METROPOLITAN OPERA | NEW YORK, NY | $350,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE GENERAL OPERATIONS AND PROGRAMS OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY | FORT MYERS, FL | $304,225 | 2025 | DNAP AND JUBLIEE SCHOLARSHIP FUND |
| CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | NEW YORK, NY | $275,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR THE MINISTRY OF THE CHURCH. |
| CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | NEW YORK, NY | $275,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR THE MINISTRY OF THE CHURCH. |
| NY PHILHARMONIC | NEW YORK, NY | $270,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL SUPPORT FOR MUSICAL PROGRAMS OF THE ORGANIZATION & SPRING GALA: HONORING JOHN WILLIAMS |
| NY PHILHARMONIC | NEW YORK, NY | $250,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL SUPPORT FOR MUSICAL PROGRAMS OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| NYC BALLET | NEW YORK, NY | $150,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF THE PERFORMING ARTS (BALLET) |
| THE JOHN HOPKINS HOSPITAL | BALTIMORE, MD | $150,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR DEPARTMENT OF UROLOGY RESIDENCY PROGRAM |
| NYC BALLET | NEW YORK, NY | $150,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF THE PERFORMING ARTS (BALLET). |
| YOUNG CONCERT ARTISTS | NEW YORK, NY | $125,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT THE OPERATIONS AND SERVICES OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| ACADEMY OF ST MARTIN IN THE FIELDS | LONDON | $50,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT THE ACADEMY TO MAKE A TANGIBLE DIFFERENCE TO ONE OF THE WORLD'S GREATEST CHAMBER ORCHESTRAS |
| ACADEMY OF ST MARTIN IN THE FIELDS | LONDON | $50,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT THE ACADEMY TO MAKE A TANGIBLE DIFFERENCE TO ONE OF THE WORLD'S GREATEST CHAMBER ORCHESTRAS |
| CENTRAL PARK CONSERVANCY | NEW YORK, NY | $26,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE GENERAL SUPPORT FOR THE PARK |
| THE FUND FOR SAINT ANN SCHOOL | NAPLES, FL | $20,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT STUDENTS AT ST. ANN'S |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF GREENWICH | GREENWICH, CT | $20,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN |
| YELLOWSTONE CLUB COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | BOZEMAN, MT | $10,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT TO ALLOW THE FOUNDATION TO SUSTAIN AND BROADEN THE IMPACT IN THE GREATER BIG SKY REGION |
| YELLOWSTONE CLUB COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | BOZEMAN, MT | $10,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT TO ALLOW THE FOUNDATION TO SUSTAIN AND BROADEN THE IMPACT IN THE GREATER BIG SKY REGION |
| FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY | FORT MYERS, FL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE FUND FOR PARK AVENUE | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE PARK AVENUE MALLS PLANTING PROJECT 2023. |
| CENTRAL PARK CONSERVANCY | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000,000 | 2023 | PROVIDE GENERAL SUPPORT FOR THE PARK |
| THE METROPOLITAN OPERA | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000,000 | 2023 | TRANSFORMING THE MET: A NEW CAMPAIGN TO SECURE OUR FUTURE |
| CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | NEW YORK, NY | $775,000 | 2023 | SUPPORT FOR THE MINISTRY OF THE CHURCH. |
| NY PHILHARMONIC | NEW YORK, NY | $320,000 | 2023 | SUPPORT FOR MUSICAL PROGRAMS OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY | FORT MYERS, FL | $264,747 | 2023 | VARIOUS JUBLIEE SCHOLARSHIP FUND |
| THE METROPOLITAN OPERA | NEW YORK, NY | $250,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT THE GENERAL OPERATIONS AND PROGRAMS OF THE ORGANIZATION. |
| NYC BALLET | NEW YORK, NY | $170,000 | 2023 | SUPPORT OF THE PERFORMING ARTS (BALLET). |
| THE JOHN HOPKINS HOSPITAL | BALTIMORE, MD | $150,000 | 2023 | SUPPORT PROGRAMS FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH. |
| ACADEMY OF ST MARTIN IN THE FIELDS | LONDON | $50,000 | 2023 | SUPPORT THE ACADEMY TO MAKE A TANGIBLE DIFFERENCE TO ONE OF THE WORLD'S GREATEST CHAMBER ORCHESTRAS |
| YOUNG CONCERT ARTISTS | NEW YORK, NY | $15,500 | 2023 | SUPPORT THE OPERATIONS AND SERVICES OF THE ORGANIZATION. |
| NC OUTWARD BOUND SCHOOL | ASHEVILLE, NC | $13,730 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM OF THE SEMINARY. |
| YELLOWSTONE CLUB COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | BOZEMAN, MT | $10,000 | 2023 | SUPPORT FOR THE BIG SKY RELIEF FUND TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL AWARDS DUE TO LOST WAGES FROM COVID-19 |
| THE FUND FOR PARK AVENUE | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT THE PARK AVENUE TREE LIGHTING. |
THE METROPOLITAN OPERA
$1,500,000TRANSFORMING THE MET: A NEW CAMPAIGN TO SECURE OUR FUTURE
THE METROPOLITAN OPERA
$1,300,000THE RECOVERY FUND PLEDGE
CENTRAL PARK CONSERVANCY
$1,000,000PROVIDE GENERAL SUPPORT FOR THE PARK
BRAVO COLORADO AT VAIL-BEAVER CREEK
$800,000ANNUAL SUPPORT FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & PRODUCTION OF LA BOHEME
THE METROPOLITAN OPERA
$750,000TO SUPPORT THE PRODUCTION OF CARMEN
THE METROPOLITAN OPERA
$750,000TO SUPPORT THE PRODUCTION OF CARMEN
FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY
$708,679DNAP AND JUBLIEE SCHOLARSHIP FUND
NYC BALLET
$516,285SPONSORSHIP OF GEORGE BALANCHINE'S "ERRANTE"
THE METROPOLITAN OPERA
$350,000TO SUPPORT THE GENERAL OPERATIONS AND PROGRAMS OF THE ORGANIZATION
THE METROPOLITAN OPERA
$350,000TO SUPPORT THE GENERAL OPERATIONS AND PROGRAMS OF THE ORGANIZATION
FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY
$304,225DNAP AND JUBLIEE SCHOLARSHIP FUND
CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
$275,000SUPPORT FOR THE MINISTRY OF THE CHURCH.
CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
$275,000SUPPORT FOR THE MINISTRY OF THE CHURCH.
NY PHILHARMONIC
$270,000ANNUAL SUPPORT FOR MUSICAL PROGRAMS OF THE ORGANIZATION & SPRING GALA: HONORING JOHN WILLIAMS
NY PHILHARMONIC
$250,000ANNUAL SUPPORT FOR MUSICAL PROGRAMS OF THE ORGANIZATION
NYC BALLET
$150,000SUPPORT OF THE PERFORMING ARTS (BALLET)
THE JOHN HOPKINS HOSPITAL
$150,000SUPPORT FOR DEPARTMENT OF UROLOGY RESIDENCY PROGRAM
NYC BALLET
$150,000SUPPORT OF THE PERFORMING ARTS (BALLET).
YOUNG CONCERT ARTISTS
$125,000SUPPORT THE OPERATIONS AND SERVICES OF THE ORGANIZATION
ACADEMY OF ST MARTIN IN THE FIELDS
$50,000SUPPORT THE ACADEMY TO MAKE A TANGIBLE DIFFERENCE TO ONE OF THE WORLD'S GREATEST CHAMBER ORCHESTRAS
ACADEMY OF ST MARTIN IN THE FIELDS
$50,000SUPPORT THE ACADEMY TO MAKE A TANGIBLE DIFFERENCE TO ONE OF THE WORLD'S GREATEST CHAMBER ORCHESTRAS
CENTRAL PARK CONSERVANCY
$26,000PROVIDE GENERAL SUPPORT FOR THE PARK
THE FUND FOR SAINT ANN SCHOOL
$20,000TO SUPPORT STUDENTS AT ST. ANN'S
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF GREENWICH
$20,000TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN
YELLOWSTONE CLUB COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$10,000SUPPORT TO ALLOW THE FOUNDATION TO SUSTAIN AND BROADEN THE IMPACT IN THE GREATER BIG SKY REGION
YELLOWSTONE CLUB COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$10,000SUPPORT TO ALLOW THE FOUNDATION TO SUSTAIN AND BROADEN THE IMPACT IN THE GREATER BIG SKY REGION
FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
THE FUND FOR PARK AVENUE
$1,000TO SUPPORT THE PARK AVENUE MALLS PLANTING PROJECT 2023.
CENTRAL PARK CONSERVANCY
$1,000,000PROVIDE GENERAL SUPPORT FOR THE PARK
THE METROPOLITAN OPERA
$1,000,000TRANSFORMING THE MET: A NEW CAMPAIGN TO SECURE OUR FUTURE
CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
$775,000SUPPORT FOR THE MINISTRY OF THE CHURCH.
NY PHILHARMONIC
$320,000SUPPORT FOR MUSICAL PROGRAMS OF THE ORGANIZATION
FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY
$264,747VARIOUS JUBLIEE SCHOLARSHIP FUND
THE METROPOLITAN OPERA
$250,000TO SUPPORT THE GENERAL OPERATIONS AND PROGRAMS OF THE ORGANIZATION.
NYC BALLET
$170,000SUPPORT OF THE PERFORMING ARTS (BALLET).
THE JOHN HOPKINS HOSPITAL
$150,000SUPPORT PROGRAMS FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH.
ACADEMY OF ST MARTIN IN THE FIELDS
$50,000SUPPORT THE ACADEMY TO MAKE A TANGIBLE DIFFERENCE TO ONE OF THE WORLD'S GREATEST CHAMBER ORCHESTRAS
YOUNG CONCERT ARTISTS
$15,500SUPPORT THE OPERATIONS AND SERVICES OF THE ORGANIZATION.
NC OUTWARD BOUND SCHOOL
$13,730TO SUPPORT THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM OF THE SEMINARY.
YELLOWSTONE CLUB COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$10,000SUPPORT FOR THE BIG SKY RELIEF FUND TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL AWARDS DUE TO LOST WAGES FROM COVID-19
THE FUND FOR PARK AVENUE
$1,000TO SUPPORT THE PARK AVENUE TREE LIGHTING.