The Cornelia T Bailey Charitable Trust is a highly concentrated arts funder based in West Palm Beach that makes very large, targeted gifts to prominent local cultural institutions. Its giving prioritizes sustaining performing and visual arts organizations through major grants for general support, productions, acquisitions, exhibitions, and community engagement. The Trust appears focused on strengthening flagship cultural assets in Palm Beach County rather than broad-based philanthropic diversification.
A $2 million grant to Palm Beach Opera for its building capital campaign and Bailey Artists Program shows the Cornelia T Bailey Charitable Trust’s pattern of backing cultural institutions with large, targeted support. The Trust has continued that relationship with another $2 million grant to the same opera company the prior year, alongside seven-figure support for the Norton Museum’s art acquisition, exhibitions, photography, prints, and learning and community engagement work. That mix points to a funder that uses major gifts to strengthen institutions, preserve programming, and support public-facing arts activity. Its recent grant record includes repeated support for performing arts, museums, and arts education, with gifts that often reach into capital campaigns, general operating support, and program-specific initiatives. West Palm Beach organizations appear frequently, including the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, Palm Beach Dramaworks, and the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County. The Trust also funds arts work beyond Palm Beach County, including the Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Opera Lincoln Center, and WNET New York. Across these grants, the foundation’s giving looks concentrated, institution-centered, and tied to long-term cultural infrastructure rather than one-off project support.
In performing arts, the Trust backed Palm Beach Opera with $2 million for its building capital campaign and Bailey Artists Program, and it gave the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts $250,000 for expanding and enhancing education, engagement, arts, and career development. It also supported Palm Beach Dramaworks with $250,000 for its 25th anniversary capital campaign. For museum and visual arts work, the Norton Museum received $1 million for art acquisition, exhibitions, photography, prints, learning, and community engagement. Lighthouse ArtCenter received $250,000 for 3D and kiln work, the 385 Project, and artist-in-residence activity. The Trust also funds education-linked community programs. Hobe Sound Community Chest received $480,000 for the CTB Preschool Enhancement Project, and Florida Atlantic University Foundation received $225,000 for Marine Sea Program educational support. In public media, South Florida PBS received $300,000 for an arts, music, and culture enrichment fund.
$9.8M
$174.7M
$9.7M
$11.8M
Most grants fall between $20K and $25K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$20K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$25K
About 36% of grants go to recipients in NY.
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Concentrated, high-value grants to a very small number of repeat, local arts institutions — large multi-year or multi-grant commitments rather than many small or one-off awards.
Notable grantees: Palm Beach Opera, Norton Museum of Art
Typical gifts cluster tightly around $25,000, with p25 at $20,000, a median of $25,000, and p75 also at $25,000. That distribution sits alongside a much smaller set of very large institution-building grants, which creates a split between routine awards and major commitments. The Trust is a regular funder and accepts unsolicited requests through several program areas, including Philanthropic Arts, Veterans Assistance, New Era Writers, Eager to Learn, and a general grants pathway that uses an eligibility quiz, Letter of Inquiry, and full application. The recent record shows repeat support to the same recipients across multiple years, including several multi-year or repeated awards.
Most grants go to recipients in the United States, and Florida accounts for 36% of grant recipients in the data. West Palm Beach appears repeatedly among recipient locations, with additional grants landing in Jupiter, Tequesta, Boynton Beach, Boca Raton, Hobe Sound, Juno Beach, and Lake Worth Beach. Outside Florida, grants also go to New York City institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Opera Lincoln Center, and WNET New York, while Wellesley College in Massachusetts appears in the recent record as well.
The Trust funds arts institutions, arts education, community engagement, and selected education, environment, healthcare, and veterans-related work. Its active program areas include Philanthropic Arts, Veterans Assistance, New Era Writers, Eager to Learn, and a general grants pathway for projects outside the core programs.
Typical awards are small relative to the Trust’s largest gifts: p25 is $20,000, median is $25,000, and p75 is $25,000. The recent record also includes much larger institution-level grants, including seven-figure awards.
Yes. The recent grants list shows repeated support to several recipients across multiple years, including Palm Beach Opera, Maltz Jupiter Theatre, South Florida PBS, Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, Lighthouse ArtCenter, Cultural Council of Palm Beach County, and Metropolitan Opera Lincoln Center.
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests. Its general grants pathway uses an eligibility quiz first, then a Letter of Inquiry, and if approved, a full grant application. Several named program areas also accept unsolicited applications.
Florida receives a large share of the foundation’s grants, with 36% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. By grant count, Connecticut is the top state where the Trust gives, while the grant list also includes recipients in New York and Massachusetts.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PALM BEACH OPERA | WEST PALM BEACH, FL | $2,000,000 | 2025 | BUILDING CAPITAL CAMPAIGN AND BAILEY ARTISTS PROGRAM |
| WELLESLEY COLLEGE | WELLESLEY, MA | $500,000 | 2025 | CORNELIA T. BAILEY GLOBAL FLORA MEZZANINE AND PERFORMANCE SPACE |
| HOBE SOUND COMMUNITY CHEST | HOBE SOUND, FL | $480,000 | 2025 | CTB PRESCHOOL ENHANCEMENT PROJECT |
| MALTZ JUPITER THEATRE | JUPITER, FL | $400,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| SOUTH FLORIDA PBS | BOYNTON BEACH, FL | $300,000 | 2025 | ARTS, MUSIC AND CULTURE ENRICHMENT FUND |
| KRAVIS CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS | WEST PALM BEACH, FL | $250,000 | 2025 | EXPANDING AND ENHANCING EDUCATION AND ENGAGEMENT ARTS AND CAREER DEVELOPEMENT |
| METROPOLITAN OPERA LINCOLN CENTER | NEW YORK, NY | $250,000 | 2025 | SATURDAY MATINEE RADIO BROADCASTS |
| PALM BEACH DRAMAWORKS | WEST PALM BEACH, FL | $250,000 | 2025 | 25TH ANNIVERSARY CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| LIGHTHOUSE ARTCENTER | TEQUESTA, FL | $250,000 | 2025 | 3D AND KILN, 385 PROJECT, AIR |
| WNET NEW YORK | NEW YORK, NY | $200,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| CULTURAL COUNCIL OF PALM BEACH COUNTY | WEST PALM BEACH, FL | $200,000 | 2025 | ARTS & CULTURE ENRICHMENT FUNDING FOR PBC |
| KAUFMAN MUSIC CENTER | NEW YORK, NY | $125,000 | 2025 | LUCY MOSES SCHOOL FOR MUSIC AND DANCE |
| THE USO | ARLINGTON, VA | $125,000 | 2025 | USO PATHFINDER TRANSITION PROGRAM |
| YOUNG PEOPLE'S CHORUS OF NEW YORK CITY | NEW YORK, NY | $75,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| MIAMI DADE COLLEGE FOUNDATION | MIAMI, FL | $50,000 | 2025 | MIAMI BOOK FAIR AND YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMS |
| GIRLS WRITE NOW | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | THE GIRLS WRITE NOW COLLABORATORY |
| HEADSTRONG PROJECT | QUEENS, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | TRIUMPH OVER TRAUMA |
| HARTFORD STAGE COMPANY | HARTFORD, CT | $45,000 | 2025 | 24-25 SEASON OF OPERATIONS |
| 826NYC | BROOKLYN, NY | $30,000 | 2025 | YOUNG WRITERS PUBLISH |
| PETS FOR PATRIOTS | LONG BEACH, NY | $30,000 | 2025 | WELCOME HOME PET ADOPTION PROGRAM FOR US MILITARY VETERANS |
| INTEMPO | STAMFORD, CT | $25,000 | 2025 | MUSIC SCHOOL AND SUMMER MUSIC CAMP |
| ACHIEVE MIAMI | CORAL GABLES, FL | $25,000 | 2025 | ACHIEVE SCHOLARS |
| WORKSHOPS FOR WARRIORS | SAN DIEGO, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | MANUFACTURING TRAINING FOR YOUNG VETERANS |
| IMENTOR NYC | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | IMENTOR NYC: COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS |
| INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S WRITING GUILD | PROVIDENCE, RI | $25,000 | 2025 | CLIMATE JUSTICE ANTHOLOGY WITH PEN AND QUILLS |
| EUGENE O'NEILL THEATER CENTER | WATERFORD, CT | $25,000 | 2025 | NATIONAL PLAYWRIGHTS CONFERENCE |
| FOOD BANK FOR NEW YORK CITY | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | FOUNDATION HOLIDAY GIFT PROGRAM |
| DANCING IN THE STREETS | BRONX, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | IT'S SHOWTIME NYC! |
| KIDSPIRIT | BROOKLYN, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | KIDSPIRIT WRITING AND EDITING WORKSHOPS |
| POETRY SOCIETY OF AMERICA | BROOKLYN, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | WRITING WORKSHOPS, SEMINARS, TEACHER TRAINING, CHILDREN'S WRITING PROGRAMS AT OUR STOREFRONT SPACE |
| WILLIE MAE ROCK CAMP | BROOKLYN, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | TUITION-FREE TECH-BASED MUSIC EDUCATION |
| BRANCHES | MIAMI, FL | $25,000 | 2025 | CLIMB TO SUCCESS |
| WORDS BEATS AND LIFE | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2025 | WORDS BEATS AND LIFE ACADEMY |
| SARASOTA BALLET OF FLORIDA | SARASOTA, FL | $25,000 | 2025 | DANCE - THE NEXT GENERATION |
| CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF MANHATTAN | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | FAMILY CONNECTIONS: SERVING FAMILIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS |
| DC YOUTH ORCHESTRA PROGRAM | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2025 | 24-25 MUSIC EDUCATION FOR ALL PROGRAM |
| OPEN GOAL PROJECT | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2025 | FIRST GENERATION COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS PREP |
| THEATRE LAB SCHOOL OF THE DRAMATIC ARTS | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2025 | ARTS EDUCATION: LIFE STORIES AND LIFE STORIES INSTITUTE |
| PALM BEACH COUNTY FOOD BANK | LAKE WORTH, FL | $25,000 | 2025 | FOUNDATION ANNUAL HOLIDAY GRANT PROGRAM |
| HARTFORD PERFORMS | HARTFORD, CT | $25,000 | 2025 | TEACHING THROUGH THE ARTS PREK - 8TH |
| ADOPT-A-FAMILY OF THE PALM BEACHES | LAKE WORTH BEACH, FL | $25,000 | 2025 | FOUNDATION HOLIDAY GIFT PROGRAM |
| NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY | FORT LAUDERDALE, FL | $25,000 | 2025 | WRITING WORKSHOPS |
| SHOUT MOUSE PRESS | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2025 | MINI MIRRORS: TEEN PARENT BOOK PROJECT |
| EDUCATION FOUNDATION OF SARASOTA COUNTY | SARASOTA, FL | $25,000 | 2025 | SAT/ACT PREPARATION WORKSHOPS FOR UNDERSERVED STUDENTS |
| SUNY NEW PALTZ FOUNDATION | NEW PALTZ, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | HUDSON VALLEY WRITING PROJECT |
| PERSON TO PERSON | DARIEN, CT | $25,000 | 2025 | FOUNDATION ANNUAL HOLIDAY GIFT PROGRAM |
| BLUE DOOR ART CENTER | YONKERS, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | GALLERY, ARTISTS ASSOCIATION SUPPORT |
| CLEAR PATH FOR VETERANS | CHITTENANGO, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | CANINE PROGRAM |
| NEW CANAAN COUNTRY SCHOOL | NEW CANAAN, CT | $25,000 | 2025 | HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM |
| PRIMARY STAGES COMPANY | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | ECHO WRITERS GROUP |
PALM BEACH OPERA
$2,000,000BUILDING CAPITAL CAMPAIGN AND BAILEY ARTISTS PROGRAM
WELLESLEY COLLEGE
$500,000CORNELIA T. BAILEY GLOBAL FLORA MEZZANINE AND PERFORMANCE SPACE
SOUTH FLORIDA PBS
$300,000ARTS, MUSIC AND CULTURE ENRICHMENT FUND
KRAVIS CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
EXPANDING AND ENHANCING EDUCATION AND ENGAGEMENT ARTS AND CAREER DEVELOPEMENT
METROPOLITAN OPERA LINCOLN CENTER
$250,000SATURDAY MATINEE RADIO BROADCASTS
WNET NEW YORK
$200,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
CULTURAL COUNCIL OF PALM BEACH COUNTY
$200,000ARTS & CULTURE ENRICHMENT FUNDING FOR PBC
MIAMI DADE COLLEGE FOUNDATION
$50,000MIAMI BOOK FAIR AND YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMS
826NYC
$30,000YOUNG WRITERS PUBLISH
PETS FOR PATRIOTS
$30,000WELCOME HOME PET ADOPTION PROGRAM FOR US MILITARY VETERANS
INTEMPO
$25,000MUSIC SCHOOL AND SUMMER MUSIC CAMP
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S WRITING GUILD
$25,000CLIMATE JUSTICE ANTHOLOGY WITH PEN AND QUILLS
KIDSPIRIT
$25,000KIDSPIRIT WRITING AND EDITING WORKSHOPS
POETRY SOCIETY OF AMERICA
$25,000WRITING WORKSHOPS, SEMINARS, TEACHER TRAINING, CHILDREN'S WRITING PROGRAMS AT OUR STOREFRONT SPACE
BRANCHES
$25,000CLIMB TO SUCCESS
WORDS BEATS AND LIFE
$25,000WORDS BEATS AND LIFE ACADEMY
FAMILY CONNECTIONS: SERVING FAMILIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS
OPEN GOAL PROJECT
$25,000FIRST GENERATION COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS PREP
THEATRE LAB SCHOOL OF THE DRAMATIC ARTS
$25,000ARTS EDUCATION: LIFE STORIES AND LIFE STORIES INSTITUTE
SHOUT MOUSE PRESS
$25,000MINI MIRRORS: TEEN PARENT BOOK PROJECT
SAT/ACT PREPARATION WORKSHOPS FOR UNDERSERVED STUDENTS
BLUE DOOR ART CENTER
$25,000GALLERY, ARTISTS ASSOCIATION SUPPORT