Ittleson Foundation funds a mix of health (notably cancer and community mental health), cultural preservation and arts, and environmental conservation and sustainability projects. Grants tend to support programmatic initiatives—language and archive projects, bird and urban conservation, undergrounding utility efforts, and community wellbeing models—often with repeat, multi-year support to the same organizations. The foundation gives both a single large institutional gift and multiple moderate-sized awards to mission-driven nonprofits, frequently in New York but also nationally and internationally.
A $100,000 grant to MD Anderson Cancer Center anchors Ittleson Foundation Inc C/o Bessemer Trust Company Na’s recent giving and shows how the foundation pairs large institutional support with a steady stream of smaller program grants. The foundation funds health, environmental conservation, language and archive preservation, arts and cultural programming, and community-focused initiatives. In the health area, it has backed cancer research and community mental health work; in culture, it has supported archives, oral-history projects, and youth arts programming; in environment, it has funded bird-safe sites, utility undergrounding, habitat restoration, reuse and refill work, and pollinator infrastructure. Several grantees recur across years, including Hesperian Health Guides, New York City Audubon Society Inc, Wikitongues, Great Plains Restoration Council, Southampton Cultural Center, New York Preservation Archive Project, Alongside Network, and Sustainability Matters. The pattern suggests a funder that alternates between high-dollar institutional gifts and targeted awards for projects with defined public-facing outputs, often through multi-year support to the same organizations.
In mental health, the foundation gave $35,000 to Hesperian Health Guides to support the Mental Health Promotion Guide for Community Health Workers, and $30,000 to Alongside Network for the Alongside Wellbeing Model. That mix points to interest in practical, model-based work rather than broad unrestricted funding. On the environmental side, it supported Scenic America with $30,000 for undergrounding of utility wire and the Horticultural Society of New York with $15,000 for the Pollinator Port Project. For conservation and land-based work, Great Plains Restoration Council received $30,000 for the Great Plains Conservation and Recreation Area. Cultural preservation appears as well: Wikitongues received $25,000 for Save Knowledge Through Languages, and the New York Preservation Archive Project received $28,000 for general exempt purposes.
Typical awards cluster in the middle range: the grant-size distribution is p25 $2,100, median $15,000, and p75 $25,000. The recent record also includes a handful of $30,000 to $35,000 grants and two $100,000 grants, so the foundation makes both moderate project support and larger institutional awards. Recipients appear across multiple years, including Hesperian Health Guides, Alongside Network, New York City Audubon Society Inc, Wikitongues, Great Plains Restoration Council, Southampton Cultural Center, Sustainability Matters, and New York Preservation Archive Project. The foundation’s active program descriptions emphasize targeted grantmaking in mental health and environmental work, with unsolicited applications accepted in some listed mental health and environmental cycles but not in others.
$286K
$8.7M
$765K
$780K
Most grants fall between $2K and $25K, with a median of $15K.
25th Percentile
$2K
Median
$15K
75th Percentile
$25K
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeSign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
One relatively large institutional gift alongside many small-to-mid sized grants; several repeat grantees (multiple organizations received two grants) indicating relationship-based, program-focused support rather than one-off funding. Grants are typically designated for specific projects or program support rather than unrestricted endowments.
Notable grantees: MD Anderson Cancer Center, Hesperian Health Guides, Wikitongues, New York City Audubon Society, Great Plains Restoration Council
Grants are entirely U.S.-based, and New York is the top state by grant count, with 45% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. Recent awards reached New York City, Brooklyn, Southampton, Houston, Oakland, Washington, DC, Fort Worth, Holyoke, Greenfield, Providence, Minneapolis, and Edinburg. That spread shows a national footprint even though many grantees are in New York. The recent list also includes recurring support to organizations in New York City and Brooklyn, alongside awards to groups in Texas, California, Massachusetts, and Virginia.
Recent grants show support for cancer research, community mental health, language preservation, archives, urban conservation, pollinator habitat, waste-reduction projects, and arts or youth cultural programming. The foundation also uses both project-specific and general support, including repeated awards to organizations working on those themes.
The grant-size distribution is p25 $2,100, median $15,000, and p75 $25,000. Recent awards also include larger gifts of $30,000, $35,000, and $100,000, so the foundation’s giving includes both mid-range project support and occasional larger institutional grants.
Several organizations appear in multiple years, including Hesperian Health Guides, New York City Audubon Society Inc, Wikitongues, Great Plains Restoration Council, Southampton Cultural Center, Sustainability Matters, Alongside Network, and New York Preservation Archive Project. That pattern indicates recurring support to some grantees, not only one-off awards.
Some listed programs say yes, including the Mental Health Program Grants, Mental Health Grantmaking (2026 cycle), AIDS Program Grants, and Environmental Program Grants. Other grantmaking pages describe targeted or invitation-based support and do not offer a public application form.
The top state by grant count is New York, where 45% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. Recent New York recipients include Fractured Atlas Inc, New York Preservation Archive Project, New York City Audubon Society Inc, Wikitongues, Southampton Cultural Center, and the Horticultural Society of New York.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Ittleson Foundation Inc C/O Bessemer Trust Company Na that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Not-for-profit organizations in the United States. The Foundation does not fund individuals, direct service programs, continuing support, or capital campaigns.
Deadline: Initial letters of inquiry must be received before September 1, 2026 for the 2026 cycle.
Track these deadlines, get reminders, and see how well your nonprofit fits — free with a Kindora account.
Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FRACTURED ATLAS INC | NEW YORK, NY | $35,000 | 2025 | ICARUS ARCHIVE PROJECT |
| EVERMORE | WASHINGTON, DC | $35,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSES |
| WESTERN MASS TRAINING CONSORTIUM | HOLYOKE, MA | $35,000 | 2025 | FOR WILDFLOWER ALLIANCE |
| GREAT PLAINS RESTORATION COUNCIL | FORT WORTH, TX | $30,000 | 2025 | GREAT PLAINS CONSERVATION AND RECREATION AREA |
| OKAYSO | PROVIDENCE, RI | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| NEW YORK CITY AUDUBON SOCIETY INC | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT 25 YEARS SAFE FLIGHT BIRD 12/27 FRIENDLY SITES |
| WIKITONGUES | BROOKLYN, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | SAVE KNOWLEDGE THROUGH LANGUAGES |
| NEW YORK PRESERVATION ARCHIVE PROJECT | NEW YORK, NY | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| SOUTHAMPTON CULTURAL CENTER | SOUTHAMPTON, NY | $20,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT COMEDY 4 KIDS! |
| THE MERIDIAN INSTIUTUE | DILLION, CO | $15,000 | 2025 | REUSE REFILL ACTION FORUM |
| ALONGSIDE NETWORK | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $10,000 | 2025 | CAPACITY BUILDING |
| DRAYTON HALL PRESERVATION | CHARLESTON, SC | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSES |
| ENVIRONMENTAL GRANTMAKERS - MEMBERSHIP GRANT | NEW YORK, NY | $2,100 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSES |
| CANDID - MEMBERSHIP GRANT | NEW YORK, NY | $2,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSES |
| RESPONSE CRISIS TRANSLATION | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $1,500 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| PHILANTHROPY NEW YORK - MEMBERSHIP GRANT | NEW YORK, NY | $1,400 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| SHELBURNE FARMS | SHELBURNE, VT | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| FUNDERS CONCERNED ABOUT AIDS - MEMBERSHIP GRANT | WASHINGTON, DC | $500 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSES |
| MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER | HOUSTON, TX | $100,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER | HOUSTON, TX | $100,000 | 2024 | DIVIDED EQUALLY BETWEEN DR. CHRISTOPHER LOGOTHETIS AND DR. LAUREN MAYO |
| THE MERIDIAN INSTIUTUE | DILLION, CO | $30,000 | 2024 | REUSE REFILL ACTION FORUM |
| HESPERIAN HEALTH GUIDES | OAKLAND, CA | $30,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT THE MENTAL HEALTH PROMOTION GUIDE FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS |
| FULL FRAME INITATIVE INC | GREENFIELD, MA | $30,000 | 2024 | COASTAL WELLBEING PROJECT |
| NEW YORK PRESERVATION ARCHIVE PROJECT | NEW YORK, NY | $28,000 | 2024 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| ALONGSIDE NETWORK | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $25,000 | 2024 | CAPACITY BUILDING |
| SUSTAINABILITY MATTERS | EDINBURG, VA | $25,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT MAKING TRASH BLOOM PROJECT |
| NEW YORK CITY AUDUBON SOCIETY INC | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT 25 YEARS SAFE FLIGHT BIRD 12/27 FRIENDLY SITES |
| SOUTHAMPTON CULTURAL CENTER | SOUTHAMPTON, NY | $25,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT COMEDY4KIDS! |
| WIKITONGUES | BROOKLYN, NY | $25,000 | 2024 | SAVE KNOWLEDGE THROUGH LANGUAGES |
| GREAT PLAINS RESTORATION COUNCIL | FORT WORTH, TX | $25,000 | 2024 | GREAT PLAINS CONSERVATION AND RECREATION AREA |
| RESOURCE RENEWAL INSTITUTE | MILL VALLEY, CA | $15,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT FISH IN THE FILEDS PROJECT |
| SAN FRANCISCO STUDY CENTER | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $15,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT MINDSITE NEWS |
| DRAYTON HALL PRESERVATION | CHARLESTON, SC | $12,500 | 2024 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSES |
| HORTICULUTURAL SOCIETY OF NEW YORK | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT THE POLLINATOR PORT PROJECT |
| ST FRANCIS DE SALES | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FRACTURED ATLAS INC | NEW YORK, NY | $3,500 | 2024 | PROJECT SEABORN |
| WESTON PLAYHOUSE THEATRE COMPANY | WESTON, VT | $2,500 | 2024 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSES |
| ST JEAN THE BAPTISTE | NEW YORK, NY | $2,500 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| ENVIRONMENTAL GRANTMAKERS - MEMBERSHIP GRANT | NEW YORK, NY | $2,100 | 2024 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSES |
| CANDID - MEMBERSHIP GRANT | NEW YORK, NY | $2,000 | 2024 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSES |
| PHILANTHROPY NEW YORK - MEMBERSHIP GRANT | NEW YORK, NY | $1,400 | 2024 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSES |
| ST FRANCIS DE SALES JOSEPH'S YORKVILLE | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FUNDERS CONCERNED ABOUT AIDS - MEMBERSHIP GRANT | WASHINGTON, DC | $500 | 2024 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSES |
| SAN FRANCISCO STUDY CENTER | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $35,000 | 2023 | SUPPORT MINDSITE NEWS |
| HESPERIAN HEALTH GUIDES | OAKLAND, CA | $35,000 | 2023 | SUPPORT THE MENTAL HEALTH PROMOTION GUIDE FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS |
| SCENIC AMERICA | WASHINGTON, DC | $30,000 | 2023 | SUPPORT PROJECT TITLED UNDERGROUNDING OF UTILITY WIRE |
| ALONGSIDE NETWORK | ST LOUIS PARK, MN | $30,000 | 2023 | SUPPORT ALONGSIDE WELLBEING MODEL |
| SOUTHAMPTON CULTURAL CENTER | SOUTHAMPTON, NY | $30,000 | 2023 | SUPPORT COMEDY4KIDS! |
| SUSTAINABLILITY MATTERS | EDINBURG, VA | $25,000 | 2023 | SUPPORT MAKING TRASH BLOOM PROJECT |
| GRASSROOTS HEALTH | WASHINGTON, DE | $25,000 | 2023 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSES |
FRACTURED ATLAS INC
$35,000ICARUS ARCHIVE PROJECT
EVERMORE
$35,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSES
WESTERN MASS TRAINING CONSORTIUM
$35,000FOR WILDFLOWER ALLIANCE
GREAT PLAINS RESTORATION COUNCIL
$30,000GREAT PLAINS CONSERVATION AND RECREATION AREA
OKAYSO
$25,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
NEW YORK CITY AUDUBON SOCIETY INC
$25,000SUPPORT 25 YEARS SAFE FLIGHT BIRD 12/27 FRIENDLY SITES
WIKITONGUES
$25,000SAVE KNOWLEDGE THROUGH LANGUAGES
NEW YORK PRESERVATION ARCHIVE PROJECT
$20,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
SOUTHAMPTON CULTURAL CENTER
$20,000SUPPORT COMEDY 4 KIDS!
THE MERIDIAN INSTIUTUE
$15,000REUSE REFILL ACTION FORUM
ALONGSIDE NETWORK
$10,000CAPACITY BUILDING
DRAYTON HALL PRESERVATION
$2,500GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSES
ENVIRONMENTAL GRANTMAKERS - MEMBERSHIP GRANT
$2,100GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSES
CANDID - MEMBERSHIP GRANT
$2,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSES
RESPONSE CRISIS TRANSLATION
$1,500GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
PHILANTHROPY NEW YORK - MEMBERSHIP GRANT
$1,400GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
SHELBURNE FARMS
$1,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
FUNDERS CONCERNED ABOUT AIDS - MEMBERSHIP GRANT
$500GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSES
MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER
$100,000DIVIDED EQUALLY BETWEEN DR. CHRISTOPHER LOGOTHETIS AND DR. LAUREN MAYO
THE MERIDIAN INSTIUTUE
$30,000REUSE REFILL ACTION FORUM
HESPERIAN HEALTH GUIDES
$30,000SUPPORT THE MENTAL HEALTH PROMOTION GUIDE FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS
FULL FRAME INITATIVE INC
$30,000COASTAL WELLBEING PROJECT
NEW YORK PRESERVATION ARCHIVE PROJECT
$28,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
ALONGSIDE NETWORK
$25,000CAPACITY BUILDING
SUSTAINABILITY MATTERS
$25,000SUPPORT MAKING TRASH BLOOM PROJECT
NEW YORK CITY AUDUBON SOCIETY INC
$25,000SUPPORT 25 YEARS SAFE FLIGHT BIRD 12/27 FRIENDLY SITES
SOUTHAMPTON CULTURAL CENTER
$25,000SUPPORT COMEDY4KIDS!
WIKITONGUES
$25,000SAVE KNOWLEDGE THROUGH LANGUAGES
GREAT PLAINS RESTORATION COUNCIL
$25,000GREAT PLAINS CONSERVATION AND RECREATION AREA
RESOURCE RENEWAL INSTITUTE
$15,000SUPPORT FISH IN THE FILEDS PROJECT
SAN FRANCISCO STUDY CENTER
$15,000SUPPORT MINDSITE NEWS
DRAYTON HALL PRESERVATION
$12,500GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSES
HORTICULUTURAL SOCIETY OF NEW YORK
$10,000SUPPORT THE POLLINATOR PORT PROJECT
ST FRANCIS DE SALES
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FRACTURED ATLAS INC
$3,500PROJECT SEABORN
WESTON PLAYHOUSE THEATRE COMPANY
$2,500GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSES
ST JEAN THE BAPTISTE
$2,500GENERAL PURPOSE
ENVIRONMENTAL GRANTMAKERS - MEMBERSHIP GRANT
$2,100GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSES
CANDID - MEMBERSHIP GRANT
$2,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSES
PHILANTHROPY NEW YORK - MEMBERSHIP GRANT
$1,400GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSES
ST FRANCIS DE SALES JOSEPH'S YORKVILLE
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FUNDERS CONCERNED ABOUT AIDS - MEMBERSHIP GRANT
$500GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSES
SAN FRANCISCO STUDY CENTER
$35,000SUPPORT MINDSITE NEWS
HESPERIAN HEALTH GUIDES
$35,000SUPPORT THE MENTAL HEALTH PROMOTION GUIDE FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS
SCENIC AMERICA
$30,000SUPPORT PROJECT TITLED UNDERGROUNDING OF UTILITY WIRE
ALONGSIDE NETWORK
$30,000SUPPORT ALONGSIDE WELLBEING MODEL
SOUTHAMPTON CULTURAL CENTER
$30,000SUPPORT COMEDY4KIDS!
SUSTAINABLILITY MATTERS
$25,000SUPPORT MAKING TRASH BLOOM PROJECT
GRASSROOTS HEALTH
$25,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSES