The John and Margo Catsimatidis Foundation concentrates large, discretionary gifts in New York-area higher education, cultural heritage organizations tied to Orthodox and Russian communities, and selective national causes like stem cell research and first-responder support. Their giving mixes institutional operating/general support for universities and religious/cultural groups with occasional high-profile national charities and civic events. Recurrent grantees and several six-figure awards show a preference for deep, single-year investments rather than many small grants.
A $350,000 general-support grant to Columbia University anchors the John and Margo Catsimatidis Foundation Inc’s recent giving and shows the scale of its institutional bets. The foundation backs a small set of organizations with sizable awards, including repeat support for Columbia and New York University, alongside grants to religious, cultural, education, and public-safety groups. Its portfolio includes universities, Orthodox institutions, Russian heritage programming, and selected civic charities, rather than a broad roster of many small grants. Recent awards also show a clear preference for New York-based institutions and for organizations tied to specific communities and public causes. Beyond higher education, the foundation has supported the Greek Orthodox Church of the Hamptons, the Russian Heritage Foundation, Tunnel to Tower Foundation, and the Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation. It also makes grants outside that core pattern, including support for stem cell research through the New York Stem Cell Foundation Inc and civic or media-related organizations such as WABC Radio Foundation. The result is a grantmaking profile built around concentrated, one-year gifts to institutions with operating, program, or general-fund needs.
Higher education is a core lane for the foundation. It gave $350,000 to Columbia University for general fund support and $200,000 to New York University for the university’s mission as a center of scholarship, teaching, and research. It also granted $50,000 to Manhattan College for a contemporary, person-centered educational experience, and $25,000 to Long Island University for general support. Cultural and heritage work is another visible theme. The foundation awarded $138,507, then $56,729, and $51,969 to the Russian Heritage Foundation for programs that encourage interest in Russian heritage and reciprocal understanding of American heritage. It also gave $50,000 to the Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation to rebuild a Jewish cultural, spiritual, and educational center, and $25,000 to the Tri-State Italian American Congress for educational opportunities and heritage awareness. Public service and community institutions appear as well. Grants include $100,000 to Tunnel to Tower Foundation, $25,000 to New York City Police Foundation, and $25,000 to Brooklyn Hospital Foundation Inc for support tied to the Brooklyn community.
$693K
$14K
$675K
$697K
Most grants fall between $1K and $25K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$1K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$25K
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Relatively concentrated giving: a small number of large, often six-figure unrestricted or general-support grants; a mix of repeat grantees (e.g., Russian Heritage Foundation, Columbia) and one-off gifts to national/high-profile organizations. Geographic emphasis on New York with selective national donations.
Notable grantees: Columbia University, Russian Heritage Foundation, New York Stem Cell Foundation, Greek Orthodox Church of the Hamptons, Tunnel to Towers Foundation
The typical grant size is $1,000 at the 25th percentile, $5,114 at the median, and $25,000 at the 75th percentile, but the foundation also makes much larger discretionary awards. Recent giving shows repetition rather than one-off support alone: Columbia University, Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation, and the Russian Heritage Foundation each appear more than once in the recent grants list. The pattern is consistent with a private family foundation making direct grants, including general-fund and operating support, with no program-related investments reported. The foundation also funds individuals.
Giving is concentrated in the United States, with all recent grants going to U.S. recipients. New York is the top state by grant count, and 54% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. Recent recipient cities include New York, Brooklyn, Bronx, Southampton, and Staten Island, with additional grants to organizations in St. Petersburg, FL; Paramus, NJ; Philadelphia, PA; Washington, DC; and Arlington, VA.
Recent grants cluster around New York-area universities, Orthodox and Russian heritage organizations, and selected public-service groups. Examples include Columbia University, New York University, the Russian Heritage Foundation, the Greek Orthodox Church of the Hamptons, and Brooklyn Hospital Foundation Inc.
Yes. Columbia University appears more than once, as do Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation and Russian Heritage Foundation. That pattern suggests the foundation sometimes returns to the same organizations across different years rather than giving only one-time awards.
The grant-size distribution is $1,000 at the 25th percentile, $5,114 at the median, and $25,000 at the 75th percentile. Recent awards also include larger grants such as $350,000 to Columbia University and $200,000 to New York Stem Cell Foundation Inc.
Most grants go to recipients in New York, which is the top state by grant count. Overall, 54% of grants are to recipients in the HQ state, and recent New York recipients include organizations in New York City, Brooklyn, Bronx, Southampton, and Staten Island.
Yes. One recent grant went to New York Stem Cell Foundation Inc for $200,000, with the stated purpose of accelerating cures for major diseases through stem cell research. Another medical-related grant went to Brooklyn Hospital Foundation Inc for support of the Brooklyn Hospital Center and its community mission.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York Stem Cell Foundation Inc | New York, NY | $200,000 | 2025 | To accelerate cures for the major diseases of our time through stem cell research, |
| Columbia University | New York, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | general fund |
| WABC Radio Foundation | New York, NY | $71,000 | 2025 | General Fund |
| russian heritage foundation | St Petersburg, FL | $56,729 | 2025 | To encourage interest in and understanding of russian heritage among all communities in the us,as well as to promote reciprocal interest in and understanding of american heritage among global russian-speaking communities |
| Manhattan College | Bronx, AR | $50,000 | 2025 | To provide a contemporary, person-centered educational experience that prepares graduates for lives of personal development, professional successes, civic engagement, and service to their fellow human beings. |
| Alfred E Smith Memorial Foundation | New York, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | General Fund |
| MKE Host Committee | Milwaukee, WI | $50,000 | 2025 | General fund |
| Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society Inc | New York, NY | $35,000 | 2025 | General fund |
| Greek Orthodox Church of the Hamptons | Southampton, NY | $21,000 | 2025 | general fund |
| Loyola Early Learning Center Inc | Baltimore, MD | $20,000 | 2025 | General Fund |
| Food Bank for New York City | Bronx, AR | $19,712 | 2025 | To end hunger by organizing food, information and support for community survival and dignity. |
| Archdiocesan Cathedral Philoptochos society | New York, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | general fund |
| russian heritage foundation | St Petersburg, FL | $138,507 | 2024 | To encourage interest in and understanding of russian heritage among all communities in the us,as well as to promote reciprocal interest in and understanding of american heritage among global russian-speaking communities |
| Columbia University | New York, NY | $50,000 | 2024 | general fund |
| Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation | New York, NY | $50,000 | 2024 | TO REBUILD A JEWISH CULTURAL, SPIRITUAL, AND EDUCATIONAL CENTER. |
| Alfred E Smith Memorial Foundation | New York, NY | $25,000 | 2024 | General Fund |
| New York City Police Foundation | New York, NY | $25,000 | 2024 | to innovate and improve the quality of its services; build bridges with the community; and make New York City a safer place to live, work and visit. |
| Tri-State Italian American Congress | Paramus, NJ | $25,000 | 2024 | TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR ITALIAN-AMERICAN CHILDREN, AND TO SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS THAT FOSTER AWARENESS OF THE ITALIAN-AMERICAN HERITAGE |
| Thea Foundation | N Little Rock, AR | $20,000 | 2024 | TO ADVOCATE THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ARTS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR YOUTH. |
| Reel Aid Org | Santa Monica, CA | $10,000 | 2024 | General Fund |
| St Petersburg International Folk Fair Society Inc | Saint Petersburg, FL | $10,000 | 2024 | General Fund |
| St Thomas More Church | Rochester, NY | $5,229 | 2024 | general fund |
| The City College 21st Century Foundation Inc | New York, NY | $5,000 | 2024 | AN EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION SUPPORTING STUDENTS AND PROGRAMS OF THE CITY COLLEGE OF NEW YORK, CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK. |
| Columbus Citizens Foundation | New York, NY | $5,000 | 2024 | to fostering an appreciation of Italian-American heritage and achievement. |
| Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce Fund | New York, NY | $5,000 | 2024 | General Fund |
| Greek Orthodox Church of the Hamptons | Southampton, NY | $5,000 | 2024 | general fund |
| Saint Petersburg Community Church | St Petersburg, FL | $5,000 | 2024 | General Fund |
| St Andrew Church | Rock Falls, IL | $3,000 | 2024 | General Fund |
| Kyrenia Opera Inc | Astoria, NY | $2,500 | 2024 | General Fund |
| National Psoriasis Foundation | Alexandria, VA | $2,000 | 2024 | to find a cure for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and to eliminate their devastating effects through research, advocacy and education. |
| United Military Veterans of Kings County Inc | Brooklyn, NY | $2,000 | 2024 | TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC OF THE IMPORTANCE OF MEMORIAL DAY AND TO KEEP THE BAY RIDGE MEMORIAL DAY PARADE ALIVE. |
| Robinhood Foundation | HOUSTON, TX | $1,997 | 2024 | General Fund |
| lisa beth gerstman foundation | garden city, NY | $1,000 | 2024 | general fund |
| Stone Wall Veterans Association | New York, NY | $1,000 | 2024 | General Fund |
| Hellenic Medical Society of New York Inc | Brooklyn, NY | $1,000 | 2024 | TO GATHER MEMBERS IN THE MEDICAL PROFESSION TO EDUCATE AND INFORM MEMBERS AND NON MEMBERS OF THE LATEST MEDICAL SUBJECTS AND RESEARCH DISCOVERIES. SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED TO DISBURSE SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS FOR EDUCATION. |
| Come To Believe Foundation | New York, NY | $1,000 | 2024 | TO PROVIDE HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS WITH AN INNOVATIVE, RESULTS- ORIENTED COLLEGE MODEL THAT IS INCLUSIVE AND ACCESSIBLE TO STUDENTS WHO ARE OFTEN UNDERREPRESENTED AT SELECTIVE UNIVERSITIES. |
| Lawyers Committee on Nuclear Policy Inc | New York, NY | $1,000 | 2024 | General Fund |
| Warren County Children Advocacy Center Inc | Warren, PA | $1,000 | 2024 | General Fund |
| Archdiocesan Cathedral Philoptochos society | New York, NY | $1,000 | 2024 | general fund |
| Harborfields Soccer Club | Hauppauge, NY | $1,000 | 2024 | provides programs which introduce the sport of soccer to the youth community maintains and sponsors youth leagues and provides opportunities for highly motivated youth athletes to participate in amateur soccer competition. |
| Dr Carter G Woodson African American Museum Inc | St Petersburg, FL | $1,000 | 2024 | TO PRESERVE, PRESENT AND INTERPRET THE HISTORY OF BLACKS IN ST. PETERSBURG TO PROMOTE UNDERSTANDING IN THE COMMUNITY THRU EXHIBITS, YOUTH PROGRAMS, ORAL HISTORY PROJECTS, SPEAKERS AND FILMS. |
| St Paul Catholic Church | CHICAGO, IL | $500 | 2024 | General Fund |
| Tampa Bay Muslim Physicians Association Inc | Brandon, FL | $500 | 2024 | General Fund |
| Congregation Bnal Israel | Fleischmanns, NY | $500 | 2024 | General Fund |
| Saint Paul Police Foundation | St Paul, MN | $300 | 2024 | ENSURE THE HEALTH AND SAFTEY OF OUR OFFICERS THROUGH SUSTAINING SUPPORT FOR THE SAINT PAUL POLICE DEPARTMENT. |
| Hellenic American National Council Inc | Washington, DC | $300 | 2024 | General Fund |
| Columbia University | New York, NY | $350,000 | 2023 | general fund |
| New York University | New York, NY | $200,000 | 2023 | New York University's mission is to be a top quality international center of scholarship, teaching and research. |
| Greek Orthodox Church of the Hamptons | Southampton, NY | $164,500 | 2023 | general fund |
| Tunnel to tower foundation | staten island, NY | $100,000 | 2023 | general fund |
To accelerate cures for the major diseases of our time through stem cell research,
Columbia University
$100,000general fund
WABC Radio Foundation
$71,000General Fund
russian heritage foundation
$56,729To encourage interest in and understanding of russian heritage among all communities in the us,as well as to promote reciprocal interest in and understanding of american heritage among global russian-speaking communities
Manhattan College
$50,000To provide a contemporary, person-centered educational experience that prepares graduates for lives of personal development, professional successes, civic engagement, and service to their fellow human beings.
Alfred E Smith Memorial Foundation
$50,000General Fund
MKE Host Committee
$50,000General fund
Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society Inc
$35,000General fund
Greek Orthodox Church of the Hamptons
$21,000general fund
Loyola Early Learning Center Inc
$20,000General Fund
To end hunger by organizing food, information and support for community survival and dignity.
Archdiocesan Cathedral Philoptochos society
$5,000general fund
russian heritage foundation
$138,507To encourage interest in and understanding of russian heritage among all communities in the us,as well as to promote reciprocal interest in and understanding of american heritage among global russian-speaking communities
Columbia University
$50,000general fund
TO REBUILD A JEWISH CULTURAL, SPIRITUAL, AND EDUCATIONAL CENTER.
Alfred E Smith Memorial Foundation
$25,000General Fund
to innovate and improve the quality of its services; build bridges with the community; and make New York City a safer place to live, work and visit.
Tri-State Italian American Congress
$25,000TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR ITALIAN-AMERICAN CHILDREN, AND TO SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS THAT FOSTER AWARENESS OF THE ITALIAN-AMERICAN HERITAGE
TO ADVOCATE THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ARTS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR YOUTH.
Reel Aid Org
$10,000General Fund
St Petersburg International Folk Fair Society Inc
$10,000General Fund
St Thomas More Church
$5,229general fund
The City College 21st Century Foundation Inc
$5,000AN EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION SUPPORTING STUDENTS AND PROGRAMS OF THE CITY COLLEGE OF NEW YORK, CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK.
to fostering an appreciation of Italian-American heritage and achievement.
Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce Fund
$5,000General Fund
Greek Orthodox Church of the Hamptons
$5,000general fund
Saint Petersburg Community Church
$5,000General Fund
St Andrew Church
$3,000General Fund
Kyrenia Opera Inc
$2,500General Fund
to find a cure for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and to eliminate their devastating effects through research, advocacy and education.
United Military Veterans of Kings County Inc
$2,000TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC OF THE IMPORTANCE OF MEMORIAL DAY AND TO KEEP THE BAY RIDGE MEMORIAL DAY PARADE ALIVE.
Robinhood Foundation
$1,997General Fund
lisa beth gerstman foundation
$1,000general fund
Stone Wall Veterans Association
$1,000General Fund
Hellenic Medical Society of New York Inc
$1,000TO GATHER MEMBERS IN THE MEDICAL PROFESSION TO EDUCATE AND INFORM MEMBERS AND NON MEMBERS OF THE LATEST MEDICAL SUBJECTS AND RESEARCH DISCOVERIES. SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED TO DISBURSE SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS FOR EDUCATION.
TO PROVIDE HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS WITH AN INNOVATIVE, RESULTS- ORIENTED COLLEGE MODEL THAT IS INCLUSIVE AND ACCESSIBLE TO STUDENTS WHO ARE OFTEN UNDERREPRESENTED AT SELECTIVE UNIVERSITIES.
Lawyers Committee on Nuclear Policy Inc
$1,000General Fund
Warren County Children Advocacy Center Inc
$1,000General Fund
Archdiocesan Cathedral Philoptochos society
$1,000general fund
Harborfields Soccer Club
$1,000provides programs which introduce the sport of soccer to the youth community maintains and sponsors youth leagues and provides opportunities for highly motivated youth athletes to participate in amateur soccer competition.
Dr Carter G Woodson African American Museum Inc
$1,000TO PRESERVE, PRESENT AND INTERPRET THE HISTORY OF BLACKS IN ST. PETERSBURG TO PROMOTE UNDERSTANDING IN THE COMMUNITY THRU EXHIBITS, YOUTH PROGRAMS, ORAL HISTORY PROJECTS, SPEAKERS AND FILMS.
St Paul Catholic Church
$500General Fund
Tampa Bay Muslim Physicians Association Inc
$500General Fund
Congregation Bnal Israel
$500General Fund
Saint Paul Police Foundation
$300ENSURE THE HEALTH AND SAFTEY OF OUR OFFICERS THROUGH SUSTAINING SUPPORT FOR THE SAINT PAUL POLICE DEPARTMENT.
Hellenic American National Council Inc
$300General Fund
Columbia University
$350,000general fund
New York University's mission is to be a top quality international center of scholarship, teaching and research.
Greek Orthodox Church of the Hamptons
$164,500general fund