The Howard and Nancy Marks Foundation makes a small number of very large, targeted grants, often channeling significant resources through a philanthropic intermediary and selectively supporting high-profile local causes. Recent funding indicates a mix of donor-advised or pass-through giving combined with direct support for a New York City charter school network and an organization working on wrongful conviction/exoneration. The foundation appears to favor concentrated, strategic awards rather than many small grants.
The Howard and Nancy Marks Foundation C/o Freemark Partners makes a small number of very large, targeted grants, with two of the largest recent awards routed through National Philanthropic Trust: $4.86 million in 2024 and $3.31 million in 2025. That pattern sits alongside direct gifts to specific institutions and causes, including a $1 million grant to Success Academy Charter Schools and a $1 million grant to Centurion Ministries in 2024. The recent record shows a foundation that favors concentrated awards rather than broad, dispersed giving, with major checks going to education, exoneration support, arts and culture, environmental work, and selected civic or social causes. Its support for New York City charter schooling is especially visible through repeat grants to Success Academy Charter Schools, while its justice-oriented giving includes funding for Centurion Ministries, an organization associated with wrongful conviction assistance and exoneree support. Other large awards went to institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Guild Hall of East Hampton, Environmental Defense Fund, and Everytown for Gun Safety. The mix of intermediary funding and direct institutional grants suggests a philanthropic approach built around a few high-value commitments rather than a wide portfolio of smaller awards.
Education is a clear theme in the recent record. The foundation gave $1 million to Success Academy Charter Schools in 2024 and another $500,000 in 2025, showing continued support for New York City charter school work. A separate education-related grant went to Kipp Socal Public School for $150,000 in 2025. Arts and culture also appear in the giving pattern. In 2025, the foundation awarded $500,000 to Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Science and $385,395 to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, following a $355,095 grant to the Met in 2024. Guild Hall of East Hampton also received $500,000 in both 2024 and 2025. The foundation has also backed civic and issue-based organizations, including $500,000 to Environmental Defense Fund in 2025 and $200,000 to Everytown for Gun Safety in both 2024 and 2025.
Typical grants cluster around larger award sizes: the 25th percentile is $28,000, the median is $50,000, and the 75th percentile is $200,000. The recent record is defined by a few outlier grants far above that range, including multi-million-dollar gifts through National Philanthropic Trust and repeated six-figure awards to selected institutions. The pattern is selective and concentrated, with repeated support for some recipients across multiple years, such as Centurion Ministries and Guild Hall of East Hampton. The foundation is not set up to fund individuals and does not make program-related investments.
$10.8M
$17.2M
$17M
$10.8M
Most grants fall between $28K and $200K, with a median of $50K.
25th Percentile
$28K
Median
$50K
75th Percentile
$200K
Top 2 recipient countries by grant volume for Howard and Nancy Marks Foundation C/O Freemark Partners.
| Rank | Country | Grants | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United StatesDomestic | 117 | $30.2M | 98.3% |
| 2 |
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Very concentrated giving: four large grants totaling over $10M, including multiple grants to a philanthropic intermediary (National Philanthropic Trust) and single seven-figure gifts to mission-specific organizations; favors few large, strategic gifts rather than broad, distributed grantmaking.
Notable grantees: National Philanthropic Trust, Success Academy Charter Schools, Centurion Ministries Inc
Grant recipients are overwhelmingly in the United States, with 80 grants there and one in the UK. New York recipients account for a majority of the recent record, including New York City institutions and organizations in Brooklyn, East Hampton, and White Plains. DC is the top state by grant count on the giving side, even though the foundation is headquartered in New York, NY. Outside the U.S., the only named country in the recent grant list is the UK, through King Charles III Charitable Fund.
Recent grants show support for education, arts and culture, environmental work, and justice-related causes. Examples include Success Academy Charter Schools, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Environmental Defense Fund, and Centurion Ministries.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including National Philanthropic Trust, Centurion Ministries, Success Academy Charter Schools, Guild Hall of East Hampton, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Everytown for Gun Safety, Foundation to Combat Anti-semitism, and Memorial Sloan Kettering.
The grant-size distribution is centered on larger gifts: the 25th percentile is $28,000, the median is $50,000, and the 75th percentile is $200,000. The recent record also includes larger awards in the hundreds of thousands and multi-million-dollar grants.
Most grants go to U.S. recipients, and New York is a major destination. The foundation’s top state by grant count is DC, while 56% of grants go to recipients in New York, including organizations in New York City, Brooklyn, East Hampton, and White Plains.
No. The foundation funds individuals: false, and makes program-related investments: false.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
| 2 |
| $200K |
1.7% |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NATIONAL PHILANTHROPIC TRUST | JENKINTOWN, PA | $2,435,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| NEW YORK PRESBYTERIAN FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $2,000,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| SUCCESS ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOLS | NEW YORK, NY | $1,100,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| GUILD HALL OF EAST HAMPTON | EAST HAMPTON, NY | $1,000,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $500,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| DOWNTOWN COMMUNITY TV CENTER | NEW YORK, NY | $400,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART | NEW YORK, NY | $385,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| PECONIC LAND TRUST | SOUTHAMPTON, NY | $300,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $300,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| ALLIANCE FOR DECISION EDUCATION | BALA CYNWYD, PA | $250,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| EVERYTOWN FOR GUN SAFETY | NEW YORK, NY | $200,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| MEMORIAL SLOAN KETTERING | NEW YORK, NY | $200,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| NAVY SEAL FOUNDATION | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA | $200,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| FOUNDATION TO COMBAT ANTI-SEMITISM | FOXBOUROUGH, MA | $200,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| THE J PAUL GETTY TRUST - LA ARTS COMMUNITY FIRE RELIEF FUND | LOS ANGELES, CA | $100,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| KING CHARLES III CHARITABLE FUND | BROADWAY, LO | $100,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| BABY2BABY | LOS ANGELES, CA | $100,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| LYNNE COHEN FOUNDATION | SAN MONICA, CA | $100,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| TRINITY EPISCOPAL SCHOOL | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| FOUNDATION FOR ART AND PRESERVATION IN EMBASSIES | WASHINGTON, DC | $100,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| RUTGERS UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ | $100,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| STUDIO MUSEUM IN HARLEM | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| WORLD JEWISH CONGRESS AMERICAN SECTION INC | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| KORNREICH CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | OLD WESTBURY, NY | $50,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| CHILDREN'S RIGHTS INC | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART | LANDOVER, MD | $50,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| MUSEUM OF AMERICAN FINANCE | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| THE DOE FUND INC | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| SHARE OUR STRENGTH NO KIDS HUNGRY | WASHINGTON, DC | $40,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| CHARITIES AID FOUNDATION AMERICA - ROYAL DRAWING SCHOOL | ALEXANDRIA, VA | $32,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| PHILHARMONIC SYMPHONY SOCIETY OF NY | NEW YORK, NY | $30,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| MELANOMA RESEARCH ALLIANCE | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| PACKER COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE | BROOKLYN, NY | $20,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| PARTNERSHIP TO END ADDICTION | NEW YORK, NY | $15,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| ELENORE WHITMORE EARLY CHILDHOOD | EAST HAMPTON, NY | $6,500 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| NEW YORK CITY POLICE FOUNDATION INC | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| CENTRAL SYNAGOGUE | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| BEVERLY HILLS POLICE OFFICERS BENEVOLENT FUND & ASSOCIATION | BEVERLY HILLS, CA | $2,500 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| NATIONAL PHILANTHROPIC TRUST | JENKINTOWN, PA | $3,310,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| SUCCESS ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOLS | NEW YORK, NY | $500,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $500,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| BROOKLYN INSTITUTE OF ARTS AND SCIENCE | BROOKLYN, NY | $500,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| GUILD HALL OF EAST HAMPTON | EAST HAMPTON, NY | $500,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| CENTURION MINISTRIES INC | PRINCETON, NJ | $500,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $425,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART | NEW YORK, NY | $385,395 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| LYNNE COHEN FOUNDATION | SAN MONICA, CA | $202,285 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| RUTGERS UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ | $200,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| FOUNDATION TO COMBAT ANTI-SEMITISM | FOXBOUROUGH, MA | $200,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| EVERYTOWN FOR GUN SAFETY | NEW YORK, NY | $200,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
NATIONAL PHILANTHROPIC TRUST
$2,435,000CHARITABLE
NEW YORK PRESBYTERIAN FUND
$2,000,000CHARITABLE
SUCCESS ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOLS
$1,100,000CHARITABLE
GUILD HALL OF EAST HAMPTON
$1,000,000CHARITABLE
ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND
$500,000CHARITABLE
DOWNTOWN COMMUNITY TV CENTER
$400,000CHARITABLE
METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART
CHARITABLE
PECONIC LAND TRUST
$300,000CHARITABLE
UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
$300,000CHARITABLE
ALLIANCE FOR DECISION EDUCATION
$250,000CHARITABLE
EVERYTOWN FOR GUN SAFETY
$200,000CHARITABLE
MEMORIAL SLOAN KETTERING
$200,000CHARITABLE
NAVY SEAL FOUNDATION
$200,000CHARITABLE
FOUNDATION TO COMBAT ANTI-SEMITISM
$200,000CHARITABLE
THE J PAUL GETTY TRUST - LA ARTS COMMUNITY FIRE RELIEF FUND
$100,000CHARITABLE
KING CHARLES III CHARITABLE FUND
$100,000CHARITABLE
BABY2BABY
$100,000CHARITABLE
LYNNE COHEN FOUNDATION
$100,000CHARITABLE
TRINITY EPISCOPAL SCHOOL
$100,000CHARITABLE
FOUNDATION FOR ART AND PRESERVATION IN EMBASSIES
$100,000CHARITABLE
RUTGERS UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$100,000CHARITABLE
STUDIO MUSEUM IN HARLEM
$100,000CHARITABLE
WORLD JEWISH CONGRESS AMERICAN SECTION INC
$100,000CHARITABLE
KORNREICH CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
$50,000CHARITABLE
CHILDREN'S RIGHTS INC
$50,000CHARITABLE
NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART
$50,000CHARITABLE
MUSEUM OF AMERICAN FINANCE
$50,000CHARITABLE
THE DOE FUND INC
$50,000CHARITABLE
SHARE OUR STRENGTH NO KIDS HUNGRY
$40,000CHARITABLE
CHARITIES AID FOUNDATION AMERICA - ROYAL DRAWING SCHOOL
$32,000CHARITABLE
PHILHARMONIC SYMPHONY SOCIETY OF NY
$30,000CHARITABLE
MELANOMA RESEARCH ALLIANCE
$25,000CHARITABLE
PACKER COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE
$20,000CHARITABLE
PARTNERSHIP TO END ADDICTION
$15,000CHARITABLE
ELENORE WHITMORE EARLY CHILDHOOD
$6,500CHARITABLE
NEW YORK CITY POLICE FOUNDATION INC
$5,000CHARITABLE
CENTRAL SYNAGOGUE
$5,000CHARITABLE
BEVERLY HILLS POLICE OFFICERS BENEVOLENT FUND & ASSOCIATION
$2,500CHARITABLE
NATIONAL PHILANTHROPIC TRUST
$3,310,000CHARITABLE
SUCCESS ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOLS
$500,000CHARITABLE
ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND
$500,000CHARITABLE
BROOKLYN INSTITUTE OF ARTS AND SCIENCE
$500,000CHARITABLE
GUILD HALL OF EAST HAMPTON
$500,000CHARITABLE
CENTURION MINISTRIES INC
$500,000CHARITABLE
UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
$425,000CHARITABLE
METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART
$385,395CHARITABLE
LYNNE COHEN FOUNDATION
$202,285CHARITABLE
RUTGERS UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$200,000CHARITABLE
FOUNDATION TO COMBAT ANTI-SEMITISM
$200,000CHARITABLE
EVERYTOWN FOR GUN SAFETY
$200,000CHARITABLE