The Robert and Joyce Menschel Family Foundation focuses on place-based civic and cultural philanthropy, primarily supporting New York City institutions and select higher-education and community organizations in New Orleans. Grants are usually large, unrestricted gifts intended for core operating support, and the foundation repeatedly funds a small set of trusted intermediaries and major institutions rather than many small projects.
A defining pattern in The Robert and Joyce Menschel Family Foundation C/o David Menschel’s recent giving is repeated, unrestricted support for a small group of anchor institutions. The largest grants in the file are three consecutive awards to New York City Community Trust, including $600,000 in 2025 and 2024 and $400,000 in 2023, all listed as general/unrestricted support. That same approach appears in gifts to cultural and civic organizations such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which received $183,800 in 2025 and $135,000 in 2023, and Loyola University New Orleans Opda, which received $125,000 in both 2024 and 2025. The foundation’s portfolio also includes New York-based social-service and civic intermediaries, along with select organizations in New Orleans, Syracuse, Baton Rouge, Toronto, and other cities. Its grantmaking is local in scope, but it is not limited to one sector: arts, higher education, community development, journalism, and public-interest institutions all appear in the recent grants list. The consistent thread is flexible operating support for established organizations rather than project-specific or individual funding.
In civic infrastructure, the foundation gave $600,000 in 2025 to New York City Community Trust for general/unrestricted support, continuing a multi-year relationship that also included a $600,000 grant in 2024 and a $400,000 grant in 2023. In arts and culture, it supported the Metropolitan Museum of Art with $183,800 in 2025 and $135,000 in 2023, and also funded Museum of Modern Art, Guild Hall of East Hampton, and Bridgehampton Chamber Music with unrestricted gifts. Education and campus-related support appears in grants such as $125,000 to Loyola University New Orleans Opda in 2025 and 2024, plus $20,000 to Ringling College of Art & Design. The foundation also backed community and social-service organizations, including Phipps Neighborhoods, Food Bank for New York City, and Lenox Hill Neighborhood House, all with general support.
Grant sizes cluster in the low-to-mid range, with a typical gift of $1,000 at the 25th percentile, $3,000 at the median, and $10,000 at the 75th percentile, even though the file also includes much larger institutional awards. The same recipients often reappear across multiple years: New York City Community Trust, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Loyola University New Orleans Opda, and Guild Hall of East Hampton all show repeated support. The foundation gives to organizations rather than individuals and does not make program-related investments. The recent grants are almost entirely listed as general/unrestricted support, indicating a preference for flexible operating use.
$1.6M
$33.6M
$14M
$1.7M
Most grants fall between $1K and $10K, with a median of $3K.
25th Percentile
$1K
Median
$3K
75th Percentile
$10K
Top 2 recipient countries by grant volume for Robert and Joyce Menschel Family Foundation C/O David Menschel.
| Rank | Country | Grants | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United StatesDomestic | 285 | $5.1M | 99.3% |
| 2 |
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Concentrated, large unrestricted grants to a small number of repeat grantees and intermediary organizations; emphasis on general operating support over project-restricted funding.
Notable grantees: New York City Community Trust, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Loyola University New Orleans, Makeway Foundation, Phipps Neighborhoods
Giving is heavily concentrated in New York: 84% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and New York is also the top state by grant count. Recent grants cluster in New York City, with recipients in New York, the Bronx, and East Hampton appearing frequently. The portfolio also reaches New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Syracuse, Sarasota, Oklahoma City, and Virginia Beach. Outside the United States, Toronto appears in the recent grants list, and the country distribution shows 240 U.S. grants and 1 Canadian grant.
The recent grants list shows support for civic intermediaries, arts and culture organizations, universities, and community-serving nonprofits. Examples include New York City Community Trust, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Loyola University New Orleans Opda, Phipps Neighborhoods, and Food Bank for New York City, usually with general/unrestricted support.
Yes. The recent grants are consistently labeled general/unrestricted support, including the foundation’s largest awards to New York City Community Trust and repeated gifts to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Loyola University New Orleans Opda. That pattern points to flexible funding rather than project-specific grants.
The file gives a p25 of $1,000, a median of $3,000, and a p75 of $10,000. The recent grants table also shows a wider range, from $15,000 and $20,000 gifts up to $600,000 awards.
Recipients in New York dominate the file: 84% of grants go to organizations in the HQ state, and New York is the top state by grant count. The recent grants are especially concentrated in New York City, with additional awards in the Bronx and East Hampton.
Yes. Several organizations appear in multiple years, including New York City Community Trust in 2023, 2024, and 2025; Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2023 and 2025; and Loyola University New Orleans Opda in 2024 and 2025. That shows recurring support rather than one-time-only giving.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
| Canada |
| 2 |
| $245K |
0.7% |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NEW YORK CITY COMMUNITY TRUST | NEW YORK, NY | $1,150,000 | 2026 | GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART | NEW YORK, NY | $124,500 | 2026 | GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| MAKEWAY FOUNDATION | TORONTO, ON | $95,000 | 2026 | GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| HIGHLINE (FRIENDS OF THE HIGHLINE) | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| PUBLICOLOR | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| ART OMI PAVILLION AT CHATHAM ALICE AYCOCK FUND | CHATHAM, NY | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| BRIDGEHAMPTON CHAMBER MUSIC | NEW YORK, NY | $19,000 | 2026 | GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| DOMINICAN FRIARS OF IRVING TEXAS | IRVING, TX | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| L'ARCHE LONG ISLAND | RIVERHEAD, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| PUBLIC THEATER | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| TREE FOLKS | AUSTIN, TX | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| CITIZENS COMMITTEE FOR CHILDREN OF NEW YORK | NEW YORK, NY | $6,000 | 2026 | GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| HUDSON RIVER MUSUEM | YONKERS, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| SCHWARZMAN ANIMAL MEDICAL | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| FILM AT LINCOLN CENTER | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| FRIENDS OF NY CITY NURSE-FAMILY PARTNERSHIP | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| FRESH AIR FUND #2949 | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| SARASOTA MEMORIAL HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION | SARASOTA, FL | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| NYC BIRD ALLIANCE | NEW YORK, NY | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| WORKS AND PROCESS | NEW YORK, NY | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| LINCOLN CENTER THEATER | NEW YORK, NY | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| PARK AVENUE ARMORY | NEW YORK, NY | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| EASTHAMPTON HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION | EAST HAMPTON, NY | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| WEILL CORNELL-MEDICAL COLLEGE | NEW YORK, NY | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| SAG HARBOR SONG FESTIVAL | SAG HARBOR, NY | $2,000 | 2026 | GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| INSTITUTE FOR MEDIA ANALYSIS | NEW YORK, NY | $2,000 | 2026 | GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| MACULAR DEGENERATION RESEARCH | NORTHHAMPTON, MA | $2,000 | 2026 | GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| MANHATTAN CLASS COMPANY INC | NEW YORK, NY | $2,000 | 2026 | GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| PUBLIC CITIZEN FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $1,500 | 2026 | GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| PURPOSE LIFE CHURCH | BROOKLYN, NY | $1,500 | 2026 | GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| SAG HARBOR CINEMA | SAG HARBOR, NY | $1,500 | 2026 | GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| SOUTHAMPTON HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | SOUTHAMPTON, NY | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| EAST RIVER ESPLANADE | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| PIANO FEST | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| HOPE HOUSE FOUNDATION NORFOLK | NORFOLK, VA | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| SARASOTA BALLET | SARASOTA, FL | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| COVENANT HOUSE | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| BAY STREET & SAG HARBOR CENTER | SAG HARBOR, NY | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| YOUNG CONCERT ARTISTS | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| BARD GRADUATE CENTER | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| THE HAMPTON LIBRARY | BRIDGEHAMPTON, NY | $500 | 2026 | GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| EAST HAMPTON LIBRARY | EAST HAMPTON, NY | $500 | 2026 | GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| LVIS | EAST HAMPTON, NY | $500 | 2026 | GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| WOMEN'S ART CENTER OF THE HAMPTONS | BRIDGEHAMPTON, NY | $500 | 2026 | GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| ELYSABETH KLEINHANS THEATRICAL FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $150 | 2026 | GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| NEW YORK CITY COMMUNITY TRUST | NEW YORK, NY | $600,000 | 2025 | GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART | NEW YORK, NY | $183,800 | 2025 | GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| MAKEWAY FOUNDATION | TORONTO, ON | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| LOYOLA UNIVERSITY NEW ORLEANS OPDA | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $125,000 | 2025 | GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
MAKEWAY FOUNDATION
$95,000GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT
HIGHLINE (FRIENDS OF THE HIGHLINE)
$25,000GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT
ART OMI PAVILLION AT CHATHAM ALICE AYCOCK FUND
GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT
BRIDGEHAMPTON CHAMBER MUSIC
$19,000GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT
DOMINICAN FRIARS OF IRVING TEXAS
$10,000GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT
L'ARCHE LONG ISLAND
$10,000GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT
PUBLIC THEATER
$10,000GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT
HUDSON RIVER MUSUEM
$5,000GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT
SCHWARZMAN ANIMAL MEDICAL
$5,000GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT
FILM AT LINCOLN CENTER
$5,000GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT
FRIENDS OF NY CITY NURSE-FAMILY PARTNERSHIP
$5,000GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT
FRESH AIR FUND #2949
$5,000GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT
NYC BIRD ALLIANCE
$2,500GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT
LINCOLN CENTER THEATER
$2,500GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT
PARK AVENUE ARMORY
$2,500GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT
EASTHAMPTON HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION
$2,500GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT
WEILL CORNELL-MEDICAL COLLEGE
$2,500GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT
SAG HARBOR SONG FESTIVAL
$2,000GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT
INSTITUTE FOR MEDIA ANALYSIS
$2,000GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT
MACULAR DEGENERATION RESEARCH
$2,000GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT
PURPOSE LIFE CHURCH
$1,500GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT
SAG HARBOR CINEMA
$1,500GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT
NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC
$1,000GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT
EAST RIVER ESPLANADE
$1,000GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT
PIANO FEST
$1,000GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT
HOPE HOUSE FOUNDATION NORFOLK
$1,000GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT
SARASOTA BALLET
$1,000GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT
BAY STREET & SAG HARBOR CENTER
$1,000GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT
BARD GRADUATE CENTER
$1,000GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT
THE HAMPTON LIBRARY
$500GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT
LVIS
$500GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT
ELYSABETH KLEINHANS THEATRICAL FOUNDATION
$150GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT
MAKEWAY FOUNDATION
$150,000GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT
LOYOLA UNIVERSITY NEW ORLEANS OPDA
$125,000GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT