The Thaw Charitable Trust is a highly concentrated funder focused on fine arts, museum collections and regional historic preservation, with substantial single gifts that enable capital projects, acquisitions, and endowed curatorships. Grants are geographically split between New Mexico historic and landscape conservation work and major national art institutions, indicating a dual commitment to local cultural heritage and support for museum excellence in European and American painting.
The Eugene V and Clare E Thaw Charitable Trust makes some of its largest gifts to museums for acquisitions, collections care, and curatorial support, while also backing historic preservation and land conservation in New Mexico. A defining pattern is the trust’s willingness to fund major, project-specific cultural investments: the Fenimore Art Museum received $18,181,150 in 2024 for the acquisition of eight paintings and a Russell Sanchez "bear jar," followed by $15,907,000 in 2025 for research-library renovation and more American art acquisitions. The Metropolitan Museum of Art also received a $4,000,000 endowment to support the Eugene V. Thaw Curator of European Paintings. Alongside those large institutional gifts, the trust supports place-based work in Santa Fe and the Galisteo Basin, including conservation of acreage, preservation of historic sites, and interpretation projects tied to New Mexico’s cultural landscape. Its grant record also reaches beyond art institutions into homelessness services, arts programming, and disaster relief, showing a wider but still selective pattern of giving. The combination of collection-building, conservation, and heritage preservation makes this a funder with clear preferences for durable, tangible outcomes rather than broad programmatic support.
In museum and collection work, the trust has funded acquisitions at the Fenimore Art Museum, including photographs by Ansel Adams, Yousuf Karsh and Todd Webb, plus an Apache basket, C. 1930. For curatorial support, it gave $4,000,000 to the Metropolitan Museum of Art to endow the Eugene V. Thaw Curator of European Paintings. In New Mexico, preservation is another clear theme: Historic Santa Fe Foundation received $1,575,067 for an historic interpretation room, a documentary film on Las Trampas, and donation of an office building. The trust also backed Nuevo Mexico Profundo for preservation of the San Jose de Gracia Church in Las Trampas and conservation of the church art collection. Outside the arts, it supported land conservation through Commonweal Conservancy for 4,730 acres in the Galisteo Basin Preserve.
Typical grants are uneven and project-driven, with a p25 of $10,000, a median of $50,000, and a p75 of $137,000. The recent record includes both very large capital-style gifts and many mid-sized awards at the $30,000 to $100,000 level. Recipients do reappear across years: Fenimore Art Museum, Morgan Library & Museum, Hrdc, Nuevo Mexico Profundo, Elbow Room, Santa Fe Pro Musica, University of Oklahoma Foundation, and Friends of Ganondagan all received multiple grants. The trust also funds individuals, and its grantmaking appears to emphasize one-time or purpose-specific support rather than open-ended recurring operating grants.
$16.1M
$47.4M
$3.5M
$16.7M
Most grants fall between $10K and $137K, with a median of $50K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$50K
75th Percentile
$137K
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Very concentrated giving: a handful of very large grants (including multi-million-dollar gifts and endowments), repeat major support to the same museum, and a mix of local capital/conservation projects alongside high-profile national museum endowments.
Notable grantees: Fenimore Art Museum, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Commonweal Conservancy, Historic Santa Fe Foundation
Grants are national, but New Mexico receives the highest share of awards by count, with 32% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. Santa Fe appears repeatedly through awards to Historic Santa Fe Foundation, Museum of New Mexico Foundation, Scott's House, Galisteo Basin Open Space Preserve, and Santa Fe Pro Musica. Other repeated recipient locations include Cooperstown, New York, and Bozeman, Montana. The recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 45 grants in the United States.
The trust gives heavily to museums and cultural institutions, especially for acquisitions, curatorial endowments, and collections-related projects. It also supports historic preservation, land conservation, arts programming, homelessness services, and occasional disaster relief.
The middle of the distribution is $50,000, with a 25th percentile of $10,000 and a 75th percentile of $137,000. The recent record also includes much larger project gifts in the millions for museums and conservation.
Yes. Several recipients appear across multiple years, including Fenimore Art Museum, Morgan Library & Museum, Hrdc, Nuevo Mexico Profundo, Elbow Room, Santa Fe Pro Musica, University of Oklahoma Foundation, and Friends of Ganondagan.
The trust gives nationally, but New Mexico is its most frequent recipient state by count, accounting for 32% of grants in the data. Santa Fe is a recurring city, alongside Cooperstown, Bozeman, New York, and other U.S. locations.
Yes. Recent examples include land conservation for 4,730 acres in the Galisteo Basin Preserve, homeless shelter support in Bozeman, hurricane relief through Signs for Hope, and arts programming for developmentally disabled individuals through Elbow Room.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FENIMORE ART MUSEUM | COOPERSTOWN, NY | $15,907,000 | 2025 | TOWARDS RENOVATION OF THE MUSEUM'S RESEARCH LIBRARY; AND ACQUISITIONS OF AMERICAN MASTERPIECES |
| SANTA FE PRO MUSICA | SANTA FE, NM | $50,000 | 2025 | FOR PERFORMANCE OF MOZART'S "REQUIEM" |
| TARGHEE MUSIC FOUNDATION | BELLEAIR BLUFFS, FL | $30,240 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR ANNUAL MUSIC CAMP IN ALTA, WY |
| ELBOW ROOM | PORTLAND, OR | $30,000 | 2025 | ARTS PROGRAM FOR DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED INDIVIDUALS IN THE PORTLAND, OR AREA |
| SIGNS FOR HOPE | FAIRVIEW, NC | $25,000 | 2025 | FOR HURRICANE RELIEF EFFORTS IN ASHEVILLE, NC |
| UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA FOUNDATION | NORMAN, OK | $20,000 | 2025 | FOR PUBLICATION OF A TWO-VOLUME BOOK ON THE TAOS SOCIETY OF ARTISTS |
| BOSQUE DEL APACHE WILDLIFE REFUGE | SAN ANTONIO, NM | $10,000 | 2025 | FOR THE POLLINATOR HABITAT ENHANCEMENT PROJECT |
| GALISTEO BASIN OPEN SPACE PRESERVE | SANTA FE, NM | $500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FENIMORE ART MUSEUM | COOPERSTOWN, NY | $18,181,150 | 2024 | ACQUISITION OF 8 MASTERPIECE PAINTINGS AND "BEAR JAR" BY RUSSELL SANCHEZ, SAN ILDEFONSO PUEBLO |
| HISTORIC SANTA FE FOUNDATION | SANTA FE, NM | $1,575,067 | 2024 | HISTORIC INTERPRETATION ROOM; DOCUMENTARY FILM ON LAS TRAMPAS; DONATION OF OFFICE BUILDING |
| GALLATIN VALLEY LAND TRUST | BOZEMAN, MT | $765,000 | 2024 | TO ACQUIRE PROPERTY FOR A WILDLIFE CROSSING NEAR BIG SKY, MT |
| HRDC | BOZEMAN, MT | $500,000 | 2024 | TOWARDS A PERMANENT HOMELESS SHELTER IN BOZEMAN, MT |
| SUSQUEHANNA ANIMAL SHELTER | COOPERSTOWN, NY | $226,700 | 2024 | VETERINARIAN FOR ONE YEAR; AND MEDICAL EQUIPMENT FOR THE NEW ANIMAL SHELTER AND CLINIC |
| FENIMORE ART MUSEUM | COOPERSTOWN, NY | $153,315 | 2024 | PHOTOGRAPHS BY ANSEL ADAMS, YOUSUF KARSH AND TODD WEBB; AND AN APACHE BASKET, C. 1930 |
| SCOTT'S HOUSE | SANTA FE, NM | $100,000 | 2024 | TOWARDS THE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN TO PAY OFF MORTGAGE OF COMMUNITY HOSPICE RESIDENCE |
| MUSEUM OF NEW MEXICO FOUNDATION | SANTA FE, NM | $100,000 | 2024 | FOR THE MOLLIE TOLL ENDOWMENT OF EDUCATION OUTREACH AT THE OFFICE OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL STUDIES |
| EMBUDO VALLEY LIBRARY | DIXON, NM | $50,000 | 2024 | TOWARDS COMPLETION OF THE LIBRARY'S COMMUNITY CENTER |
| NUEVO MEXICO PROFUNDO | CHAMISAL, NM | $50,000 | 2024 | FOR PRESERVATION OF THE SAN JOSE DE GRACIA CHURCH IN LAS TRAMPAS, NM |
| MORGAN LIBRARY & MUSEUM | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SANTA FE PRO MUSICA | SANTA FE, NM | $50,000 | 2024 | FOR A PERFORMANCE OF MOZART'S "REQUIEM" |
| ELBOW ROOM | PORTLAND, OR | $30,000 | 2024 | ARTS PROGRAM FOR DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED INDIVIDUALS IN THE PORTLAND, OR AREA |
| FRIENDS OF GANONDAGAN | VICTOR, NY | $18,000 | 2024 | AWARDS FOR THE 2023 IROQUOIS JURIED ART EXHIBITION |
| 350 SANTA FE | SANTA FE, NM | $10,000 | 2024 | FOR A FILM SERIES ON CLIMATE CHANGE |
| MAINE YOUTH FOR CLIMATE JUSTICE | DAMARISCOTTA, ME | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PEABODY MUSEUM OF ARCHAEOLOGY AND ETHNOLOGY | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $10,000 | 2024 | RETURN OF HAUDENASAUNEE PIPE BOWL |
| PROVINCETOWN ART ASSOC AND MUSEUM | PROVINCETOWN, MA | $7,290 | 2024 | JAMES FORSBERG COLLAGE, "THREE BIRDS AND A STONE" |
| MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | BOZEMAN, MT | $5,000 | 2024 | HEALTH SUPPLIES FOR THE HOMELESS SHELTER IN BOZEMAN, MT |
| COMMONWEAL CONSERVANCY | SANTA FE, NM | $5,000,000 | 2023 | RELEASE OF MORTGAGE HELD FOR 4,730 ACRES IN THE GALISTEO BASIN PRESERVE |
| METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART | NEW YORK, NY | $4,000,000 | 2023 | ENDOWMENT OF THE EUGENE V. THAW CURATOR OF EUROPEAN PAINTINGS |
| HRDC | BOZEMAN, MT | $550,000 | 2023 | TOWARDS A PERMANENT HOMELESS SHELTER IN BOZEMAN, MT; AND EMERGENCY WINTER FUNDS |
| UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA FOUNDATION | NORMAN, OK | $137,000 | 2023 | FOR PUBLICATION OF A TWO-VOLUME BOOK ON THE TAOS SOCIETY OF ARTISTS |
| MORGAN LIBRARY & MUSEUM | NEW YORK, NY | $87,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT; AND "GILLOT" EXHIBITION CATALOGUE |
| NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART | WASHINGTON, DC | $60,000 | 2023 | ANNUAL EXHIBIT OF WORKS ON PAPER FROM PERMANENT COLLECTION |
| GALISTEO BASIN OPEN SPACE PRESERVE | SANTA FE, NM | $50,179 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL MUSEUM OF ASIAN ART SMITHSONIAN INST | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2023 | FOR "ANYANG: CHINA'S ANCIENT CITY OF KINGS" EXHIBITION |
| NUEVO MEXICO PROFUNDO | CHAMISAL, NM | $30,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT; AND CONSERVATION OF SAN JOSE DE GRACIA CHURCH AND ART COLLECTION IN TRAMPAS, NM |
| FRIENDS OF GANONDAGAN | VICTOR, NY | $18,000 | 2023 | AWARDS FOR THE 2022 JURIED ART SHOW |
| KRFC 889 FM | FORT COLLINS, CO | $17,500 | 2023 | FOR COMMUNITY-BASED RADIO PROGRAM; AND EQUIPMENT UPGRADE |
| GRAVITY WATER | SANTA CRUZ, CA | $15,000 | 2023 | TO PROVIDE SAFE DRINKING WATER FOR SCHOOLS WORLDWIDE |
| FENIMORE ART MUSEUM | COOPERSTOWN, NY | $15,000 | 2023 | FOR "UNMASKING VENICE" EXHIBITION |
| COLORADO HORSE SHELTER | LONGMONT, CO | $10,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HISTORIC SANTA FE FOUNDATION | SANTA FE, NM | $10,000 | 2023 | FISCAL SPONSORSHIP FOR DOCUMENTARY FILM ABOUT "CANYON ROAD" |
| STAFFORD ANIMAL SHELTER | LIVINGSTON, MT | $10,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT AFTER CATASTROPHIC FLOODING |
| HERMIT'S PEAK WATERSHED ALLIANCE | SAPELLO, NM | $10,000 | 2023 | TOWARDS RESTORATION OF WOLF CREEK CURRIE CANYON |
| UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON FOUNDATION | SEATTLE, WA | $4,950 | 2023 | FOR INTERNATIONAL CLINICAL RESEARCH CENTER |
TOWARDS RENOVATION OF THE MUSEUM'S RESEARCH LIBRARY; AND ACQUISITIONS OF AMERICAN MASTERPIECES
SANTA FE PRO MUSICA
$50,000FOR PERFORMANCE OF MOZART'S "REQUIEM"
TARGHEE MUSIC FOUNDATION
$30,240GENERAL SUPPORT FOR ANNUAL MUSIC CAMP IN ALTA, WY
ELBOW ROOM
$30,000ARTS PROGRAM FOR DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED INDIVIDUALS IN THE PORTLAND, OR AREA
SIGNS FOR HOPE
$25,000FOR HURRICANE RELIEF EFFORTS IN ASHEVILLE, NC
FOR PUBLICATION OF A TWO-VOLUME BOOK ON THE TAOS SOCIETY OF ARTISTS
BOSQUE DEL APACHE WILDLIFE REFUGE
$10,000FOR THE POLLINATOR HABITAT ENHANCEMENT PROJECT
GALISTEO BASIN OPEN SPACE PRESERVE
$500GENERAL SUPPORT
ACQUISITION OF 8 MASTERPIECE PAINTINGS AND "BEAR JAR" BY RUSSELL SANCHEZ, SAN ILDEFONSO PUEBLO
HISTORIC SANTA FE FOUNDATION
$1,575,067HISTORIC INTERPRETATION ROOM; DOCUMENTARY FILM ON LAS TRAMPAS; DONATION OF OFFICE BUILDING
TO ACQUIRE PROPERTY FOR A WILDLIFE CROSSING NEAR BIG SKY, MT
SUSQUEHANNA ANIMAL SHELTER
$226,700VETERINARIAN FOR ONE YEAR; AND MEDICAL EQUIPMENT FOR THE NEW ANIMAL SHELTER AND CLINIC
PHOTOGRAPHS BY ANSEL ADAMS, YOUSUF KARSH AND TODD WEBB; AND AN APACHE BASKET, C. 1930
TOWARDS THE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN TO PAY OFF MORTGAGE OF COMMUNITY HOSPICE RESIDENCE
MUSEUM OF NEW MEXICO FOUNDATION
$100,000FOR THE MOLLIE TOLL ENDOWMENT OF EDUCATION OUTREACH AT THE OFFICE OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL STUDIES
EMBUDO VALLEY LIBRARY
$50,000TOWARDS COMPLETION OF THE LIBRARY'S COMMUNITY CENTER
NUEVO MEXICO PROFUNDO
$50,000FOR PRESERVATION OF THE SAN JOSE DE GRACIA CHURCH IN LAS TRAMPAS, NM
SANTA FE PRO MUSICA
$50,000FOR A PERFORMANCE OF MOZART'S "REQUIEM"
ELBOW ROOM
$30,000ARTS PROGRAM FOR DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED INDIVIDUALS IN THE PORTLAND, OR AREA
350 SANTA FE
$10,000FOR A FILM SERIES ON CLIMATE CHANGE
MAINE YOUTH FOR CLIMATE JUSTICE
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
PEABODY MUSEUM OF ARCHAEOLOGY AND ETHNOLOGY
$10,000RETURN OF HAUDENASAUNEE PIPE BOWL
JAMES FORSBERG COLLAGE, "THREE BIRDS AND A STONE"
HEALTH SUPPLIES FOR THE HOMELESS SHELTER IN BOZEMAN, MT
COMMONWEAL CONSERVANCY
$5,000,000RELEASE OF MORTGAGE HELD FOR 4,730 ACRES IN THE GALISTEO BASIN PRESERVE
ENDOWMENT OF THE EUGENE V. THAW CURATOR OF EUROPEAN PAINTINGS
TOWARDS A PERMANENT HOMELESS SHELTER IN BOZEMAN, MT; AND EMERGENCY WINTER FUNDS
FOR PUBLICATION OF A TWO-VOLUME BOOK ON THE TAOS SOCIETY OF ARTISTS
ANNUAL EXHIBIT OF WORKS ON PAPER FROM PERMANENT COLLECTION
GALISTEO BASIN OPEN SPACE PRESERVE
$50,179GENERAL SUPPORT
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF ASIAN ART SMITHSONIAN INST
$50,000FOR "ANYANG: CHINA'S ANCIENT CITY OF KINGS" EXHIBITION
NUEVO MEXICO PROFUNDO
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT; AND CONSERVATION OF SAN JOSE DE GRACIA CHURCH AND ART COLLECTION IN TRAMPAS, NM
KRFC 889 FM
$17,500FOR COMMUNITY-BASED RADIO PROGRAM; AND EQUIPMENT UPGRADE
GRAVITY WATER
$15,000TO PROVIDE SAFE DRINKING WATER FOR SCHOOLS WORLDWIDE
COLORADO HORSE SHELTER
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
HISTORIC SANTA FE FOUNDATION
$10,000FISCAL SPONSORSHIP FOR DOCUMENTARY FILM ABOUT "CANYON ROAD"
HERMIT'S PEAK WATERSHED ALLIANCE
$10,000TOWARDS RESTORATION OF WOLF CREEK CURRIE CANYON