Century Arts Foundation concentrates on supporting high-quality arts and cultural programming, with a particular interest in film preservation, theater production, and arts access for incarcerated people. They fund a small number of sizable grants to established institutions, often providing multi-grant support to the same organizations. While based in Sag Harbor, NY, their giving reaches both local theater and national institutions (e.g., UCLA).
Century Arts Foundation’s largest recent grant was $227,981 to The UCLA Foundation for the digital restoration of The Other Love (1947) and Please Murder Me (1956), a useful signal of how the foundation approaches arts giving: targeted, project-based support for preservation work with clear deliverables. That pattern continues across film, theater, prison education, and local cultural institutions. The foundation has backed film preservation at UCLA in more than one year, including support for preserving The Sealed Soil (1977) and Merrily We Live (1938), and it has also funded Bay Street Theatre for Literature Live! productions tied to Macbeth and The Crucible. In the education and access space, Century Arts Foundation has provided repeated support to Bard Prison Initiative for its liberal arts program for incarcerated men and women, including funding tied to a Bard College degree. The giving profile suggests a small number of substantial grants to established organizations, often with multi-year continuity rather than one-off awards. Cultural heritage work also appears in support for the Sag Harbor Whaling and Historical Museum.
Film preservation is a clear thread. Century Arts Foundation gave $132,900 to The UCLA Foundation in 2024 for the films to be preserved, including The Sealed Soil (1977) and Merrily We Live (1938), following a 2025 restoration grant for The Other Love (1947) and Please Murder Me (1956). Theater production is another recurring area: Bay Street Theatre received $60,000 in 2023 toward production expenses for Literature Live! of Macbeth by William Shakespeare, and another $60,000 in 2024 for The Crucible as part of the same program. The foundation also funds liberal arts education for incarcerated people. Bard Prison Initiative received $60,000 in 2023, $60,000 in 2024, and $60,000 in 2025 to support its liberal arts program for incarcerated men and women. Cultural preservation extends to the Sag Harbor Whaling and Historical Museum, which received support for exhibits and operating expenses.
Century Arts Foundation’s typical grant size sits at $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $17,500 at the median, and $51,250 at the 75th percentile, showing a mix of smaller local awards and larger institutional grants. The pattern also points to continuity: Bard Prison Initiative and The UCLA Foundation each appear in multiple years, and Bay Street Theatre and several community groups also receive repeat support. The foundation is a private grantmaker rather than an individual-giving vehicle, and it does not make program-related investments. Its portfolio includes both operating and project support, depending on the recipient and purpose.
$334K
$6.7M
$634K
$582K
Most grants fall between $10K and $51K, with a median of $18K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$18K
75th Percentile
$51K
Top 2 recipient countries by grant volume for Century Arts Foundation.
| Rank | Country | Grants | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United StatesDomestic | 18 | $806K | 66.7% |
| 2 | Mexico |
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Concentrated giving: a small portfolio of relatively large grants, with repeated multi-year or multi-grant support to a few core grantees rather than many small awards.
Notable grantees: The UCLA Foundation (film preservation), Bard Prison Initiative / Bard College (liberal arts for incarcerated people), Bay Street Theatre (theater production — Literature Live!)
Grantmaking is concentrated in New York, which accounts for 64% of grants. Sag Harbor recipients include Bay Street Theatre and the Sag Harbor Whaling and Historical Museum, while Annandale-on-Hudson appears through Bard Prison Initiative. The foundation also gives beyond New York: Los Angeles appears through The UCLA Foundation, and several grants reach Mexico, including recipients in Col Juarez and Alamos. The recipient-country mix is 66.7% U.S. and 33.3% Mexico, showing a regional footprint that extends beyond the foundation’s headquarters.
The foundation supports film preservation, theater production, and cultural preservation. Recent examples include digital restoration at The UCLA Foundation, production support for Bay Street Theatre’s Literature Live! program, and exhibit and operating support for the Sag Harbor Whaling and Historical Museum.
Yes. Bard Prison Initiative received $60,000 in 2023, $60,000 in 2024, and $60,000 in 2025 for its liberal arts program for incarcerated men and women, including support tied to earning a Bard College degree.
The foundation’s grant-size distribution is centered in the five-figure range: $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $17,500 at the median, and $51,250 at the 75th percentile.
New York is the top state by grant count, with 64% of grants going to recipients in the state. Grants also reach Los Angeles and several locations in Mexico, including Col Juarez and Alamos.
Yes. The UCLA Foundation, Bard Prison Initiative, Bay Street Theatre, Amigos De Educacion De Alamos, Banco De Alimentos De Navojoa Iap, Sag Harbor Whaling and Historical Museum, Oaxaca Street Children Grassroots Inc, and Ola of Eastern Long Island all appear more than once in the recent grants list.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
| 9 |
| $119K |
33.3% |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE UCLA FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $227,981 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE DIGITAL RESTORATION OF THE FILMS: THE OTHER LOVE (1947) AND PLEASE MURDER ME (1956). |
| BARD PRISON INITIATIVE (BPI) BARD COLLEGE | ANNANDALEONHUDSON, NY | $60,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE BPI LIBERAL ARTS PROGRAM FOR INCARCERATED MEN AND WOMEN TO EARN A BARD COLLEGE DEGREE. |
| BANCO DE ALIMENTOS DE NAVOJOA IAP | COL JUAREZ, NA | $20,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE COLLECTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF FOOD AND OTHER NECESSITIES FOR THE DISADVANTAGED IN THE COMMUNITY OF ALAMOS, SONORA. TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS TEACHING HEALTHY FOOD PREPARATION. |
| AMIGOS DE EDUCACION DE ALAMOS | TUCSON, AZ | $15,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE 2024/2025 EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM FOR THE DISADVANTAGED CHILDREN EDUCATIONAL FUND. |
| OAXACA STREET CHILDREN GRASSROOTS INC | BENTON, AR | $10,620 | 2025 | FUNDING THE PURCHASE OF MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, THE SERVICES OF A MUSIC TUTOR AND SCHOOL SUPPLIES AND BLANKETS FOR THE BENEFIT OF STUDENTS AT CENTRO DE EXPERANZA INFATIL (CEI) AND CASA EMILIE IN OAXACA, MEXICO. |
| THE UCLA FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $132,900 | 2024 | THE FILMS THAT WILL BE PRESERVED WITH THESE GRANTS, THE SEALED SOIL (1977), AND MERRILY WE LIVE (1938). |
| BARD PRISON INITIATIVE (BPI) BARD COLLEGE | ANNANDALEONHUDSON, NY | $60,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT THE LIBERAL ARTS PROGRAM FOR INCARCERAGED MEN & WOMEN |
| BAY STREET THEATRE | SAG HARBOR, NY | $60,000 | 2024 | FUNDS PROVIDED ARE TO BE EXPENDED TOWARDS PRODUCTION EXPENSES OF THE STAGE PLAY "THE CRUCIBLE" BY ARTHUR MILLER, AS PART OF BAY STREET THEATER PROGRAM "LITERATURE LIVE!" PROVIDING ACCEDITED STUDENTS ACCESS TO MAJOR WORK OF THEATER FREE OF CHARGE. |
| AMIGOS DE EDUCACION DE ALAMOS | TUCSON, AZ | $20,000 | 2024 | TO FUND EDUCATION TO THE STUDENTS IN THE ALAMOS AREA |
| BANCO DE ALIMENTOS DE NAVOJOA IAP | COL JUAREZ, NA | $20,000 | 2024 | TO FUND A FOOD BANK THAT PROVIDES TO THOSE IN NEED |
| OAXACA STREET CHILDREN GRASSROOTS INC | BENTON, AR | $10,000 | 2024 | FOR THE PURPOSE OF PURCHASING 40 COMPUTERS FOR NEEDY STUDENTS AT CENTRO DE ESPERANZA INFANTIL IN OAXACA AND 8 SEWING MACHINES AND TEACHER FOR TRAINING MOTHERS OF STUDENTS TO LEARN AN INCOME PRODUCING TRADE. |
| SAG HARBOR WHALING AND HISTORICAL MUSEUM | SAG HARBOR, NY | $10,000 | 2024 | SUPPORTS MUSEUM OPERATING EXPENSES |
| OLA OF EASTERN LONG ISLAND | SAGAPONACK, NY | $10,000 | 2024 | ACADEMIC SUPPORT FOR TEENS IN NEED, 3-4 LATINO YOUTH "TEEN LEADERSHIP DINNERS" FOCUSING ON ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL GOALS AND TRAINING AND ENGAGEMENT WITH LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS TO PROMOTE BETTER COMMNICATION BETWEEN LATINO COMMUNITY AND POLICE. |
| CHILDRENS MUSEUM OF THE EAST END | BRIDGEHAMPTON, NY | $9,450 | 2024 | FUNDS PROVIDED UNDER THIS GRANT ARE TO BE EXPENDED FOR THE PURCHASE OF COMPUTER AND AUDIOVISUAL EQUIPMENT TO SUPPORT CMEE'S ROBOTICS AND DRONE PROGRAM. |
| LAS COMADRES DE ALAMOS AC | ALAMOS, SO | $1,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT PROGRAM THAT DISTRIBUTES FOOD TO THE NEEDY |
| BARD PRISON INITIATIVE (BPI) BARD COLLEGE | ANNANDALEONHUDSON, NY | $60,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT THE LIBERAL ARTS PROGRAM FOR INCARCERAGED MEN & WOMEN |
| BAY STREET THEATRE | SAG HARBOR, NY | $60,000 | 2023 | TOWARDS PRODUCTION EXPENSES OF LITERATURE LIVE! OF MACBETH BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE |
| AMIGOS DE EDUCACION DE ALAMOS | TUCSON, AZ | $25,000 | 2023 | TO FUND EDUCATION TO THE STUDENTS IN THE ALAMOS AREA |
| BANCO DE ALIMENTOS DE NAVOJOA | COL JUAREZ, NA | $20,000 | 2023 | TO FUND A FOOD BANK THAT PROVIDES TO THOSE IN NEED. |
| SAG HARBOR WHALING AND HISTORICAL MUSEUM | SAG HARBOR, NY | $15,000 | 2023 | EXHIBITS AND HISTORICAL PRESERVATION |
| OLA OF EASTERN LONG ISLAND | SAGAPONACK, NY | $10,000 | 2023 | LATINX YOUTH CAREER MENTORING PROGRAM |
| OAXACA STREET CHILDREN GRASSROOTS INC | BENTON, AR | $10,000 | 2023 | TO FUND THE REMOVAL OF BARRIERS THAT HINDER CHILDREN FROM RECEIVING AN EDUCATION. |
| LAS COMADRES DE ALAMOS AC | ALAMOS, SO | $2,000 | 2023 | TO PROVIDE CLOTHING TO THOSE IN NEED. |
TO SUPPORT THE DIGITAL RESTORATION OF THE FILMS: THE OTHER LOVE (1947) AND PLEASE MURDER ME (1956).
BARD PRISON INITIATIVE (BPI) BARD COLLEGE
$60,000TO SUPPORT THE BPI LIBERAL ARTS PROGRAM FOR INCARCERATED MEN AND WOMEN TO EARN A BARD COLLEGE DEGREE.
BANCO DE ALIMENTOS DE NAVOJOA IAP
$20,000TO SUPPORT THE COLLECTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF FOOD AND OTHER NECESSITIES FOR THE DISADVANTAGED IN THE COMMUNITY OF ALAMOS, SONORA. TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS TEACHING HEALTHY FOOD PREPARATION.
AMIGOS DE EDUCACION DE ALAMOS
$15,000TO SUPPORT THE 2024/2025 EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM FOR THE DISADVANTAGED CHILDREN EDUCATIONAL FUND.
OAXACA STREET CHILDREN GRASSROOTS INC
$10,620FUNDING THE PURCHASE OF MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, THE SERVICES OF A MUSIC TUTOR AND SCHOOL SUPPLIES AND BLANKETS FOR THE BENEFIT OF STUDENTS AT CENTRO DE EXPERANZA INFATIL (CEI) AND CASA EMILIE IN OAXACA, MEXICO.
THE FILMS THAT WILL BE PRESERVED WITH THESE GRANTS, THE SEALED SOIL (1977), AND MERRILY WE LIVE (1938).
BARD PRISON INITIATIVE (BPI) BARD COLLEGE
$60,000TO SUPPORT THE LIBERAL ARTS PROGRAM FOR INCARCERAGED MEN & WOMEN
BAY STREET THEATRE
$60,000FUNDS PROVIDED ARE TO BE EXPENDED TOWARDS PRODUCTION EXPENSES OF THE STAGE PLAY "THE CRUCIBLE" BY ARTHUR MILLER, AS PART OF BAY STREET THEATER PROGRAM "LITERATURE LIVE!" PROVIDING ACCEDITED STUDENTS ACCESS TO MAJOR WORK OF THEATER FREE OF CHARGE.
AMIGOS DE EDUCACION DE ALAMOS
$20,000TO FUND EDUCATION TO THE STUDENTS IN THE ALAMOS AREA
BANCO DE ALIMENTOS DE NAVOJOA IAP
$20,000TO FUND A FOOD BANK THAT PROVIDES TO THOSE IN NEED
OAXACA STREET CHILDREN GRASSROOTS INC
$10,000FOR THE PURPOSE OF PURCHASING 40 COMPUTERS FOR NEEDY STUDENTS AT CENTRO DE ESPERANZA INFANTIL IN OAXACA AND 8 SEWING MACHINES AND TEACHER FOR TRAINING MOTHERS OF STUDENTS TO LEARN AN INCOME PRODUCING TRADE.
SAG HARBOR WHALING AND HISTORICAL MUSEUM
$10,000SUPPORTS MUSEUM OPERATING EXPENSES
ACADEMIC SUPPORT FOR TEENS IN NEED, 3-4 LATINO YOUTH "TEEN LEADERSHIP DINNERS" FOCUSING ON ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL GOALS AND TRAINING AND ENGAGEMENT WITH LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS TO PROMOTE BETTER COMMNICATION BETWEEN LATINO COMMUNITY AND POLICE.
FUNDS PROVIDED UNDER THIS GRANT ARE TO BE EXPENDED FOR THE PURCHASE OF COMPUTER AND AUDIOVISUAL EQUIPMENT TO SUPPORT CMEE'S ROBOTICS AND DRONE PROGRAM.
LAS COMADRES DE ALAMOS AC
$1,000TO SUPPORT PROGRAM THAT DISTRIBUTES FOOD TO THE NEEDY
BARD PRISON INITIATIVE (BPI) BARD COLLEGE
$60,000TO SUPPORT THE LIBERAL ARTS PROGRAM FOR INCARCERAGED MEN & WOMEN
BAY STREET THEATRE
$60,000TOWARDS PRODUCTION EXPENSES OF LITERATURE LIVE! OF MACBETH BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
AMIGOS DE EDUCACION DE ALAMOS
$25,000TO FUND EDUCATION TO THE STUDENTS IN THE ALAMOS AREA
BANCO DE ALIMENTOS DE NAVOJOA
$20,000TO FUND A FOOD BANK THAT PROVIDES TO THOSE IN NEED.
SAG HARBOR WHALING AND HISTORICAL MUSEUM
$15,000EXHIBITS AND HISTORICAL PRESERVATION
OAXACA STREET CHILDREN GRASSROOTS INC
$10,000TO FUND THE REMOVAL OF BARRIERS THAT HINDER CHILDREN FROM RECEIVING AN EDUCATION.
LAS COMADRES DE ALAMOS AC
$2,000TO PROVIDE CLOTHING TO THOSE IN NEED.