The Helen Frankenthaler Foundation concentrates philanthropic support on major art museums, providing large, targeted gifts specifically for museum collections and art acquisitions. Its funding is directed to well-established cultural institutions in the United States and Europe, signaling a priority on preserving and placing significant works within prominent public collections.
A defining feature of Helen Frankenthaler Foundation Inc. is its concentration on art acquisition for major museum collections, with some of the largest recent gifts going to institutions such as The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Art Institute of Chicago. The foundation also supports specific Frankenthaler-linked initiatives that extend beyond one-off collection purchases, including the Frankenthaler Prints Initiative and the HFF Fellowship Endowment at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Its recent grants show a pattern of large, targeted awards to museums, university art museums, and cultural organizations handling collections, interpretation, research, and preservation. That mix places the foundation at the intersection of collection building and art scholarship. Recent support includes major gifts to museum collection funds in the United States and Europe, as well as continuing support for programs tied to modern and contemporary art practice. The funding profile suggests an institution-oriented grantmaker that works through named initiatives, endowments, and project-specific awards rather than broad unrestricted support. Alongside museum acquisitions, the foundation has also backed heritage response and arts-sector resilience efforts, giving its grantmaking a broader cultural preservation frame while remaining centered on visual arts institutions.
The foundation’s clearest focus is museum collection stewardship. It gave $5,000,000 to The Metropolitan Museum of Art for art for museum collection, and $3,200,000 to the University of Chicago - Smart Museum of Art for the same purpose. European museums are part of that pattern too, including $3,800,000 to Kunstmuseum Basel and $3,500,000 to Guggenheim Museum Bilbao for art for museum collection. Its programmatic work reaches into prints, fellowships, and cultural recovery. Northwestern University - the Block Museum of Art received $502,200 through the Frankenthaler Prints Initiative, while the Smithsonian American Art Museum received $2,000,000 for the HFF Fellowship Endowment. The foundation also supported World Monuments Fund with $500,000 for the Ukraine Heritage Response Fund, linking its arts giving to heritage response and preservation.
$14.4M
$173.2M
$21.2M
$26.4M
Most grants fall between $20K and $100K, with a median of $41K.
25th Percentile
$20K
Median
$41K
75th Percentile
$100K
Top 5 recipient countries by grant volume for Helen Frankenthaler Foundation.
| Rank | Country | Grants | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United StatesDomestic | 320 | $44M | 98.8% |
| 2 | Switzerland |
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Very concentrated: a small number of very large grants to top-tier museums, typically one-time multi-million dollar gifts earmarked for art acquisitions or collection support rather than many small or grassroots grants.
Notable grantees: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Art Institute of Chicago, Kunstmuseum Basel, Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, University of Chicago — Smart Museum of Art
Helen Frankenthaler Foundation Inc. gives at a large scale, with a typical grant size of $20,000 at the 25th percentile, a median of $41,100, and $100,000 at the 75th percentile. Recent activity includes several multi-year commitments, such as repeated support for World Monuments Fund, Swiss Institute, and Bennington College Corporation across consecutive years. The foundation is a Regular Funder and operates as a DAF classification entity. It also makes grants to individuals, and its active portfolio includes both discretionary grants and named programs. Unsolicited applications are not accepted for the discretionary or prints programs; the Frankenthaler Climate Initiative does accept unsolicited applications.
Grantmaking is heavily U.S.-based, with 98.8% of grants going to U.S. recipients and 46% of grants landing in the HQ state of New York. New York City appears frequently through recipients such as The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Morgan Library & Museum, Foundation for Contemporary Arts, and Swiss Institute. Outside New York, Chicago, Basel, Bilbao, New Britain, and Washington are among the cities tied to larger awards. The recipient-country distribution also includes single grants in Europe and a few other non-U.S. locations.
The foundation mainly supports museums and visual arts institutions, especially for art acquisition, collection stewardship, and related programs. Recent grants went to institutions such as The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Art Institute of Chicago, Kunstmuseum Basel, Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, and the Smithsonian American Art Museum.
Its typical grant size is $20,000 at the 25th percentile, $41,100 at the median, and $100,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent grant list also shows much larger awards, including multimillion-dollar gifts for museum collections and endowments.
Yes. The recent grants show multi-year support to several organizations, including World Monuments Fund across 2023, 2024, and 2025; Swiss Institute across multiple years; and Bennington College Corporation in consecutive years for its museum fellows term program.
Museum collection acquisition and stewardship are central, and the foundation also supports prints-based collection initiatives, fellowships in modern and contemporary art, and climate-related resilience work for visual arts organizations through the Frankenthaler Climate Initiative.
It does for the Frankenthaler Climate Initiative, which accepts unsolicited applications. The discretionary grants and Frankenthaler Prints Initiative do not accept unsolicited applications.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
| 1 |
| $3.8M |
0.3% |
| 3 | Spain | 1 | $3.5M | 0.3% |
| 4 | Puerto Rico | 1 | $50K | 0.3% |
| 5 | Ukraine | 1 | $5K | 0.3% |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KUNSTMUSEUM BASEL | BASEL | $3,800,000 | 2025 | ART FOR MUSEUM COLLECTION |
| GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM BILBAO | ABANDO | $3,500,000 | 2025 | ART FOR MUSEUM COLLECTION |
| FOUNDATION FOR CONTEMPORARY ARTS | NEW YORK, NY | $1,250,000 | 2025 | ENDOWMENT: HF AWARD FOR PAINTING |
| PEN AMERICAN CENTER | NEW YORK, NY | $666,667 | 2025 | 2024 ARC SUPPORT (3 OF 3) |
| WORLD MONUMENTS FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $500,000 | 2025 | UKRAINE HERITAGE RESPONSE FUND (3 OF 3) |
| SWISS INSTITUTE | NEW YORK, NY | $340,000 | 2025 | 2024 NYC ARTS (CONSORTIUM: 15 ARTS ORGANIZATIONS) (2 OF 3) |
| BENNINGTON COLLEGE CORPORATION | BENNINGTON, VT | $220,000 | 2025 | 2024 MUSEUM FELLOWS TERM PROGRAM (2 OF 5) |
| SEATTLE ART MUSEUM | SEATTLE, WA | $100,000 | 2025 | FCI 2024 IMPLEMENTATION |
| FLINT INSTITUTE OF ARTS | FLINT, MI | $100,000 | 2025 | FCI 2024 IMPLEMENTATION |
| ELLIS-BEAUREGARD FOUNDATION | ROCKLAND, ME | $100,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR ELLIS-BEAUREGARD FOUNDATION ARTIST CAMPUS |
| WATERFIRE PROVIDENCE | PROVIDENCE, RI | $100,000 | 2025 | FCI 2024 IMPLEMENTATION |
| THE NEW SCHOOL | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | FINAL UNIV. IN EXILE INSTALLMENT GRANT |
| KINOSAITO INC | VERPLANCK, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | FCI 2024 IMPLEMENTATION |
| THE NEW SCHOOL | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | FCI 2024 IMPLEMENTATION |
| MILWAUKEE INSTITUTE OF ART & DESIGN | MILWAUKEE, WI | $100,000 | 2025 | FCI 2024 IMPLEMENTATION |
| NEW MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART | NEW YORK CITY, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | FCI 2024 IMPLEMENTATION |
| PIQUA ARTS COUNCIL | PIQUA, OH | $100,000 | 2025 | FCI 2024 IMPLEMENTATION |
| NEVADA MUSEUM OF ART | RENO, NV | $100,000 | 2025 | FCI 2024 IMPLEMENTATION |
| NATIONAL NORDIC MUSEUM | SEATTLE, WA | $100,000 | 2025 | FCI 2024 IMPLEMENTATION |
| ASHEVILLE GLASS ART SCHOOL AKA NORTH CAROLINA GLASS CENTER | ASHEVILLE, NC | $100,000 | 2025 | FCI 2024 IMPLEMENTATION |
| WESTBETH CORP HOUSING DEVELOPMENT FUND COMPANY INC | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | FCI 2024 IMPLEMENTATION |
| CALIFORNIA COLLEGE OF THE ARTS | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | FCI 2024 IMPLEMENTATION |
| MARIAN & EDWARD MACDOWELL INC | PETERBOROUGH, NH | $99,346 | 2025 | FCI 2024 IMPLEMENTATION |
| THE LONG ISLAND MUSEUM ASSOCIATION | STONY BROOK, NY | $98,890 | 2025 | FCI 2024 IMPLEMENTATION |
| GEORGE EASTMAN MUSEUM | ROCHESTER, NY | $98,220 | 2025 | FCI 2024 IMPLEMENTATION |
| BYRD HOFFMAN WATER MILL FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $85,000 | 2025 | FCI 2024 IMPLEMENTATION |
| MANCOS COMMON PRESS INC | MANCOS, CO | $75,000 | 2025 | FCI 2024 IMPLEMENTATION |
| THE ART CONNECTION INC | NEW YORK, NY | $75,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF TEEN REVIEWERS AND CRITICS AND TEENS CURATE TEENS PROGRAMS (2 OF 2) |
| AHA PROJECTS | LOS ANGELES, CA | $71,553 | 2025 | FRANKENTHALER CLIMATE INITATIVE ("FCI") 2024 IMPLEMENTATION |
| ROCKY MOUNTAIN INSTITUTE | BOULDER, CO | $66,500 | 2025 | FCI YEAR 4 (2 OF 2) |
| ENVIRONMENT & CULTURE PARTNERS | TACOMA, WA | $64,975 | 2025 | FCI YEAR 5 |
| THE GRADUATE CENTER FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $60,000 | 2025 | GLOBAL CURATORIAL TRAINING INITIATIVE (2 OF 3) |
| ENVIRONMENT & CULTURE PARTNERS | TACOMA, WA | $56,364 | 2025 | FCI YEAR 4 |
| STUDIO IN A SCHOOL ASSOCIATION | NEW YORK, NY | $56,000 | 2025 | ARTS INTERN PROGRAM (2 OF 2) |
| MUSEO DE ARTE CONTEMPORANEO DE PUERTO RICO | RH TODD PDA | $50,000 | 2025 | FCI 2024 TECH ASSISTANCE |
| WHITNEY MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | HARRISON EXHIB SUPPORT: SURVIVAL PIECE #5 (2024) |
| LAKE PLACID ASSOCIATION FOR MUSIC & ART INC | LAKE PLACID, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | FCI 2024 IMPLEMENTATION |
| PRESIDENT & TRUSTEES OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE | WILLIAMSTOWN, MA | $50,000 | 2025 | FCI 2024 IMPLEMENTATION - WILLIAMS COLLEGE MUSEUM OF ART |
| MARYLAND INSTITUTE COLLEGE OF ART | BALTIMORE, MD | $50,000 | 2025 | FCI 2024 TECH ASSISTANCE |
| CORPORATION OF THE FINE ARTS | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | FCI 2024 SCOPING- DE YOUNG MUSEUM OF ART |
| FORT MASON CENTER FOR ARTS & CULTURE | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | FCI 2024 TECH ASSISTANCE |
| HALEAKALA INC AKA THE KITCHEN | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | FCI 2024 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE |
| UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $50,000 | 2025 | FCI 2024 TECH ASSISTANCE - WEISMAN ART MUSEUM |
| ARLINGTON MUSEUM OF ART | ARLINGTON, TX | $50,000 | 2025 | FCI 2024 TECH ASSISTANCE |
| THE MILLAY COLONY FOR THE ARTS | PO BOX AUSTERLITZ, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | FCI 2024 TECH ASSISTANCE |
| RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL OF DESIGN | PROVIDENCE, RI | $50,000 | 2025 | FCI 2024 TECH ASSISTANCE |
| SCHOOL OF THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | FCI 2024 TECH ASSISTANCE |
| THE CHINATI FOUNDATION | MARFA, TX | $50,000 | 2025 | FCI 2024 TECH ASSISTANCE |
| HUNTER MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $49,210 | 2025 | FCI 2024 TECH ASSISTANCE |
| SPACE GALLERY | PORTLAND, ME | $45,000 | 2025 | FCI 2024 TECH ASSISTANCE |
KUNSTMUSEUM BASEL
$3,800,000ART FOR MUSEUM COLLECTION
GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM BILBAO
$3,500,000ART FOR MUSEUM COLLECTION
FOUNDATION FOR CONTEMPORARY ARTS
$1,250,000ENDOWMENT: HF AWARD FOR PAINTING
PEN AMERICAN CENTER
$666,6672024 ARC SUPPORT (3 OF 3)
WORLD MONUMENTS FUND
$500,000UKRAINE HERITAGE RESPONSE FUND (3 OF 3)
SWISS INSTITUTE
$340,0002024 NYC ARTS (CONSORTIUM: 15 ARTS ORGANIZATIONS) (2 OF 3)
BENNINGTON COLLEGE CORPORATION
$220,0002024 MUSEUM FELLOWS TERM PROGRAM (2 OF 5)
SEATTLE ART MUSEUM
$100,000FCI 2024 IMPLEMENTATION
FLINT INSTITUTE OF ARTS
$100,000FCI 2024 IMPLEMENTATION
ELLIS-BEAUREGARD FOUNDATION
$100,000SUPPORT FOR ELLIS-BEAUREGARD FOUNDATION ARTIST CAMPUS
WATERFIRE PROVIDENCE
$100,000FCI 2024 IMPLEMENTATION
THE NEW SCHOOL
$100,000FINAL UNIV. IN EXILE INSTALLMENT GRANT
KINOSAITO INC
$100,000FCI 2024 IMPLEMENTATION
THE NEW SCHOOL
$100,000FCI 2024 IMPLEMENTATION
MILWAUKEE INSTITUTE OF ART & DESIGN
$100,000FCI 2024 IMPLEMENTATION
NEW MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART
$100,000FCI 2024 IMPLEMENTATION
PIQUA ARTS COUNCIL
$100,000FCI 2024 IMPLEMENTATION
NEVADA MUSEUM OF ART
$100,000FCI 2024 IMPLEMENTATION
NATIONAL NORDIC MUSEUM
$100,000FCI 2024 IMPLEMENTATION
ASHEVILLE GLASS ART SCHOOL AKA NORTH CAROLINA GLASS CENTER
$100,000FCI 2024 IMPLEMENTATION
WESTBETH CORP HOUSING DEVELOPMENT FUND COMPANY INC
$100,000FCI 2024 IMPLEMENTATION
CALIFORNIA COLLEGE OF THE ARTS
$100,000FCI 2024 IMPLEMENTATION
MARIAN & EDWARD MACDOWELL INC
$99,346FCI 2024 IMPLEMENTATION
THE LONG ISLAND MUSEUM ASSOCIATION
$98,890FCI 2024 IMPLEMENTATION
GEORGE EASTMAN MUSEUM
$98,220FCI 2024 IMPLEMENTATION
BYRD HOFFMAN WATER MILL FOUNDATION
$85,000FCI 2024 IMPLEMENTATION
MANCOS COMMON PRESS INC
$75,000FCI 2024 IMPLEMENTATION
THE ART CONNECTION INC
$75,000SUPPORT OF TEEN REVIEWERS AND CRITICS AND TEENS CURATE TEENS PROGRAMS (2 OF 2)
AHA PROJECTS
$71,553FRANKENTHALER CLIMATE INITATIVE ("FCI") 2024 IMPLEMENTATION
ROCKY MOUNTAIN INSTITUTE
$66,500FCI YEAR 4 (2 OF 2)
ENVIRONMENT & CULTURE PARTNERS
$64,975FCI YEAR 5
THE GRADUATE CENTER FOUNDATION
$60,000GLOBAL CURATORIAL TRAINING INITIATIVE (2 OF 3)
ENVIRONMENT & CULTURE PARTNERS
$56,364FCI YEAR 4
STUDIO IN A SCHOOL ASSOCIATION
$56,000ARTS INTERN PROGRAM (2 OF 2)
MUSEO DE ARTE CONTEMPORANEO DE PUERTO RICO
$50,000FCI 2024 TECH ASSISTANCE
WHITNEY MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART
$50,000HARRISON EXHIB SUPPORT: SURVIVAL PIECE #5 (2024)
LAKE PLACID ASSOCIATION FOR MUSIC & ART INC
$50,000FCI 2024 IMPLEMENTATION
PRESIDENT & TRUSTEES OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE
$50,000FCI 2024 IMPLEMENTATION - WILLIAMS COLLEGE MUSEUM OF ART
MARYLAND INSTITUTE COLLEGE OF ART
$50,000FCI 2024 TECH ASSISTANCE
CORPORATION OF THE FINE ARTS
$50,000FCI 2024 SCOPING- DE YOUNG MUSEUM OF ART
FORT MASON CENTER FOR ARTS & CULTURE
$50,000FCI 2024 TECH ASSISTANCE
HALEAKALA INC AKA THE KITCHEN
$50,000FCI 2024 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION
$50,000FCI 2024 TECH ASSISTANCE - WEISMAN ART MUSEUM
ARLINGTON MUSEUM OF ART
$50,000FCI 2024 TECH ASSISTANCE
THE MILLAY COLONY FOR THE ARTS
$50,000FCI 2024 TECH ASSISTANCE
RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL OF DESIGN
$50,000FCI 2024 TECH ASSISTANCE
SCHOOL OF THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO
$50,000FCI 2024 TECH ASSISTANCE
THE CHINATI FOUNDATION
$50,000FCI 2024 TECH ASSISTANCE
HUNTER MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART
$49,210FCI 2024 TECH ASSISTANCE
SPACE GALLERY
$45,000FCI 2024 TECH ASSISTANCE
Current and upcoming funding from Helen Frankenthaler Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Visual arts organizations in the U.S., including museums (collecting and non-collecting) and art schools seeking to advance energy efficiency or clean energy projects. Exact eligibility criteria vary by cycle and are provided on the initiative site.
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