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The Keith Haring Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$2.4M
Decision Time
2.5w

The Keith Haring Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $2,387,486 (2023)
  • Number of Grants: 57 awards (2022); 150+ organizations funded (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: 2-3 weeks following quarterly review cycles
  • Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
  • Geographic Focus: New York City (Youth programs); NYC and Southeastern US (HIV/AIDS programs); National (Arts/Culture)

Contact Details

Website: https://www.haring.com/kh_foundation/ Phone: Not publicly listed Email: Contact through website Application Portal: Online Fluxx grants portal (registration required)

Overview

The Keith Haring Foundation Inc was established in 1989 by the late American artist Keith Haring to perpetuate his legacy of social activism and support for marginalized communities. Operating as a private foundation (EIN 11-0249024) with 10 employees based in New York City, the Foundation maintains a dual mission: supporting organizations that provide educational opportunities to underprivileged children and those engaged in HIV/AIDS education, prevention, and care. In January 2025, the Foundation appointed Simon Castets, former director of the Swiss Institute in New York and director of strategic initiatives at Luma Arles, as its new executive director. The Foundation funds sustainable initiatives that demonstrate proof of need and exemplary performance, with a focus on direct service delivery programming. The Foundation also manages Keith Haring's artistic legacy through its collection and archives, with several programs bearing Haring's name including The Keith Haring School at ABC in NYC and The Keith Haring Community Wing at The LGBTQ Center in NYC.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foundation operates through a two-stage application process with four quarterly review cycles annually:

Youth Programs (NYC Focus)

  • Target: New York City's most vulnerable youth and adolescents
  • Emphasis: Programs providing long-term support and mentoring to help young people become self-sufficient adults
  • Grant amounts: Not publicly disclosed
  • Application method: Online Fluxx portal, quarterly review cycles

HIV/AIDS Programs (NYC & Southeastern US)

  • Target: Organizations assisting residents living with HIV or at high risk of transmission
  • Priority: Vulnerable populations in NYC and Southeastern United States
  • Grant amounts: Not publicly disclosed
  • Application method: Online Fluxx portal, quarterly review cycles

Arts & Culture Programs (National)

  • Target: Institutions providing educational and cultural enrichment
  • Focus: Programs that directly enhance understanding of Keith Haring's life, work, and social activism
  • Grant amounts: Not publicly disclosed; notable recent awards include $1 million to Studio Museum in Harlem and $3 million to Bard College's Center for Curatorial Studies
  • Application method: Online Fluxx portal, quarterly review cycles

Priority Areas

For First-Time Grantees:

  • Programs that have been in operation for three or more years
  • Initiatives with solid tracking and outcome data demonstrating measurable impact
  • Direct service delivery programming (partial program support considered)
  • Organizations serving NYC's most vulnerable youth with long-term mentoring models

For Longstanding Grantees:

  • New initiatives aligned with Foundation's mission
  • Multi-year awards for proven programs
  • Full program underwriting in exceptional cases
  • Capital requests tied to mission-aligned projects
  • Capacity grants and endowments (rarely considered)

Sample 2024 Grant Recipients Include:

  • Youth/Education: ArtsConnection, Exploring the Arts, Figure Skating in Harlem, Girls Write Now, The Children's Village, Urban Arts Partnership
  • Arts/Culture: Brooklyn Museum, Guggenheim Museum, New Museum, Whitney Museum, The Kitchen, Cooper Union
  • HIV/AIDS Services: GMHC (Gay Men's Health Crisis), Planned Parenthood, Mount Sinai Hospital programs, SAGE, The Center for HIV Law and Policy
  • Social Services: Housing Works, God's Love We Deliver, Coalition for the Homeless, The LGBTQ Center

What They Don't Fund

  • Individuals (no individual grants)
  • Initiatives that can be covered by federal, state, county, or city funding sources
  • Retroactive funding
  • Events, conferences, publications, or research (rarely considered; direct service delivery is the priority)
  • Programs without established track records (must operate for 3+ years for first-time applicants)
  • Organizations outside 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Simon Castets, Executive Director (Started January 12, 2025)

  • Previously: Director of Strategic Initiatives at Luma Arles (3 years); Director of Swiss Institute in New York (over a decade)
  • Vision: Castets emphasized continuity with the Foundation's mission, stating, "The foundation has shown an unwavering commitment to its mission, and I think continuing to do the work is now more necessary than ever." On Haring's integrated approach to art and activism, he noted, "Keith had such a drive, despite his short career, to make a difference and to stand up for his ideals," and that art and activism were "always integrated in his understanding of art."
  • Oversees the Foundation's collection, archives, and grant-making program

Previous Leadership:

  • Julia Gruen served as Executive Director prior to Castets

Management Team

  • Fawn Krieger, Program Director
  • Angela Burdon, Program Officer
  • Anna Gurton-Wachter, Archivist
  • Additional team members: Gil Vazquez, Matt Barolo

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Keith Haring Foundation accepts applications exclusively through its online Fluxx grants portal. The application process is two-staged:

  1. Letter of Inquiry (LOI) Stage: Organizations must first submit a Letter of Inquiry during one of four quarterly registration windows. The Foundation is currently accepting LOIs for renewed funding from existing grantees. New grantees are being considered by invitation.

  2. Full Application Stage: Organizations whose LOIs are approved will receive invitations to submit full applications.

Registration: Applicants must register an account through the Fluxx portal at the Foundation's website (haring.com/kh_foundation/grants) to begin the process.

Important Note: The online portal is the only method by which applications may be submitted, processed, and reviewed.

Decision Timeline

  • Quarterly Review Cycles: The Foundation reviews applications four times per year
  • Notification: Applicants will be notified within 2-3 weeks following the quarterly review cycle
  • Sample Timeline (from recent cycle):
    • LOI Deadline: July 21, 2025 (5pm EST)
    • Full Application Deadline: August 18, 2025 (5pm EST)
    • Review Period: November 2025
    • Notifications: December 2025

Success Rates

Success rates and application statistics are not publicly disclosed by the Foundation.

Reapplication Policy

For Funded Organizations:

  • Grant recipients must wait at least two full years before submitting a renewal request

For Declined Applications:

  • If an application is denied, applicants must wait at least one full year before submitting another funding request

Application Success Factors

Based on the Foundation's published guidelines and priorities, successful applications demonstrate:

Essential Requirements:

  1. Proven Track Record: First-time grantees must demonstrate programs operating for three or more years with solid tracking and outcome data that supports program impact
  2. Mission Alignment: Clear connection to Foundation's mandate of serving underprivileged youth or those impacted by HIV/AIDS
  3. Direct Service Delivery Focus: The Foundation prioritizes funding that directly serves beneficiaries rather than conferences, research, or publications
  4. Sustainable Initiatives: The Foundation seeks to fund "sustainable initiatives that meet its mandate and provide proof of need and exemplary performance"
  5. Data-Driven Impact: Applications must include measurable outcomes and evidence of program effectiveness

Priority Characteristics for Youth Programs:

  • Focus on NYC's most vulnerable youth and adolescents
  • Long-term support and mentoring models (these are "particularly invited to apply")
  • Programs aimed at helping young people become self-sufficient adults
  • Cannot be covered by government funding sources

Priority Characteristics for HIV/AIDS Programs:

  • Serve NYC and Southeastern US residents
  • Focus on vulnerable populations living with HIV or at high risk of transmission
  • Education, prevention, and care initiatives

For Longstanding Grantees:

  • The Foundation has established multi-year relationships with some organizations
  • These partners may occasionally be considered for new initiatives, multi-year awards, full program underwriting, or capital requests

What to Avoid:

  • Requesting funding for initiatives that federal, state, county, or city sources can cover
  • Retroactive funding requests (will not be considered)
  • Applications for programs without established track records
  • Proposals focused on events, conferences, publications, or research without direct service components

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Program Maturity Matters: If you're a first-time applicant, ensure your program has operated for at least three years and can provide robust outcome data demonstrating impact
  • Geographic Alignment Is Critical: Youth programs must serve NYC specifically; HIV/AIDS programs should serve NYC or Southeastern US; arts/culture programs have broader geographic eligibility
  • Emphasize Direct Service: The Foundation prioritizes direct service delivery programming over events, research, or publications—frame your proposal around tangible services to beneficiaries
  • Long-Term Impact Trumps Short-Term Events: For youth programs, highlight mentoring relationships and sustained support that builds toward self-sufficiency rather than one-time interventions
  • Leverage Government Funding First: Only request funding for initiatives that cannot be covered by federal, state, county, or city sources—demonstrate why Foundation support is essential
  • Plan for Patience: The two-stage process (LOI followed by full application) combined with quarterly cycles means the application-to-decision timeline can span several months
  • Build Relationships Over Time: With a two-year waiting period for renewals and invitation-only consideration for new grantees, focus on building a strong first-time application or establishing visibility with the Foundation if you're not yet on their radar

References

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