← Back to US Funders Directory

Samuel H Kress Foundation

Annual Giving
$3.9M
Grant Range
$10K - $0.0M
Decision Time
3mo

Samuel H Kress Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $3,872,803 (2024)
  • Total Assets: $88,206,270
  • Decision Time: 4-6 weeks after full application deadline
  • Geographic Focus: United States (organizations must be US nonprofits)
  • Founded: 1929

Contact Details

Overview

Founded in 1929 by Samuel H. Kress (1863-1955), the Samuel H Kress Foundation is a private grant-making foundation dedicated to advancing the study, preservation, and enjoyment of European art, architecture, and archaeology from antiquity to the early 19th century. With total assets of over $88 million, the foundation annually distributes approximately $3.9 million in charitable disbursements to support scholarly projects, conservation initiatives, and professional development in the field of European art history. The foundation operates exclusively in the United States, requiring all grant recipients to be US nonprofit organizations or have a US nonprofit fiscal sponsor.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation offers grants in two primary program areas:

  • History of Art Grants: Support scholarly projects that enhance the appreciation and understanding of European art and architecture of the pre-modern era (recent examples include $12,000 to CUNY for Latin/Greek Institute, $10,000 to Williams College Museum of Art for Collection Explorer tool)
  • Conservation Grants: Support the professional practice of art conservation

Fellowship Programs

  • History of Art Institutional Fellowships: 6 fellowships awarded annually for 2-year research appointments at European host institutions (pre-doctoral students)
  • Conservation Fellowships: 6 fellowships awarded annually at museums or conservation facilities for advanced conservation training
  • Professional development fellowships for art historians, art conservators, art museum curators, art museum educators, and art librarians

Priority Areas

  • European art and architecture from antiquity to the early 19th century
  • Art history in American museums and educational institutions
  • Art conservation training and research
  • Professional development for museum and academic professionals
  • Scholarly research and publications on European art

What They Don't Fund

  • Direct grants to individuals (all grants must go through institutions)
  • Projects outside the scope of European art from antiquity to early 19th century
  • International organizations without US nonprofit fiscal sponsors
  • Projects unrelated to art history or conservation

Governance and Leadership

Current Leadership:

  • President: Max Marmor
  • Deputy Director: Lisa Schermerhorn
  • Program Administrator: Wyman Meers

The foundation recently mourned the loss of former President Dr. Julia Alexander. The organization is governed by a board of trustees who oversee the foundation's strategic direction and grant-making decisions.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

  1. Submit a Letter of Intent (LOI)
  2. LOI Deadlines: March 1 and September 1
  3. Notification within 7 business days of LOI deadline
  4. If invited, submit full grant application
  5. Full application deadlines: April 1 and October 1
  6. Final decisions typically made within 4-6 weeks of full application deadline

All applications must come from US nonprofit organizations. International applicants must secure a US nonprofit fiscal sponsor before applying.

Decision Timeline

  • LOI response: Within 7 business days
  • Full application decision: 4-6 weeks after deadline
  • Total process: Approximately 2-3 months from LOI to final decision

Success Rates

Success rate information not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policy not specified in available documentation.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's funding patterns and priorities:

  • Strong alignment with European art from antiquity to early 19th century is essential
  • Projects must demonstrate scholarly rigor and contribution to the field
  • Institutional applications have better success than individual requests
  • Clear educational or preservation outcomes strengthen applications
  • Collaboration with museums, universities, or conservation facilities is valued
  • Projects that advance professional development in the field are prioritized

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • The foundation exclusively funds projects related to European art from antiquity to the early 19th century - alignment with this focus is non-negotiable
  • All grants must go through US nonprofit organizations; individual applications are not accepted
  • The two-stage application process (LOI then full application) requires strategic timing and planning
  • With approximately $3.9 million in annual giving from an $88 million asset base, the foundation maintains steady, sustainable grant-making capacity
  • Fellowship programs represent a significant portion of the foundation's giving, with 12 fellowships awarded annually
  • The foundation values both scholarly research and practical conservation work equally
  • International projects are possible but require a US nonprofit fiscal sponsor

References

← Back to US Funders Directory