Max & Victoria Dreyfus Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $3-4 million (estimated based on 250+ grants averaging $12,500)
Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
Decision Time: 5-7 months from submission to final decision
Grant Range: $1,000 - $20,000
Typical Grant: $5,000 - $20,000
Geographic Focus: National (United States, including U.S. territories)
Annual Awards: 250-350 grants per year (269 in 2022, 345 in 2021, 297 in 2020)

Contact Details

Address: 2233 Wisconsin Ave NW, Suite 414, Washington, DC 20007-4122

Website: www.mvdreyfusfoundation.org

Application Portal: Online submission system available on foundation website

EIN: 13-1687573

Overview

The Max & Victoria Dreyfus Foundation was established in 1965 following the death of Max Dreyfus, a prominent music publisher who served as president of Chappell & Co., Inc. and helped found ASCAP in 1914. Max Dreyfus mentored many Great American Songbook composers including George Gershwin, Richard Rodgers, and Cole Porter. With assets of approximately $60.4 million, the foundation awards grants to organizations "for which a small amount of money might make a large difference." The foundation does not establish annual funding priorities, instead supporting "worthwhile activities for which an organization has made a compelling case to receive funding." Reflecting Max Dreyfus's legacy in the arts, the foundation's largest area of giving is arts and culture, though it also supports mental health, public health, environment, K-12 education, and journalism initiatives. The foundation operates two grant cycles per year and awards 250-350 grants annually.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation runs a single grant program with two annual cycles:

General Grants Program: $1,000 - $20,000 (typical range: $5,000 - $20,000)
- Available for project support or general operating support
- Multi-year funding is possible for many grantees
- Application method: Online portal submissions only
- Rolling deadlines: May 10 (Fall cycle) and November 10 (Spring cycle)

Priority Areas

The foundation supports a broad range of causes, with arts and culture representing the largest area of giving:

Arts & Culture

Music organizations offering free or low-cost performances and community involvement
Theater: Small- to medium-sized theaters or ensembles that court broad audiences, provide free or low-cost performances, or engage youth and community
Visual arts: Museums, galleries, and arts organizations of all sizes
Film: Examples include American Film Institute's Silver Theatre and Cultural Center (Maryland) and Amherst Cinema Arts Center (Massachusetts)
Dance and writing programs

Mental Health

Animal therapy programs (past grantees: Medical Service Dogs, Inc., Gabriel's Angels, Latham Centers' donkey therapy program)
Crisis intervention (San Francisco Suicide Prevention)
Trauma support (University of Louisville Kent School of Social Work program for survivors of torture)
Broad strategy without specific goals to "cast a wider net"

Other Priority Areas

Public health programs
Environmental and wildlife protection activities
K-12 education
Journalism initiatives
Educational and skills training projects
Programs for youth, seniors, and people with disabilities
Community-based organizations and programs

What They Don't Fund

Grants to individuals
Religious programs or religious organizations
Political activities or lobbying efforts
Endowment campaigns
Organizations not based in the United States (though U.S.-based organizations conducting programs abroad are eligible)

Governance and Leadership

Officers and Directors:

Mary P. Surrey - President
Winifred Riggs Portenoy - Chairman of the Board
Norman S. Portenoy - Senior Vice President
Nancy E. Oddo - Vice President
Elizabeth L. Brown - Vice President
Sara R. Surrey - Secretary/Treasurer

Staff:

John W. Hager - Chief Operating Officer

The foundation was incorporated in 1965 in New York. Max Dreyfus (1874-1964) was a German-born American music publisher who served on ASCAP's board for 50 years. He and his wife Victoria Brill Dreyfus (a prize-winning Percheron horse breeder) had no children.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through the foundation's online application portal at www.mvdreyfusfoundation.org. The application is a one-step process - decisions are made solely based on the submitted materials.

Required Materials:

Organization and contact information
Answers to questions about non-profit status
Answers about past awards/requests from the foundation
Summary of organization's purpose and programs
Summary of how funding would be utilized
Three-page letter of request (uploaded as PDF)
Most recent IRS Form 990 (uploaded as PDF)
Itemized program budget (for program support applications; uploaded as PDF)
Copy of IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter (uploaded as PDF)

Letter of Request Format Requirements:

Maximum three pages
Plain formatting using common font and single spacing
Header must include: organization name, contact, contact title, organization address, grant purpose, and amount requested (upper left)
DO NOT embed pictures, graphs, charts, or additional materials like newsletters, pamphlets, or reports
Content should detail organization's purpose, how aims are executed through programming, and what makes the organization unique

Critical Guidance from the Foundation: The foundation emphasizes that "the best case for support can be made within the application" - additional materials are not necessary or desired. The summaries act as an "elevator pitch" and should give directors "a basic understanding of your organization's purpose, service population, and programming." Summaries that are "vague or obscured by jargon, and/or those built around an organization's aims or goals without substance, may not be considered."

Decision Timeline

Spring Award Round:

Submission window: May 11 - November 10
Initial review: Status update sent by email by end of April
Final decision: Notification by mail by end of May
Total timeline: Approximately 6-7 months from earliest submission

Fall Award Round:

Submission window: November 11 - May 10
Initial review: Status update sent by email by end of October
Final decision: Notification by mail by end of November
Total timeline: Approximately 6-7 months from earliest submission

Important Notes:

Submit at least one week before deadline to account for potential errors
No weight is given based on when during the window an application is submitted
The foundation does not hold in-person meetings
The foundation does not provide feedback on applications due to volume of requests

Success Rates

The foundation does not publish specific success rate percentages. However, the foundation awards 250-350 grants per year from what is likely a much larger applicant pool, suggesting a competitive application process.

Historical Award Data:

2022: 269 awards
2021: 345 awards
2020: 297 awards
2019: 276 awards

Reapplication Policy

Key Restrictions:

Applicants cannot apply for consecutive grant rounds (Spring/Fall or Fall/Spring)
Unsuccessful applicants must wait at least one cycle before reapplying
Applicants may submit requests for the same grant round in different years (e.g., Fall 2023, Fall 2024)
Applicants may not submit multiple requests during one grant round

For Successful Grantees: Many grantees receive multi-year funding, suggesting the foundation values ongoing relationships with organizations demonstrating impact.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's explicit guidance and funding patterns, the following factors increase likelihood of success:

1. Clear, Concise Communication

The foundation explicitly states: "Your summaries should be straightforward and concise, with Directors having a basic understanding of your organization's purpose, service population, and programming based solely on these summaries." Avoid jargon and vague language. Summaries "built around an organization's aims or goals without substance" may not be considered.

2. Demonstrate Impact with Limited Funding

The foundation's core philosophy is supporting organizations "for which a small amount of money might make a large difference." Applications should clearly articulate how $5,000-$20,000 can create meaningful impact. The foundation advises: "The Foundation suggests that organizations select programs for which they can make their best case for support, and for which a small amount of money can have a large impact."

3. Show What Makes You Unique

The foundation explicitly states interest in "the aspects that make your organization unique in relation to other, similar organizations, whether that be through programming, population served, or execution." Differentiate your organization in the letter of request.

4. Strategic Program Selection

Apply for programs where you can make the strongest case, not necessarily your largest initiative. The foundation values compelling cases for specific activities rather than broad organizational support without focus.

5. Alignment with Funding History

While the foundation doesn't establish annual priorities, reviewing their funding areas shows clear patterns:

Arts programs that are accessible (free or low-cost) and engage communities
Mental health programs with innovative approaches (like animal therapy)
Programs serving youth, seniors, and people with disabilities
Environmental and wildlife protection
Small to medium organizations where grants make significant difference

6. Professional but Plain Presentation

Format requests "as plainly as possible using a common font and single spacing." Resist the urge to make applications visually elaborate. The foundation wants substance over style.

7. Complete and Accurate Submissions

Submit at least one week before the deadline to allow time to correct any errors. Ensure all required documents are uploaded as PDFs in the correct format.

8. Strategic Timing Consideration

While "no weight is given based on when an application is submitted," submitting early in the window (not right at the deadline) demonstrates organization and allows time for technical issues.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

The three-page letter is everything - Decisions are made solely on the submitted application materials. Make every word count and keep summaries clear and jargon-free.
Target your ask appropriately - With typical grants of $5,000-$20,000, this funder is ideal for smaller organizations or specific program components, not major capital campaigns or large-scale initiatives.
Show impact per dollar - Clearly articulate how a relatively small grant will make a large difference. This is the foundation's core funding philosophy.
Don't over-produce the application - Plain formatting is preferred. Focus on compelling content, not visual design. Additional materials beyond what's requested may hurt rather than help.
Plan around the timeline - With 6-7 month cycles, plan applications well in advance. If declined, remember you must wait a full cycle before reapplying.
Leverage the arts connection - If your organization has arts/culture components, emphasize these given the foundation's history and largest funding area. Programs offering free/low-cost access and community engagement align well.
Consider geographic reach - The foundation has no geographic preferences within the U.S., making it accessible to organizations nationwide, including those in U.S. territories.
Multi-year funding is possible - Many grantees receive ongoing support, so building a relationship through successful grant implementation can lead to sustained funding.

References

The Max & Victoria Dreyfus Foundation official website. www.mvdreyfusfoundation.org. Accessed January 6, 2026.
"Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation." Inside Philanthropy. https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant/grants-d/max-and-victoria-dreyfus-foundation. Accessed January 6, 2026.
"Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation." Foundation Directory, Candid. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=DREY003. Accessed January 6, 2026.
"Max & Victoria Dreyfus Foundation - Nonprofit Explorer." ProPublica. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/131687573. Accessed January 6, 2026.
"Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation | 990 Report." Instrumentl. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/max-victoria-dreyfus-foundation. Accessed January 6, 2026.
"Grantmakers.io Profile - Max & Victoria Dreyfus Foundation." Grantmakers.io. https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/131687573-max-and-victoria-dreyfus-foundation/. Accessed January 6, 2026.
"Max Dreyfus." Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Dreyfus. Accessed January 6, 2026.
"The Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation Grant Program – US." fundsforNGOs. https://www2.fundsforngos.org/latest-funds-for-ngos/the-max-and-victoria-dreyfus-foundation-grant-program-us/. Accessed January 6, 2026.
"Limited Submission Opportunity: 2024 Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation Grants Program." Vanderbilt University. https://news.vanderbilt.edu/2024/09/12/limited-submission-opportunity-2024-max-and-victoria-dreyfus-foundation-grants-program/. Accessed January 6, 2026.
Foundation application guidelines, FAQs, and timeline pages from www.mvdreyfusfoundation.org/application-guidelines, www.mvdreyfusfoundation.org/faq, and www.mvdreyfusfoundation.org/contact. Accessed January 6, 2026.