Max & Victoria Dreyfus Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Approximately $2.4 million per year (per most recent available 990-PF: $2,428,400 in 2022)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: 6-7 months from submission deadline 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

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 organisations "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 organisation 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 Programmes

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

• General Grants Programme: $1,000 - $20,000 (typical range: $5,000 - $20,000)
  • Available for project support or general operating support
  • 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 organisations offering free or low-cost performances and community involvement
• Theatre: Small- to medium-sized theatres or ensembles that court broad audiences, provide free or low-cost performances, or engage youth and community
• Visual arts: Museums, galleries, and arts organisations 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 programmes

Mental Health

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

Other Priority Areas

• Public health programmes
• Environmental and wildlife protection activities
• K-12 education
• Journalism initiatives
• Educational and skills training projects
• Programmes for youth, seniors, and people with disabilities
• Community-based organisations and programmes

What They Don't Fund

• Grants to individuals
• Political activities or lobbying efforts
• Endowment campaigns
• Organisations not based in the United States (though U.S.-based organisations conducting programmes 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 — initial decisions are made on the submitted application materials, though additional financial information may be requested from organisations selected for further consideration.

Required Materials:

1. Organisation and contact information
2. Answers to questions about non-profit status
3. Answers about past awards/requests from the foundation
4. Summary of organisation's purpose and programmes
5. Summary of how funding would be utilised
6. Three-page letter of request (uploaded as PDF)
7. Most recent IRS Form 990 (uploaded as PDF)
8. Itemised programme budget (for programme support applications; uploaded as PDF)
9. 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: organisation name, contact, contact title, organisation 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 organisation's purpose, how aims are executed through programming, and what makes the organisation unique

Critical Guidance from the Foundation: The foundation emphasises 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 the submission deadline

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 the submission deadline

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

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 organisations "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 organisation in the letter of request.

4. Strategic Programme Selection

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

5. Alignment with Funding History

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

• Arts programmes that are accessible (free or low-cost) and engage communities
• Mental health programmes with innovative approaches (like animal therapy)
• Programmes serving youth, seniors, and people with disabilities
• Environmental and wildlife protection
• Small to medium organisations 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 organisation and allows time for technical issues.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The three-page letter is everything - Decisions are based 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 organisations or specific programme 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 cycles taking 6-7 months from the submission deadline to a final decision, plan applications well in advance. If declined, remember you must wait a full cycle before reapplying.

• Leverage the arts connection - If your organisation has arts/culture components, emphasise these given the foundation's history and largest funding area. Programmes 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 organisations nationwide, including those in U.S. territories.

References

1. The Max & Victoria Dreyfus Foundation official website. www.mvdreyfusfoundation.org. Accessed January 6, 2026.

2. "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.

3. "Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation." Foundation Directory, Candid. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=DREY003. Accessed January 6, 2026.

4. "Max & Victoria Dreyfus Foundation - Nonprofit Explorer." ProPublica. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/131687573. Accessed January 6, 2026.

5. "Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation | 990 Report." Instrumentl. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/max-victoria-dreyfus-foundation. Accessed January 6, 2026.

6. "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.

7. "Max Dreyfus." Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Dreyfus. Accessed January 6, 2026.

8. "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.

9. "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.

10. 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.