The Joukowsky Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $2,168,866 (2024)
• Success Rate: N/A (invitation-only)
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: $500 - $907,135
• Geographic Focus: Northeast US (NY, MA, RI, PA, CT)

Contact Details

Phone: 917-613-2494
Address: 620 Park Avenue, Fifth Floor, New York, NY 10065
Website: No active public website
Email: Not publicly available

Overview

The Joukowsky Family Foundation is a private foundation established in 1985 with current assets of $36.4 million. Founded by the late Artemis A.W. Joukowsky (Brown University Chancellor Emeritus) and Martha Sharp Joukowsky (renowned Brown University archaeologist), the foundation continues their legacy of supporting education and cultural institutions. The foundation distributes approximately $1.6-2.2 million annually through 14-33 grants, with a primary focus on higher and secondary education. While education is the stated primary focus, the foundation also supports archaeological research, cultural organizations, and human services, reflecting the founders' deep connections to Brown University and the field of archaeology.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate specific grant programs but makes discretionary grants through trustee selection. Recent annual distributions include:

• 2024: $2,168,866 across multiple grants
• 2023: $1,365,000 across 33 awards
• 2022: $1,633,820 across 28 awards
• Grant sizes range from $500 to $907,135 (median ~$8,300, average ~$52,400)

Priority Areas

• Higher and secondary education
• Archaeology and ancient world studies
• Cultural and arts organizations
• Social services
• Historical preservation

What They Don't Fund

The foundation only makes grants to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited applications.

Governance and Leadership

President: Nina Joukowsky Koprulu (daughter of founders)
Chairman of the Board: Michael W. Joukowsky (son of founders)
Governor: Oliver Joukowsky (grandson of founders)
Executive Director: Mark Zarcaro (Providence, RI-based)

The foundation maintains strong ties to the founders' legacy. Artemis Joukowsky (1933-2020) was a prominent businessman and Brown University Chancellor Emeritus. Martha Sharp Joukowsky (1936-2022) was a distinguished archaeologist who led the Petra Great Temple excavations and served as President of the Archaeological Institute of America.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. All grants are made through trustee discretion and existing relationships.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made at trustee discretion without a public timeline.

Success Rates

Not applicable - invitation-only funding model.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Application Success Factors

Since this is an invitation-only funder, traditional application success factors don't apply. However, based on their giving patterns:

• Brown University connection: The foundation has deep ties to Brown, funding multiple programs including the Joukowsky Institute for Archaeology and annual dissertation prizes
• Geographic alignment: Organizations in the Northeast US, particularly New York, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts, align with their geographic focus
• Educational mission: Higher and secondary education institutions receive priority consideration
• Archaeological/cultural preservation: Organizations supporting archaeology, ancient world studies, and cultural preservation reflect the founders' interests
• Existing relationships: Grants follow the personal networks and board service of the Joukowsky family members

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The Joukowsky Family Foundation operates exclusively as an invitation-only funder with no public application process
• Annual giving has increased significantly from $654K in 2020 to over $2.1M in 2024, indicating an active and growing program
• The strongest connection is to Brown University, where multiple programs bear the Joukowsky name
• Geographic focus is concentrated in the Northeast US, particularly organizations in New York, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts
• Leadership remains within the Joukowsky family, with the founders' children now directing grant-making
• Without a public website or application process, relationship-building through shared networks is essential
• Organizations in education, archaeology, and cultural preservation that operate in the Northeast may align with foundation priorities

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Form 990 Filings (2020-2024): https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/133242753 (Accessed February 17, 2026)
• Instrumentl 990 Report - Joukowsky Family Foundation: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/joukowsky-family-foundation (Accessed February 17, 2026)
• Brown University - Joukowsky Institute for Archaeology and the Ancient World: https://archaeology.brown.edu/about (Accessed February 17, 2026)
• Brown University Graduate School - Joukowsky Outstanding Dissertation Prize: https://graduateschool.brown.edu/about/academic-events-honors/awards/joukowsky-outstanding-dissertation-prize (Accessed February 17, 2026)
• The Grantsmanship Center - Joukowsky Family Foundation Profile: https://www.tgci.com/funder/joukowsky-family-foundation (Accessed February 17, 2026)
• American Society of Overseas Research - Artemis Joukowsky Remembrance: https://www.asor.org/news/2021/01/joukowsky-remembrance (Accessed February 17, 2026)