Helen Frankenthaler Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: ~$25,325,037 (2023)
Total Assets: $545+ million
Grant Range: $5,000 - $5,000,000 (most grants $5,000 - $100,000)
Geographic Focus: National (United States and territories)
Application Method: Invitation only / No unsolicited proposals (except Frankenthaler Climate Initiative)

Contact Details

Website: frankenthalerfoundation.org
Address: 134 West 26th Street, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10001
Phone: (212) 268-4937
Email: info@frankenthalerfoundation.org
Press Inquiries: press@frankenthalerfoundation.org
Research Inquiries: archives@frankenthalerfoundation.org

Overview

The Helen Frankenthaler Foundation, Inc. is an artist-endowed private foundation established by the renowned abstract expressionist painter Helen Frankenthaler (1928-2011) during her lifetime. The Foundation became active in 2013 following the closing of Frankenthaler's estate. With assets exceeding $545 million and annual grantmaking of approximately $25 million, it is one of the most substantial artist-endowed foundations in the United States.

The Foundation's mission centers on promoting greater public interest in and understanding of the visual arts while preserving Frankenthaler's artistic legacy. It supports educational and research initiatives advancing contemporary painting practice and the academic study of modern art history, with particular emphasis on higher education and opportunities for living artists. Since 2020, the Foundation has expanded its philanthropic focus to include social impact philanthropy, notably through its groundbreaking climate initiative for arts organizations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Frankenthaler Climate Initiative (FCI) - Public Application Process The largest private national grant-making program supporting climate action in the visual arts. Launched in 2021, extended through at least 2030.

Catalyst Grants: up to $15,000 (first actions, small spaces, quick-turnaround projects)
Scoping Grants: up to $25,000 (outside assessments to identify clean energy needs)
Technical Assistance Grants: up to $50,000 (complex project support and design)
Implementation Grants: up to $100,000 (innovative, large-scale infrastructural changes)
Total distributed to date: $17.5+ million to 249 grantees

Frankenthaler Prints Initiative - By Selection Only

Confers sets of 10 prints and 5-10 trial proofs by Helen Frankenthaler to university-affiliated art museums
Includes $25,000 grant for three-year project development
20 university museums supported across two rounds (2018, 2023)

Frankenthaler Scholarships - By Selection Only Graduate student scholarships at select institutions including: The Graduate Center CUNY, Harvard, NYU Institute of Fine Arts, Stanford, University of Chicago, Columbia, SAIC, UCLA, and Yale.

Helen Frankenthaler Foundation Fellowship - Through Partner Institution $2 million endowment at Smithsonian American Art Museum supporting research fellowships in modern and contemporary art.

Helen Frankenthaler Award for Painting - Confidential Nomination Process $50,000 annual award administered by the Foundation for Contemporary Arts; applications not accepted.

Major Institutional Grants - Invitation Only Significant gifts to institutions including:

Metropolitan Museum of Art: $5 million (2023)
Bennington College: $5 million (2015)
Smithsonian American Art Museum: $2 million (2023)
Foundation for Contemporary Arts: $1.25 million

Emergency Response Grants - As Needed

$2.5 million for artists at risk and Ukrainian cultural heritage (2022)
COVID-19 relief efforts (2020)
NEA funding gap assistance with Andy Warhol Foundation (2025)

Priority Areas

Visual arts education and research
Contemporary painting practice
Modern art history scholarship
Climate action and sustainability in arts organizations
Preservation of cultural heritage
Support for artists at risk
Diversity, equity, and inclusion in the arts

What They Don't Fund

Grants to individuals (except through designated award programs)
Organizations outside the United States and territories
Organizations where visual arts is not a significant part of mission
For-profit organizations (for FCI)
Unsolicited general grant requests
Lobbying activities
Administrative overhead (for FCI grants)

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

Dr. Lise Motherwell - Director and Chair Licensed psychologist and stepdaughter of Helen Frankenthaler. Immediate Past-President of the Provincetown Art Association and Museum. Co-curated "Abstract Climates: Helen Frankenthaler in Provincetown" (2019).

Richard Armstrong - Director and Treasurer Former Director of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and Foundation (2008-2023). Previously Henry J. Heinz Director at Carnegie Museum of Art (1996-2008).

Ann Philbin - Director Former Director of the Hammer Museum at UCLA (1999-2024). Previously directed The Drawing Center in NYC (1990-1999). 2025 Getty Prize recipient.

Dr. Mariko Silver - Director President and CEO of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. Former President of the Henry Luce Foundation and Bennington College. Serves on boards of Council on Foreign Relations and MacArthur Foundation.

Jeffrey Grossman - Director Former partner at CohnReznick LLP, national accounting and advisory firm.

Elizabeth Smith - Director and Executive Director First Executive Director since 2013. Named Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters by the French Embassy (2025). Former curatorial roles at Art Gallery of Ontario and Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago.

Clifford Ross - Chair Emeritus Multimedia artist and nephew of Helen Frankenthaler. First Board Chair (2011-2021); served on board for over 30 years.

Leadership Quotes

On philanthropy philosophy, Elizabeth Smith has stated: "The foundation is proud to continue supporting visionary projects that are reshaping the way arts institutions operate. By extending this initiative, we reaffirm our belief that the arts can play a meaningful role in shaping our shared future."

On the Foundation's approach: "The Helen Frankenthaler Foundation is an artist-endowed funder that views its social impact philanthropy and continued arts philanthropy not as an either-or situation, but as a both-and."

On climate funding rationale: "We learned that energy consumption is one of the highest fixed costs for museums' operating budgets. Reducing these costs therefore frees up funds for museums to more actively pursue their missions."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

For General Grantmaking: The Helen Frankenthaler Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals or requests for funding. The full scope of its funding interests is not publicly detailed, and grants are made at the Foundation's discretion, typically to organizations already known to board members and staff.

For Frankenthaler Climate Initiative (FCI): This is the only program with a public application process.

Annual application cycle opens in January
Organizations must complete an Eligibility Quiz at frankenthalerclimateinitiative.org
Applications submitted via online Grant Portal
Draft deadline (Implementation grants only): Late February
Final submission deadline: Late March
Awards announced: May/June
Projects must begin: June-August
Informational webinars provided for prospective applicants

FCI Eligibility Requirements:

501(c)(3) nonprofit organization or vetted fiscal sponsor
Located in United States or territories
Visual arts must be significant portion of mission and programming
Organizations receiving three FCI grants become ineligible for next cycle
Must be current on reporting requirements

Getting on Their Radar

For organizations seeking general foundation support (outside of FCI):

The Foundation recommends directing general questions to staff at info@frankenthalerfoundation.org or (212) 268-4937
Building relationships with board members may create opportunities, as many serve on multiple cultural institution boards
Strong institutional alignment with Frankenthaler's legacy and modern art scholarship may increase visibility
Demonstrating commitment to visual arts education and research is essential

Decision Timeline

For FCI: Applications reviewed March-May; awards announced May/June; payments issued within two weeks of signed grant agreement.

For General Grants: Not publicly disclosed; decisions made at Foundation's discretion.

Reapplication Policy

For FCI: Organizations may reapply in subsequent years, but:

Cannot apply for same grant type for same project
Organizations with three FCI grants become ineligible for following cycle
Must be current on all reporting requirements

Application Success Factors

For Frankenthaler Climate Initiative Applications:

According to FCI guidance, strong applications demonstrate:

Clear organizational financial health
Reasonable, well-defined project scope
Significant potential for climate impact
Sound technical design
Feasible implementation with appropriate team members
Specific budgeting with complete documentation

Budget considerations:

No matching funds required (though encouraged for Implementation grants)
No overhead, indirect, or administrative costs permitted
Implementation grants may include up to 10% contingency
Communications limited to 2% of Implementation budgets
Staff supervision costs limited to direct project involvement only

For General Foundation Support:

Given the invitation-only nature of most Foundation grants, organizations should:

Demonstrate strong alignment with visual arts education and research
Have established reputations in contemporary painting or modern art history
Show connections to Frankenthaler's artistic legacy where appropriate
Focus on building long-term relationships rather than direct solicitation

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

The FCI is your entry point: The Frankenthaler Climate Initiative is the only Foundation program with an open application process. Visual arts organizations should consider climate-related projects as a pathway to building a relationship with this funder.
General grants are invitation-only: Do not submit unsolicited proposals for general Foundation support. Focus instead on appropriate relationship-building strategies.
Strong visual arts mission is essential: All Foundation funding prioritizes organizations where visual arts is central to mission and programming.
Budget discipline matters for FCI: FCI applications require strict adherence to budget guidelines—no overhead costs, limited administrative expenses, and clear project-specific spending.
The Foundation thinks long-term: With the climate initiative extended through at least 2030 and plans building toward Frankenthaler's 2028 centennial, this is a funder investing in sustained relationships.
Social impact is part of their identity: The Foundation explicitly views social impact and arts philanthropy as complementary, making them receptive to projects addressing broader societal concerns through the arts.
Geographic reach is national: Unlike many New York-based foundations, they fund across the entire United States and territories, as demonstrated by FCI grants in 40+ states.

References

Research conducted December 2025