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The Pierre And Tana Matisse Foundation

Annual Giving
$8.7M
Grant Range
$0K - $0.5M
Decision Time
5mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $8,700,000
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: 4-6 months (LOI submission in December, notification in early spring, full proposal in spring)
  • Grant Range: $400 - $500,000
  • Average Grant: $30,000
  • Geographic Focus: New York City (all five boroughs)

Contact Details

Website: https://matissefoundation.org

Email: contact@pmgmf.org

Grants Manager: Adam Mummey

Address: New York, NY

Overview

The Pierre and Tana Matisse Foundation was established in 1995 by Maria-Gaetana (Tana) von Spreti Matisse, wife of renowned art dealer Pierre Matisse, youngest son of painter Henri Matisse. Following Tana's death in 2001, she left the bulk of her estate to the Foundation, including a significant art collection. In 2003, the Foundation donated over 100 works by Balthus, Carrington, Chagall, Giacometti, Matisse, Miró, and Tanguy to the Metropolitan Museum of Art—one of the greatest single bequests of twentieth-century art in the museum's history. With total assets of approximately $198 million and annual giving of $8.7 million, the Foundation has awarded 800 grants totaling more than $50 million over its 30-year history. The Foundation's mission reflects Tana and Pierre's commitment to generosity and excellence in the arts, with a strategic focus on using arts education to promote identity, creativity, and cultural literacy among underserved youth.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

1. Grants for Arts and Arts Education

  • Amount: $400 - $500,000 (average $30,000)
  • Application Method: Annual cycle with Letter of Inquiry (LOI) submission online portal (November-December)
  • Eligibility: Nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations with history of providing arts education services to children and youth in underserved New York City public schools and community settings
  • Description: Supports organizations committed to making the arts a solid and significant part of the education process

2. Arts Education Schools Choose Grants

  • Amount: Multi-year grants distributed annually over five years
  • Application Method: By invitation only; new cohorts selected every five years
  • Eligibility: New York City public middle and high schools
  • Description: Helps counter diminished funding for arts education, supporting underfunded school principals to integrate arts into regular student curriculum

3. Arts Education Impact Grants

  • Amount: Up to $1 million over five years
  • Application Method: By invitation only through internal research process
  • Eligibility: Organizations that develop and implement arts education programs in NYC schools and communities
  • Description: Competitive grants reviewed by panel of arts education professionals, focused on a chosen art discipline each cycle

Priority Areas

  • Arts education programs serving young people under 18 and/or grades PreK-12
  • Programs in underserved New York City public schools and community settings
  • Initiatives that emphasize accessibility to art and its practices
  • Programs promoting identity, creativity, and cultural literacy through the arts
  • Diverse arts disciplines including visual arts, dance, music, theater, and oral traditions
  • Programs serving communities experiencing injustice and discrimination
  • Scholarly research in the arts
  • Art-related projects for museums, libraries, and universities

What They Don't Fund

  • Individuals
  • Programs outside New York City's five boroughs
  • Organizations not serving youth under 18/grades PreK-12 (priority area)

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

David H. Horowitz - President

Olivier Bernier - Secretary

Alexandra Farkas - Treasurer

Emeritus Board Members

Robert H. Horowitz - President Emeritus

Janos Farkas - VP and Secretary Emeritus

Eugene V. Thaw† - Vice President Emeritus (deceased)

Staff

Alessandra Carnielli - Chief Executive Officer

Adam Mummey - Grant Manager

Anxhelina Prenika - Accounting and Administration Manager

Foundation Statement

The Foundation has issued a Statement of Solidarity denouncing systemic racism and committing to support communities experiencing injustice and discrimination. According to the Foundation: "We are committed to support the children and youth from communities who directly experience the consequences of injustice and discrimination every day of their lives." The Foundation emphasizes using arts education as a tool for teaching "decency, equity and excellence."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

For Arts and Arts Education Grants (Public Application Process):

  1. Letter of Inquiry (LOI) Submission

    • Submit through Foundation's online portal during annual cycle (typically November-December)
    • LOI deadline: Mid-December, 11:59pm EST
    • All submissions received by deadline will be reviewed

  2. Foundation Review

    • Foundation staff reviews LOIs
    • May request clarifying information

  3. Invitation to Full Proposal

    • Notification sent in early spring (typically March-April)
    • Only invited applicants submit full proposals

  4. Full Proposal Submission

    • Due in spring following invitation

For Impact Grants and Schools Choose Grants:

  • By invitation only
  • Foundation identifies potential recipients through internal research process
  • No unsolicited applications accepted

Decision Timeline

  • LOI Submission: November-December
  • Notification: Early spring (approximately 3-4 months after LOI deadline)
  • Full Proposal Due: Spring (if invited)
  • Final Decision: Typically 4-6 months from initial LOI submission
  • Total Timeline: Approximately 6-8 months from LOI to grant award

Success Rates

The Foundation made 101 awards in 2023, 113 in 2022, and 95 in 2021. With annual giving of approximately $8.7 million and an average grant of $30,000, the Foundation awards grants to roughly 100 organizations per year. Specific application-to-award ratios are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not explicitly stated on the Foundation's website. Applicants should contact Grant Manager Adam Mummey at contact@pmgmf.org for guidance.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Foundation's stated priorities and funded programs, successful applications demonstrate:

  1. Direct Service to Underserved Youth: The Foundation prioritizes programs serving young people under 18 in underserved New York City public schools and community settings. Recent Impact Grant recipient New Museum received $1 million for teen fellowship programs.

  2. Integration of Arts into Education: The Foundation states it supports organizations "committed to making the arts a solid and significant part of the education process." Schools Choose Grants specifically support principals integrating arts into regular student curriculum, not just extracurricular activities.

  3. Promoting Identity, Creativity, and Cultural Literacy: All grant programs emphasize accessibility to art and its practices to promote these three specific elements. Applications should demonstrate how programming develops students' sense of identity through arts engagement.

  4. Commitment to Equity and Social Justice: The Foundation's Statement of Solidarity emphasizes supporting "children and youth from communities who directly experience the consequences of injustice and discrimination every day of their lives." Programming serving marginalized communities aligns with core values.

  5. Established Track Record: For Arts and Arts Education Grants, the Foundation seeks organizations with "a history of providing arts education services to children and youth in local underserved public schools and community settings."

  6. Diverse Arts Disciplines: Recent grantees include organizations working in dance (Ballet Hispanico, Dance Theatre of Harlem), music (Afro Latin Jazz Alliance, Education Through Music), theater (Epic Theater Ensemble, New Victory Theater), visual arts, and oral traditions (City Lore).

  7. Rigorous Program Assessment: Impact Grants require "rigorous assessment to ensure the success of the program," indicating the Foundation values data-driven evaluation.

  8. Specific NYC Geographic Focus: Programs must serve one or more of New York City's five boroughs. Submissions for programs outside NYC will not be considered.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • NYC Focus is Non-Negotiable: The Foundation exclusively funds programs in New York City's five boroughs serving youth under 18. Do not apply if your program doesn't meet this geographic and demographic requirement.

  • Two Application Pathways: General Arts and Arts Education Grants accept LOIs annually (November-December), while Impact Grants and Schools Choose Grants are invitation-only. Don't wait for an invitation—apply through the open cycle if you meet eligibility requirements.

  • Emphasize Youth Impact: With 101 grants awarded in 2023 and average grants of $30,000, the Foundation distributes resources widely. Demonstrate direct impact on underserved young people to stand out.

  • Multi-Year Funding Possible: Impact Grants offer up to five years of support (e.g., New Museum's $1 million over five years). If seeking significant long-term support, position your organization for invitation to the competitive Impact Grants process.

  • Alignment with Social Justice Mission: The Foundation's Statement of Solidarity emphasizes supporting communities experiencing injustice and discrimination. Applications should explicitly address how programming serves marginalized youth.

  • Contact Grant Manager: Adam Mummey serves as Grant Manager at contact@pmgmf.org. Reach out with questions about eligibility or application process before investing time in LOI preparation.

  • Plan for Extended Timeline: From LOI submission to final decision takes approximately 6-8 months. Budget development and program planning should account for this timeline.

References

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