The Pierre & Tana Matisse Foundation
At a glance
Key takeaways
- This foundation funds programmes that provide education in the visual and performing arts for young people, with priority given to the New York City area, so groups outside that area are less likely to fit its stated focus.
- A realistic request sits within its typical grant range of $7,500 to $100,000, with the median grant at $35,000 and half of its 327 grants at $35,000 or less, though the largest grant was $1,000,000.
- Applicants apply by submitting a letter, and no deadlines are given in its filing, so there is some flexibility on timing.
- It leans somewhat relationship-led: in its latest filing, 64% of its grant dollars went to organisations it had also funded previously, though this does not rule out new applicants approaching it by letter.
Overview
The Pierre & Tana Matisse Foundation is a US private foundation based in New York, NY.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and its website and other web pages about the foundation (christies.com), with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The Foundation awards grants to programmes that provide education in the visual and performing arts for young people in the New York City area. It also funds organisations and institutions committed to making the arts a significant part of the public education process. Its wider work includes cooperation with art scholars and museum curators on special research and exhibition projects. Its grants support arts education programmes and a wide range of arts organisations, including museums, theatres, music and dance groups, alongside general support. It describes its commitment as championing arts and arts education organisations throughout New York City, with access to the arts for young people at its centre.
Themes
- Arts education
Geographic Focus
Priority: New York City area.
How to apply
Submit a letter to apply.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 64% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 327 grants to organisations were $35,000 or less.
What the foundation says:
- For its Arts Education Impact Grants, the Foundation seeks visionary organisations ready to push boundaries across visual arts, film, theatre, music, dance, spoken word and media art. (as reported in other published sources)
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
3 other states: <1%
- The largest single recipient received 6% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 64% of grant dollars went to organisations The Pierre & Tana Matisse Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- <1% of grant dollars went directly to organisations outside the US (Cambodia).
- <1% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 113 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $35,000 (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- United Negro College Fund · General support$1,000,0002024 tax year
- Fund for Public Schools · General support$688,4522024 tax year
- New Museum · General support$210,0002024 tax year
- City Lore · General support$150,0002024 tax year
- Mind-Builders Creative Arts Center · Arts education$150,0002024 tax year
- Sugar Hill Children's Museum · General support$150,0002024 tax year
- Point Community Development Corporation · General support$125,0002024 tax year
- DreamYard Project · General support$125,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- David H Horowitz — President / Director
- Alessandra C Carnielli — Chief Executive Officer
- Olivier G Bernier — VP / Secretary / Director
- Alexandra G Farkas — VP / Treasurer / Director
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $9,239,596 | $5,957,985 | $276,051,026 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $8,102,752 | $4,754,100 | $277,432,906 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $10,744,478 | $6,607,552 | $252,916,852 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
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At a glance
Applying to The Pierre & Tana Matisse Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- (212) 355-6269
- New York, NY
- matissefoundation.org
Applying to The Pierre & Tana Matisse Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- (212) 355-6269
- New York, NY
- matissefoundation.org