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Armand G. Erpf Fund

Annual Giving
$0.3M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.1M

Armand G. Erpf Fund

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $330,000
  • Total Assets: $8.6 million
  • Grant Range: $500 - $50,000
  • Most Common Grant: $1,000
  • Number of Grants: 24 (2023)
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily New York State, with emphasis on arts, education, and conservation
  • Application Method: Accepts unsolicited proposals (no formal application form)

Contact Details

Address: 324 Erpf Rd, Arkville, NY 12406

Alternate Mailing Address: Grant Administrator, Armand G. Erpf Fund, 640 Park Ave, New York, NY 10021

Phone: (212) 535-6678

Note: The foundation does not maintain a website or email contact

Overview

The Armand G. Erpf Fund was incorporated in 1951 and established by the late financier Armand G. Erpf (1897-1971), senior partner at the investment firm Loeb, Rhoades & Co., which later became part of Shearson Lehman Brothers. Time magazine called Erpf "Wall Street's closest approximation of Renaissance man" in 1962. The foundation is currently led by his son Armand B. Erpf as president, with granddaughter Cornelia Erpf Forsman serving as Executive Vice President. With total assets of $8.6 million, the fund distributes approximately $330,000 annually across conservation and environment, arts and culture, education, and human services. The foundation maintains a low profile and lacks transparency, with limited public information about its grantmaking priorities beyond IRS Form 990-PF filings.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates a single discretionary grant program with no formal application deadlines. Grants are awarded on a rolling basis throughout the year.

Grant Amounts:

  • Range: $500 - $50,000
  • Most common: $1,000
  • Average grant size: Approximately $13,750 (based on 24 grants totaling $330,000 in 2023)

Priority Areas

Based on historical giving patterns, the fund supports:

Conservation and Environment

  • Land conservation organizations
  • Environmental protection initiatives
  • Regional conservation efforts, particularly in the Catskills region

Arts and Culture

  • Museums and cultural institutions
  • Performing arts organizations
  • Art education programs

Education

  • Higher education institutions
  • Educational programs and initiatives
  • Youth education services

Human Services

  • Family services
  • Community development
  • Social service organizations

What They Don't Fund

The foundation has not published explicit funding restrictions. Based on past giving patterns, the fund appears to focus primarily on established institutions rather than startups or individual projects.

Governance and Leadership

Armand B. Erpf - President and Trustee Son of founder Armand G. Erpf, he has led the foundation for decades and maintains the family's philanthropic legacy.

Cornelia Erpf Forsman - Executive Vice President and Trustee Granddaughter of the founder, she represents the third generation of family leadership.

Maureen Reichle - Operations Manager

The foundation's governance reflects its family foundation structure, with decision-making concentrated among family trustees. This structure suggests that personal connections and relationships with the Erpf family may influence funding decisions.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Armand G. Erpf Fund accepts unsolicited proposals but maintains minimal formal application infrastructure:

  • No Application Form: The foundation does not provide a standard application form
  • No Deadlines: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year
  • No Website: All inquiries must be made by phone or mail
  • Submit By Mail: Send written proposals to either the Arkville or New York City address
  • Initial Contact: Organizations may call (212) 535-6678 to inquire about funding opportunities

Given the lack of formal guidelines, proposals should include standard nonprofit funding request materials: organizational background, project description, budget, and IRS determination letter.

Decision Timeline

No specific decision timeline information is publicly available. With approximately 24 grants awarded annually from what appears to be a larger pool of applications, organizations should expect that the review process may take several months.

Success Rates

The foundation awarded 24 grants in 2023, down from 31 in 2022 and 32 in 2021, showing a trend toward fewer but potentially larger grants. The foundation does not publish information about how many proposals it receives, making it impossible to calculate an accurate success rate.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is published. Given the foundation's acceptance of unsolicited proposals and lack of formal restrictions, reapplication appears to be permitted.

Application Success Factors

Given the foundation's limited public guidance, success factors must be inferred from funding patterns:

Established Organizations Preferred: Past grantees include well-known institutions like Columbia Business School, Bard College, School of American Ballet, Asia Society, Autism Speaks, Museum of the City of New York, Peconic Land Trust, and Ackerman Institute for the Family. This suggests the foundation favors established, reputable organizations over emerging groups.

New York Focus: While not exclusively focused on New York, the foundation shows a preference for New York-based organizations, particularly those in the New York City area and the Catskills region where the Erpf family has historical ties.

Arts, Education, and Conservation Alignment: Organizations working at the intersection of the foundation's stated priority areas (conservation, arts, education) may have stronger appeal.

Small to Mid-Range Requests: With most grants at $1,000 and maximum grants of $50,000, organizations should calibrate their requests accordingly. Requesting amounts well above the typical range may reduce likelihood of funding.

Family Foundation Considerations: As a family foundation with limited transparency, personal connections and relationships with trustees may play a role in funding decisions.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Low-Profile Operation: This foundation maintains minimal public presence with no website and limited published guidance—personal outreach via phone or mail is essential
  • Small Grant Specialist: With most grants at $1,000, this is best suited for small project support or unrestricted operating grants rather than major capital campaigns
  • Established Track Record Matters: Past grantees are predominantly well-known institutions, suggesting new or emerging organizations may face challenges
  • New York Advantage: Geographic proximity to New York, particularly the Catskills region or New York City, appears advantageous
  • Rolling Submissions: No deadlines means organizations can apply when ready, but also means competition is ongoing throughout the year
  • Limited Transparency: With decreasing grant numbers (from 46 in 2019 to 24 in 2023), competition may be intensifying despite the lack of published success rate data
  • Multiple Priority Alignment: Organizations that can demonstrate relevance to multiple priority areas (e.g., environmental education or arts education) may have stronger positioning

References

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