Cy Twombly Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- Cy Twombly Foundation works by invitation only and states that it does not accept unsolicited requests, so a small nonprofit should not send a cold application and should seek an introduction first.
- Its stated focus is the study, preservation and scholarship of Cy Twombly's work and legacy, along with exhibitions and gifts of his work to permanent collections, so a request fits best if it is clearly tied to those themes.
- Half of its 18 grants to organisations were $100,000 or less, and about 8 in 10 fell between $50,000 and $4,000,000, though the largest was $7,500,000, so treat that band as typical rather than a ceiling.
- In the latest filing, 100% of grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in an earlier filing, which suggests that existing relationships matter a great deal.
- No geographic focus is stated, so the places where its grants have mostly been made are not a rule on who may apply.
Overview
Cy Twombly 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, with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The foundation fosters the study and preservation of Cy Twombly’s work and legacy. It researches and publishes catalogues raisonnés documenting the artist’s work, and supports scholarship on the artist and exhibitions of his work around the world. Its philanthropic support includes initiatives and organisations that embody the spirit of the artist and charitable endeavours. It also makes special gifts of his work to the permanent collections of institutions that encourage a deeper and broader appreciation of the artist. Its archives aim to assist research and publications by new generations of artists, writers and historians, and selected materials may be made available to qualified scholars, curators and researchers.
Themes
- Study and preservation
- Artist scholarship
- Art exhibitions
- Art in permanent collections
Geographic Focus
No geographic focus is stated; the filings show grants mainly in Illinois, Massachusetts, New York and Italy.
How to apply
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 100% 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 18 grants to organisations were $100,000 or less.
What the foundation says:
- It supports philanthropic initiatives and organisations that embody the spirit of the artist.
- For gifts of artwork, it favours institutions that encourage a deeper and broader appreciation of the artist.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
Outside the US or with no state on the filing: 2%
- The largest single recipient received 44% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 100% of grant dollars went to organisations Cy Twombly Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
- 2% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Art Institute of Chicago · Non-cash donation of art for exhibition support$3,800,0002024 tax year
- Drawing Center · General support$100,0002024 tax year
- Foundation for Contemporary Arts · Support for the cy twombly award for poetry$50,5002024 tax year
- Safe Horizon · General support$50,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Cristian Grasu — Director (As Of 6/2024)
- Sandra Marionpoulou — Director (As Of 6/2024)
- Nicholas Serota — Director
- Jonas Storsve — Director
- Eleonora Di Erasmo — Managing Director / Secretary (As Of 2/2024)
- Nicola Del Roscio — President
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $11,785,912 | $6,051,000 | $1,502,631,851 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $28,886,979 | $16,474,500 | $1,510,050,049 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $9,651,080 | $4,000,500 | $1,514,532,085 | 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
Registers and filings
Other sources
🎯 You've done the research. Now write an application they can't refuse.
Hinchilla combines funder's specific priorities with your organisation's past successful grants and AI analysis of what reviewers want to see.
Data privacy and security by default
Your organisation's past successful grants and experience
AI analysis of what reviewers want to see
A compelling draft application in 10 minutes instead of 10 hours
Spotted something that needs correcting? Let us know
At a glance
Applying to Cy Twombly Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- info@cytwombly.org
- New York, NY
- cytwombly.org
Applying to Cy Twombly Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- info@cytwombly.org
- New York, NY
- cytwombly.org