AG Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $8,000,000 (approximately)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available (invitation-only grantmaking)
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: $1,000 - $500,000
• Median Grant Size: $25,000
• Geographic Focus: National, with emphasis on New York City and Cleveland, OH

Contact Details

Address: 517 Broadway - Third Floor, East Liverpool, OH 43920-3167

EIN: 34-1606084

Website: The foundation does not maintain a public website

Note: The AG Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals

Overview

The AG Foundation, established in 1988 as the Agnes Gund Foundation and renamed in 2001, was the private philanthropy of Agnes Gund (1938-2025), one of America's most influential arts patrons and collectors. Following Agnes Gund's death in September 2025, her daughters Catherine Gund and Anna Traggio are expected to continue the foundation's work as trustees. With annual grantmaking of approximately $8 million and total distributions exceeding $8 million in 2023, the foundation operates as a private grantmaking foundation that primarily supports visual arts institutions and has increasingly expanded into progressive social justice causes. Agnes Gund served as President of the Museum of Modern Art's Board of Trustees from 1991-2002 and donated or promised over 900 artworks to MoMA alone, establishing her as one of the most significant arts philanthropists in American history. The foundation operates on a relationship-based model tied to Agnes Gund's personal connections and board service across major cultural institutions.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The AG Foundation operates through trustee-directed grantmaking rather than formal application programs. Grants range from $1,000 to $500,000, with a median grant size of approximately $25,000. In 2022, the foundation made 256 grants totaling approximately $8 million.

Major Grant Categories:

• Visual Arts & Museums: Largest funding category, supporting educational institutions, museums, and art nonprofits primarily in New York City and Cleveland
• Social Justice & Progressive Causes: Expanding area including reproductive health and rights, criminal justice reform, racial justice, and climate concerns
• Health Research: Including the Foundation Fighting Blindness and Breast Cancer Research Foundation
• Education & Youth Programs: Including Chess in the Schools

Priority Areas

Visual Arts (approximately 90% of grantmaking)

• Major museums and cultural institutions, particularly MoMA, Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Smithsonian
• Cleveland Institute of Art and Cleveland Museum of Art
• Contemporary art organizations and artist support programs
• Art education initiatives

Geographic Priorities:

• New York City (primary focus, over 50% of grants)
• Cleveland, Ohio (where Agnes Gund was born)
• Massachusetts (secondary geographic priority)
• National scope for special initiatives

Emerging Social Justice Focus:

• Reproductive health and rights (including Planned Parenthood Federation of America)
• Criminal justice reform and mass incarceration
• Racial justice initiatives
• Climate change and environmental concerns
• Gun violence prevention (Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence)

Major Grant Recipients Include:

• Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
• Cleveland Institute of Art
• Metropolitan Museum of Art
• Smithsonian Institution
• Chess in the Schools
• Foundation Fighting Blindness
• Cleveland Museum of Art
• Frick Collection
• Morgan Library and Museum

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not publicly disclose exclusions, but its focused giving pattern suggests:

• Organizations outside established relationships with the foundation or its trustees
• Projects unrelated to visual arts, cultural institutions, or progressive social causes
• Organizations without established track records or institutional credibility

Governance and Leadership

Catherine Gund - Trustee and daughter of Agnes Gund. Emmy-nominated documentary filmmaker, producer, and activist who founded Aubin Pictures in 1996. Her documentaries focus on social justice themes, including "Aggie" (2020) about her mother Agnes Gund, and "Chavela" (2017). She also serves as Chair of The George Gund Foundation (founded by her grandfather) and co-founded the Third Wave Foundation, supporting youth-led, intersectional gender justice movements.

Anna Traggio - Trustee and daughter of Agnes Gund. Serves as a trustee of The George Gund Foundation, connecting the family's Cleveland philanthropic heritage with the AG Foundation's work.

Agnes Gund (1938-2025) - Founder and former trustee. President Emerita and Life Trustee of the Museum of Modern Art, where she served as Board President from 1991-2002, a period called the "golden era" of MoMA's history. She served on numerous boards including Cleveland Museum of Art, Frick Collection, Morgan Library and Museum, Center for Curatorial Leadership, Foundation for Contemporary Arts, Robert Rauschenberg Foundation, and Andy Warhol Foundation. She received the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy and was widely recognized as one of the most influential art collectors and philanthropists in America.

Agnes Gund's Philanthropic Philosophy (Quotes):

On the responsibility of wealth: "There is a big divide between those who have and those who have not and the rich need to give! ... True philanthropists care about their cause!"

On guilt and action: "I think guilt is something that most people have, and it must turn into action in one form or another rather than just sit there."

On collecting and giving: "From then on [after her first major art purchase in 1969] most of everything that I bought I would give someplace."

On strategic giving: "It is in any case better to give to something that matters to you. That way, you would inspire others to contribute and make greater impact."

On women in leadership: "Women need to lift each other up and women need to be in leadership roles. As more woman assume leadership roles, as head curators and museum directors, the more this will change."

On art and justice: "Art is about imagination, and justice is as well. It's about being able to see that there could be something that's not there right now and working towards making it happen."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The AG Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals. The foundation operates on an invitation-only, relationship-based grantmaking model. Grants are made primarily to organizations with which Agnes Gund had direct personal involvement, particularly institutions where she served on boards or had longstanding relationships.

Following Agnes Gund's passing in September 2025, the foundation's future direction under Catherine Gund and Anna Traggio's leadership remains to be fully established. It is unclear whether the foundation will maintain its low-profile, relationship-based approach or potentially open new pathways for engagement.

Getting on Their Radar

Network with Past Grantees: Inside Philanthropy specifically recommends that organizations interested in AG Foundation support should focus on networking with past grantees, of which there are many. Building relationships with organizations that have received AG Foundation grants may create pathways for introduction.

Board and Institutional Connections: The foundation's giving pattern shows a strong preference for organizations where family members serve on boards or have direct involvement. Key connections include:

• Catherine Gund serves as Chair of The George Gund Foundation and on the boards of Art Matters and the Art for Justice Fund
• Anna Traggio serves as a trustee of The George Gund Foundation
• The family has deep connections to MoMA, Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland Institute of Art, and other major cultural institutions

Focus Areas for Potential Future Engagement: Given Catherine Gund's work as a documentary filmmaker focused on social justice and her leadership of organizations supporting gender justice and progressive causes, there may be emerging opportunities at the intersection of arts and activism, though this remains speculative given the foundation's private nature.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. As a private foundation operating on trustee discretion, decisions are likely made on an ongoing basis rather than through fixed grant cycles.

Success Rates

Success rates are not applicable given the invitation-only nature of grantmaking. In 2022, the foundation made 256 grants, suggesting active grantmaking to a significant portfolio of organizations.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly disclosed. Given the relationship-based model, ongoing relationships with grantee organizations appear to result in multi-year or repeated support.

Application Success Factors

Strong Institutional Relationships Are Essential: The AG Foundation's largest grants have consistently gone to organizations with which Agnes Gund was personally involved. The foundation does not have a website or public application process, reinforcing that direct relationships are the primary pathway to funding.

Visual Arts Excellence and Innovation: Approximately 90% of grants support visual arts, with emphasis on:

• Major museums and cultural institutions demonstrating curatorial excellence
• Art education programs, particularly those serving diverse or underserved communities
• Contemporary art initiatives that push boundaries while maintaining institutional credibility

Progressive Values Alignment: Recent tax filings show increasing support for progressive causes. Organizations working at the intersection of arts and social justice, reproductive rights, racial justice, or climate issues align with the foundation's expanding focus, particularly given Catherine Gund's documented commitment to these areas.

New York City and Cleveland Connections: Over half of grants remain in the New York City area, with Cleveland as a secondary priority due to family roots. Geographic proximity to these areas increases likelihood of awareness and support.

Proven Track Record Required: Grant recipients tend to be established institutions with significant credibility. The foundation appears to favor organizations with demonstrated impact rather than emerging or experimental initiatives, though Catherine Gund's own work supports innovative documentary filmmaking and activism.

Mission-Driven Leadership: Agnes Gund's philosophy emphasized that "true philanthropists care about their cause" and advised giving to "something that matters to you." Organizations with passionate, committed leadership focused on meaningful impact align with this philosophy.

Women in Leadership: Agnes Gund explicitly advocated for women in leadership roles, stating "Women need to lift each other up and women need to be in leadership roles." Organizations with strong female leadership, particularly in curatorial and directorial positions, may resonate with foundation values.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Invitation-Only Foundation: The AG Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals. Direct application is not possible; building relationships with past grantees or trustees is the only pathway to consideration.

• Relationship-Based Giving: The foundation's pattern shows grants flow to organizations where Agnes Gund served on boards or had personal connections. In the post-Agnes era, focus on connections to Catherine Gund (documentary/social justice sectors) and Anna Traggio (Cleveland philanthropy).

• Arts Dominate, Social Justice Growing: While 90% of funding supports visual arts institutions, the foundation has expanded into progressive causes including reproductive rights, criminal justice reform, and climate change—areas aligned with Catherine Gund's activism.

• $1,000 to $500,000 Range, $25,000 Median: The foundation makes both small and major grants. The 256 grants made in 2022 from approximately $8 million in total giving suggests a diverse portfolio from modest program support to transformational institutional gifts.

• NYC and Cleveland Geographic Priorities: More than half of grants stay in New York City, with Cleveland as the secondary focus. National grants occur but are less common.

• Post-2025 Transition Period: Following Agnes Gund's death in September 2025, the foundation's future direction under Catherine and Anna's leadership is uncertain. The foundation's traditional low profile and relationship-based model may continue, or new approaches may emerge.

• Network Strategically: The most practical advice from Inside Philanthropy is clear: "networking with past grantees, of which there are many, may be the best way forward." Focus on building authentic relationships within the arts and social justice sectors rather than attempting direct solicitation.

References

1. Inside Philanthropy. "AG Foundation." Accessed March 4, 2026. https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant-places/new-york-grants/ag-foundation

2. InfluenceWatch. "AG Foundation." Accessed March 4, 2026. https://www.influencewatch.org/non-profit/ag-foundation/

3. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. "Ag Foundation - EIN 34-1606084." Accessed March 4, 2026. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/341606084

4. Foundation Fighting Blindness. "Agnes Gund – Renowned Philanthropist, Social Justice Champion, and Art Patron – Passes Away." Accessed March 4, 2026. https://www.fightingblindness.org/news/agnes-gund-renowned-philanthropist-social-justice-champion-and-art-patron-passes-away-2851

5. W Magazine. "Agnes Gund on Philanthropy, Collecting and the Art for Justice Fund." Accessed March 4, 2026. https://www.wmagazine.com/culture/agnes-gund-art-for-justice-fund-interview

6. The Art Collector. "Agnes Gund: On Collecting and Giving Art." Accessed March 4, 2026. https://theartcollector.org/agnes-gund-on-collecting-and-giving-art/

7. Artsy. "Agnes Gund's Close Relationships with Artists Inspire Her Collecting and Philanthropy." Accessed March 4, 2026. https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-agnes-gunds-close-relationships-artists-inspire-collecting-philanthropy

8. Wikipedia. "Agnes Gund." Accessed March 4, 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agnes_Gund

9. Wikipedia. "Catherine Gund." Accessed March 4, 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catherine_Gund

10. The George Gund Foundation. "Anna Traggio." Accessed March 4, 2026. https://gundfoundation.org/program-staff/anna-traggio/

11. Aubin Pictures. "About Us." Accessed March 4, 2026. https://aubinpictures.com/about

12. Artnet News. "Agnes Gund, Leading Collector Whose Patronage Shaped the Art World, Dies at 87." Accessed March 4, 2026. https://news.artnet.com/art-world/agnes-gund-obituary-2690474

13. The Art Newspaper. "Agnes Gund, collector and philanthropist who helped transform MoMA, has died, aged 87." September 19, 2025. https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2025/09/19/agnes-gund-philanthropist-collector-obituary

14. Candid Foundation Directory. "Ag Foundation - Profile GUND011." Accessed March 4, 2026. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=GUND011

15. Cause IQ. "Ag Foundation | East Liverpool, OH." Accessed March 4, 2026. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/ag-foundation,341606084/