Robert and Mercedes Eichholz Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $4,800,000 (2023)
• Total Grants Since 2011: Over $40 million
• Grant Range: $2,500 - $5,000,000
• Number of Awards: 95 grants (2023), 111 grants (2022)
• Geographic Focus: National (United States) and International
• Decision Timeline: Quarterly trustee meetings
• Foundation Type: Private Independent Foundation

Contact Details

Address: 2A Strong Place, Brooklyn, NY 11231-3709

Phone: 917-957-8642

Website: www.eichholzfoundation.org

EIN: 45-3670591

Note: The foundation does not accept or acknowledge unsolicited requests. All grants are given at the discretion of the trustees.

Overview

The Robert and Mercedes Eichholz Foundation was established in 2011 at the direction of Mercedes Eichholz, who alongside her late husband Robert was an avid arts enthusiast and philanthropist. Mercedes Eichholz (1917-2013) was a remarkable philanthropist who served on the Santa Barbara County Arts Commission for nearly two decades and on the Santa Barbara Museum of Art Board for many years. Her late husband Robert Eichholz (d. 1983) was a Harvard-educated tax attorney and private art collector. The foundation's mission is to support the arts in all of their forms as a fundamental part of human life. Since 2011, the foundation has awarded more than $40 million in grants to over 200 institutions across the United States and abroad, ranging from world-renowned museums like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the National Gallery of Art to community-based arts organizations. The foundation is currently led by trustees Natalie and Dan Dunn, who are children and grandchildren of Robert and Mercedes Eichholz.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

General Arts Grants: $2,500 - $5,000,000

• Grants are decided upon by trustees at quarterly meetings
• Often given as multi-year pledges to provide sustained support
• Frequently structured as challenge grants to inspire additional fundraising
• Used as catalysts to launch new projects or initiatives

Merci Grants: $100,000 each

• Given to small to mid-size organizations with established foundation relationships
• Designed for organizations at an "inflection point"
• Support organizations ready to expand, increase outreach, launch new programs, and achieve new possibilities
• Awarded at the discretion of two family trustees annually

Priority Areas

The foundation supports three main categories within the arts:

Visual Arts Education

• Comprehensive and sequential education in artistic disciplines
• Museum education and curatorial programs
• Support for university-affiliated art museums
• Public art installations and exhibitions

Performing Arts

• Music organizations and programs
• Dance companies and festivals
• Theater and dramatic arts
• Performing arts presented for audiences

Arts Education and Access

• Arts programs in educational institutions (K-12 and higher education)
• Programs focused on wellness, access, social justice, equity, inclusion, and diversity
• Instrument purchase programs and music education
• Community arts programs serving underserved populations

Geographic Scope

• Organizations across the United States
• Select international organizations (e.g., music schools in Costa Rica)
• Strong historical connection to Santa Barbara, California, and emerging presence in North Carolina

Recent Grant Examples

• Durham Technical Community College (2025): $1.5 million endowment for arts programming, including public art installations, lectures, exhibitions, and visiting artist programs
• Santa Barbara Museum of Art: $5.5 million to endow the director position (now the Robert and Mercedes Eichholz Director)
• Santa Barbara Museum of Art: $3 million challenge grant (for every $2 raised from trustees, foundation committed $1)
• UNC School of the Arts: Support for High School Visual Arts programs
• American Dance Festival: Funding to create Studios Subsidy Program and ADF Project Dance
• Classical Theatre of Harlem: Capacity building and community program growth
• Saint Ann's School: Purchase of instruments to end student rental fees
• High Desert Museum: Support to create Museum without Walls program
• Asheville Art Museum: Education and curatorial program support
• Arts East of La Grande, Oregon: Development of arts programs serving underserved communities in Eastern Oregon

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated on their website, as a trustee-initiated foundation:

• Unsolicited requests are not accepted or acknowledged
• Organizations without an established relationship with the foundation are unlikely to receive funding
• All grants are given at the sole discretion of trustees

Governance and Leadership

Current Trustees

Natalie Dunn - Trustee

• Descendant of Robert and Mercedes Eichholz
• Active in foundation decision-making and public announcements
• Involved in relationship-building with grantees, including Durham Technical Community College

Dan Dunn - Trustee

• Descendant of Robert and Mercedes Eichholz
• Co-leads foundation alongside Natalie Dunn
• Participates in grant announcements and institutional relationships

Foundation Philosophy

According to the foundation's public statements, they believe that "art is fundamental to and should be part of the daily life of every American." This philosophy guides their support for both major cultural institutions and smaller community-based organizations. The trustees continue the legacy established by Mercedes Eichholz, who once stated her belief in supporting the arts as essential to human life and civic engagement.

Named Position

The foundation has endowed the directorship at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art. The position is now known as the Robert and Mercedes Eichholz Director, currently held by Amada Cruz (appointed 2023).

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Robert and Mercedes Eichholz Foundation does not have a public application process.

The foundation operates on a trustee-initiated, invitation-only basis. According to their official policy, the foundation "does not accept or acknowledge unsolicited requests." All grants are given at the discretion of the Eichholz Foundation trustees.

This means:

• No application forms are available
• Unsolicited proposals will not be reviewed or acknowledged
• Grants are made only to organizations identified and selected by the trustees
• The foundation typically works with organizations with which they have established relationships

Decision Timeline

Quarterly Trustee Meetings: Grants are decided upon by the trustees at quarterly meetings (approximately four times per year).

Multi-Year Commitments: Grants are often structured as pledges over several years, providing sustained support to recipient organizations.

Challenge Grant Structure: When structured as challenge grants, organizations may need to meet matching requirements within specified timeframes (as demonstrated by the Santa Barbara Museum of Art's one-year matching period).

Getting on Their Radar

This section contains only funder-specific strategies identified through research:

Established Relationships: The foundation explicitly states that Merci Grants are given to "small to mid-size organizations with whom the Foundation already has an established relationship." Building a relationship over time appears to be essential.

Geographic Connections: The foundation has strong historical ties to Santa Barbara, California (where Mercedes Eichholz lived and was active on arts boards) and emerging presence in North Carolina (Durham Tech grant). Organizations in these regions may benefit from local connections.

Arts Commission and Museum Board Participation: Mercedes Eichholz served on the Santa Barbara County Arts Commission for nearly two decades and the Santa Barbara Museum of Art Board for many years. Organizations where trustees or their associates serve on boards may have increased visibility.

Inflection Point Positioning: The foundation specifically looks for organizations at an "inflection point" ready to expand, increase outreach, or launch new programs. Organizations that can demonstrate they are at such a critical juncture may be more likely to attract trustee attention.

Trustee Personal Engagement: The Durham Tech grant announcement noted that trustees' "relationship with President J.B. Buxton and their familiarity with the college's arts programming" informed their decision. Direct relationships between organizational leadership and trustees appear valuable.

Connection to Foundation Values: Organizations should align with the foundation's core belief that "art is fundamental to and should be part of the daily life of every American," with demonstrated focus on access, equity, inclusion, diversity, and community engagement.

Application Success Factors

Funder-Specific Success Indicators

Pre-Existing Relationship Essential: The foundation explicitly states that they work with "organizations with whom the Foundation already has an established relationship." This is not generic advice—it is their stated policy.

Challenge Grant Readiness: The Santa Barbara Museum of Art example demonstrates the foundation's preference for challenge grants. They committed $3 million on condition that the museum raise $6 million from current and former trustees. Organizations must demonstrate capacity to leverage foundation support into additional fundraising success.

Multi-Year Vision: Grants are "often given as pledges over several years." Organizations should be prepared to articulate long-term program vision and sustainability beyond initial funding.

Inflection Point Positioning: For Merci Grants specifically, organizations must demonstrate they are at a critical juncture. The foundation's website states these grants help organizations "expand, increase outreach, launch new programs and achieve new possibilities." Applications should clearly articulate the transformational moment and opportunity.

Range of Organizational Size: While the foundation supports major institutions (Metropolitan Museum of Art, National Gallery of Art), they also fund small to mid-size organizations. The Merci Grant program specifically targets smaller organizations, and they've supported grassroots groups like Arts East of La Grande, Oregon.

Community Impact and Access: Recent grants emphasize "wellness, access, social justice, equity, inclusion, and diversity" (Santa Barbara Museum of Art grant description). Organizations should demonstrate commitment to making arts accessible to underserved communities.

Educational Integration: Multiple grants support educational institutions (UNC School of the Arts, Saint Ann's School, Durham Tech). Organizations that integrate arts education into broader institutional missions appear particularly attractive.

Elimination of Barriers: The Saint Ann's School grant to "purchase instruments for students and end instrument rental fees" demonstrates interest in removing financial barriers to arts participation. Organizations addressing access challenges align with foundation values.

Catalyst for Innovation: Grants are described as "catalysts to inspire new projects." The High Desert Museum grant to "create and pilot a Museum without Walls" exemplifies the kind of innovative programming that attracts foundation support.

Sustained Institutional Commitment: The $5.5 million endowment of the Santa Barbara Museum of Art directorship demonstrates the foundation's willingness to make transformational, permanent investments in institutions with which they have deep relationships.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No unsolicited applications accepted: This foundation operates exclusively on a trustee-initiated basis. Traditional grant writing and proposal submission will not result in funding. Focus instead on relationship-building strategies.

• Relationship development is paramount: The foundation explicitly funds organizations "with whom the Foundation already has an established relationship." Any strategy must focus on long-term relationship cultivation with trustees.

• Challenge grant structure is preferred: The foundation frequently structures grants to inspire additional fundraising. Organizations should be prepared to demonstrate fundraising capacity and leverage foundation support into broader campaigns.

• Multi-year commitments are common: Grants are "often given as pledges over several years." Organizations should articulate long-term program vision and sustainability plans.

• Both major institutions and grassroots organizations receive support: The foundation's portfolio ranges from the Metropolitan Museum of Art to small community arts programs in rural Oregon. Organizational size is less important than mission alignment and relationship.

• "Inflection point" concept is key for smaller organizations: The Merci Grant program specifically targets organizations ready to expand or launch new initiatives. Organizations should be able to articulate their transformational moment.

• Access, equity, and community focus are increasingly important: Recent grant language emphasizes "wellness, access, social justice, equity, inclusion, and diversity." Organizations should demonstrate commitment to removing barriers to arts participation.

• Geographic connections matter: Strong historical ties to Santa Barbara and emerging presence in North Carolina suggest geographic relationships may provide entry points. Consider connections to regions where trustees have personal history or involvement.

References

1. Robert and Mercedes Eichholz Foundation Official Website - www.eichholzfoundation.org (accessed February 2026)

2. "About — Robert & Mercedes Eichholz Foundation" - https://www.eichholzfoundation.org/about (accessed February 2026)

3. "Our Grants — Robert & Mercedes Eichholz Foundation" - https://robert-mercedes-eichholz.squarespace.com/our-grants (accessed February 2026)

4. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - "Robert And Mercedes Eichholz Foundation" - https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/453670591 (accessed February 2026)

5. Charity Navigator - "Robert and Mercedes Eichholz Foundation Profile" - https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/453670591 (accessed February 2026)

6. Durham Technical Community College - "College receives $1.5 million gift from Eichholz Foundation to support the arts" - https://www.durhamtech.edu/news/college-receives-15-million-gift-eichholz-foundation-support-arts (April 2025)

7. The Santa Barbara Independent - "Philanthropist Mercedes Eichholz Talks About Life and Politics" - https://www.independent.com/2007/08/02/philanthropist-mercedes-eichholz-talks-about-life-and-politics/ (August 2007)

8. Noozhawk - "Longtime Santa Barbara Philanthropist Mercedes Eichholz Dies at 96" - https://www.noozhawk.com/philanthropist_mercedes_eichholz_96_passes_away_20130829/ (August 2013)

9. The Santa Barbara Independent - "Merci! What a Woman!" - https://www.independent.com/2013/08/29/merci-what-woman/ (August 2013)

10. Noozhawk - "Eichholz Foundation Pledges $5.5 Million Gift to Santa Barbara Museum of Art" - https://www.noozhawk.com/article/030912_eichholz_foundation_5.5_million_to_santa_barbara_museum_of_art (March 2012)

11. Noozhawk - "Eichholz Foundation Gives $3 million to Art Museum" - https://www.noozhawk.com/eichholz_foundation_gives_3_million_to_art_museum/ (accessed February 2026)

12. The Washington Post - "Robert Eichholz, 71, Private Art Collector" - https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1983/02/22/robert-eichholz-71-private-art-collector/175afe05-9158-4779-8b4e-f3006ff421ac/ (February 1983)

13. Candid Foundation Directory - "Robert and Mercedes Eichholz Foundation Profile" - https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=ROBE539 (accessed February 2026)

14. Instrumentl - "Robert And Mercedes Eichholz Foundation 990 Report" - https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/robert-and-mercedes-eichholz-foundation (accessed February 2026)

15. Cause IQ - "Robert and Mercedes Eichholz Foundation" - https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/robert-and-mercedes-eichholz-foundation,453670591/ (accessed February 2026)