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The Vilcek Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$1.1M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.0M
Decision Time
7mo

The Vilcek Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,078,085 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Q4 notification (approximately 6 months from deadline)
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $20,000
  • Geographic Focus: United States and U.S. territories
  • Application Method: Annual open call with fixed deadline

Contact Details

Website: https://vilcek.org/grants/
Phone: (212) 472-2500 ext. 111
Email: grants@vilcek.org
Grant Portal: https://portal.vilcek.org/grantportal/s/login/SelfRegister
Contact: Elizabeth Boylan, Grants Officer

Overview

The Vilcek Foundation was established in 2000 by Jan and Marica Vilcek, immigrants from the former Czechoslovakia, to raise awareness of immigrant contributions in America and foster appreciation of the arts and sciences. Since its founding, the foundation has awarded over $17 million in prizes and grants, including more than $7.4 million in grants to organizations in 30 states, one U.S. territory, and Washington, D.C. The foundation's mission is inspired by the founders' respective careers in biomedical science and art history, as well as their appreciation for the opportunities offered to them as newcomers to the United States. In 2024, the foundation expanded its grantmaking by establishing an annual open call for applications, awarding $200,000 to 14 organizations in its inaugural grant cycle. The foundation maintains a non-political approach to advocacy and focuses on direct, accessible work that amplifies immigrant voices in the arts, sciences, education, and social services.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Vilcek Foundation Grants: $5,000 - $20,000 per grant (annual open call)

  • Application portal opens in early fall with a fixed spring deadline
  • Total of $200,000 distributed annually through open call
  • One-time, non-renewable awards for specific projects or single-year initiatives
  • Additional $200,000 awarded annually through institutional grants and donations (not open call)

Priority Areas

The Vilcek Foundation invites applications from mission-driven nonprofit organizations that have a specific focus on:

  • Supporting immigrants in the arts: Including visual arts, literature, culinary arts, music, filmmaking, architecture, dance, design, fashion, theatre, and other creative disciplines
  • Supporting immigrants in the sciences: Including biomedical science, education, and research-related programming
  • Diversity in education: Programs that advance immigrant participation and representation in educational settings
  • Social services for immigrant communities: Organizations providing direct services to immigrant populations

The foundation prioritizes organizations that demonstrate innovation and creative approaches to achieving their missions. According to the foundation, "The ideal grant recipient creates outputs, provides services, or serves populations in an innovative way that sets them apart from other organizations."

What They Don't Fund

  • Organizations working with fiscal sponsors
  • Scientific research projects
  • Capital projects (building renovations, equipment purchases)
  • Fundraising events or galas
  • K-12 schools
  • Political campaigns or lobbying activities
  • Individual applicants (grants only to 501(c)(3) organizations)

Governance and Leadership

Founders

Jan T. Vilcek, M.D., Ph.D.
Dr. Vilcek is a research professor at New York University School of Medicine who immigrated to the United States in 1965 from Bratislava, Czechoslovakia (now Slovakia). He has devoted his scientific career to the study of cytokines and was among the first scientists to investigate interferon, subsequently focusing his studies on tumor necrosis factor (TNF). On the foundation's mission, Dr. Vilcek stated: "By highlighting and honoring the work of immigrants... we maintain a focus on drawing attention to the positive value that immigration has to science, culture, the economy and society. What is unique about our approach to advocacy and dialogue about immigration in this country is that we have no political agenda. We are not lobbyists, and don't imagine ourselves to be policymakers."

Marica Vilcek
In 1965, Marica Vilcek immigrated to the United States with her husband and accepted a position at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, beginning what would be a 32-year tenure, serving as associate curator in charge of the Accessions and Catalogue Department. Since the foundation's inception, she has played an integral role in the conceptualization and administration of its programs.

Executive Leadership

Rick Kinsel, President
Rick Kinsel leads the foundation's programs and initiatives. He has emphasized that "Our key takeaway from our work over the past 20 years is that work that is direct, accessible and simple is most effective." On the foundation's approach to philanthropy, Kinsel stated: "We need to center the voices and experiences of marginalized people in our work. Now, more than ever, we want to affirm their importance in American society, both in the past and present." On artist dedication, Kinsel noted that "the common denominator I witnessed across all spectrums of the arts" was "the single-minded commitment of artists to their craft," adding that "These people work incredibly hard, are passionate every day about what they are doing, and they never let up."

Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees includes K. Heran Darwin, a member of the faculty of the NYU Grossman School of Medicine and a mentee of Jan Vilcek.

Staff

Elizabeth Boylan serves as Grants Officer and is the primary contact for grant inquiries.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through the foundation's online grant portal at https://portal.vilcek.org/grantportal/s/login/SelfRegister. The foundation hosts an annual open call for grant applications.

2026 Grant Cycle:

  • Application deadline: April 30, 2026
  • Notification: Q4 2026 (October-December)

Required Application Materials:

  • Detailed project proposal outlining the project, expected impact, and innovative approach
  • Signed W-9 form
  • IRS determination letter confirming 501(c)(3) status
  • Recent Form 990
  • Audited financial statement

Decision Timeline

Applications submitted by the April 30 deadline will receive notification of funding decisions in Q4 of the same year (approximately 6 months after the deadline). All applicants are notified of the decision via the contact information provided in their application.

Success Rates

The foundation does not publicly disclose the number of applications received or the success rate for its grant program. In the 2025 grant cycle, 14 organizations were awarded grants from the $200,000 pool.

Reapplication Policy

For past grantees: Organizations that have received a Vilcek Foundation grant must observe a two-cycle waiting period before reapplying. For example, a 2025 grantee may reapply in 2028.

For unsuccessful applicants: The foundation has not specified a waiting period for organizations whose applications were not funded. Applicants are encouraged to contact grants@vilcek.org for clarification on reapplication eligibility.

Application Success Factors

What the Foundation Looks For

According to the foundation, competitive applications demonstrate:

  • Originality: Unique approaches to serving immigrant communities
  • Innovation: Creative methods that set the organization apart from others
  • Measurable impact: Clear expected outcomes and demonstrated effectiveness
  • Strong mission alignment: Direct focus on supporting immigrants in arts, sciences, education, or social services

The foundation states: "The ideal grant recipient creates outputs, provides services, or serves populations in an innovative way that sets them apart from other organizations."

Recent Grant Recipients (2025)

Understanding what the foundation funds provides insight into their priorities. The 2025 grant recipients included:

  • Anchorage Museum of Art - Museum programming for immigrant communities
  • Arts Students League of Denver - Arts education initiatives
  • Breaking Wave Theatre Company - Theatre programs
  • Cincinnati Opera Association - Opera and performing arts
  • Cinema Tropical - Film and cinema programming
  • CitySeed, Inc. - Culinary training program for immigrants and refugees
  • The Carrier Pigeon Post - Creation of reading materials for incarcerated individuals
  • Gateway Regional Arts Center - Regional arts programming
  • The Mint Museum of Art - Museum initiatives
  • Plains Art Museum - Arts programming
  • The PEN/Faulkner Foundation - Literary programs
  • Theater Mu - Theatre and cultural programming
  • Tinworks Art - Arts initiatives
  • Utah State University - Educational programs for immigrants

These examples demonstrate the foundation's support for diverse arts organizations, educational institutions, and social service providers working with immigrant communities across the United States.

Foundation's Advice to Applicants

  • Be specific about innovation: Clearly articulate what makes your approach unique and how it differs from other organizations
  • Demonstrate impact: Show measurable outcomes and effectiveness in achieving your mission
  • Align with mission: Ensure your project directly supports immigrants in arts, sciences, education, or social services
  • Read carefully: Follow eligibility criteria and application instructions precisely
  • Use AI thoughtfully: "Using AI isn't a dealbreaker—so long as the heart of the application reflects your actual organization, its impact, and your story"
  • Ask questions: Reach out to grants@vilcek.org with any uncertainties about eligibility or application requirements

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Innovation is paramount: The foundation explicitly prioritizes organizations with creative, unique approaches. Generic programs are unlikely to be competitive—emphasize what sets your organization apart.

  2. Geographic diversity matters: The foundation has funded organizations in 30 states and distributes grants across the country, not just major metropolitan areas. Organizations in underserved regions should apply.

  3. Immigrant focus must be central: Your project must have a specific focus on supporting immigrants, not just serving diverse communities broadly. The foundation's mission is laser-focused on immigrant contributions.

  4. One-time funding only: Grants are non-renewable, and successful recipients must wait two cycles before reapplying. Apply only when you have a strong, specific project ready, not for general operating support.

  5. Multiple opportunities exist: Beyond the open call grants, the foundation also awards institutional grants and donations ($200,000 annually) and offers prestigious prizes (Vilcek Prizes and Creative Promise Prizes totaling $950,000 in 2025). Building relationships with the foundation may open doors to multiple funding streams.

  6. Direct, accessible work resonates: As President Rick Kinsel stated, "work that is direct, accessible and simple is most effective." Avoid overly complex proposals—clarity and directness are valued.

  7. Mission-aligned, not political: The foundation maintains a non-political approach. Focus on celebrating immigrant contributions and providing direct services, not on advocacy or policy work.

References

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