Arts And Letters Foundation Inc
Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: $852,000 (2024)
- Success Rate: N/A (invitation only)
- Decision Time: N/A (trustee discretion)
- Grant Range: Average ~$60,857 per grant
- Geographic Focus: Not publicly specified
Contact Details
Mailing Address: PO Box 71, East Hampton, NY 11937-0071
Phone: 631-324-6258
Note: The foundation does not have a publicly available website and does not respond to unsolicited funding requests.
Overview
Arts And Letters Foundation Inc is a private grantmaking foundation established in East Hampton, New York, receiving IRS charitable status in April 1999. With assets of $14,688,838 and annual income of $6,980,661 as of December 2023, the foundation distributed $852,000 in grants across 14 awards in 2024. The foundation's major donor is Janice Gerton. As an independent private foundation classified under NTEE code T20 (Private Grantmaking Foundations), Arts And Letters Foundation operates with a selective grantmaking approach, making contributions exclusively to preselected charitable organizations. The foundation has maintained consistent grantmaking activity, distributing 14-15 awards annually in recent years.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
The foundation operates as a private grantmaking entity with:
- 2024 Grantmaking: $852,000 across 14 awards (average ~$60,857 per grant)
- 2023 Grantmaking: 15 awards distributed
- All grants awarded through trustee discretion to preselected organizations
Priority Areas
While specific priorities are not publicly disclosed, the foundation's name and classification suggest focus on:
- Arts and cultural organizations
- Literary initiatives
- Educational programs in arts and letters
What They Don't Fund
The foundation explicitly does not accept unsolicited applications. All grants are made to preselected charitable organizations identified through the foundation's own research and trustee connections.
Governance and Leadership
Major Donor: Janice Gerton
The foundation operates as an independent private foundation. Specific trustee and officer information is contained in Form 990-PF filings but not publicly disclosed through standard charity databases.
Application Process & Timeline
How to Apply
This foundation does not have a public application process. Arts And Letters Foundation explicitly states that it does not respond to unsolicited applications for funding. The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Organizations cannot submit applications, letters of inquiry, or proposals. All grantmaking decisions are made at the discretion of the foundation's trustees based on organizations they identify independently.
Decision Timeline
Not applicable - no public application process.
Success Rates
Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.
Reapplication Policy
Not applicable - no public application process exists.
Application Success Factors
Since this is an invitation-only funder, traditional application strategies do not apply. Organizations seeking support from similar private foundations should focus on:
- Building visibility in arts and cultural sectors where trustees may have interests
- Developing strong reputations and demonstrable impact in areas aligned with the foundation's apparent focus
- Understanding that many private foundations identify grantees through board member connections and professional networks
- Reviewing the foundation's Form 990-PF filings to understand past giving patterns
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- No application process: This foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals, applications, or letters of inquiry
- Invitation-only grantmaking: All grants made to preselected organizations chosen by trustees
- Consistent annual giving: Distributes 14-15 grants annually with total giving around $850,000
- Substantial grant size: Average grants of approximately $60,857 represent meaningful support
- Private foundation model: Operates through trustee discretion rather than open competition
- Limited public information: No website or published guidelines available
- Form 990-PF research: Review tax filings for insights into past grantees and giving patterns
References
- Cause IQ - Arts and Letters Foundation Profile, https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/arts-and-letters-foundation,522069719/, accessed February 2026
- Charity Navigator - Arts and Letters Foundation Inc., https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/522069719, accessed February 2026
- ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Arts And Letters Foundation Inc, https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/522069719, accessed February 2026
- GuideStar - Arts and Letters Foundation Inc - Profile, https://www.guidestar.org/profile/52-2069719, accessed February 2026
- Instrumentl - Arts And Letters Foundation Inc 990 Report, https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/arts-and-letters-foundation-inc, accessed February 2026
- Candid Foundation Directory - Arts and Letters Foundation Inc, https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=ARTS018, accessed February 2026
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