Eric And Barbara Carle Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $2,480,000 (2023)
• Assets: $53.5 million
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: Estimated $100,000 - $1,000,000+ (based on 6 awards totaling $2.48M in 2023)
• Geographic Focus: Multi-state (MA, NY, FL, ME, DC)

Contact Details

Email: info@carlefoundation.org

For Eric Carle Museum inquiries: info@carlemuseum.org

Website: https://carlefoundation.org/ (currently under development with "Coming Soon" status)

Location: Florence, MA

Overview

The Eric And Barbara Carle Foundation Inc (EIN: 82-2036857) is a private foundation established to honor the creative legacy of Eric Carle, the beloved author and illustrator of "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" and over 70 other children's books. With assets totaling $53.5 million, the foundation made $2.48 million in grants in 2023 across 6 awards. The foundation supports initiatives related to children's literature, arts education, and literacy. Founded by Eric Carle and his wife Barbara Morrison Carle (who passed away in 2015; Eric followed in 2021), the foundation continues their shared commitment to children's education and the arts. The foundation's primary relationship is with The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, MA, though it supports organizations across multiple states. Their giving has grown significantly, from $2.18 million in 2020 to $7.23 million in 2024.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with fixed application cycles. Instead, it makes discretionary grants to preselected organizations. Based on available data:

• Average grant size: Approximately $413,000
• Grant range: Grants appear to range from smaller amounts to over $1 million
• Application method: Invitation only/preselected organizations

Priority Areas

While the foundation "does not specify particular subject areas for its funding," based on the Carles' legacy and the foundation's mission statement, likely areas of interest include:

• Picture book art and children's literature: Supporting the creation, preservation, and exhibition of picture book art
• Arts education: Programs that provide foundations for arts integration and literacy
• Children's literacy: Initiatives that inspire a love of reading through picture books
• Museum and cultural institutions: Particularly those focused on children's education and visual/verbal literacy
• Diversity in publishing and arts: Supporting historically excluded artists and authors, including women and people of color

Geographic Focus

The foundation has supported organizations in:

• Amherst, MA
• Northampton, MA
• Brooklyn, NY
• New York, NY
• Washington, DC
• Key Largo, FL
• Islesford, ME

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented, but the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Governance and Leadership

President, Treasurer, and Clerk: John F. Fortier Jr.

• Full-time position with compensation of $262,500
• Oversees all foundation operations and grantmaking decisions

Director: Rolf Carle

• Minimal time commitment, uncompensated
• Likely family connection to Eric and Barbara Carle

Eric Carle Museum Board Connections:

• Nancy Sokolove serves as both Secretary of the Museum Board and Curator of the Eric and Barbara Carle Foundation
• Tyrone M. Fripp serves as a representative of the Eric and Barbara Carle Foundation on the Museum Board

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process.

The foundation explicitly states that it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

Grants are awarded through:

• Trustee discretion
• Pre-existing relationships with the foundation
• Invitation from foundation leadership

Organizations cannot submit unsolicited grant applications. Funding decisions are made internally based on the foundation's strategic priorities and the leadership's knowledge of potential grantees.

Getting on Their Radar

While the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, organizations working in aligned areas may consider:

• Review past grantees: Examine the foundation's Form 990-PF tax filings on ProPublica's Nonprofit Explorer to understand who they've funded previously and at what levels. This can reveal patterns in their giving.

• Connect through the Eric Carle Museum network: The foundation has close ties to The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. Organizations already partnering with the Museum or participating in its programs may have natural opportunities for visibility.

• Board and staff connections: Research John F. Fortier Jr. and other foundation representatives to identify potential shared professional networks. Nancy Sokolove, who serves as both Curator of the Foundation and Secretary of the Museum Board, may be a key contact for organizations in the picture book art space.

• Align with Eric Carle's legacy: Organizations that demonstrably advance Eric Carle's vision—celebrating picture book art, promoting children's literacy through visual storytelling, and supporting diversity in children's publishing—may be of particular interest to the foundation.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. As a private foundation operating through preselected organizations, the foundation does not follow standard application cycles or published timelines.

Success Rates

Not applicable, as the foundation does not accept applications from the general public.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable, as the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, organizations seeking to align with the foundation's interests should consider:

Alignment with Eric and Barbara Carle's Vision:

• The foundation is "dedicated to the stewardship of Eric Carle's creative legacy"
• Eric Carle believed "children are naturally creative and eager to learn" and wanted to show them that "learning is really both fascinating and fun"
• Barbara Morrison Carle was a Montessori teacher, suggesting potential interest in progressive educational approaches

Connection to Picture Book Art:

• The Carles' museum mission is to "celebrate and elevate picture book art" and "foster connections between visual and verbal literacy"
• Organizations working at the intersection of visual art and literacy may align with foundation priorities

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion:

• The Eric Carle Museum is committed to exhibiting "the work of artists and authors who have been historically excluded by publishers and museums, including women and people of color"
• Organizations advancing diversity in children's literature and arts education may resonate with the foundation

Educational Impact:

• The Carles founded their museum to provide "visitors of all ages and backgrounds with the opportunity to explore their own creativity"
• Programs with measurable educational outcomes in arts integration and literacy development likely align with foundation values

Geographic Considerations:

• While the foundation has made grants across multiple states, Massachusetts organizations—particularly those in the Pioneer Valley region near Amherst and Florence—may have natural connections

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is an invitation-only funder: The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals. Building a relationship or connection is essential before any funding conversation can occur.

• Focus on the creative legacy: The foundation exists to honor Eric Carle's impact on children's literature and art. Organizations should demonstrate clear alignment with his vision of making learning "fascinating and fun" through picture books.

• The Museum is central: The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art appears to be the foundation's primary partner. Organizations already connected to the Museum may have the best visibility.

• Substantial grants to few organizations: With only 6 grants totaling $2.48 million in 2023, the foundation makes significant grants to a small number of carefully selected organizations. Average grant size is over $400,000.

• Growing capacity: Foundation assets have grown from $3.1 million in 2017 to $61.2 million in 2024, and annual giving has increased from $2.18 million in 2020 to $7.23 million in 2024, suggesting expanding grantmaking capacity.

• Research their giving patterns: Organizations serious about connecting with this foundation should review their Form 990-PF filings on ProPublica's Nonprofit Explorer to understand current grantees and identify potential connection points.

• Long-term relationship building: Given the invitation-only structure, organizations should think in terms of multi-year relationship development rather than immediate funding opportunities.

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: Eric And Barbara Carle Foundation Inc (EIN 82-2036857). https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/822036857. Accessed January 2026.

• The Eric + Barbara Carle Foundation official website. https://carlefoundation.org/. Accessed January 2026.

• Instrumentl: Eric And Barbara Carle Foundation Inc 990 Report. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/eric-and-barbara-carle-foundation-inc. Accessed January 2026.

• Grantmakers.io Profile: Eric and Barbara Carle Foundation Inc. https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/822036857-eric-and-barbara-carle-foundation-inc/. Accessed January 2026.

• Cause IQ: The Eric and Barbara Carle Foundation. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/the-eric-and-barbara-carle-foundation,822036857/. Accessed January 2026.

• The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art: Mission & Inclusion. https://carlemuseum.org/about/mission-inclusion. Accessed January 2026.

• Wikipedia: Eric Carle. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Carle. Accessed January 2026.

• The Boston Globe: "Eric Carle, whose 'Very Hungry Caterpillar' conquered children's literature, dies at 91." May 26, 2021. https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/05/26/metro/very-hungry-caterpillar-author-eric-carle-dies-91/. Accessed January 2026.

• The Eric Carle Museum: Board. https://carlemuseum.org/about/board. Accessed January 2026.

• Funding for Good: "No unsolicited proposals? How to Get Invited to Apply for Funding." https://fundingforgood.org/unsolicited-proposals-and-pre-selected-orgs/. Accessed January 2026.