Private foundation · EIN 04-2743143 · New York, New York

The Vanderbilt Family Foundation

Should you approach them?

Don't send a cold proposal. The foundation reports that it only gives to preselected organizations; an introduction through a current grantee or board member is the realistic route.

From the 2025 Form 990-PF: 22 grants paid, $358K total, median $10K. 27% of grants stayed in New York.

Accepts applications
No
per 990-PF Part XV
Grants paid, 2025
22
$358K
Median grant
$10K
Stays in NY
27%
of grants
Deadline
—
Assets
$4.3M

Grants paid in 2025

22 grants, all shown · from Form 990-PF Part XV

RecipientPurposeAmount
Democracy Forward FoundationWashington, DCGeneral exempt purpose$70K
American Civil Liberties Union Foundation IncNew York, NYGeneral exempt purpose$55K
Childrens StorefrontNew York, NYGeneral exempt purpose$50K
Neighbors LinkMount Kisco, NYGeneral exempt purpose$22K
Protect Democracy ProjectWashington, DCGeneral exempt purpose$20K
Wood River Land TrustHailey, IDGeneral exempt purpose$15K
Committee to Protect JournalistsNew York, NYGeneral exempt purpose$13K
PrismPompano Beach, FLGeneral exempt purpose$13K
Public Citizen FoundationWashington, DCGeneral exempt purpose$13K
Tennessee Justice for Our NeighborsNashville, TNGeneral exempt purpose$13K
Idaho Conservation LeagueBoise, IDGeneral exempt purpose$10K
Planned Parenthood Federation of AmericaNew York, NYGeneral exempt purpose$10K
Connecticut Farmland TrustHartford, CTGeneral exempt purpose$9,400
Appalachian Mountain ClubBoston, MAGeneral exempt purpose$8,000
FIRST LiteracyBoston, MAGeneral exempt purpose$7,500
Kiln TheatreLondon, UKGeneral exempt purpose$6,500
American Himalayan FoundationSan Francisco, CAGeneral exempt purpose$5,000
Himalayan Cataract Project IncNorwich, VTGeneral exempt purpose$5,000
Wood River YMCAKetchum, IDGeneral exempt purpose$5,000
Community Music SchoolCenterbrook, CTGeneral exempt purpose$4,100
North East Community CenterMillerton, NYGeneral exempt purpose$3,500
Kickstart International IncSan Francisco, CAGeneral exempt purpose$2,000

By state: New York 6 · District of Columbia 3 · Idaho 3 · Massachusetts 2 · Connecticut 2 · Florida 1

About this foundation

The Vanderbilt Family Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation in New York, New York, administered in care of Fiduciary Trust Company Intl, tax-exempt since 1981. Private foundations must pay out roughly 5% of their assets each year, mostly as grants to 501(c)(3) public charities.

All filings on ProPublica

Does The Vanderbilt Family Foundation accept grant applications?

No. On its 2025 Form 990-PF the foundation checked that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations. Look for an introduction through a current grantee.

How much does The Vanderbilt Family Foundation give each year?

In tax year 2025 it paid $358K across 22 grants, a median of $10K.

Where does The Vanderbilt Family Foundation give?

New York (6 grants), District of Columbia (3 grants), Idaho (3 grants) and elsewhere, per its latest filing.

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