The Richardson Foundation
This organization is a private foundation dedicated to providing general funding to a variety of charitable causes. Its mission reflects a commitment to supporting the arts, education, health initiatives, and community services, as evidenced by its grants to institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Ripowam Cisqua School, and Planned Parenthood. The foundation serves a diverse range of recipients, including cultural institutions, educational organizations, and social service providers. While it primarily operates within New York, its funding also extends to organizations in other states, indicating a broader philanthropic reach.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
Established New York-based arts, education, or cultural and community nonprofits with an existing relationship or reputation that aligns with the foundation's history of general operating support.
Good Fit
- • Based or primarily operating in New York state.
- • Mission in arts, culture, education, or longstanding community institutions.
- • Existing relationship or introduction to the trustee or current grantees.
- • Organizational track record and capacity to absorb general operating support.
- • Reputation among local philanthropic networks or prominent regional nonprofits.
Geography
Giving is heavily concentrated in New York—86% of dollars in the latest year—though grants touched organizations in about 11 states; the footprint is therefore overwhelmingly in-state.
Recipient Variety
The foundation funded a large number of distinct organizations (65 in 2023 and 72 in 2022) across arts, education, health, and human services, with both repeat grantees and new entrants visible in the latest year.
New Applicants
Direct application routes are not public and the foundation states grants are to preselected recipients; behavior shows high repeat funding (77% returning grantees) with only occasional new entrants, so an unfamiliar applicant is unlikely to gain entry without a relationship or introduction.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
