The Stairway Fund
Preselected recipients only
The Stairway Fund is a private foundation in Chicago, Illinois. In tax year 2024 it gave $481,800 in 69 grants; the typical grant was $5,000 and the largest $100,000. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2024.
- Grants paid, 2024$481,800
- Number of grants69
- Typical grant$5,000
- Largest grant$100,000
- Assets$3.1 million
- New grantees40%
Giving in 2024 was up from $442,026 the year before.
40% of its 2024 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a mix of repeat and new grantees.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $442,026 | 63 | $2.2 million |
| 2024 | $481,800 | 69 | $3.1 million |
How to apply
The Stairway Fund says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.
What The Stairway Fund funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 9 states, the most to New York.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| New York | 43 | $319,500 |
| Missouri | 3 | $106,000 |
| Connecticut | 14 | $97,500 |
| California | 3 | $32,500 |
| District of Columbia | 2 | $19,800 |
| Rhode Island | 1 | $12,500 |
| New Jersey | 1 | $5,000 |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | $2,500 |
| Wisconsin | 1 | $1,500 |
Grants paid in 2024
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Washington University | General operating support/annual gift | $100,000 |
| Theatre for A New Audience (Tfana) | General operating support/annual gift | $35,000 |
| Museum of Modern Art - New York | General operating support/annual gift | $25,000 |
| Steep Rock Association | General operating support/annual gift | $25,000 |
| Trinity College | General operating support/annual gift | $25,000 |
| Union Square Partnership Inc | General operating support/annual gift | $25,000 |
| Madison Square Park Conservancy (MSPC) | General operating support/annual gift | $23,000 |
| Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence | General operating support/annual gift | $20,000 |
| Studio Museum in Harlem | General operating support/annual gift | $20,000 |
| Union Square Partnership Inc | General operating support/annual gift | $20,000 |
| NYU Langone Health | General operating support/annual gift | $15,000 |
| Target ALS Foundation | General operating support/annual gift | $15,000 |
| Jacques Pepin Foundation | General operating support/annual gift | $12,500 |
| American Independent Foundation | General operating support/annual gift | $10,000 |
| Edible Schoolyard NYC | General operating support/annual gift | $10,000 |
| Gramercy Park Block Association | General operating support/annual gift | $10,000 |
| Hudson Valley Writing Project Via Research Foundation for Suny (FS) | General operating support/annual gift | $10,000 |
| Madison Square Park Conservancy (MSPC) | General operating support/annual gift | $10,000 |
| Park Avenue Armory | General operating support/annual gift | $10,000 |
| Washington Ambulance Association | General operating support/annual gift | $10,000 |
| Share Our Strength | General operating support/annual gift | $9,800 |
| American Academy in Rome | General operating support/annual gift | $5,000 |
| American Jewish Committee | General operating support/annual gift | $5,000 |
| Brooklyn Botanic Garden | General operating support/annual gift | $5,000 |
| Brooklyn Museum | General operating support/annual gift | $5,000 |
| Child Mind Institute | General operating support/annual gift | $5,000 |
| City Harvest | General operating support/annual gift | $5,000 |
| Culinary Institute of America | General operating support/annual gift | $5,000 |
| Danbury Hospital & New Milford Hospital Foundation (Nuvance) | General operating support/annual gift | $5,000 |
| Food Education Fund | General operating support/annual gift | $5,000 |
| Food Education Fund | General operating support/annual gift | $5,000 |
| Frederick Gunn School | General operating support/annual gift | $5,000 |
| Grownyc | General operating support/annual gift | $5,000 |
| Hot Bread Kitchen | General operating support/annual gift | $5,000 |
| How Institute for Society | General operating support/annual gift | $5,000 |
| Lake Waramaug Friends | General operating support/annual gift | $5,000 |
| Lake Waramaug Task Force | General operating support/annual gift | $5,000 |
| Pujols Family Foundation | General operating support/annual gift | $5,000 |
| Robin Hood Foundation | General operating support/annual gift | $5,000 |
| Spring Hill Arts Gathering | General operating support/annual gift | $5,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Audrey H Meyer
- Daniel H Meyer
- Michael McQuinn
- Hallie Louise Meyer
- Lauren K Macdonald
Questions people ask
Does The Stairway Fund accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does The Stairway Fund give?
$481,800 in tax year 2024, across 69 grants, with a typical grant of $5,000.
Who runs The Stairway Fund?
Its 2024 filing lists Audrey H Meyer (Secretary / Director), Daniel H Meyer (President / Director), Michael McQuinn (Vice President) and Hallie Louise Meyer (Director) among 5 officers and trustees.
What does The Stairway Fund fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, arts and culture and environment and conservation.