Vital Projects Fund Inc
Preselected recipients only
Vital Projects Fund Inc is a private foundation in New York, New York. In tax year 2025 it gave $15.6 million in 94 grants; the typical grant was $51,500 and the largest $3.9 million. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$15.6 million
- Number of grants94
- Typical grant$51,500
- Largest grant$3.9 million
- Assets$384 million
- New grantees25%
Giving in 2025 was up from $15.0 million the year before.
25% of its 2025 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 | $14.1 million | 132 | $355 million |
| 2024 | $15.0 million | 120 | $363 million |
| 2025 | $15.6 million | 94 | $384 million |
How to apply
Vital Projects Fund Inc 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 Vital Projects Fund Inc funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 30 states, the most to New York.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| New York | 28 | $5.3 million |
| Massachusetts | 1 | $2.8 million |
| Colorado | 7 | $1.7 million |
| District of Columbia | 6 | $765,000 |
| Louisiana | 4 | $730,000 |
| Maryland | 3 | $653,000 |
| Pennsylvania | 7 | $407,500 |
| Texas | 1 | $400,000 |
| California | 8 | $395,000 |
| Michigan | 2 | $360,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Community Funds Inc | General support | $3.9 million |
| Proteus Fund | General support | $2.8 million |
| Chef Ann Foundation | General support | $1.3 million |
| Association for the Public Defender of Maryland | General support | $500,000 |
| Louisiana Parole Project Inc | General support | $470,000 |
| Texas Defender Service | General support | $400,000 |
| Civil Rights Corps | General support | $350,000 |
| Mitchell Hamline School of Law | General support | $230,000 |
| ACLU of Michigan Foundation | General support | $210,000 |
| Duke University | General support | $206,000 |
| Arizona Capital Representation Project | General support | $200,000 |
| The Political Report Inc | General support | $200,000 |
| Deep South Today | General support | $175,000 |
| Yale University | General support | $170,500 |
| City University of Ny School of Law | General support | $150,000 |
| Parole Preparation Project Inc | General support | $150,000 |
| Safe and Just Michigan | General support | $150,000 |
| Choosing Justice Initiative | General support | $125,000 |
| Nurse Family Partnership | General support | $125,000 |
| The Hadanou Collective | General support | $125,000 |
| Alabama Appleseed | General support | $120,000 |
| Atlantic Center for Capital Representation | General support | $110,000 |
| Food Bank for New York City | General support | $110,000 |
| Loyola University New Orleans | General support | $110,000 |
| National Religious Campaign Against Torture | General support | $105,000 |
| ACLU of Pennsylvania Foundation | General support | $100,000 |
| Advancing Real Change | General support | $100,000 |
| Center for Community Alternatives | General support | $100,000 |
| Deserving Life | General support | $100,000 |
| Goodnation Foundation | General support | $100,000 |
| Illinois Prison Project | General support | $100,000 |
| Investigative Reports & Editors Inc | General support | $100,000 |
| Mad Agriculture | General support | $100,000 |
| Mel Blount Youth Home of Pa Inc | General support | $100,000 |
| Montana Innocence Project | General support | $100,000 |
| Second Look Alliance | General support | $100,000 |
| Tides Center (Powell Project) | General support | $100,000 |
| University of San Francisco | General support | $100,000 |
| Congregation of St Joseph's Ministry | General support | $90,000 |
| Felony Murder Elimination Project | General support | $90,000 |
Officers and trustees
- David F Menschel
- Jay Rivlin
- Lauren E Menschel
Questions people ask
Does Vital Projects Fund Inc accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Vital Projects Fund Inc give?
$15.6 million in tax year 2025, across 94 grants, with a typical grant of $51,500.
Who runs Vital Projects Fund Inc?
Its 2025 filing lists David F Menschel (President/Director/Treasurer), Jay Rivlin (Director) and Lauren E Menschel (Secretary/Director).
What does Vital Projects Fund Inc fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, faith communities and arts and culture.