The Joseph and Robert Cornell Memorial Foundation
Preselected recipients only
The Joseph and Robert Cornell Memorial Foundation is a private foundation in Charlottesville, Virginia. In tax year 2025 it gave $5.6 million in 58 grants; the typical grant was $37,500 and the largest $1.1 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$5.6 million
- Number of grants58
- Typical grant$37,500
- Largest grant$1.1 million
- Assets$136 million
- New grantees41%
Giving in 2025 was up from $4.6 million the year before.
41% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a sign it is open to new organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $4.8 million | 61 | $108 million |
| 2024 | $4.6 million | 54 | $119 million |
| 2025 | $5.6 million | 58 | $136 million |
How to apply
The Joseph and Robert Cornell Memorial Foundation 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.
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What The Joseph and Robert Cornell Memorial Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 9 states, the most to Virginia.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia | 38 | $3.1 million |
| New York | 9 | $2.1 million |
| Massachusetts | 4 | $175,000 |
| Pennsylvania | 2 | $100,000 |
| New Mexico | 1 | $55,000 |
| Connecticut | 1 | $30,000 |
| Arizona | 1 | $25,000 |
| Florida | 1 | $25,000 |
| Texas | 1 | $5,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| University of Virginia Foundation | Grant is for donee's exempt purpose | $1.1 million |
| Metropolitan Opera Association Inc | Grant is for donee's exempt purpose | $750,000 |
| Wnet Depository | Grant is for donee's exempt purpose | $650,000 |
| Museum of Modern Art | Grant is for donee's exempt purpose | $479,050 |
| Charlottesville Opera | Grant is for donee's exempt purpose | $250,000 |
| Thomas Jefferson Foundation | Grant is for donee's exempt purpose | $175,000 |
| St Bartholomew's Conservancy Inc | Grant is for donee's exempt purpose | $150,000 |
| Charlottesville Symphony Society | Grant is for donee's exempt purpose | $125,000 |
| Charlottesville Ballet | Grant is for donee's exempt purpose | $110,000 |
| Arc of the Piedmont | Grant is for donee's exempt purpose | $100,000 |
| Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Virginia | Grant is for donee's exempt purpose | $100,000 |
| Hospice of the Piedmont | Grant is for donee's exempt purpose | $100,000 |
| Peabody Essex Museum Inc | Grant is for donee's exempt purpose | $100,000 |
| The Paramount Theater Foundation Inc | Grant is for donee's exempt purpose | $100,000 |
| Virginia Foundation for the Humanities and Public Policy | Grant is for donee's exempt purpose | $75,000 |
| American Shakespeare Festival | Grant is for donee's exempt purpose | $60,000 |
| Santa Fe Opera | Grant is for donee's exempt purpose | $55,000 |
| Artsmart | Grant is for donee's exempt purpose | $50,000 |
| Bennett's Village Inc | Grant is for donee's exempt purpose | $50,000 |
| Camp Holiday Trail | Grant is for donee's exempt purpose | $50,000 |
| Conexus | Grant is for donee's exempt purpose | $50,000 |
| Corporation for Jefferson's Poplar Forest | Grant is for donee's exempt purpose | $50,000 |
| Opera America Inc | Grant is for donee's exempt purpose | $50,000 |
| Philadelphia Museum of Art | Grant is for donee's exempt purpose | $50,000 |
| The College Foundation of the University of Virgina | Grant is for donee's exempt purpose | $50,000 |
| The Miller Center Foundation | Grant is for donee's exempt purpose | $50,000 |
| Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Foundation | Grant is for donee's exempt purpose | $50,000 |
| Virginia Chamber Music Foundation | Grant is for donee's exempt purpose | $45,000 |
| Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities (DBA Preservation | Grant is for donee's exempt purpose | $40,000 |
| Light House Studio Inc | Grant is for donee's exempt purpose | $35,000 |
| Documentary Film Fund | Grant is for donee's exempt purpose | $30,000 |
| Five Points Center for the Visual Arts | Grant is for donee's exempt purpose | $30,000 |
| The Municipal Band of Charlottesville Inc (DBA the Charlottesville Band) | Grant is for donee's exempt purpose | $30,000 |
| Arizona Opera Company | Grant is for donee's exempt purpose | $25,000 |
| Boston Lyric Opera Company Inc | Grant is for donee's exempt purpose | $25,000 |
| Literacy Volunteers of Charlottesville Albemarle | Grant is for donee's exempt purpose | $25,000 |
| Martha Jefferson Hospital Foundation | Grant is for donee's exempt purpose | $25,000 |
| National Jewish Theatre Foundation | Grant is for donee's exempt purpose | $25,000 |
| New England Historic Genealogical Society (Nehgs) | Grant is for donee's exempt purpose | $25,000 |
| Piedmont Family YMCA | Grant is for donee's exempt purpose | $25,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Joseph Erdman
- Melissa Young
Questions people ask
Does The Joseph and Robert Cornell Memorial Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does The Joseph and Robert Cornell Memorial Foundation give?
$5.6 million in tax year 2025, across 58 grants, with a typical grant of $37,500.
Who runs The Joseph and Robert Cornell Memorial Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Joseph Erdman (Trustee) and Melissa Young (Trustee).
What does The Joseph and Robert Cornell Memorial Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly arts and culture, education and environment and conservation.