Ernst & Elfriede Frank Foundation Inc
The Ernst & Elfriede Frank Foundation, Inc. is a private foundation based in New York City, established in 1962. It supports nonprofit organizations working in education, environmental causes, historical preservation, community outreach, cultural enrichment, the arts, healthcare, and social services.
Ernst & Elfriede Frank Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Ernst & Elfriede Frank Foundation Inc gave $914K across 151 grants in 2025 (avg $6K), top state Massachusetts. 19% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $913,916
- +34.4% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 151
- +2.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $6,052
- +30.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $16,092,153
- +3.9% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 19% first-time grantees (29 of 151, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (31% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Ernst & Elfriede Frank Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states on its 2024 filing that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 736 West 187 Street 609, New York, NY 10033
Phone: (603) 767-4732
Website: https://www.eeffi.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Ernst & Elfriede Frank Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Roosevelt University ($50K). Together the top 10 received $272K.
Grant Size Distribution
839 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 837 grants of 839 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s 2025 grant dollars were concentrated in Massachusetts (31%) and New York (30%), followed by Idaho (9%), Illinois (5%), and Maine (4%). Its 2025 grants also included recipients in other states, such as New Jersey and Vermont.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 151 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Ernst & Elfriede Frank Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
19%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 29 of 151 grantees (19%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $5K; repeat grants $6K. How we count
Medians: $3K first-time, $5K repeat.
- 72% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 23% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 89% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $586K (2020) to $914K (2025). In 2025 it made 151 grants totaling $914K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Roosevelt University Chicago, IL | General Charitable | $50,000 |
| Nantucket Arts Council Inc Nantucket, MA | General Charitable | $31,916 |
| Dancing Classrooms Inc New York, NY | General Charitable | $30,000 |
| Metropolitan Opera New York, NY | General Charitable | $30,000 |
| Housing Nantucket Nantucket, MA | General Charitable | $25,000 |
| Pan-Massachusetts Challenge Inc Needham, MA | General Charitable | $25,000 |
| Cliff Island Corporation for Athletics & Conservation Education Cliff Island, ME | General Charitable | $20,000 |
| Hackensack University Medical Center Foundation Inc Edison, NJ | General Charitable | $20,000 |
| Hudson River Community Sailing Inc New York, NY | General Charitable | $20,000 |
| National Dance Institute New York, NY | General Charitable | $20,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $16,092,153 | $1,723,758 | $1,116,292 | $913,916 | 151 | $945,323 | $1,594,765 | $1,062,381 |
| 2024 | $15,484,687 | $2,630,799 | $748,573 | $680,091 | 147 | $705,278 | $2,055,429 | $926,993 |
| 2023 | $13,602,461 | $2,978,478 | $834,262 | $776,786 | 164 | $806,682 | $329,002 | $730,162 |
| 2022 | $11,458,245 | $528,186 | $884,300 | $743,832 | 186 | $781,068 | $499,954 | $817,117 |
| 2021 | $11,814,359 | $4,461,373 | $671,214 | $626,376 | 191 | — | $4,433,358 | $748,772 |
| 2020 | $8,024,200 | $824,232 | $623,052 | $585,758 | 196 | — | $814,818 | $620,052 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Ernst & Elfriede Frank Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.1M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s website says it considers requests for charitable support for nonprofit entities, including educational, environmental, historical, community outreach, cultural enrichment, artistic, healthcare, and social service organizations.
Its 2025 grantees illustrate the range of organizations it supports. Roosevelt University describes its mission as educating socially conscious citizens through higher education and professional development. Nantucket Arts Council says it supports a collaborative arts community through education, grants, scholarships, and events. Pan-Massachusetts Challenge says it raises funds for the Jimmy Fund at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute for cancer research, treatment, cure, and education. National Dance Institute describes using dance to foster children’s participation in the arts, while Professional Children’s School says it provides academic education for young people pursuing careers in the arts and other endeavors. Hudson River Community Sailing says it develops leadership and academic success among New York City youth and provides maritime education and recreation.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation made 151 grants totaling $913,916. Grants ranged from $500 to $50,000, with a median grant of $5,000. Its largest 2025 grants included $50,000 to Roosevelt University, $31,916 to Nantucket Arts Council, $30,000 each to Dancing Classrooms and Metropolitan Opera, and $25,000 each to Housing Nantucket and Pan-Massachusetts Challenge.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Elfriede EB Walden as president, Samantha K Frank as vice president, Kasara MB Gage as treasurer, Dr Jeptha Tausig as secretary, and Eva Maria Tausig as a board member.
Ernst & Elfriede Frank Foundation Inc is led by Elfriede Eb Walden, President since 2024 (on filings since 2020); 1 of 5 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Elfriede Eb Walden
President
Board Member As Req'd → President As Req'd, 2023
President As Req'd → President, 2024
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Kasara Mb Gage
Treasurer
Board Member As Req'd → Treasurer As Req'd, 2023
Treasurer As Req'd → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
15 hrs/week
$16K (2024) → $16K (2025)
Eva Maria Tausig
Board Member
President As Req'd → Board Member As Req'd, 2023
Board Member As Req'd → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Jephtha Tausig
Secretary
Secretary As Req'd → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Samantha K. Frank
Vice President
Vice President As Req'd → Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Ernest H. Frank (2020–2023) — Board Member - As Req'd
- Former: Samantha Frank Starr (2020–2022) — Board Member As Req'd
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $16K, to Kasara MB Gage (Treasurer).
Frequently asked questions about Ernst & Elfriede Frank Foundation Inc
How much does Ernst & Elfriede Frank Foundation Inc give each year?
Ernst & Elfriede Frank Foundation Inc gave $914K across 151 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $680K across 147 grants.
What is Ernst & Elfriede Frank Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Ernst & Elfriede Frank Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $5,000, and its average grant was $6,052, across 151 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Ernst & Elfriede Frank Foundation Inc that year got $5K on average.
Where does Ernst & Elfriede Frank Foundation Inc give grants?
Ernst & Elfriede Frank Foundation Inc's top state is Massachusetts, with 31% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were New York (30%) and Idaho (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (31 grants), Nantucket, MA (18 grants), Boston, MA (11 grants) and Hailey, ID (4 grants).
Does Ernst & Elfriede Frank Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Ernst & Elfriede Frank Foundation Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (151 of 151) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Ernst & Elfriede Frank Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Ernst & Elfriede Frank Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Roosevelt University ($50,000), Nantucket Arts Council Inc ($31,916) and Dancing Classrooms Inc ($30,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 12% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Ernst & Elfriede Frank Foundation Inc?
Ernst & Elfriede Frank Foundation Inc reported $16.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $945K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.1M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Ernst & Elfriede Frank Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s website says it considers requests for charitable support for nonprofit entities, including educational, environmental, historical, community outreach, cultural enrichment, artistic, healthcare, and social service organizations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Ernst & Elfriede Frank Foundation Inc?
The foundation states on its 2024 filing that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Ernst & Elfriede Frank Foundation Inc's EIN?
Ernst & Elfriede Frank Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-6106471. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Ernst & Elfriede Frank Foundation Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Ernst & Elfriede Frank Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/ernst-and-elfriede-frank-foundation-inc-morg_eaeefa84e80d454382bc68002f2138ac
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_136106471_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Ernst \& Elfriede Frank Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/ernst-and-elfriede-frank-foundation-inc-morg_eaeefa84e80d454382bc68002f2138ac},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Ernst & Elfriede Frank Foundation Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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