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The Bwf Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

The Bwf Foundation

Its FY2025 filing reports that it funds preselected organizations and did not take unsolicited requests; check the foundation's own site before ruling it out.

$213k
Granted FY2025still arriving
28
Grants FY2025still arriving
3
States reached
$43k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
01What it funds
0197% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2020 to 2025.

Arts & Culture$257kEducation$166kPhilanthropy$26kCivil Rights$21kYouth Development$16kMembership Benefit$15kPublic Benefit$13kHuman Services$12kOther$0
02FY2025 · 28 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2025

  • Under $10k21 grants · $81k
  • $10k–50k7 grants · $131k
$5,000
Median grant
3
States reached
$43k
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
CALHOUN SCHOOLS INC$43,172
NEW VENTURE FUND$25,000
THE BROADWAY LEAGUE$18,000
THE PEOPLES THEATRE$14,280
PODERISTAS COMMUNITY FUND$10,942
CONGRESSIONAL HISPANIC CAUCUS INSTITUTE INC$10,032
STELLA ADLER SCHOOL$10,000
IATI THEATRE$8,557
THALIA SPANISH THEATRE$8,360
UNITED WE DREAM NETWORK$7,532
BALLET HISPANICO$7,106
BROADWAY CARES$5,852
MAKE THE ROAD NEW YORK$5,225
THE PUBLIC THEATRE$5,000
ENVSN FOUNDATION$4,975
02The need
03

Does the money reach high-need areas?

Each grant placed by the hardship in its grantee’s ZIP, against the area’s typical level.

show:

Its human-services grants (FY23–25, $16k) land where the poverty rate runs at 13%, against an area that typically sits at 11%. 31% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Its grants skew toward lower-need ZIPs.

area typical 11%PODERISTAS COMMUNITY FUND: $11k → 10%BROADWAY ADVOCACY COALITION: $5k → 17%0%20%40%50%more need →
grant to an above-average-need area below average· circle size = grant amount
How this is measured
Matched: human-services grants are those whose grantee’s IRS cause code is Human Services. Placed by people below the poverty line in the grantee’s ZIP, averaged from the tracts in that ZIP.
How this is measured
US grants placed by each grantee’s ZIP, which can differ from where services are delivered. Need from public data (U.S. Census/ACS, CDC PLACES, Eviction Lab, USDA), shown as context about the area, never attributed to the funder’s giving.
03Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

Organizations funded in more than one year, against those funded once.

63%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$341k · 23 repeat orgs$202k to everyone else

Grantees it renews have grown median revenue +28% since the first grant, against +6% for those funded once.

23 repeat relationships: 10 still active in FY2025, 13 since wound down; 17 grantees were first funded in FY2025 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

23
29

Total granted

$341k
$99k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+28%
+6%

Still filing today

78%
76%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2025, 45% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $104k went to new ones.

50%100%’20’21’22’23’24’25
RenewedFirst-time

Where new relationships form · theme of each grantee’s first grant

’20’21’22’23’24’25
Arts & CultureEducationCommunity ImprovementFood & NutritionHuman ServicesYouth DevelopmentOther
How this is measured
First-time means a grantee’s first year in the filing window; renewed means funded in an earlier year too. The renewed share climbs naturally as a portfolio matures, so the signal is a year that bucks it (a wave of new grantees). The earliest year is left-censored: relationships that predate the data read as new. Theme is the grantee’s IRS cause.

Backed again, and grew

  • TS
    THE STUDIO SCHOOL
    2× · 2020–2021 · $54k · revenue +28%
  • TB
    THE BROADWAY LEAGUE INC
    3× · 2020–2025 · $45k · revenue +84%
  • TA
    THE ACTORS' FUND OF AMERICA
    2× · 2022–2025 · $16k · revenue +19%

Funded once

  • MC
    MANHATTAN CLASS COMPANY INC
    one grant, 2023 · $10k · revenue +6%
  • YA
    YOUTH AMERICA INC
    one grant, 2021 · $10k
  • WE
    WOMENS ENTREPRENEURSHIP DAY ORGANIZATION INC
    one grant, 2023 · $10k · revenue -25%
How this is measured

Repeat means funded in two or more distinct years. Growth and survival are read from each grantee’s own subsequent IRS filings.

04Its field

Closest unfunded matches

The nonprofits that most resemble its grantees but are not funded by it, scored along the direction from the rest of the field toward the portfolio. A resemblance in what they say they do, not a recommendation.

1
Transport Group Inc Dba Transport Group Theatre Company

Producing and developing plays and musicals.

Arts & Culture
2
New York Theatre Workshop Inc

To provoke, produce and cultivate the work of artists whose visions inspire and challenge all of us.

Arts & Culture
3
Staretthe Directors Company Inc

The Directors Company is an award-winning not-for-profit theatre company with an extraordinary record in its mission to develop and produce groundbreaking new plays and musicals initiated and generated by outstanding directorial talent,…

Arts & Culture
4
Susan Smith Blackburn Prize Inc
—
5
New York Shakespeare Festival

As the nation's foremost producer of shakespeare and new work, the public theater is dedicated to achieving artistic excellence while developing an american theater that is accessible and relevant to all people through productions of…

Arts & Culture
6
Atlantic Theater Company

At Atlantic, our aim is singular: to empower simple and honest storytelling that fosters greater understanding of our shared world. Across our work, we are a family of artists dedicated to exploring essential truths onstage, be it a show…

Arts & Culture
7
The Actors Center Inc

Creative residency programs, artist development workshops, advanced training opportunities, and mentorship for professional actors and people who wish to participate in the performing arts.

Arts & Culture
8
Spanish Theatre Repertory Company Ltd

To present, in a rotating repertory, the finest latin american, spanish, and latino usa theatre and to serve as a catalyst for cultural exchange between spanish and english speaking americans.

Arts & Culture
9
New York City Center Inc

The mission of new york city center is to be new york city's leading center for dance and musical theater. dedicated to making the arts accessible to the broadest possible audience, city center seeks to create a welcoming environment and…

Arts & Culture
10
Soho Repertory Theatre Inc

Soho repertory provides radical theater makers with productions of the highest caliber and tailor-made development at key junctures in their artistic practice. we elevate artists as thought leaders and citizens who change the field and…

Arts & Culture
11
En Garde Arts Inc

To produce bold theatre experiences that reach across artistic, physical and social boundries. We aim to increase empathy and open-mindedness by illuminating nuanced perspectives and unspoken truths behind the salient issues of our time.…

Arts & Culture
12
Titan Productions Incorporated

Titan theatre company is committed to breathing new life and clarity into classical works of theatre, exploring new and contemporary language plays, and delivering adventurous and visceral theatrical experiences for our audiences and…

Arts & Culture
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Theatre Development Fund Inc; the most unlike its peers is Envsn Foundation. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
04the grantee network

55 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2025.

Each grant beside the grantee’s revenue from every source, year by year.

How this is measured

Counted here: distinct organizations funded across 2017 to 2025, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 55 of the 71 grantees resolved in that span have returns of their own we could reconcile.

Each grantee is resolved to its own IRS returns. Association, dated; never a causal claim.

0
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
7
Early backer (in before they grew)
55/55
Grantees still filing
31/55
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

THE STUDIO SCHOOL: $53,621 · OtherTHE STUDIO SCHOOLTHE BROADWAY LEAGUE INC: $45,175 · OtherTHE BROADWAY LEAGUE INCTHE BROADWAY LEAGUE (JIMMY AWARDS): $27,000 · OtherTHE BROADWAY LEAGUE (JIMMY AWARDS)VINEYARD THEATRE: $21,000 · OtherVINEYARD THEATRETHE PEOPLES THEATRE: $14,280 · Other+33 more: $140,622 · Other+33 moreTHE CALHOUN SCHOOL INC: $86,297 · EducationTHE CALHOUN SCHOOL I…WILLIAM J BRENNAN CENTER FOR JUSTICE INC: $6,500 · EducationWILLIAM J BRENNAN CE…FAMILY EQUALITY: $6,000 · EducationFAMILY EQUALITY+2 more: $4,590 · EducationTHEATRE FOR A NEW AUDIENCE INC: $14,500 · Arts & CultureTHEATRE FOR A NEW …ROUNDABOUT THEATRE COMPANY INC: $11,500 · Arts & CultureROUNDABOUT THEATRE…MANHATTAN CLASS COMPANY INC: $10,000 · Arts & CultureMANHATTAN CLASS CO…THALIA SPANISH THEATRE INC: $8,360 · Arts & CultureTHALIA SPANISH THE…BALLET HISPANICO OF NEW YORK INC: $7,606 · Arts & CultureBALLET HISPANICO O…THE SECOND STAGE THEATRE INC: $6,000 · Arts & CultureTHE SECOND STAGE T…OFF THE LANE INC: $5,000 · Arts & CultureSTELLA ADLER STUDIO OF ACTING: $5,000 · Arts & CultureTHE NEW GROUP INC: $5,000 · Arts & CultureEnvsn Foundation: $4,975 · Arts & Culture+11 more: $17,100 · Arts & Culture+11 moreNEW VENTURE FUND: $25,000 · EnvironmentMADISON SQUARE PARK CONSERVANCY INC: $3,000 · EnvironmentTHE ACTORS' FUND OF AMERICA: $16,000 · Membership BenefitPODERISTAS COMMUNITY FUND: $10,942 · Human ServicesBROADWAY ADVOCACY COALITION INC: $5,000 · Human ServicesWOMENS ENTREPRENEURSHIP DAY ORGANIZATION INC: $10,000 · Community Improvement+1 more: $250 · Community Improvement
Other$301,698Education$103,387Arts & Culture$95,041Environment$28,000Membership Benefit$16,000Human Services$15,942Community Improvement$10,250

Each grantee by its size and the funder’s share of it; top left is load-bearing

25%50%75%100%$100k$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetTHE CALHOUN SCHOOL INC: $86,297 over 3y, 0.1% of budgetTHE STUDIO SCHOOL: $53,621 over 2y, 1.1% of budgetTHE BROADWAY LEAGUE INC: $45,175 over 3y, 0.2% of budgetTHE ACTORS' FUND OF AMERICA: $16,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetTHEATRE FOR A NEW AUDIENCE INC: $14,500 over 4y, 0.1% of budgetROUNDABOUT THEATRE COMPANY INC: $11,500 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetMANHATTAN CLASS COMPANY INC: $10,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetTHALIA SPANISH THEATRE INC: $8,360 over 1y, 1.1% of budgetBALLET HISPANICO OF NEW YORK INC: $7,606 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetWILLIAM J BRENNAN CENTER FOR JUSTICE INC: $6,500 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetFAMILY EQUALITY: $6,000 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetTHE SECOND STAGE THEATRE INC: $6,000 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetBROADWAY CARESEQUITY FIGHTS AIDS INC: $5,852 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetGOD'S LOVE WE DELIVER INC: $5,100 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetOFF THE LANE INC: $5,000 over 1y, 5.4% of budgetSTELLA ADLER STUDIO OF ACTING: $5,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetTHE NEW GROUP INC: $5,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetBROADWAY ADVOCACY COALITION INC: $5,000 over 1y, 0.6% of budgetCITYMEALS-ON-WHEELS: $4,500 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetHARLEM STAGE INC: $4,000 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetPS 11 PROGRAMS INC: $3,980 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetMADISON SQUARE PARK CONSERVANCY INC: $3,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetTHE NEW 42ND STREET INC: $3,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetFUND FOR THE CITY OF NEW YORK INC: $2,508 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetNEW YORK STAGE AND FILM INC: $2,500 over 2y, 0.2% of budgetTHE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK: $2,500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetMANHATTAN THEATRE CLUB INC: $2,500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetCSC REPERTORY LTD D/B/A CLASSIC STAGE COMPANY: $2,500 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetUNIDOSUS: $2,090 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetALI FORNEY CENTER INC: $2,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetWOMEN'S PROJECT & PRODUCTIONS INC: $2,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetRebuilding Together DC Alexandria: $2,000 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetTHEATRE DEVELOPMENT FUND INC: $1,750 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetTHE PHILHARMONIC SYMPHONY SOCIETY OF NY INC: $1,500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetPLAYWRIGHTS HORIZONS INC: $1,500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetST JOHN SCHOOL OF THE ARTS: $1,000 over 1y, 0.3% of budgetColorado Healing Fund: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetTHEATREWORKS USA CORPORATION: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetTHE DRAMA LEAGUE OF NEW YORK INC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetUNITED JEWISH APPEAL-FEDERATION OF JEWISH PHILANTHROPIES OF NEW YORK INC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetNEWYORKREP INC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetTHEATRE COMMUNICATIONS GROUP INC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetClubbed Thumb Inc: $1,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetTHE MICHAEL J FOX FOUNDATION FOR PARKINSON'S RESEARCH: $250 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetCO LAB THEATER GROUP INC: $100 over 1y, 0.0% of budget
Grantee by grantee: a decade per organization, before and after funding

A decade per grantee: revenue shaded, grants as bars, all rows on one timeline.

Co-funders

Grantmakers whose grantees overlap with this funder’s far more than size alone predicts. Closer means stronger alignment; arcs show where they also fund each other. Here they form a tightly interlocked group: most of these funders back each other's grantees too.

The Howard Gilman Fou…The Shubert Foundatio…The Hyde and Watson F…Jewish Communal FundThe Lucille Lortel Fo…Hispanic Federation I…The Macmillan Family …The New York Communit…Richenthal FoundationDaryl & Steven Roth F…Axe-Houghton Foundati…Booth Ferris Foundati…
The Howard Gilman Foundation IncNY33.8× affinity14 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: The Howard Gilman Foundation Inc · The Shubert Foundation Inc · The Hyde and Watson Foundation · Jewish Communal Fund · The Lucille Lortel Foundation Inc · Hispanic Federation Inc · The Macmillan Family Foundation Inc · The New York Community Trust · Richenthal Foundation · Daryl & Steven Roth Foundation · Axe-Houghton Foundation · Booth Ferris Foundation Xxxxx4008

How this is measured
Affinity is a Gamma-Poisson posterior co-funding rate, re-centered on the typical rate, so thin evidence shrinks toward no signal. Overlap is association, not proof of shared intent.

How much its grantees rely on government

Each dot is one organization The Bwf Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from The Bwf Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 00%1%3%6%10%funder's share of their income ↑0%25%50%75%100%share of the org’s income from government →
    no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
    0get no government money at all
    18report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
    0rely on government for over half their income
    typical government reliance, FY20–25
    How this is measured
    Government income is each org’s traced federal awards (USASpending grants and contracts) plus state payments (open checkbooks) as a share of its total revenue (IRS Form 990); the self-reported government-grant line (990 line 1e) is carried for cross-check: a grantee that reports government grants we could not trace to a source is left off the chart rather than shown as receiving none. An association, not a claim that a grant caused the public funding. Coverage is precision-first, a floor rather than a census; state records exist for 9 states, so a grantee outside them shows no state figure (dimmed) rather than a false zero. Federal award amounts are obligations, which can span years, so a single-year share is indicative. 990 filings lag 12 to 24 months.

    On method. Every financial figure here is read from IRS e-file XML, the funder’s own 990/990-PF, and from the multi-year returns of the 71 grantees we resolved, each linked to its source. Grantee outcomes are each organization’s own program-service reporting (Form 990, Part III), read as association with funding, never as caused by it. Low-confidence name matches are suppressed rather than guessed. How we build these →

    How this is measured
    Each figure carries one of six labels. Filed is what the funder reported on its return. Official is another government record about an organization, such as a federal award or a charity register, joined by name where no shared identifier exists. Resolved is an identity we worked out where the filing named a recipient without an EIN, kept only above a measured confidence threshold. Computed is arithmetic over those, like themes, portfolio clusters and co-funder strength. Context is a statistic about a place rather than about an organization, which is what the need overlay is: it describes the area a grantee’s address sits in, not where its work lands. Inferred is drawn by a model from text, like the partnerships read out of public news and organization websites. Each is labeled where it appears.

    Generated from the IRS Form 990-PF e-file return for fiscal year 2025, released 2025. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

    Source object · view filing

    Play a game based on Bwf’s filings →

    More from the funding graph

    The unnamed billions
    grants reported with no recipient in the public record
    The regranting layer
    51% of grant dollars land in the regranting layer
    The DAF merry-go-round
    $9.7B circulates between donor-advised funds
    The endowment market
    who holds foundation money, and what just moved
    The camps
    funders cluster by geography, not ideology
    By state
    where grant money is based, and what stays home