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The Robert K Steel Family Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

The Robert K Steel Family Foundation

Its FY2024 filing reports that it funds preselected organizations and did not take unsolicited requests; check the foundation's own site before ruling it out.

$355k
Granted FY2024still arriving
4
Grants FY2024still arriving
1
States reached
$300k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
05Through PlinthRead
01What it funds
0196% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2020 to 2024.

Arts & Culture$4.2MEducation$2.2MHealth$1.3MSocial Science$985kEnvironment$478kScience & Tech$270kRecreation & Sports$188kHuman Services$71kOther$0
02FY2024 · 4 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2024

  • $10k–50k3 grants · $55k
  • $250k+1 grant · $300k
$25,000
Median grant
1
States reached
$952k
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
The Shed NYC Inc$300,000
Central Park Conservancy$25,000
Whitney Museum Of American Art$20,000
Roosevelt Institute Library$10,000
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:

Dollar for dollar, its grants (FY24–24) land where the poverty rate runs at 17%, against an area that typically sits at 12%. 100% of its dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 12%Whitney Museum Of American Art: $20k → 17%Central Park Conservancy: $25k → 17%Roosevelt Institute Library: $10k → 17%The Shed NYC Inc: $300k → 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.

93%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$8.9M · 19 repeat orgs$716k to everyone else

Grantees it renews have grown median revenue +42% since the first grant, against -3% for those funded once.

19 repeat relationships: 4 still active in FY2024, 15 since wound down.

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

19
32

Total granted

$8.9M
$716k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+42%
-3%

Still filing today

84%
69%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2024, 100% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $0 went to new ones.

50%100%’20’21’23’24
RenewedFirst-time

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

’20’21’23’24
EducationArts & CultureEnvironmentSocial ScienceRecreation & SportsYouth 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

  • LC
    LINCOLN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS INC
    3× · 2020–2023 · $3.0M · revenue +13%
  • TR
    THE ROCKEFELLER UNIVERSITY
    3× · 2020–2023 · $1.1M · revenue +1%
  • NY
    NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN
    2× · 2020–2021 · $475k · revenue +42%

Funded once

  • HC
    Harvard College
    one grant, 2020 · $400k
  • CA
    College Advising Corp
    one grant, 2021 · $50k
  • TR
    THE RIVER FUND NEW YORK INC
    one grant, 2021 · $50k · revenue -35%
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
American Museum of Natural History

The museum's mission statement is: "to discover, interpret, and disseminate - through scientific research and education - knowledge about human cultures, the natural world, and the universe."

Arts & Culture
2
Institute for Advanced Study - Louis Bamberger & Mrs Felix Fuld Foundation

The institute for advanced study (the institute) is one of the world's leading centers for theoretical research and intellectual inquiry. see schedule o.

Science & Tech
3
New York University

Nyu is a private university with approximately 60,000 matriculating students in 20 schools and institutes. nyu's primary missions are education, research and scholarship, and patient care.

Education
4
The Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences

The mission of the brooklyn institute of arts and sciences, d/b/a brooklyn museum (the "museum") is to bring people together through art and experiences that inspire celebration, compassion, courage, and the will to act. (see schedule o).

Arts & Culture
5
University of New Haven

The University of New Haven is a student-centered comprehensive university with an emphasis on excellence in liberal arts and professional education. Our mission is to prepare our students to lead purposeful and fulfilling lives in a…

Education
6
Boston Architectural College

The bac is committed to provide excellence in design education grounded in practice and accessible to diverse communities.

—
7
The Trustees of Princeton University

Research, education and general - princeton university is a private not-for-profit, non-sectarian institution of higher learning with approximately 5,700 undergraduate and 3,300 graduate students. 2,500 students graduated in the 2024-2025…

Education
8
Bard College

Bard college seeks to provide a challenging academic program and a supportive environment that fosters a collaborative interchange of ideas in the classroom as well as ambition to achieve excellence.

Education
9
The Jewish Museum

The mission of the jewish museum is to collect, preserve, exhibit and interpret art and jewish culture. see schedule o for more information.

Arts & Culture
10
Manhattanville University

To educate students to be ethical and socially responsible leaders in a global community.

Education
11
The Frick Collection

The Frick Collection (the "Collection") operates an internationally recognized art museum and library program for the inspiration and enjoyment of the public and for the advancement of the study of fine arts and kindred subjects.

—
12
Museum of the City of New York

The museum of the city of new york fosters understanding of the distinctive nature of urban life in the world's most influential metropolis. it engages visitors by celebrating, documenting, and interpreting the city's past, present, and…

Arts & Culture
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Uncommon Schools Inc; the most unlike its peers is Bradford Alumni Association Inc. 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

41 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. 41 of the 53 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)
5
Early backer (in before they grew)
40/41
Grantees still filing
26/41
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

LINCOLN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS INC: $3,000,000 · Arts & CultureLINCOLN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS INCWORLD TRADE CENTER PERFORMING ARTS CENTER INC: $450,000 · Arts & CultureWORLD TRADE CENTER PERFORMING ARTS CENTER INCSHED NYC INC: $350,000 · Arts & CultureSHED NYC INCNew York Historical Society: $300,000 · Arts & CultureNew York Historical Society+5 more: $172,500 · Arts & CultureHospital for Special Surgery: $1,320,000 · OtherHospital for Special SurgeryHarvard Business School: $600,000 · OtherHarvard Business SchoolHarvard College: $400,000 · OtherHarvard College+21 more: $223,150 · Other+21 moreTHE ROCKEFELLER UNIVERSITY: $1,075,000 · EducationTHE ROCKEFELLER UNIVERS…DUKE UNIVERSITY: $379,000 · EducationDUKE UNIVERSITYPresident and Fellows of Harvard College: $270,000 · EducationPresident and Fellows o…GREENWICH ACADEMY INC: $187,500 · EducationGREENWICH ACADEMY INCThe Pierpont Morgan Library: $75,000 · Education+6 more: $27,850 · EducationNEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN: $475,000 · Environment+2 more: $2,500 · EnvironmentTHE ASPEN INSTITUTE INC: $315,000 · Social ScienceAMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY RESEARCH: $50,000 · Social Science+1 more: $10,000 · Social ScienceNorthwestern University: $100,000 · Recreation & SportsCENTRAL PARK CONSERVANCY INC: $87,600 · Recreation & SportsTHE RIVER FUND NEW YORK INC: $50,000 · Human Services
Arts & Culture$4,272,500Other$2,543,150Education$2,014,350Environment$477,500Social Science$375,000Recreation & Sports$187,600Human Services$50,000

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

25%50%75%100%$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetLINCOLN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS INC: $3,000,000 over 3y, 1.4% of budgetTHE ROCKEFELLER UNIVERSITY: $1,075,000 over 3y, 0.1% of budgetNEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN: $475,000 over 2y, 0.4% of budgetWORLD TRADE CENTER PERFORMING ARTS CENTER INC: $450,000 over 3y, 0.6% of budgetDUKE UNIVERSITY: $379,000 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetSHED NYC INC: $350,000 over 2y, 0.9% of budgetTHE ASPEN INSTITUTE INC: $315,000 over 3y, 0.1% of budgetNew York Historical Society: $300,000 over 2y, 0.4% of budgetPresident and Fellows of Harvard College: $270,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetGREENWICH ACADEMY INC: $187,500 over 3y, 0.2% of budgetWHITNEY MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART: $130,000 over 3y, 0.1% of budgetNorthwestern University: $100,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetCENTRAL PARK CONSERVANCY INC: $87,600 over 4y, 0.0% of budgetThe Pierpont Morgan Library: $75,000 over 2y, 0.2% of budgetTHE RIVER FUND NEW YORK INC: $50,000 over 1y, 0.3% of budgetAMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY RESEARCH: $50,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetGREATER NEW YORK COUNCILS BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA: $35,000 over 2y, 0.3% of budgetFRIENDS OF THE HIGH LINE INC: $25,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetREGIONAL PLAN ASSOCIATION INC: $25,000 over 1y, 0.4% of budgetFAMILY CENTERS INC: $21,000 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetMuseum of Modern Art: $15,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetBROWN UNIVERSITY: $12,500 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetVALUE REPORTING FOUNDATION: $10,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetTHE ECONOMIC CLUB OF NEW YORK: $10,000 over 1y, 0.3% of budgetTHE ROOSEVELT INSTITUTE: $10,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetEXODUS SCHOOL: $5,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetWATERSIDE SCHOOL INC: $5,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetMUSEUM OF AMERICAN FINANCE: $5,000 over 1y, 0.3% of budgetUNCOMMON SCHOOLS INC: $5,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetCITIZENS COMMITTEE FOR NEW YORK CITY INC: $5,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetINTERNATIONAL FRIENDS OF THE LONDON LIBRARY INC: $2,500 over 1y, 1.1% of budgetTHE GARDEN CONSERVANCY INC: $1,500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetBRUCE MUSEUM INC: $1,500 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetThe Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Inc: $1,150 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetTHE BOOKS FOR KIDS FOUNDATION: $1,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetBOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF GREENWICH: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetGREENWICH HISTORICAL SOCIETY INC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetNew York City Partnership Foundation Inc: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetSILVER SHIELD ASSOCIATION INC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.3% of budgetTHE GREENWICH LAND TRUST INC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetBRADFORD ALUMNI ASSOCIATION INC: $350 over 1y, 1.1% 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 Goldman Sachs Cha…The New York Communit…Gs Donor Advised Phil…Schwartz Family Found…Royce Family Fund IncNational Philanthropi…Hillman Family Founda…Vanguard Charitable E…The Bessemer Giving F…The Ford FoundationJewish Communal FundJpmorgan Chase Founda…
The Goldman Sachs Charitable Gift FundNY23.9× affinity10 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: The Goldman Sachs Charitable Gift Fund · The New York Community Trust · Gs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund for Wealth Management Inc · Schwartz Family Foundation · Royce Family Fund Inc · National Philanthropic Trust · Hillman Family Foundations · Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program · The Bessemer Giving Fund · The Ford Foundation · Jewish Communal Fund · Jpmorgan Chase Foundation

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 Robert K Steel Family Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from The Robert K Steel Family Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 00%0%1%3%5%funder's share of their income ↑0%1%3%4%5%share of the org’s income from government →
    no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
    0get no government money at all
    1report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
    0rely on government for over half their income
    ⤢ axis zoomed · 0–5%
    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.
    05Through Plinth

    Warm introductions · Powered by PlinthPlus

    How do I get to The Robert K Steel Family Foundation?

    Find your warmest path to The Robert K Steel Family Foundation through trustees and officers whose names appear on both boards. Search for your organization and Plinth traces the shortest route it can evidence.

    Each link is a name appearing on two organizations’ public IRS 990 filings, matched on that name and, where the filings support it, on location. A same-state match has geographic support, which is a second matching feature rather than confirmation that the two are one person; a cross-state one is the likeliest to be two people who share a name. Every hop shows its tier, low-confidence and distant paths are held back rather than guessed, and it is worth confirming the person before you use the introduction.

    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 53 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 2024, released 2024. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

    Source object · view filing

    Play a game based on Robert K Steel Family’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