The Vilcek Foundation commemorates 25 years of impact with new opportunities for nonprofit organizations supporting immigrants in the arts and sciences.
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK / ACCESSWIRE / December 4, 2024 / The Vilcek Foundation has announced a bold change in its approach to philanthropy. The Vilcek Foundation invites applications for grants to support nonprofit organizations that work with immigrant artists and communities and promote diversity in the arts, sciences, and education. The foundation will accept applications for grants through June 30, 2025, as the first in a new annual grantmaking cycle. A total of $200,000 in new grant awards will be made in 2025, with individual grants typically between $5,000 and $20,000 each.
The increase in grantmaking comes at a significant time for the Vilcek Foundation. "In 2025, the Vilcek Foundation celebrates the 25th anniversary of its establishment on December 1, 2000," says philanthropist and Vilcek Foundation co-founder, Vice Chairman, and Secretary Marica Vilcek. "As we approach this milestone, we aim to measurably expand the foundation's financial contributions through increasing the quantities of prizes and grants we award annually. We are strategically focusing on increasing our support for arts organizations, and to immigrant professionals in the arts."
Says Vilcek Foundation President Rick Kinsel, "As leaders in philanthropy, the Vilcek Foundation recognizes that funding for nonprofits is concentrated in major and coastal cities in the United States. Over the next few years, we hope to award grants and partner with nonprofit organizations in all 50 states and all U.S. territories. Our goal is that this call for applications empowers nonprofits across the United States to expand their reach, engage diverse populations, and advance their missions."
The Vilcek Foundation's increase in grantmaking comes at a time when organizations in the cultural sector are reporting a decrease in funding across the board. This shift in the foundation's grantmaking also comes at a point when there is a noted increase in anti-immigrant sentiment in some circles.
"As immigrant populations reach historic highs in the United States, we observe a backlash to immigration and xenophobic rhetoric, as has been observed historically at other times when immigrant populations have increased," says Vilcek Foundation co-founder, CEO, and Chairman Jan Vilcek. "We know that immigrants are pre-eminent in leading scientific discovery in the United States, and their perspective and insight enrich the arts and humanities, benefitting culture at large. Our work at the Vilcek Foundation - to raise awareness of the contributions of immigrants to the arts, sciences, and society - is more important than ever."
The Vilcek Foundation is committed to working with organizations that exemplify best practices and demonstrate dedication to the communities they serve. Nonprofit organizations that are tax exempt under IRC 501(c)(3) in the United States can apply for a grant from the Vilcek Foundation through June 30, 2025. Organizations are encouraged to learn more at https://vilcek.co/2025grants-nc.
About the Vilcek Foundation
The Vilcek Foundation raises awareness of immigrant contributions in the United States and fosters appreciation for the arts and sciences. The foundation was established in 2000 by Jan and Marica Vilcek, immigrants from the former Czechoslovakia. The mission of the foundation was inspired by the couple's respective careers in biomedical science and art history. Since 2000, the foundation has awarded over $7.8 million in prizes to foreign-born individuals and has supported organizations with over $6.8 million in grants.
The Vilcek Foundation is a private operating foundation, a federally tax-exempt nonprofit organization under IRC Section 501(c)(3). To learn more, please visit vilcek.org.
Contact Information
Elizabeth Boylan
Communications and Grants Officer
elizabeth.boylan@vilcek.org
+19172670660
Source: The Vilcek Foundation
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