Virginia Cretella Mars Foundation
Historical FunderNew York, New York · EIN 13-3798973 · Private foundation
Grants paid (2024)$1.1M
Organizations funded37
Typical grant$25,000
Total assets$21.6M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $20,000 and $40,000.
From the return
How to apply
The foundation filed the following application information (Form 990-PF Part XV, tax year 2024):
| Contact | ASHLEY PANNY CO BBH CO VC MARS FOUN |
|---|---|
| Address | 140 BROADWAY, NEW YORK NY 10005 |
| Phone | 2124831818 |
| VCMFOUNDATION@BBH.COM | |
| Form and materials | WRITTEN SUMMARY IN LETTER FORM WITH BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION'S MISSION, DETAILS OF GRANT PURPOSES, AMOUNT BEING REQUESTED AND A SUMMARY OF ORGANIZATION'S BUDGET. MUST INCLUDE COPY OF 501(C)(3) STATUS LETTER FROM INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE. SUBMISSION MUST BE SENT VIA ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION TO VCMFOUNDATION@BBH.COM. |
| Deadlines | REQUESTS MUST BE RECEIVED BY SEPTEMBER 15. |
| Restrictions | MISSION STATEMENT: THE VIRGINIA CRETELLA MARS FOUNDATION IS DEDICATED TO PROMOTING AND INCREASING COMMUNITY ACCESS TO EDUCATION, THE ARTS, AND GREEN SPACES. FOCUS AREAS: EDUCATION: THE VIRGINIA CRETELLA MARS FOUNDATION SUPPORTS HISTORICALLY UNDER-RESOURCED COMMUNITIES THROUGH EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES THAT FOCUS ON LANGUAGE, ARTS, READING, AND PROJECTS THAT CREATE AN ENGAGING AND COMPREHENSIVE LEARNING EXPERIENCE. ARTS: THE VIRGINIA CRETELLA MARS FOUNDATION STRIVES TO INCREASE PEOPLE'S EXPOSURE TO THE BREADTH OF ARTISTIC EXPRESSION, AS WELL AS OPEN POINTS OF ACCESS FOR THEIR OWN FIRSTHAND EXPERIENCES THROUGH SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY ART PROGRAMS. ENVIRONMENT: THE VIRGINIA CRETELLA MARS FOUNDATION VALUES THE IMPORTANCE OF LAND AND WATER PRESERVATION, BOTH URBAN AND RURAL, AND ENCOURAGES COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO LEARN ABOUT AND USE THEIR LOCAL NATURE SPACES. |
Copied as filed. Deadlines on a tax return describe the foundation's usual process; they are not confirmation of a current open cycle.
What it funds
Share of grant lines on the latest return, classified from the purpose each grant states.
Where it gives
78% of grants went outside New York.
Grants paid in tax year 2024
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ausbon Sargent Land Preservation Trust | New London, NH | General support | $50,000 |
| Children's Art Guild | New York, NY | General support | $50,000 |
| Everybody Matters | Phoenix, AZ | General support | $50,000 |
| French & Pickering Creek Conservation Trust Inc | Phoenixville, PA | General support | $50,000 |
| Healthy Humor | New York, NY | General support | $50,000 |
| Mighty Writers | Philadelphia, PA | General support | $50,000 |
| Neighborhood Garden Trust | Philadelphia, PA | General support | $50,000 |
| Reading Team | New York, NY | General support | $50,000 |
| Jenkins Arboretum & Gardens | Devon, PA | General support | $41,498 |
| Institute for Local Self-Reliance | Washington, DC | General support | $40,000 |
| Literacy Lab | Washington, DC | General support | $40,000 |
| Capitol Hill Arts Workshop | Washington, DC | General support | $40,000 |
| Philadelphia Education Fund | Philadelphia, PA | General support | $37,500 |
| Theatre Breaking Through Barriers | New York, NY | General support | $35,000 |
| Building Bridges Across the River | Washington, DC | General support | $35,000 |
| Behind the Book | New York, NY | General support | $25,000 |
| National Aquarium | Baltimore, MD | General support | $25,000 |
| Philadelphia Outward Bound School | Philadelphia, PA | General support | $25,000 |
| Rosemount Center | Washington, DC | General support | $25,000 |
| Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse | Philadelphia, PA | General support | $25,000 |
| Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests | Concord, NH | General support | $25,000 |
| Shout Mouse Press | Washington, DC | General support | $25,000 |
| Ansonia Music Outreach | New York, NY | General support | $20,000 |
| Beacon House Community Ministry Inc | Washington, DC | General support | $20,000 |
| Critical Exposure | Washington, DC | General support | $20,000 |
| Project Create | Washington, DC | General support | $20,000 |
| Tww Inc | Brooklyn, NY | General support | $20,000 |
| Urban Dove | Long Island City, NY | General support | $20,000 |
| Workshop Learning Dba Project Based Learning Inc | Philadelphia, PA | General support | $20,000 |
| Capital Fringe | Washington, DC | General support | $15,000 |
| Naptown Philharmonic Orchestra Fka Londontowne Symphony Orchestra | Edgewater, MD | General support | $15,000 |
| Fringearts | Philadelphia, PA | General support | $15,000 |
| Community College of Baltimore County Foundation Inc | Baltimore, MD | General support | $12,500 |
| Free Library of Philadelphia | Philadelphia, PA | General support | $10,000 |
| Performance Garage | Philadelphia, PA | General support | $10,000 |
| The Barn at Spring Brook Farm | West Chester, PA | General support | $10,000 |
| Trellis for Tomorrow | Phoenixville, PA | General support | $10,000 |
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1,081,498 | 37 |
| 2023 | $975,000 | 35 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2024, filed Nov 13, 2025 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202503179349101130
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 13-3798973
- Profile updated Nov 5, 2026
Facts on this page come from the foundation's own IRS Form 990-PF filings as published by the IRS. Grantvello does not know whether a foundation is accepting proposals right now: a past grant is not an open opportunity. Always confirm current guidelines with the funder before applying.