New York, NY

SHELLEY & DONALD RUBIN FOUNDATION INC

EIN 13-3639542

Arts, Culture & Heritage Community Arts & Public Programs

Mission

The Shelley & Donald Rubin Foundation supports public access to the arts and uses art as a tool to promote social justice, civic engagement, and resilient communities. ([sdrubin.org](https://www.sdrubin.org/our-board-and-staff/))

IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) private non-operating foundation Contributions are tax-deductible

Claim this page Visit www.sdrubin.org

About SHELLEY & DONALD RUBIN FOUNDATION INC

The Shelley & Donald Rubin Foundation is a New York–based private foundation founded by Shelley and Donald Rubin in the 1990s that historically funded arts, cultural access, and art-driven social-justice initiatives. ([projects.propublica.org](https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/133639542?utm_source=openai))

In recent years the Foundation has shifted from an open grantmaking program (its Art and Social Justice initiative concluded in 2021) to focus primarily on exhibitions, publications, and programmatic activity at its nonprofit exhibition space, The 8th Floor, and related curatorial initiatives. ([sdrubin.org](https://www.sdrubin.org/abouttest?utm_source=openai))

Recent activity includes the Foundation’s publishing project An Incomplete Archive of Activist Art (a 2022 two‑volume publication), the appointment of Anjuli Nanda Diamond as Artistic Director (2022), and exhibitions at The 8th Floor in 2023–2024 including Reality Reframed: Recent Works by Todd Gray. ([books.google.com](https://books.google.com/books/about/An_Incomplete_Archive_of_Activist_Art.html?id=5u1EzgEACAAJ&utm_source=openai))

Notable achievements

The 8th Floor (nonprofit exhibition space)

Established by the Rubins in 2010, The 8th Floor serves as the Foundation’s primary exhibition and public-program platform exploring art’s role in social change and civic life; it has hosted recurring exhibitions and public programs drawing on the Foundation’s collection and curatorial initiatives.

An Incomplete Archive of Activist Art (publication)

A two-volume publication (2022) documenting the Foundation’s Art and Social Justice initiative and related exhibitions, serving as a resource on activist art, grantee projects, and practices that connect art with social justice.

Art and Social Justice grantmaking (historical impact)

Over multiple cycles the Foundation awarded numerous grants to New York City arts organizations focused on artistic activism and community engagement, supporting dozens of nonprofit partners and projects prior to concluding the open grant program in 2021.

At a glance

Total assets: $234K
Tax status: 501(c)(3)Private non-operating foundation
EIN: 13-3639542
Location: New York, NY
Website: www.sdrubin.org
On Mahalo since: May 2026

Financial figures from the IRS Business Master File, the IRS’s registry of tax-exempt organizations.

Recognition

Listed and tracked by major nonprofit data services (ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, Candid/Foundation Directory, Charity Navigator) confirming tax-exempt status and filings.

Coverage in major arts media (Artforum, ARTnews) for its Art and Social Justice grant rounds and The 8th Floor programming, indicating a visible role in New York arts philanthropy.

The Foundation’s collections and institutional activity are linked to the Rubins’ wider philanthropic legacy (including the Rubin Museum), which has been noted in museum and cultural-sector reporting.

Is this your organization?

Claim this page to keep it current — add your logo, publish campaigns, and reach the donors and advisors discovering you on Mahalo.

Claim this page