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Non-profit

Evelyn Sharp Foundation

Location:

New York, NY
Tax ID:

13-6119532
Tax-Exempt Status:

501(c)(3)

Budget (2020):

Assets: $5,598,886
Type:

Private Grantmaking Organization
Formation:

1952
President:

Mary Cronson
Budget (2022):

Revenues: $596,233

Expenses: $885,000

Assets: $13,014,278

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The Evelyn Sharp Foundation is a New York City-based private grantmaking foundation with a focus on the arts. The foundation has funded politically left-of-center arts organizations, including the Dorrance Dance company, which performed at the White House during the 2023 Christmas season and has far-left views such as prison abolition and defunding the police, 1 2 and Spectrum Dance Theater, which in 2017 performed a series of plays designed to “resist” the Trump administration. 3 4

The foundation’s largest donation in 2022 was for $435,000 to the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation supporting the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum. 5

Background

Evelyn Sharp founded the Evelyn Sharp Foundation in 1952. Evelyn began her career as an interior designer and in 1923 she married real estate developer Jesse Sharp. When her husband died in 1941, Evelyn inherited her husband’s large apartment houses and Manhattan hotels. She eventually sold the inherited properties except the Stanhope Hotel and added other hotels to her portfolio. She later divested all her hotels and devoted herself to her art collection and charities. She died in 1997 at the age of 94. 6

The Foundation’s primary focus is on the arts. Evelyn Sharp was a 50-year supporter and former board member of Planned Parenthood of New York City but as of 2022, the foundation does not fund any Planned Parenthood chapters. 7 8

Support For Left-Wing Theater

Dorrance Dance Company

In 2022, the Evelyn Sharp Foundation donated $5,000 to the Dorrance Dance company. 9

During the 2023 Christmas season, the Dorrance Dance company performed a tap dance version of “The Nutcracker Suite” at the White House which critics heavily criticized for its “Hunger Games” and A Clockwork Orange aesthetic. The Dorrance Dance company supports the far-left critical race theory-based worldview of “antiracism” which views any racial inequalities as the result of racism 10 and endorses far-left political positions such as police abolition and prison abolition. The company’s website also features the anti-Israel and arguably antisemitic slogan “From the River to the Sea, Palestine Will Be Free.” The company’s website also contains links promoting the New York Times’s widely discredited “1619 Project” which falsely claimed the 13 Colonies fought the American Revolution to preserve slavery. The website also promotes books by far-left critical race theorists Ibram X. Kendi and Robin DiAngelo. 11

Spectrum Dance Theater

In 2022, the Evelyn Sharp Foundation gave the Seattle, Washington-based Spectrum Dance Theater $10,000. 12

In 2016, the Spectrum Dance Theater performed The Minstrel Show Revisited which intended for its audience to be race-conscious. 13

In 2017, the Spectrum Dance Theater performed three plays designed to “resist” the Trump administration. One play was Shot about police shootings of unarmed Black men. The second play was Rambunctious Iteration #3 – The Immigrants designed to promote immigration. The third play was (Im)pulse which looked at anti-gay violence. 14

In the 2020 to 2021 season, the Spectrum Dance Theater performed plays advocating left-of-center climate change stances and a focus on the murder of George Floyd by a police officer. 15

In June 2023, the company performed the play Targeted which focused on a racially motivated May 14, 2022, supermarket shooting in Buffalo, New York. 16

The company’s executive director is Tera Beach, who is a left-of-center political organizer. 17

Dance Lab New York

In 2022, the Evelyn Sharp Foundation gave Dance Lab New York $10,000. 18

Dance Lab New York adopted the far-left critical race theory-based worldview of “antiracism,” claiming it rejects institutional racism and the systemic oppression of black Americans, Latinos (while using the highly unpopular term “Latinx”), and Asian-Americans. 19

Mark Morris Dance Group

In 2022, the Evelyn Sharp Foundation gave the Mark Morris Dance Group $10,000. 20

The Mark Morris Dance Group adopted the far-left critical race theory-based worldview of “antiracism,” confronted their status as a white-led institution, and addressed the “systemic racism, prejudices and biases that have long prevailed in the dance community.” 21

New York City Ballet

In 2022, the Evelyn Sharp Foundation gave the New York City Ballet company $30,000. 22

The New York City Ballet company adopted the far-left critical race theory-based worldview of “antiracism,” claiming ballet has historically marginalized people of color. The company joined the National Equity Project to change ballet. 23

Playwrights Horizon

In 2022, the Evelyn Sharp Foundation gave Playwrights Horizon $5,000. 24

Playrights Horizon has adopted the far-left critical race theory-based worldview of “antiracism,” claiming that American theater is born of a country founded on white supremacy. The company committed to uprooting and changing all systems of oppression based on ethnicity, gender, ability, age, class, and religion. 25

The Yard

In 2022, the Evelyn Sharp Foundation gave the Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts-based The Yard $10,000. 26

The Yard has adopted the far-left critical race theory-based worldview of “antiracism” by giving “antiracism and cultural competence” training to the staff, teaching about social justice through hip-hop, and investing in the work of black artists. 27

Other Grantmaking

In 2022, the Evelyn Sharp Foundation gave $435,000 to the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, which supports the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum. It was the foundation’s single largest donation in 2022. 28

In 2022, the Evelyn Sharp Foundation gave to the housing nonprofit Enterprise Community Partners ($25,000) and the left-of-center think tank RAND Corporation ($30,000). 29

Leadership

Mary Cronson is the president of the Evelyn Sharp Foundation. 30 She is Evelyn Sharp’s granddaughter. 31

Financials

According to the Evelyn Sharp Foundation’s 2022 tax return, the foundation had $596,233 in revenue, $885,000 in expenses, and $13,014,278 in assets. 32

References

  1. “Evelyn Sharp Foundation, Full Filing – Nonprofit Explorer.” ProPublica. Accessed January 29, 2024. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/136119532/202321999349100912/full.
  2. Nava, Victor. “NYC Dance Company Jill Biden Tapped for ‘Hunter Games’ Christmas Video Pushes ‘Defund the Police,’ Prison Abolition, Discredited ‘Antiracism’ Activists.” New York Post, December 14, 2023. https://nypost.com/2023/12/14/news/dorrance-dance-used-for-wh-christmas-video-backs-defunding-police/.
  3. “Evelyn Sharp Foundation, Full Filing – Nonprofit Explorer.” ProPublica. Accessed January 29, 2024. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/136119532/202321999349100912/full.
  4. Sommerfeld, Seth. “Spectrum Dance Theater Is Resisting Too-Artfully.” Seattle Met, January 19, 2017. https://www.seattlemet.com/2017/01/spectrum-dance-theater-is-resisting-too-artfully.
  5. “Evelyn Sharp Foundation, Full Filing – Nonprofit Explorer.” ProPublica. Accessed January 29, 2024. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/136119532/202321999349100912/full.
  6.  Saxon, Wolfgang. “Evelyn Sharp, 94, a Philanthropist and an Owner of the Stanhope and Other Hotels.” The New York Times, April 16, 1997. https://www.nytimes.com/1997/04/16/nyregion/evelyn-sharp-94-a-philanthropist-and-an-owner-of-the-stanhope-and-other-hotels.html.
  7. “Evelyn Sharp Foundation, Full Filing – Nonprofit Explorer.” ProPublica. Accessed January 29, 2024. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/136119532/202321999349100912/full.
  8. Saxon, Wolfgang. “Evelyn Sharp, 94, a Philanthropist and an Owner of the Stanhope and Other Hotels.” The New York Times, April 16, 1997. https://www.nytimes.com/1997/04/16/nyregion/evelyn-sharp-94-a-philanthropist-and-an-owner-of-the-stanhope-and-other-hotels.html.
  9. “Evelyn Sharp Foundation, Full Filing – Nonprofit Explorer.” ProPublica. Accessed January 29, 2024. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/136119532/202321999349100912/full.
  10. Staff, CRC. “Video: How Ibram X. Kendi Pushes ‘Anti-Racism.’” Capital Research Center, May 16, 2022. https://capitalresearch.org/article/video-how-ibram-x-kendi-pushes-anti-racism/.
  11. Nava, Victor. “NYC Dance Company Jill Biden Tapped for ‘Hunter Games’ Christmas Video Pushes ‘Defund the Police,’ Prison Abolition, Discredited ‘Antiracism’ Activists.” New York Post, December 14, 2023. https://nypost.com/2023/12/14/news/dorrance-dance-used-for-wh-christmas-video-backs-defunding-police/.
  12. “Evelyn Sharp Foundation, Full Filing – Nonprofit Explorer.” ProPublica. Accessed January 29, 2024. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/136119532/202321999349100912/full.
  13. “The Minstrel Show Revisited Is Difficult…” Spectrum Dance Theater. Accessed January 29, 2024. https://spectrumdance.org/the-minstrel-show-revisited-is-difficult/.
  14.  Sommerfeld, Seth. “Spectrum Dance Theater Is Resisting Too-Artfully.” Seattle Met, January 19, 2017. https://www.seattlemet.com/2017/01/spectrum-dance-theater-is-resisting-too-artfully.
  15. “Press Release: Spectrum Dance Theater Announces Its 2020/2021 Season.” Spectrum Dance Theater, August 25, 2020. https://spectrumdance.org/press-release-spectrum-dance-theater-announces-its-2020-2021-season/.
  16. “Targeted.” Spectrum Dance Theater. Accessed January 29, 2024. https://spectrumdance.org/targeted/.
  17. “ Support Spectrum Dance Theater.” Molly Moon’s Homemade Ice Cream, February 24, 2023. https://www.mollymoon.com/index.php/blog/support-spectrum-dance-theater-this-black-history-month-at-molly-moons.
  18. “Evelyn Sharp Foundation, Full Filing – Nonprofit Explorer.” ProPublica. Accessed January 29, 2024. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/136119532/202321999349100912/full.
  19.  “DLNY Commitment to Anti-Racism.” DANCE LAB NEW YORK. Accessed January 29, 2024. https://www.dancelabny.org/dlny-commitment.
  20. “Evelyn Sharp Foundation, Full Filing – Nonprofit Explorer.” ProPublica. Accessed January 29, 2024. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/136119532/202321999349100912/full.
  21. “Our Commitment to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access.” Mark Morris Dance Group. Accessed January 29, 2024. https://markmorrisdancegroup.org/our-commitment-to-idea/.
  22. “Evelyn Sharp Foundation, Full Filing – Nonprofit Explorer.” ProPublica. Accessed January 29, 2024. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/136119532/202321999349100912/full.
  23. “Our Commitment to Anti-Racism.” New York City Ballet. Accessed January 29, 2024. https://www.nycballet.com/about-us/commitment-to-diversity-equity-and-inclusion/a-message-from-new-york-city-ballet/.
  24. “Evelyn Sharp Foundation, Full Filing – Nonprofit Explorer.” ProPublica. Accessed January 29, 2024. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/136119532/202321999349100912/full.
  25. “Playwrights Horizons’ Commitments to Anti-Racism.” Playwrights Horizons. Accessed January 29, 2024. https://www.playwrightshorizons.org/about/commitments-anti-racism/.
  26. “Evelyn Sharp Foundation, Full Filing – Nonprofit Explorer.” ProPublica. Accessed January 29, 2024. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/136119532/202321999349100912/full.
  27.  “Our Commitment.” The Yard. Accessed January 29, 2024. https://www.dancetheyard.org/our-commitment.
  28. “Evelyn Sharp Foundation, Full Filing – Nonprofit Explorer.” ProPublica. Accessed January 29, 2024. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/136119532/202321999349100912/full.
  29. “Evelyn Sharp Foundation, Full Filing – Nonprofit Explorer.” ProPublica. Accessed January 29, 2024. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/136119532/202321999349100912/full.
  30. “Evelyn Sharp Foundation, Full Filing – Nonprofit Explorer.” ProPublica. Accessed January 29, 2024. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/136119532/202321999349100912/full.
  31. Saxon, Wolfgang. “Evelyn Sharp, 94, a Philanthropist and an Owner of the Stanhope and Other Hotels.” The New York Times, April 16, 1997. https://www.nytimes.com/1997/04/16/nyregion/evelyn-sharp-94-a-philanthropist-and-an-owner-of-the-stanhope-and-other-hotels.html.
  32. “Evelyn Sharp Foundation, Full Filing – Nonprofit Explorer.” ProPublica. Accessed January 29, 2024. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/136119532/202321999349100912/full.
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Nonprofit Information

  • Accounting Period: December - November
  • Tax Exemption Received: June 1, 1953

    • Available Filings

    Period Form Type Total revenue Total functional expenses Total assets (EOY) Total liabilities (EOY) Unrelated business income? Total contributions Program service revenue Investment income Comp. of current officers, directors, etc. Form 990
    2020 Dec Form PF $0 $0 $5,598,886 $1 $0 $0 $0 $0
    2019 Dec Form PF $0 $0 $5,873,971 $1 $0 $0 $0 $0
    2015 Dec Form PF $0 $0 $5,702,917 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 PDF
    2014 Dec Form PF $0 $0 $6,390,314 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 PDF
    2013 Dec Form PF $0 $0 $6,608,968 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 PDF
    2012 Dec Form PF $0 $0 $7,031,215 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 PDF
    2011 Dec Form PF $0 $0 $6,764,468 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 PDF

    Additional Filings (PDFs)

    Evelyn Sharp Foundation

    155 East 44th Street Ste 1005
    New York, NY 10017-4100