Updated:
Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
The Museum of Modern Art was founded in 1929 by Abby Aldrich Rockefeller and others. Its endowment supports the permanent collection of over 200,000 works and...
Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
The Museum of Modern Art was founded in 1929 by Abby Aldrich Rockefeller and others. Its endowment supports the permanent collection of over 200,000 works and multiple facilities including the main building and MoMA PS1. The endowment deploys capital into private equity at a current allocation of 30.56 percent. It maintains positions through vehicles including the MoMA Endowment and participates in limited partnerships with external managers. Geographic exposure centers on the United States with additional holdings tied to international programs. Confirmed relationships include commitments to Davidson Kempner Capital Management and Farallon Capital Management. The institution employs 1,716 people. Additional vehicles include the MoMA PS1 Contemporary Art Center and the William S. Paley Foundation established in 2022. Lou Fernandes joined as CIO in January 2023 from NYU Endowment. Glenn D. Lowry will step down as Director in 2025. Governance links the endowment to a board that includes trustees such as Steven Cohen and Larry Fink, creating direct oversight by major donors who also serve as limited partners in external funds.
General information
Firm type
Endowment / Foundation
Year founded
1929
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
New York
Corporate office
11 West 53rd Street, New York, NY 10019, United States
Additional offices
Long Island City, NY, United States
Principals
Lou Fernandes
Chief Investment Officer
Marie-Josée Kravis
Chair of the Board of Trustees
Sarah Arison
President of the Board of Trustees
Glenn D. Lowry
Director
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at MoMA?
Lou Fernandes serves as Chief Investment Officer since January 2023. The Board of Trustees, chaired by Marie-Josée Kravis, provides oversight.
Does MoMA participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?
The endowment commits to external managers through limited partnerships. Positions include Highfields Capital Management and Lone Pine Capital.
What asset classes does the MoMA endowment target?
Private equity represents 30.56 percent of the portfolio. Additional exposure spans real estate holdings and direct art acquisitions.
How is the MoMA endowment related to its affiliated foundations?
The Museum of Modern Art Foundation serves as the primary investment vehicle. Separate entities include the William S. Paley Foundation for digital initiatives.
Where does the underlying wealth come from?
The endowment originates from donations and bequests including the Rockefeller family founding gift and the William S. Paley Collection.
Does MoMA maintain philanthropic structures, and how are they separated?
The International Council of The Museum of Modern Art and MoMA PS1 Contemporary Art Center operate as distinct entities. Operating support flows from the main museum.
What investment stages does MoMA typically target through its managers?
Commitments include buyout, distressed debt, and venture strategies via external funds. Direct holdings focus on real assets and the permanent collection.
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
Need institutional-grade insight on endowments & foundations?
Altss delivers:
Prefer a guided tour?
We’ll walk you through: