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AMERICAN FRIENDS OF THE NORMAN FOSTER FOUNDATION C/O RUCHELMAN LLP
NEW YORK, NY · EIN 820721089 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE T22 · Philanthropy & Grantmaking · Small ($100K-$1M) · normanfosterfoundation.org
revenue
$301K
expenses
$321K
net assets
$39K
employees
0
program ratio
95%
mission · from form 990

TO PROMOTES INTERDISCIPLINARY THINKING AND RESEARCH TO HELP NEW GENERATIONS OF ARCHITECTS, DESIGNERS AND URBANISTS ANTICIPATE THE FUTURE. THE FOUNDATION BELIEVES IN THE IMPORTANCE OF CONNECTING ARCHITECTURE, DESIGN, TECHNOLOGY AND THE ARTS TO BETTER SERVE SOCIETY, AND IN THE VALUE OF A HOLISTIC EDUCATION THAT ENCOURAGES EXPERIMENTATION THROUGH RESEARCH AND PROJECTS. THE NORMAN FOSTER FOUNDATION HOLDS THE NORMAN FOSTER ARCHIVE AND LIBRARY, WHICH PROVIDE A WINDOW INTO THE LARGER NARRATIVE AND HISTORY OF OUR BUILT ENVIRONMENT THROUGH THE WORK OF NORMAN FOSTER. THE NORMAN FOSTER FOUNDATION IS BASED IN MADRID AND OPERATES GLOBALLY.

profile · synthesized from sources

The Norman Foster Foundation promotes interdisciplinary thinking and research in architecture, design, and urbanism, with a focus on educating future generations. Based in Madrid and operating globally, it maintains an archive of Norman Foster's work and collaborations, supporting research, exhibitions, and educational programs. The foundation emphasizes holistic education, experimentation, and the integration of technology, art, and sustainability in the built environment.

named programs · 6 · from sources

What they call their work

Archive
Maintains and provides access to the Norman Foster Archive, a comprehensive collection of architectural records, drawings, models, and research materials spanning from 1948 to the present.
Exhibitions
Curates and collaborates on international exhibitions showcasing Norman Foster’s work and related themes in architecture and design, such as 'Future Positive' and 'Vertical City'.
Fellowships
Offers travelling scholarships and workshop scholarships to architecture students and scholars globally to support research on urban futures.
Norman Foster Institute
Offers a master’s programme on sustainable cities, training future architects and urbanists through interdisciplinary research and design.
Public Debates
Hosts annual forums on sustainability, healthy cities, energy, and urban innovation, bringing together experts and students for interdisciplinary dialogue.
Workshops
Conducts annual workshops in Madrid on themes such as sustainability, energy, affordable housing, and robotics in architecture, engaging international students and specialists.
activities · 4 groups

What they do

  • Architecture and Design Public Education Programs 3 activities
    • Curating and presenting traveling exhibitions
      Curates, co-organizes, and presents exhibitions on Norman Foster’s work and related themes in architecture and design at international venues including Centre Pompidou, Guggenheim Bilbao, and Triennale Milano, and lends archival materials to external exhibitions.
    • Hosting educational workshops and ateliers
      Organizes recurring week-long workshops and ateliers in Madrid on topics including sustainability, energy, affordable housing, robotics, urban mobility, and digital design, bringing together students and specialists for seminars, lectures, and collaborative projects.
    • Organizing public debates on urban and design themes
      Hosts public debate series on sustainability, healthy cities, affordable housing, robotics, and urban mobility, often in partnership with sponsors such as Rolex, Sanitas, and Holcim, to explore pressing issues in urbanism and design.
  • Industry-Specific Student Scholarships and Competitions 1 activity
    • Funding fellowships and academic support in architecture and design
      Offers travelling fellowships for architecture students and scholars to conduct global research on urban resilience through RIBA, funds full academic fees for one European student annually at the Bartlett School of Architecture, and provides international workshop scholarships to bring students to Madrid for specialized training.
  • Archival Digitization and Preservation 1 activity
    • Providing access to archival and research materials
      Maintains a cross-media archive and a publicly accessible online database with over 115,000 records from 226 projects, available for consultation, download, and printing by students, researchers, and institutional visitors by appointment.
  • Uncategorized 5 activities
    • Conducting interdisciplinary research and documentation initiatives
      Conducts research using scientific methods to explore material qualities and innovative solutions in architecture and design. Leads initiatives such as Building the Future to collect interviews and testimonies from collaborators and figures in business, arts, and finance to document Norman Foster’s work, influences, and legacy.
    • Developing experimental design projects and prototypes
      Develops innovative and experimental projects and prototypes in the built environment, focusing on interdisciplinary approaches to architecture, urbanism, and design.
    • Engaging institutions and companies in shared initiatives
      Engages institutions and companies aligned with the Foundation’s goals to collaborate on programs, exhibitions, and research initiatives.
    • Establishing collaborative partnerships through patronage
      Establishes a Patronage General Council composed of individuals, companies, and institutions that partner with the Foundation to advance its mission.
    • Operating a research center and archive in Madrid
      Operates a research center and archive in a heritage-listed palace in Madrid’s Chamberí neighbourhood, housing the Norman Foster Archive and Library to support interdisciplinary research in architecture, design, and urbanism. The facility has been responsible for cataloguing, conserving, and disseminating architectural records since 2015.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$301K
Contributions & grants$301K100%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$321K
Program expenses95%
Admin / overhead5%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$306K
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$39K
Cash$39K
Investments$0
Liabilities$0
Net assets$39K
Liquid reserves1.4 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +6.3%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

board members · 6
  • DAVID FIALKOW — DIRECTOR
  • ELENA OCHOA FOSTER — DIRECTOR
  • FELICIA H ELLSWORTH — TREASURER
  • NORMAN FOSTER — PRESIDENT
  • RICHARD CASHIN — DIRECTOR
  • RONALD H RAPPAPORT — SECRETARY
relationships · 38

Who they work with

  • AUB Partner — Collaborated with model-making students to recreate lost architectural models
  • BYD Partner — Supported the 2018 Urban Mobility Workshop
  • Bloomberg Philanthropies Partner — Supported the 2019 and 2018 On Cities Workshops
  • Buckminster Fuller Partner — Includes utopian proposals developed collaboratively with Buckminster Fuller in the archive holdings.
  • Centre Pompidou Partner — Collaborated on the largest Norman Foster retrospective exhibition in Paris.
  • Charles and Ray Eames Partner — Holds significant works and designs by Charles and Ray Eames in the archive collection.
  • Christo and Jeanne-Claude Partner — Holds works and collaborations with artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude in the archive.
  • Claude-Nicolas Ledoux Partner — Holds significant two- and three-dimensional works by Claude-Nicolas Ledoux in the archive collection.
  • Cristina Iglesias Partner — Collaborated to create a sculptural canopy for the entrance courtyard of the Foundation.
  • Espacio Fundación Telefónica Partner — Hosted the first Robotics Atelier in Madrid.
  • Foster + Partners Partner — Archival materials include realized and unrealized projects from Foster + Partners, reflecting an ongoing professional and historical connection.
  • Future Planet Capital Partner — Supported the 2018 Digital X Workshop
  • GS Energy Corporation Partner — Supported the 2023 and 2022 Energy Workshops
  • GS Energy Corporation Partner — Supported the first edition of the Energy Public Debates in 2022.
  • Guggenheim Museum Bilbao Partner — Co-organized the 'Motion. Autos, Art, Architecture' exhibition.
  • Holcim Partner — Supported the 2022 Shelters Workshop
  • Holcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction Partner — Supported the 2022 Cities: Affordable Housing Workshop
  • Holcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction Partner — Supported the Public Debates on 'Cities: Affordable Housing' 2022.
  • Le Corbusier Partner — Holds significant drawings and models by Le Corbusier in the archive collection.
  • Mies van der Rohe Partner — Holds significant two- and three-dimensional works by Mies van der Rohe in the archive collection.
  • Museo Nazionale delle Arti del XXI Secolo Partner — Collaborated on the 'Technoscape. The Architecture of Engineers' exhibition by lending archival materials.
  • Norman Foster Foundation Partner — Primary entity operating in Madrid; the American Friends supports its mission.
  • Norman Foster Foundation Partner — Primary partner organization with shared objectives and collaborative activities.
  • Otl Aicher Partner — Includes collaborative utopian proposals created with Otl Aicher in the archive holdings.
  • Richard Long Partner — Holds works and collaborations with artist Richard Long in the archive.
  • Richard Rogers Partner — Holds important drawings and models by Richard Rogers in the archive collection.
  • Rolex Partner — Partnered with the Norman Foster Foundation for multiple editions of the Public Debates on Sustainability.
  • Rolex Partner — Supported the 2023 Sustainability Workshop
  • Rolex Institute Partner — Supported the 2022 and 2021 Sustainability Workshops and the 2019 Robotics Atelier
  • Royal Institute of British Architects Partner — Administers the Norman Foster Foundation Travelling Scholarship for architecture students and scholars.
+ 8 more
strategies · 5

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Digital Access for Scholarly Dissemination
    methodology: digital_access_and_dissemination
    By digitizing and continuously updating archival materials, the organization enables universal access and scholarly exchange, because digital technology removes geographic and institutional barriers to research and education.
  • Experiential and Collaborative Learning
    methodology: experiential_learning
    By engaging students and specialists in hands-on workshops and collaborative seminars, the organization deepens architectural understanding and professional development, because direct experience and international collaboration enhance learning outcomes.
  • Integrated Urban Systems for Sustainable Cities
    methodology: integrated-urban-infrastructure
    By merging urban mobility, healthcare, and infrastructure with architectural design, the organization improves public health and quality of life, because integrated planning produces more resilient, efficient, and sustainable urban environments.
  • Interdisciplinary Education and Research
    methodology: interdisciplinary_education
    By integrating architecture, design, technology, and the arts, the organization advances holistic education and prepares future professionals, because interdisciplinary thinking fosters innovation and broader societal benefit.
  • Public Engagement Through Retrospective Exhibitions
    methodology: public-engagement-through-retrospective-exhibitions
    By presenting comprehensive exhibitions of Norman Foster’s work, the organization educates and engages the public, because curated retrospectives make architectural innovation accessible and meaningful to non-specialist audiences.