The Carnegie Corporation of New York was founded in 1911.
Andrew Carnegie established the corporation as the last major philanthropic organization created from his personal fortune. Its charter, enacted by New York State on June 9, 1911, defined its purpose as promoting the advancement and diffusion of knowledge and understanding.
Carnegie endowed the corporation with roughly $135 million, an enormous sum at the time. Unlike some of his earlier trusts, which focused on specific institutions or causes, the corporation was designed to make grants across changing educational, scientific, and civic needs.
A common mix-up is confusing it with other Carnegie organizations. Carnegie founded the Carnegie Institution for Science in 1902 and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching in 1905. Carnegie Corporation of New York was distinct from both. Its early work included support for public libraries, higher education, research, and international peace.