Colburn Foundation
The Colburn Foundation is a private foundation based in Los Angeles, California. It supports organizations focused on classical music education, performance, presentation, and preservation, primarily in the Los Angeles community.
Colburn Foundation at a glance
In short: Colburn Foundation gave $9.2M across 102 grants in 2024 (avg $91K), mostly in California. 18% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $9,234,073
- +3.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 102
- +10.9% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $90,530
- -6.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $204,364,202
- +5.2% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 18% first-time grantees (18 of 100, 2024)
- Primary geography
- California (98% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Colburn Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation describes a process that invites returning applicants and a very limited number of new applicants. Prospective applicants must first contact the Grants Administrator to determine whether a request is suitable. The foundation may encourage an organization to submit a letter of intent; if it is familiar with the organization or program, it may want to meet with the organization or observe the program before inviting further steps. The online application requires the organization’s mission and history, proof of 501(c)(3) status, and its two most recent audited financial statements or Forms 990. If Forms 990 are more than a year old, applicants should also provide internal financial statements for the most recently completed fiscal year. Applications for future-year activities should include a current budget. The filing lists no deadlines.
- Contact
Application contact: Carol Rinn
Mailing address: 11693 San Vicentre Blvd Pmb 159, Los Angeles, CA 90049
Phone: (818) 399-4427
Email: crinn@colburnfoundation.org
Website: https://colburnfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Colburn Foundation
Who Colburn Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was The Colburn School ($4.4M). Together the top 10 received $7.5M.
Grant Size Distribution
375 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 305 grants of 375 (81%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation says that, with very few exceptions, its funding relationships are within the Los Angeles community. Its filing says grants are generally awarded to organizations in Southern California. In 2024, 98% of grant dollars went to California recipients; 1% each went to recipients in New York and Pennsylvania.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 102 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Colburn Foundation open to new grantees?
18%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 18 of 100 grantees (18%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $9K; repeat grants $111K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $22K repeat.
- 81% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+7%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 95% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $8.6M (2021) to $9.3M (2022). In 2024 it made 102 grants totaling $9.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Colburn School Los Angeles, CA | Support of the Classical Arts | $4,390,473 |
| Los Angeles Opera Company Los Angeles, CA | Support of the Classical Arts | $982,500 |
| Los Angeles Philharmonic Assn Los Angeles, CA | Support of the Classical Arts | $772,500 |
| LA Chamber Orchestra Society Los Angeles, CA | Support of the Classical Arts | $321,000 |
| Musica Angelica Long Beach, CA | Support of the Classical Arts | $274,500 |
| Los Angeles Master Chorale Los Angeles, CA | Support of the Classical Arts | $258,000 |
| USC Thornton School of Music Los Angeles, CA | Support of the Classical Arts | $155,000 |
| UCLA Foundation Los Angeles, CA | Support of the Classical Arts | $115,000 |
| Kusc Los Angeles, CA | Support of the Classical Arts | $107,500 |
| Long Beach Camerata Singers Long Beach, CA | Support of the Classical Arts | $100,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Colburn Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $204,364,202 | $19,384,539 | $24,028,332 | $9,234,073 | 102 | $9,590,328 | $15,737,605 | $10,060,346 |
| 2023 | $194,280,032 | $14,498,770 | $14,889,556 | $8,895,997 | 92 | $9,287,188 | $13,333,157 | $9,215,551 |
| 2022 | $181,616,769 | $-1,580,014 | $11,661,590 | $9,328,789 | 92 | $9,659,611 | $193,304 | $9,186,787 |
| 2021 | $216,754,476 | $22,180,515 | $6,690,278 | $8,597,962 | 89 | $8,885,659 | $21,114,202 | $9,791,117 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Colburn Foundation reported a distributable amount of $10.1M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation says its mission is to encourage classical music education and performance and preserve the genre, which it defines as works composed from the 17th to the early 20th century. Applicants and grantees must perform or educate primarily in the classical music tradition. The foundation does not fund commissions, composition programs, or organizations predominantly focused on world music, jazz, modern, or contemporary music. Its filing also describes grants as supporting the study, teaching, and performance of classical music and dance.
Its 2024 grantees illustrate the range of organizations supported. The Colburn School describes its mission as providing performance-centered education and fostering the performing arts. Los Angeles Opera Company says it produces opera and works to preserve, promote, and advance the art form. Musica Angelica describes its focus as Baroque and classical music on period instruments, alongside education in period performance practices.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation awarded 102 grants totaling $9,234,073. Grants ranged from $600 to $4,390,473, with a median of $15,000. Most grants are in the form of general operating support, according to the foundation’s filing.
The largest 2024 grants included $4,390,473 to The Colburn School, $982,500 to Los Angeles Opera Company, $772,500 to Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, $321,000 to LA Chamber Orchestra Society, $274,500 to Musica Angelica, and $258,000 to Los Angeles Master Chorale.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Carol C. Grigor as Chairman, Allison Sampson as Executive Director, and Layne Pinkernell as Secretary/Treasurer. Directors listed on that filing are Richard W. Colburn, David D. Colburn, Robert S. Attiyeh, Gail Eden Eichenthal, John P. Nuckols, and Catherine Hogel.
The foundation’s website lists Allison Sampson as Vice President and Executive Director, Carol Rinn as Grants Administrator, and Layne Pinkernell as Treasurer.
Colburn Foundation is led by Allison Sampson, Executive Director since 2022 (on filings since 2021); 3 of 9 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Allison Sampson
Executive Director
Director → Executive Director, 2022
On filings since 2021
20 hrs/week
$75K (2021) → $93K (2024)
Carol C. Grigor
Chairman
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert S. Attiyeh
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$24K (2021) → $24K (2024)
David D. Colburn
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gail Eden Eichenthal
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Richard W. Colburn
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Catherine Hogel
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John P. Nuckols
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Layne Pinkernell
Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2021
24 hrs/week
$56K (2021) → $64K (2024)
Former officers (1)
- Former: John Knuchols (2021–2022) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $93K, to Allison Sampson (Executive DIR.). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Colburn Foundation
How much does Colburn Foundation give each year?
Colburn Foundation gave $9.2M across 102 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $8.9M across 92 grants.
What is Colburn Foundation's typical grant size?
Colburn Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $15,000, and its average grant was $90,530, across 102 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Colburn Foundation that year got $9K on average.
Where does Colburn Foundation give grants?
Colburn Foundation gives mostly in California: 98% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Los Angeles, CA (33 grants), Santa Monica, CA (6 grants), Long Beach, CA (4 grants) and Pasadena, CA (4 grants).
Does Colburn Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 102 grants with a stated purpose on Colburn Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Support of the Classical Arts" (102 grants).
Who are Colburn Foundation's largest grantees?
Colburn Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include The Colburn School ($4,390,473), Los Angeles Opera Company ($982,500) and Los Angeles Philharmonic Assn ($772,500), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 67% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Colburn Foundation?
Colburn Foundation reported $204.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $9.6M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $10.1M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Colburn Foundation fund?
The foundation says its mission is to encourage classical music education and performance and preserve the genre, which it defines as works composed from the 17th to the early 20th century. Applicants and grantees must perform or educate primarily in the classical music tradition. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Colburn Foundation?
The foundation describes a process that invites returning applicants and a very limited number of new applicants. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Colburn Foundation's EIN?
Colburn Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-4693145. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Colburn Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/colburn-foundation-morg_a068a669da90420ebe3e8492ec05cd77
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_954693145_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Colburn Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/colburn-foundation-morg_a068a669da90420ebe3e8492ec05cd77},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Colburn Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Colburn Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?