Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation
The Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation is a private foundation based in Houston, Texas. Its 2024 filing describes funding limits tied directly to classical violin performance and study, including support for violin instruction and scholarship programs.
Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation at a glance
In short: Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation gave $2.2M across 26 grants in 2024 (avg $86K), top state Ohio. 12% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,235,075
- +41.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 26
- +18.2% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $85,964
- +19.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $70,000
- Total assets
- $20,078,814
- +2.6% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 12% first-time grantees (3 of 26, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Ohio (16% 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 Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The filing describes an essay form requesting the grantee’s name and address, confirmation of 501(c)(3) status, the purpose of the grant, and the percentage of support money used for that purpose. The filing lists no deadlines. It states that awards are limited to uses directly connected with classical violin performance and study arts.
- Contact
Application contact: Dunham F Jewett - Dorothy R Starlin
Mailing address: 2727 Allen Parkway Suite 1700, Houston, TX 77019-2125
Phone: (713) 739-7007
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Starling Project Foundation ($250K). Together the top 10 received $1.5M.
Grant Size Distribution
115 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 51 grants of 115 (44%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation is based in Houston, Texas, and its 2024 grants went to recipients in multiple states. The largest shares of grant dollars went to organizations in Ohio (16%), Colorado (14%), Texas (12%), California (12%), and Michigan (11%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 26 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation open to new grantees?
12%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 3 of 26 grantees (12%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $30K; repeat grants $93K. How we count
Medians: $20K first-time, $85K repeat.
- 85% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 60% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 113% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.1M (2020) to $2.2M (2024). In 2024 it made 26 grants totaling $2.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Starling Project Foundation Cincinnati, OH | Advancement of Violin Studies | $250,000 |
| The Shephard School of Music - Rice University Houston, TX | Advancement of Violin Studies | $200,000 |
| University of Colorado at Boulder Boulder, CO | Advancement of Violin Studies | $166,000 |
| The Colburn School Los Angeles, CA | Advancement of Violin Studies | $160,750 |
| University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI | Advancement of Violin Studies | $151,625 |
| Aspen Music Festival School Aspen, CO | Advancement of Violin Studies | $150,000 |
| New England Conservatory Boston, MA | Advancement of Violin Studies | $141,000 |
| Curtis Institute of Music Philadelphia, PA | Advancement of Violin Studies | $105,000 |
| College Conservatory of Music Cincinnati, OH | Advancement of Violin Studies | $100,000 |
| Salt Lake Music School Foundation DBA Gifted Music School Salt Lake City, UT | Advancement of Violin Studies | $100,000 |
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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 | $20,078,814 | $3,001,314 | $3,503,903 | $2,235,075 | 26 | $2,328,314 | $2,841,909 | $2,066,269 |
| 2023 | $19,561,469 | $847,932 | $1,472,765 | $1,580,000 | 22 | $1,665,560 | $695,385 | $1,842,620 |
| 2022 | $20,559,873 | $1,912,146 | $2,072,686 | $1,663,300 | 26 | $1,750,019 | $1,767,071 | $1,750,060 |
| 2021 | $20,561,869 | $1,187,205 | $1,820,090 | $1,400,600 | 23 | $1,483,400 | $986,344 | $1,631,874 |
| 2020 | $21,090,117 | $945,088 | $697,792 | $1,080,500 | 18 | — | $766,375 | $1,280,474 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.1M 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 filing does not state a broader mission statement. It says the foundation limits the use of its funds to purposes directly connected with classical violin performance and study arts. Its stated direct charitable activities include support for violin instruction and scholarship programs at the Sterling Project Foundation, the Shephard School of Music, and the University of Colorado at Boulder.
Among its grantees, the Colburn School describes its mission as providing performance-centered education and fostering the joy and discipline of the performing arts. Curtis Institute of Music describes its mission as educating exceptionally gifted young musicians to engage a global community through high-level artistry; it also describes itself as a tuition-free music conservatory. Other 2024 grantees include music schools, conservatories, universities, and music-focused organizations.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 26 grants totaling $2,235,075. Grant amounts ranged from $4,000 to $250,000, with a median of $70,000. The largest awards included $250,000 to Starling Project Foundation for advancement of violin studies; $200,000 to the Shephard School of Music at Rice University for the same purpose; and $166,000 to the University of Colorado at Boulder for advancement of violin studies.
Other notable 2024 grants included $160,750 to the Colburn School, $151,625 to the University of Michigan, $150,000 to Aspen Music Festival School, $141,000 to New England Conservatory, and $105,000 to Curtis Institute of Music. These grants were reported for advancement of violin studies. The Music Academy of the West received $60,000, Kneisel Hall received $40,000, and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music received $38,000.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Dunham F. Jewett and Melinda M. Kacal as trustees.
Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation's 2024 filing lists 2 officers; all 2 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Dunham F. Jewett
Trustee
On filings since 2020
13 hrs/week
$50K (2020) → $50K (2024)
Melinda M. Kacal
Trustee
On filings since 2020
14 hrs/week
$50K (2020) → $50K (2024)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "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 $50K, to Dunham F Jewett (Trustee). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation
How much does Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation give each year?
Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation gave $2.2M across 26 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.6M across 22 grants.
What is Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation's typical grant size?
Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $70,000, and its average grant was $85,964, across 26 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation that year got $30K on average.
Where does Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation give grants?
Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation's top state is Ohio, with 16% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Colorado (14%) and Texas (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were Cincinnati, OH (2 grants) and Ann Arbor, MI (2 grants).
Does Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 26 grants with a stated purpose on Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Advancement of Violin Studies" (26 grants).
Who are Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation's largest grantees?
Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Starling Project Foundation ($250,000), The Shephard School of Music - Rice University ($200,000) and University of Colorado at Boulder ($166,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 28% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation?
Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation reported $20.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.3M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.1M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation fund?
The filing does not state a broader mission statement. It says the foundation limits the use of its funds to purposes directly connected with classical violin performance and study arts. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation?
The filing describes an essay form requesting the grantee’s name and address, confirmation of 501(c)(3) status, the purpose of the grant, and the percentage of support money used for that purpose. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation's EIN?
Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 74-6121656. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 21, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/dorothy-richard-starling-foundation-morg_f649b117cb8c4493b18bd1aa20016213
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_746121656_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/dorothy-richard-starling-foundation-morg_f649b117cb8c4493b18bd1aa20016213},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-21. 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 Dorothy Richard Starling 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.
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