Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation

Private foundation · Grantmaker Houston, TX EIN: 74-6121656

The Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation is based in Houston, Texas. Its 2024 grants supported violin studies at music schools, conservatories, universities, and other organizations.

Key facts about Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation

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.

EIN
74-6121656
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2024
Annual giving (2024)
$2,235,075
Grants made (2024)
26
Average grant
$85,964
Median grant
$70,000
New grantees (estimate)
12% first-time grantees (3 of 26, 2024)
Total assets
$20,078,814
Primary geography
Ohio (16% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$20.1M

+2.6% YoY

Annual Giving

$2.2M

+41.5% YoY

Grant Count

26

+18.2% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$86K

+19.7% YoY

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.

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.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The available filing information does not state a mission. The 2024 grants show support for the advancement of violin studies. Supported organizations describe a range of educational and performance work: for example, the Colburn School says it provides performance-centered education and fosters the joy and discipline of the performing arts; Curtis Institute of Music says it trains exceptionally gifted young musicians; and Kneisel Hall says it fosters chamber music through teaching and performance.

Grantmaking

In 2024, the foundation made 26 grants totaling $2,235,075. Grants ranged from $4,000 to $250,000, with a median of $70,000. Its 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 advancement of violin studies; $166,000 to University of Colorado at Boulder for advancement of violin studies; and $160,750 to The Colburn School for advancement of violin studies. Other notable grants included $151,625 to the University of Michigan and $150,000 to Aspen Music Festival School, both for advancement of violin studies.

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The 2024 grants went to recipients in multiple states. The largest shares of grant dollars went to Ohio (16%), Colorado (14%), Texas (12%), California (12%), and Michigan (11%).

Grant Distribution by State

18states

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 26 itemized grants.

Cities

CincinnatiAnn ArborAustinBostonBoulderHoustonLos AngelesPhiladelphiaSalt Lake CitySanta BarbaraSeattleWinston-SalemAspenBlue HillBrunswickGates MillHighland ParkPutneySan FranciscoCleveland

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$1M$2M$3M18 grants2020 23 grants2021 26 grants2022 22 grants2023 26 grants2024

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.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

Starling Project Foundation: $250KStarling Project Foundation$250KThe Shephard School of Music - Rice University: $200KThe Shephard School of Music -Rice University$200KUniversity of Colorado at Boulder: $166KUniversity of Colorado atBoulder$166KThe Colburn School: $161KThe Colburn School$161KUniversity of Michigan: $152KUniversity of Michigan$152KAspen Music Festival School: $150KAspen Music Festival School$150KNew England Conservatory: $141KNew England Conservatory$141KCurtis Institute of Music: $105KCurtis Institute of Music$105KCollege Conservatory of Music: $100KCollege Conservatory of Music$100KSalt Lake Music School Foundation DBA Gifted Music School: $100KSalt Lake Music SchoolFoundation DBA Gifted Music…$100K

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

51<$50K35$50–100K28$100–250K1$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 51 grants of 115 (44%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Starling Project Foundation Cincinnati, OHAdvancement of Violin Studies$250,000
The Shephard School of Music - Rice University Houston, TXAdvancement of Violin Studies$200,000
University of Colorado at Boulder Boulder, COAdvancement of Violin Studies$166,000
The Colburn School Los Angeles, CAAdvancement of Violin Studies$160,750
University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MIAdvancement of Violin Studies$151,625
Aspen Music Festival School Aspen, COAdvancement of Violin Studies$150,000
New England Conservatory Boston, MAAdvancement of Violin Studies$141,000
Curtis Institute of Music Philadelphia, PAAdvancement of Violin Studies$105,000
College Conservatory of Music Cincinnati, OHAdvancement of Violin Studies$100,000
Salt Lake Music School Foundation DBA Gifted Music School Salt Lake City, UTAdvancement of Violin Studies$100,000

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Filing year Assets Revenue Expenses Grants
2024 $20,078,814 $3,001,314 $3,503,903 $2,235,075
2023 $19,561,469 $847,932 $1,472,765 $1,580,000
2022 $20,559,873 $1,912,146 $2,072,686 $1,663,300

Filing type: 990T.

Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$1M$2M$3M$4M2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$20,078,814$19,561,469$20,559,873
Revenue$3,001,314$847,932$1,912,146
Expenses$3,503,903$1,472,765$2,072,686
Qualifying Distributions$2,328,314$1,665,560$1,750,019
Net Investment Income$2,841,909$695,385$1,767,071
Distributable Amount$2,066,269$1,842,620$1,750,060

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

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

Dunham F Jewett — Trustee: $50KDunham F JewettTrustee$50KMelinda M Kacal — Trustee: $50KMelinda M KacalTrustee$50K

The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $50K, to Dunham F Jewett (Trustee). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.

Contact

Mailing address: 2727 Allen Parkway Suite 1700, Houston, TX 77019-2125
Phone: (713) 739-7007

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 available filing information does not state a mission. The 2024 grants show support for the advancement of violin studies. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation?

Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.

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 September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.

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