Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation
The Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation is a private foundation established in 1969 and based in Houston, Texas. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization with a focused mission centered on classical violin education and instruction.
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.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's purpose is limited to the advancement of the classical violin discipline, with emphasis on teaching and scholarships provided through educational institutions. The foundation supports violin instruction programs and scholarship initiatives at universities and music conservatories.
Grantmaking
The foundation makes grants ranging from $3,500 to $250,000, with recent grant awards including:
Grant Range
in the range of $3,500–$250,000.
Average Grant
in the range of $3,500–$250,000.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation has a national geographic focus, with recent grants supporting institutions in California, Ohio, Colorado, and other states.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $19.6–$20.1 million
- Total Annual Giving: $2.2 million
- Total Revenue: $847,932
- Total Expenses: $1.47 million
- Total Liabilities: $726,000
- Number of Employees: 2
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
115 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Starling Project Foundation ($250,000), The Shephard School of Music - Rice University ($200,000), University of Colorado at Boulder ($166,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ASPEN MUSIC FESTIVAL SCHOOL ASPEN, CO | ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES | $150,000 |
| BOWDIN COLLEGE BRUNSWICK, ME | ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES | $90,000 |
| COLEMAN VIOLIN STUDIO SEATTLE, WA | ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES | $30,000 |
| COLLEGE CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC CINCINNATI, OH | ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES | $100,000 |
| CURTIS INSTITUTE OF MUSIC PHILADELPHIA, PA | ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES | $105,000 |
| ENCORE CHAMBER MUSIC INSTITUTE GATES MILL, OH | ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES | $18,500 |
| FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION TALLAHASSEE, FL | ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES | $20,000 |
| GREEN MOUNTAIN CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL WINSTON SALEM, NC | ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES | $20,800 |
| HILTON HEAD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC | ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES | $4,000 |
| KNEISEL HALL BLUE HILL, ME | ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES | $40,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Key personnel include:
- Dunham F. Jewett – Trustee (13 hours per week, $50,000 compensation)
- Melinda M. Kacal – Trustee (14 hours per week, $50,000 compensation)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DUNHAM F JEWETT | TRUSTEE | 13 | $50,000 |
| MELINDA M KACAL | TRUSTEE | 14 | $50,000 |
Contact Information
Address: 2727 Allen Parkway, Suite 1700, Houston, TX 77019-2125
Phone: 713-739-7007
EIN: 74-6121656
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation fund?
The foundation's purpose is limited to the advancement of the classical violin discipline, with emphasis on teaching and scholarships provided through educational institutions. The foundation supports violin instruction programs and scholarship initiatives at universities and music conservatories.
How do I apply for a grant from Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation?
The foundation makes grants ranging from $3,500 to $250,000, with recent grant awards including: • $185,000 to The Shephard School of Music at Rice University for violin instruction and scholarship programs • $140,000 to University of Colorado at Boulder (Psi Chi) for advancement of violin studies • $128,500 to Colburn School for advancement of violin studies • $122,600 to New England Conservatory for advancement of violin studies • $240,000 to Louisville String Academy The foundation made 25 g…
Where does Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation make grants?
The foundation has a national geographic focus, with recent grants supporting institutions in California, Ohio, Colorado, and other states.
What size grants does Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation award?
In 2024, Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation awarded 26 grants totaling $2.2M — an average of about $86K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.1M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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