The Frances Lear Foundation is a private foundation based in Harrison, New York. Established in 2000, it operates as a non-operating foundation with a focus on philanthropic grantmaking across multiple issue areas.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$8.7M
+1.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$795K
+12.6% YoY
Grant Count
40
+42.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$20K
-21.2% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Frances Lear Foundation reported a distributable amount of $446K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation does not provide a public mission statement. However, its grantmaking reflects priorities in:
- Education
- Human Services
- Philanthropy and Voluntarism
- Arts and Creative Writing
- Historic Preservation
- Journalism
- Children's Services
- Social Justice and Criminal Justice Reform
- Civic Engagement and Voter Registration
- Community Safety
Grantmaking
The foundation indicates it makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations only, suggesting unsolicited proposals are not accepted.
Grant Range
$1,000 to $210,000
Average Grant
amount: approximately $26,000
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in New York, California, Louisiana, and the District of Columbia, with the majority of grants concentrated in New York and California.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year 2024:
- Total Assets: $8,688,183
- Total Giving: $794,530–$840,846
- Total Revenue: $629,892
- Total Expenses: $901,719
- Investment Income and Dividends: $205,245
- Giving Rate: 9.7%
Historical Giving: Annual distributions have ranged from $706,000 to $1.4 million between 2021 and 2023, with peak grantmaking activity in 2022 at $1.4 million across 52 grants.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $8,688,183 | $8,605,936 | $8,096,857 |
| Revenue | $629,892 | $590,323 | $265,205 |
| Expenses | $901,719 | $794,952 | $820,345 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $840,846 | $739,797 | $731,692 |
| Net Investment Income | $548,019 | $535,168 | $203,921 |
| Distributable Amount | $446,338 | $397,809 | $393,413 |
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
152 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Ballet Hispanico of New York Inc ($200,000), Tides Foundation ($100,000), Rainforest Alliance ($75,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| A LITTLE PIECE OF LIGHT BROOKLYN, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $20,000 |
| ALLIANCE OF FAMILIES FOR JUSTICE NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| AMBER WAVES FARM AMAGANSETT, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $7,000 |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS SERVICE COMMITTEE PHILADELPHIA, PA | EVE ON SURVEILLANCE | $20,000 |
| BALLET HISPANICO OF NEW YORK INC NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $200,000 |
| BALLET HISPANICO OF NEW YORK INC NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| BOTTOMLESS CLOSET NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $3,500 |
| CAMPAIGN FOR THE FAIR SENTENCING OF YOUTH WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| DAUGHTERS BEYOND INCARCERATION NEW ORLEANS, LA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $16,000 |
| DAUGHTERS BEYOND INCARCERATION NEW ORLEANS, LA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $11,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Maggie Lear – President (1 hour/week, $12,500–$13,000 compensation)
- Kate Breckir Lear – Director (1 hour/week)
- Daniel R. Katz – Director (1 hour/week)
- Dr. Jonathan Lapook – Director (1 hour/week)
The foundation maintains limited paid staffing with four board members listed.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MAGGIE LEAR | PRESIDENT | 1 | $12,500 |
| KATE BRECKIR LEAR | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DANIEL R KATZ | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DR JONATHAN LAPOOK | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Contact Information
- Address: 500 Mamaroneck Avenue, Harrison, NY 10528-1633
- Phone: (212) 286-2600 or (914) 381-8900
- EIN: 04-3489966
- IRS Ruling Year: 1999 (established 2000)
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Frances Lear Foundation fund?
The foundation does not provide a public mission statement. However, its grantmaking reflects priorities in: • Education • Human Services • Philanthropy and Voluntarism • Arts and Creative Writing • Historic Preservation • Journalism • Children's Services • Social Justice and Criminal Justice Reform • Civic Engagement and Voter Registration • Community Safety
How do I apply for a grant from Frances Lear Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Made 40 grants in the most recent filing year • Grant range: $1,000 to $210,000 • Median grant amount: $10,000–$20,000 • Average grant amount: approximately $26,000 • Total giving in 2024: $794,530–$840,846 **Recent Grantees Include:** • Ballet Hispanico of New York ($200,000) • Tides Foundation/Movement Voter Fund ($100,000) • Rainforest Alliance ($75,000) **Application Process:** The foundation indicates it makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations only…
Where does Frances Lear Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in New York, California, Louisiana, and the District of Columbia, with the majority of grants concentrated in New York and California.
What size grants does Frances Lear Foundation award?
In 2024, Frances Lear Foundation awarded 40 grants totaling $795K — an average of about $20K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Frances Lear Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Frances Lear Foundation reported a distributable amount of $446K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Frances Lear Foundation's EIN?
Frances Lear Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-3489966. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Frances Lear 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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