The Lear Family Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) grantmaking foundation established in 1997 and based in Sierra Madre, California. The foundation was founded by Norman Lear, a renowned television writer and producer, and his wife Lyn. As a family foundation, it distributes grants to charitable organizations across multiple sectors.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$6.7M
-7.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$788K
-0.9% YoY
Grant Count
29
-17.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$27K
+19.6% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Lear Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $275K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation gives primarily for the arts, higher education, health and human services. Program areas include support for civil liberties, education, health, youth initiatives, the environment, civil activism, media and arts.
Grantmaking
Notable grantees have included the USC Annenberg School.
Average Grant
amount: $174,000–$425,000
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds charitable organizations in California, New York, and the District of Columbia.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $6,687,435
- Total Revenues: $74,293
- Total Expenses: $1,045,937
- Total Liabilities: $42,100
Tax-Exempt Status: Tax-exempt since April 1998 (EIN: 95-4661216)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $6,687,435 | $7,215,857 | $7,334,366 |
| Revenue | $74,293 | $65,313 | $437,755 |
| Expenses | $1,045,937 | $1,146,221 | $1,897,077 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,018,899 | $1,101,832 | $1,824,146 |
| Net Investment Income | $74,073 | $65,751 | $387,839 |
| Distributable Amount | $275,273 | $290,757 | $387,322 |
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
175 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Sundance Institute ($401,750), Lacma ($140,000), Ballet Hispanico ($25,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ADVANCE DEMOCRACY INC TYSONS CORNER, VA | CHARITABLE | $20,000 |
| BALLET HISPANICO NEW YORK, NY | CHARITABLE | $25,000 |
| BELLA VITA RESCUE FOUNDATION OAKLAND, CA | CHARITABLE | $10,000 |
| BODY TRAFFIC LOS ANGELES, CA | CHARITABLE | $1,500 |
| CALMATTERS SACRAMENTO, CA | CHARITABLE | $2,500 |
| CEDAR SINAI MEDICAL CENTER LOS ANGELES, CA | CHARITABLE | $25,000 |
| CLIMATE RESOLVE LOS ANGELES, CA | CHARITABLE | $750 |
| CREATIVE VISIONS MALIBU, CA | CHARITABLE | $25,000 |
| DIDI HIRSH MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES CULVER CITY, CA | CHARITABLE | $5,000 |
| DOWNTOWN WOMEN'S CENTER LOS ANGELES, CA | CHARITABLE | $5,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Norman Lear serves as President of the foundation. Lear is a television writer and producer known for creating major 1970s sitcoms including "All in the Family," "Sanford and Son," "Maude," "Good Times," "The Jeffersons," "One Day at a Time," "Diff'rent Strokes," "The Facts of Life," and "Who's the Boss?" He was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 1984 and received the National Medal of Arts from President Bill Clinton in 1999. In 1981, Lear founded People For the American Way, a civil liberties organization.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JULIE DYER | TREASURER | 12 | — |
| LYN LEAR | PRESIDENT, DIRECTOR | 20 | — |
Contact Information
- Address: 171 W Orange Grove Ave, Sierra Madre, CA 91024-2476
- Phone: 626-355-3591
- Website: www.normanlear.com
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Lear Family Foundation fund?
The foundation gives primarily for the arts, higher education, health and human services. Program areas include support for civil liberties, education, health, youth initiatives, the environment, civil activism, media and arts.
How do I apply for a grant from Lear Family Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Made 65 grants in 2024 • Total giving in 2024: $788,000 • Average grant amount: $174,000–$425,000 **Recent Grants (2024):** • Sundance Institute: $401,750 • Lacma Alliance: $140,000 • Creative Visions: $25,000 Notable grantees have included the USC Annenberg School.
Where does Lear Family Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds charitable organizations in California, New York, and the District of Columbia.
What size grants does Lear Family Foundation award?
In 2024, Lear Family Foundation awarded 29 grants totaling $788K — an average of about $27K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Lear Family Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Lear Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $275K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Lear Family Foundation's EIN?
Lear Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-4661216. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Lear Family 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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