Ralla Klepak Performing Arts Foundation
The Ralla Klepak Performing Arts Foundation is a private foundation based in Chicago, Illinois, established in 2020. The foundation was created to honor Ralla Klepak, a lifelong champion of individuals with disabilities or disadvantages who believed in the transformative power of the performing arts to enhance people's lives.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$9.8M
+412.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$5.0M
+1.2% YoY
Grant Count
23
-34.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$220K
+53.9% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Ralla Klepak Performing Arts Foundation reported a distributable amount of $128K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission centers on supporting the performing arts as a tool for community benefit, education, and social change. The foundation funds programs that:
- Integrate performing arts into educational curricula and learning
- Use performing arts in therapeutic and specialized applications
- Provide performing arts training and experiences to underserved populations
- Support community-based performing arts initiatives
- Address communal, social, and educational needs through the arts
Primary funding areas include education, philanthropy and grantmaking, and human services, with particular emphasis on performing arts programming.
Grantmaking
The foundation supports both direct programming and organizational grants to performing arts and community-focused organizations.
Grant Range
s:** Typical awards range from $5,000 to $500,000.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Illinois and Massachusetts, with significant activity in the Chicago area.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Assets | $9,822,117 |
| Total Annual Giving | $5,050,000 |
| Total Revenues (2023) | $5,392,500 |
| Total Expenses (2023) | $5,554,308 |
The foundation's revenues increased 37.6% from 2022 to 2023, driven primarily by grants and contributions.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $9,822,117 | $1,916,478 | $2,078,286 |
| Revenue | $13,465,489 | $5,392,500 | $3,829,084 |
| Expenses | $5,603,103 | $5,554,308 | $4,049,004 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $5,603,103 | $5,554,308 | $4,049,004 |
| Net Investment Income | $6,080,669 | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | $128,006 | $98,371 | $89,426 |
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
125 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Sarah Hartman Institute ($500,000), Chai Lifeline Midwest ($500,000), Merit School of Music ($500,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Northlight Theater Skokie, IL | Program Support | $250,000 |
| The Ark Chicago, IL | Program Support | $350,000 |
| Yeshiva Ohr Eliyahu Chicago, IL | Program Support | $50,000 |
| Tizmoret Inc Brooklin, MA | Program Support | $50,000 |
| Sarah Hartman Institute Chicago, IL | Program Support | $500,000 |
| Yachad Chicago Skokie, IL | Program Support | $280,000 |
| Chai Lifeline Midwest Lincolnwood, IL | Program Support | $500,000 |
| Merit School of Music Chicago, IL | Program Support | $500,000 |
| Cavelier Arts Chicago, IL | Program Support | $25,000 |
| Mesifta Shaarei Adirim Skokie, IL | Program Support | $100,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation's initiatives are administered by:
- Dr. Malkie Eisenberg
- Dr. Shira Roth
- Professor Bari Fleischer
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIRIAM SOLO GREENFIELD | President | 30 | $225,000 |
| CHRISTINE FELDMAN | Treasurer | 30 | $150,000 |
| SHARRAN R GREENBURG | Secretary | 30 | $75,000 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has established several active performing arts initiatives:
**Ralla Klepak Performing Arts Leadership (PAL) Initiative** - Administered through Sarah Hartman Women's College, this program provides training in using performing arts to address community and educational needs. The initiative includes:
Klepak Foundation Awards $600,000 to Support Community Music OutreachIntegrated coursework in Education and other disciplines
Sunday Immersion Programs offering performing arts participation to children and young adults
Leadership training for "Ralla Scholars" from fields including Art, Elementary and Special Education, Health Sciences, Psychology, and Speech and Communication Disorders
**Ralla Klepak Performing Arts Program (RKPAP)** - Operated through Yachad, this program offers year-round performing arts classes and experiences for people of all abilities ages 12 and up in the Chicagoland area, including:
Mainstage performance series with seasonal focus areas
Design and visual arts instruction
Live performance attendance and field experiences
The foundation has also provided significant support to organizations including Merit School of Music and the Firehouse Community Arts Center of Chicago.
Ralla Klepak Foundation Gives $1 Million Gift to Support MeritSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Ralla Klepak Performing Arts Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission centers on supporting the performing arts as a tool for community benefit, education, and social change. The foundation funds programs that: • Integrate performing arts into educational curricula and learning • Use performing arts in therapeutic and specialized applications • Provide performing arts training and experiences to underserved populations • Support community-based performing arts initiatives • Address communal, social, and educational needs through the arts …
How do I apply for a grant from Ralla Klepak Performing Arts Foundation?
**Grant Sizes:** Typical awards range from $5,000 to $500,000. **Recent Grants (2023):** • Chicago Chesed Fund: $339,500 (Program Support) • Ravinia Festival Association: $250,000 (Program Support) • Tapestry 360 Health: $200,000 (Program Support) **Total Giving:** $5,050,000 in annual giving (based on most recent filing) The foundation supports both direct programming and organizational grants to performing arts and community-focused organizations.
Where does Ralla Klepak Performing Arts Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Illinois and Massachusetts, with significant activity in the Chicago area.
What size grants does Ralla Klepak Performing Arts Foundation award?
In 2024, Ralla Klepak Performing Arts Foundation awarded 23 grants totaling $5.0M — an average of about $220K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Ralla Klepak Performing Arts Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Ralla Klepak Performing Arts Foundation reported a distributable amount of $128K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Ralla Klepak Performing Arts Foundation's EIN?
Ralla Klepak Performing Arts Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-3791888. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Ralla Klepak Performing Arts 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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