Ray of Light Foundation
Ray of Light Foundation is a private foundation, based in Los Angeles, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $6.9M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 5 grants totaling $2.1M. Net investment income was $137K.
Ray of Light Foundation at a glance
In short: Ray of Light Foundation gave $2.1M across 5 grants in 2024 (avg $414K), mostly in California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,070,639
- -4.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 5
- -16.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $414,128
- +14.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $250,000
- Total assets
- $6,873,940
- -19.8% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- California (88% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Ray of Light Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Social Impact Fund ($1.1M). Together the top 5 received $2.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
37 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 16 grants of 37 (43%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 5 itemized grants.
Cities
How Ray of Light Foundation gives
- Giving grew 254% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 546% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $329K (2022) to $2.2M (2023). In 2024 it made 5 grants totaling $2.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Social Impact Fund Los Angeles, CA | Healthcare and educational programming for orphans and vulnerable children | $1,065,639 |
| Raising Malawi Inc Los Angeles, CA | Healthcare and educational programming for orphans and vulnerable children | $550,000 |
| The National Italian American Foundation Washington, DC | To Promote, Preserve, and Protect the Italian Culture | $250,000 |
| Kabbalah Centre International Los Angeles, CA | Charitable Contribution | $200,000 |
| Rosie's Theater Kids New York, NY | Arts programs, mentoring and academic guidance for underserved children | $5,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $6,873,940 | $172,800 | $2,113,924 | $2,070,639 | 5 | $2,070,639 | $136,715 | $378,988 |
| 2023 | $8,574,134 | $3,640,345 | $2,209,635 | $2,165,000 | 6 | $2,165,000 | $595,810 | $305,706 |
| 2022 | $7,033,865 | $463,350 | $455,688 | $328,713 | 6 | $328,713 | $113,826 | $357,950 |
| 2021 | $8,079,779 | $505,801 | $806,894 | $584,500 | 7 | $584,500 | $336,132 | $382,704 |
| 2020 | $7,704,410 | $370,884 | $2,210,778 | $2,010,000 | 13 | — | $240,077 | $388,753 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Ray of Light Foundation reported a distributable amount of $379K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Ray of Light Foundation is led by Melanie Ciccone, Trustee on every filing since 2020 — the only officer listed, and uncompensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Melanie Ciccone
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
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.
Frequently asked questions about Ray of Light Foundation
How much does Ray of Light Foundation give each year?
Ray of Light Foundation gave $2.1M across 5 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $2.2M across 6 grants.
What is Ray of Light Foundation's typical grant size?
Ray of Light Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $250,000, and its average grant was $414,128, across 5 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Ray of Light Foundation give grants?
Ray of Light Foundation gives mostly in California: 88% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was District of Columbia (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were Los Angeles, CA (3 grants).
Does Ray of Light Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 5 grants with a stated purpose on Ray of Light Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are Ray of Light Foundation's largest grantees?
Ray of Light Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Social Impact Fund ($1,065,639), Raising Malawi Inc ($550,000) and The National Italian American Foundation ($250,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 90% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Ray of Light Foundation?
Ray of Light Foundation reported $6.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.1M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $379K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is Ray of Light Foundation's EIN?
Ray of Light Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-4716881. 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.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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