Richard and Ruth Lavine
The Richard and Ruth Lavine Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Los Angeles, California. Established in August 1991, it operates as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization with EIN 95-4300271. The foundation is located at 315 Conway Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90024.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$5.7M
+119.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$173K
+13.4% YoY
Grant Count
37
+8.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$5K
+4.2% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Richard and Ruth Lavine reported a distributable amount of $256K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation has not publicly provided a formal mission statement. However, based on its grantmaking patterns, the foundation focuses on:
- Education
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
- Human Services
Grantmaking
The foundation distributed $249,000 in grants across 37 awards in the 2023 tax year. In 2024, total giving was $173,200.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily on:
- California
- District of Columbia
- Texas
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Giving (2024):
- Total Assets: $5,732,850
- Total Giving: $173,200
- Revenue: $1,660,000
Assets & Giving (2023):
- Total Assets: $6,000,000 (approximately)
- Total Distributions: $249,000
Liabilities:
- Total Liabilities: $0 (2024)
The foundation maintains a healthy financial position with no outstanding liabilities and consistent annual revenue from investments and contributions.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $5,732,850 | $2,610,052 | $2,750,388 |
| Revenue | $1,659,609 | $147,775 | $385,163 |
| Expenses | $299,004 | $279,809 | $284,262 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $249,481 | $198,453 | $200,477 |
| Net Investment Income | $155,508 | $71,419 | $304,378 |
| Distributable Amount | $255,600 | $201,051 | $213,373 |
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
136 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Planned Parenthood ($20,000), Usc Gould School of Law ($20,000), St Joseph Center ($15,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ANGEL CITY SPORTS LOS ANGELES, CA | TO CREATE SPORTS OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADULTS, CHILDREN AND VETERANS WITH PHYSICAL DIFFERENCES AND IMPAIRMENTS. | $2,000 |
| ANTI DEFAMATION LEAGUE LOS ANGELES, CA | TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR HISTORY AND TO PROTECT DEMOCRACY AND ENSURE A JUST AND INCLUSIVE SOCIETY FOR ALL. | $10,000 |
| BRENNAN CENTER FOR JUSTICE NEW YORK, NY | SCHOOL - TO REFORM, REVITALIZE, AND WHEN NECESSARY, DEFEND THE COUNTRY'S SYSTEMS OF DEMOCRACY AND JUSTICE. TO CONDUCT RIGOROUS RESEARCH TO IDENTIFY PROBLEMS AND CRAFT TRANSFORMATIVE SOLUTIONS. | $5,000 |
| CENTER THEATRE GROUP LOS ANGELES, CA | ARTS - GENERAL SUPPORT FOR THE THEATRE OPERATING EXPENSES | $1,200 |
| COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS OF LOS ANGELES LOS ANGELES, CA | EDUCATION - GENERAL SUPPORT TO DECREASE SCHOOL DROPOUT RATES IN THE LOS ANGELES MIDDLE- AND HIGH SCHOOLS. | $2,500 |
| DISABLED SPORTS EASTERN SIERRA MAMMOTH LAKES, CA | PROVIDING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES LIFE-CHANGING OUTDOOR RECREATION EXPERIENCES. | $500 |
| EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER OF WILSHIRE BLVD TEMPLE LOS ANGELES, CA | LEARNING CENTER - TO NURTURE ENVIROMENTS OFFERING JEWISH VALUES AND EDUCATION TO YOUNG CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES. TO DEVELOP CHILDREN'S SELF-ESTEEM, PROMOTE POSITIVE FEELINGS TOWARDS LEARNING, AND TO ENCOURAGE SOCIAL INTERACTION WITHIN A JEWISH SETTING. | $2,500 |
| GRACE'S BASKETS FOUNDATION UCLA HEALTH SYSTEM LOS ANGELES, CA | SUPPORT OF CHILDREN RECEIVING TREATMENT AT MATTEL CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL UCLA PEDIATRIC HEMATOLOGY/ONCOLOGY DEPARTMENT | $2,000 |
| HEART OF LOS ANGELES LOS ANGELES, CA | SERVE AND EMPOWER YOUTH IN THE LOS ANGELES RAMPART AND WESTLAKE NEIGHBORHOODS WITH TOOLS NECESSARY TO SUCCEED. | $2,000 |
| HILLEL AT BERKELEY BERKELEY, CA | EDUCATION - TO NOURISH THE STUDENTS DEVELOPING IDENTITIES AND KEEPING THEM SAFE IN COMMUNITY EVERY STEP OF THE WAY. TO HAVE STUDENTS ENJOY DINNER EVENTS AND TO HAVE OPPORTUNITIIES TO PARTICIPATE IN MEANINGFUL HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS, IMMERSIVE RETREATS, TRIPS, AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING. TO HAVE STUDENTS CULTIVATE A GENUINE HOME AWAY FROM HOME WHILE SPARKING LIFELONG LEARNING AND FRIENDSHIPS. | $2,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board Members (as of 2023 tax year):
- Ruth J Lavine — President/Director/Chairman
- Leonard Unger — Secretary/Treasurer/Director
- Catherine L Unger — Vice President/Director
- Laura Dudley — Director
- Daniel Unger — Director
- Jack Dudley — Director
- Emma Dudley — Director
- Nathan Dudley — Director
- Dylan Unger — Director
The foundation operates with no paid staff; board members serve without compensation except for Laura Dudley, Daniel Unger, Jack Dudley, Emma Dudley, and Nathan Dudley, who each received $10,000–$20,000 in compensation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| RUTH J LAVINE | PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR/CHAIRMAN | 2 | — |
| LEONARD UNGER | SECRETARY/TREASURER/DIRECTOR | 5 | — |
| CATHERINE L UNGER | VICE PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR | 5 | — |
| LAURA DUDLEY | DIRECTOR | 2 | $20,000 |
| DANIEL UNGER | DIRECTOR | 2 | $20,000 |
| JACK DUDLEY | DIRECTOR | 2 | $10,000 |
| EMMA DUDLEY | DIRECTOR | 2 | $10,000 |
| NATHAN DUDLEY | DIRECTOR | 2 | $10,000 |
| DYLAN UNGER | DIRECTOR | 2 | $10,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Richard and Ruth Lavine fund?
The foundation has not publicly provided a formal mission statement. However, based on its grantmaking patterns, the foundation focuses on: • Education • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking • Human Services
How do I apply for a grant from Richard and Ruth Lavine?
**Grant Amounts:** • Typical award range: $250–$20,000 • Median grant: $2,500 • Maximum grant observed: $20,000 **Recent Activity:** The foundation distributed $249,000 in grants across 37 awards in the 2023 tax year. In 2024, total giving was $173,200. **Notable Grants:** The foundation launched the Lavine Family Innovation Fund through a major gift to LIFT, an anti-poverty organization, representing one of the largest gifts the foundation has made. The foundation also participates in cultural…
Where does Richard and Ruth Lavine make grants?
The foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily on: • California • District of Columbia • Texas
What size grants does Richard and Ruth Lavine award?
In 2024, Richard and Ruth Lavine awarded 37 grants totaling $173K — an average of about $5K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Richard and Ruth Lavine required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Richard and Ruth Lavine reported a distributable amount of $256K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Richard and Ruth Lavine's EIN?
Richard and Ruth Lavine's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-4300271. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
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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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