Richard J Stern Foundation for the Arts
The Richard J Stern Foundation for the Arts is an independent private foundation established in 1986 and based in Kansas City, Missouri. The foundation is dedicated to supporting the arts through strategic philanthropic giving in the Kansas City metropolitan region.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$2.7M
+6.1% YoY
Grant Count
75
+7.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$36K
-1.0% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation provides funding exclusively to organizations engaged in supporting the arts in the five-county metropolitan Kansas City area. Primary focus areas include:
- Performing arts
- Art education
- Arts organizations and nonprofits
- Historic buildings related to the arts
Grantmaking
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation restricts its giving to the five-county metropolitan Kansas City, Missouri area.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
- Total Assets: $52,457,691
- Total Annual Giving: $2,732,077
- EIN: 43-6313811
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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 2025
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include Kansas City Symphony ($300,000), Lyric Opera of Kansas City Inc ($200,000), Lyric Opera of Kansas City Inc ($200,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ART AS MENTORSHIP INC KANSAS CITY, MO | 2025 REBEL SONG ACADEMY EXPANSION | $10,000 |
| ART IN THE LOOP FOUNDATION KANSAS CITY, MO | DOWNTOWN KC PUBLIC ART EXHIBITION & PERFORMANCE SERIES | $5,000 |
| ARTS ENGAGEMENT FOUNDATION OF KANSAS CITY KANSAS CITY, MO | KC STUDIO MAGAZINE | $30,000 |
| BACH ARIA SOLOISTS KANSAS CITY, MO | 2024/2025 SEASON SUPPORT WITH ONE-TIME INCREASE FOR HELEN SUNG COMMISSION | $12,500 |
| CHARLOTTE STREET FOUNDATION KANSAS CITY, MO | CHARLOTTE STREET LIBRARY IMPROVEMENTS | $8,500 |
| CHARLOTTE STREET FOUNDATION KANSAS CITY, MO | USED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OR TRUSTEES AS THEY SEE FIT FOR OPERATING THEIR ORGANIZATION | $30,000 |
| COTERIE INC KANSAS CITY, MO | 2025/2026 SEASON SUPPORT | $35,000 |
| ENSEMBLE IBERICA INC KANSAS CITY, MO | 2023 & 2024 SEASON SUPPORT | $6,000 |
| EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF WEST MISSORUI (ST PAUL'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH) KANSAS CITY, MO | PIANO ACQUISITION | $10,000 |
| FRIENDS OF CHAMBER MUSIC KANSAS CITY, MO | 2025/2026 SEASON SUPPORT | $15,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Michael Fields serves as a board member of the Richard J Stern Foundation for the Arts.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| COMMERCE BANKINV MGMT | CORPORATE TRUSTEE | 40 | $240,053 |
| COMMERCE BANKCHARITY OFFICE | CORPORATE TRUSTEE | 40 | $166,925 |
| COMMERCE BANKCHARITY MGMT | CORPORATE TRUSTEE | 10 | $26,673 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Richard J Stern Foundation for the Arts fund?
The foundation provides funding exclusively to organizations engaged in supporting the arts in the five-county metropolitan Kansas City area. Primary focus areas include: • Performing arts • Art education • Arts organizations and nonprofits • Historic buildings related to the arts
How do I apply for a grant from Richard J Stern Foundation for the Arts?
**Grant Amounts:** Typical awards range from $1,000 to $300,000. **Annual Giving:** Total giving of $2,732,077 based on the most recent IRS Form 990 filing. **Recent Activity:** The foundation has supported major initiatives including the Kansas City Ballet School's South Campus renovation and expansion project at Meadowbrook, which includes four new dance studios designed to increase access to ballet education throughout the community.
Where does Richard J Stern Foundation for the Arts make grants?
The foundation restricts its giving to the five-county metropolitan Kansas City, Missouri area.
What size grants does Richard J Stern Foundation for the Arts award?
In 2025, Richard J Stern Foundation for the Arts awarded 75 grants totaling $2.7M — an average of about $36K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Richard J Stern Foundation for the Arts's EIN?
Richard J Stern Foundation for the Arts's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 43-6313811. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Richard J Stern Foundation for the Arts'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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