Robert K & Barbara J Straus Family
The Robert K & Barbara J Straus Family Foundation is a private family foundation established in 1987, with headquarters in Santa Barbara, California. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization and has been designated tax-exempt since December 1986.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$2.2M
+8.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$170K
+54.6% YoY
Grant Count
59
+43.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$3K
+7.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Robert K & Barbara J Straus Family reported a distributable amount of $197K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation is based in Santa Barbara, California, operating from 200 E Carrillo Street, Suite 303.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $2,027,320
- Total Revenue: $227,000
- Total Expenses: $140,000
- Total Liabilities: $0
- Total Giving: $109,160
The foundation maintains a modest but stable financial position with no outstanding liabilities.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $2,195,552 | $2,027,320 | $1,940,435 |
| Revenue | $364,875 | $226,746 | $72,021 |
| Expenses | $196,643 | $139,861 | $175,399 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $169,500 | $115,308 | $156,127 |
| Net Investment Income | $341,777 | $202,193 | $55,694 |
| Distributable Amount | $196,678 | $165,240 | $165,975 |
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
241 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Frankfurt Zoological Society ($20,000), Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital Foundation ($12,500), Pars Equality Center ($10,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 10000 DEGREES SAN RAFAEL, CA | IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) EXEMPT PURPOSE | $2,500 |
| AMERICA FIRST LEGAL FOUNDATION WASHINGTON, DC | IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) EXEMPT PURPOSE | $3,000 |
| ASPCA NEW YORK, NY | IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) EXEMPT PURPOSE | $1,000 |
| BABY2BABY LOS ANGELES, CA | IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) EXEMPT PURPOSE | $1,000 |
| BOWDOIN COLLEGE BRUNSWICK, ME | IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) EXEMPT PURPOSE | $1,000 |
| BROOKLYN MUSEUM BROOKLYN, NY | IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) EXEMPT PURPOSE | $500 |
| CANAL ALLIANCE SAN RAFAEL, CA | IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) EXEMPT PURPOSE | $2,500 |
| CELIA'S HOUSE MEDFORD, OR | IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) EXEMPT PURPOSE | $1,000 |
| CHILD FOUNDATION PORTLAND, OR | IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) EXEMPT PURPOSE | $2,500 |
| COLGATE UNIVERSITY HAMILTON, NY | IN FURTHERANCE OF 501(C)(3) EXEMPT PURPOSE | $5,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| PENELOPE ANN STRAUS CHANDRA-SHEKAR | PRES./DIR. | — | — |
| MARSHALL H TURNER JR | SECRETARY | — | — |
| CHRISTOPHER STRAUS | VP/DIRECTOR | — | — |
| BRADEN MORE | TREASURER/DIR | — | — |
| ALEXANDRA MORE | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| SHADAN MORE | DIRECTOR | — | — |
Contact Information
- Phone: 805-963-1837
- Location: Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Note: The foundation has not publicly provided detailed information regarding its specific mission statement, funding priorities, or grantmaking guidelines through available sources. Prospective applicants should contact the foundation directly for current funding interests and application procedures.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does Robert K & Barbara J Straus Family make grants?
The foundation is based in Santa Barbara, California, operating from 200 E Carrillo Street, Suite 303.
What size grants does Robert K & Barbara J Straus Family award?
In 2024, Robert K & Barbara J Straus Family awarded 59 grants totaling $170K — an average of about $3K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Robert K & Barbara J Straus Family required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Robert K & Barbara J Straus Family reported a distributable amount of $197K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Robert K & Barbara J Straus Family's EIN?
Robert K & Barbara J Straus Family's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-3377987. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Robert K & Barbara J Straus Family'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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