Robert Sterling Clark Foundation Inc
The Robert Sterling Clark Foundation Inc. is a private foundation based in New York, NY. It supports leadership development, organizations that develop leaders, and networks working toward a more equitable, vibrant New York City.
Robert Sterling Clark Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Robert Sterling Clark Foundation Inc gave $3.8M across 123 grants in 2024 (avg $31K), mostly in New York. 36% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $3,752,060
- +10.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 123
- +33.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $30,505
- -17.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $69,769,817
- -0.0% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 36% first-time grantees (27 of 74, 2024)
- Primary geography
- New York (70% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Robert Sterling Clark Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The filing states that the foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. It directs applicants to apply online; proposals are received and reviewed year-round, and award restrictions are listed online.
- Contact
Application contact: Philip Li
Mailing address: 135 East 64Th Street, New York, NY 10065
Phone: (212) 288-8900
Email: pli@rsclark.org
Website: https://rsclark.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Robert Sterling Clark Foundation Inc
Robert Sterling Clark Foundation: Field Building Grant
Robert Sterling Clark Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Robert Sterling Clark Foundation: Leadership For Equity Grant
Robert Sterling Clark Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Robert Sterling Clark Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Community Food Fundersnorth Star Fund ($183K across 4 grants). Together the top 10 received $1.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
618 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 430 grants of 618 (70%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation says most of its grantmaking is focused on New York City, with a separate field-building stream supporting nonprofits in the United States. In 2024, 70% of grant dollars went to recipients in New York, 11% to California, 9% to Massachusetts, 6% to the District of Columbia, and 1% to New Jersey.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 123 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Robert Sterling Clark Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
36%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 27 of 74 grantees (36%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $38K; repeat grants $58K. How we count
Medians: $15K first-time, $65K repeat.
- 61% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−6%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 134% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $3.4M (2023) to $4.3M (2022). In 2024 it made 123 grants totaling $3.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Bend the Arc New York, NY | General Support | $82,500 |
| Building Movement Project Boston, MA | General Support | $82,500 |
| Community Food Fundersnorth Star Fund New York, NY | General Support | $82,500 |
| Community Resource Exchange New York, NY | General Support | $82,500 |
| Coro New York Leadership Center New York, NY | General Support | $82,500 |
| Institute for Nonprofit Practice Boston, MA | General Support | $82,500 |
| Institute for State & Local Governance New York, NY | General Support | $82,500 |
| Justleadershipusa New York, NY | General Support | $82,500 |
| Rockwood Leadership Institute Oakland, CA | General Support | $82,500 |
| The Interfaith Center of NY New York, NY | General Support | $82,500 |
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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 | $69,769,817 | $6,527,905 | $6,552,339 | $3,752,060 | 123 | $5,909,311 | $6,171,799 | $4,424,603 |
| 2023 | $69,794,251 | $3,546,582 | $6,313,103 | $3,401,975 | 92 | $5,757,566 | $2,916,155 | $4,885,103 |
| 2022 | $72,560,772 | $2,193,400 | $7,102,484 | $4,265,700 | 145 | $6,528,031 | $1,771,953 | $4,578,445 |
| 2021 | $77,469,856 | $11,534,597 | $6,773,787 | $3,991,911 | 149 | $6,200,018 | $10,863,729 | $4,993,614 |
| 2020 | $72,709,046 | $824,277 | $6,905,261 | $4,166,907 | 109 | — | $879,557 | $4,259,217 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Robert Sterling Clark Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $4.4M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated aim is to help create and sustain a vibrant and equitable New York City. Its primary grantmaking stream, Leadership for Equity, supports NYC-focused efforts that develop leadership as a practice, advance equity—particularly racial equity—and bring people together in sustained relationships over time. The foundation is especially interested in issue- or identity-focused programs that bring people from different groups together in cohorts.
Its Field Building grants support organizations that strengthen the leadership-development field. The foundation says about 15% of its funding goes to nonprofits in the United States that help make the case for investing in diverse leaders. Its stated criteria include a track record in leadership-development research, promising program models, or experimentation with leadership practices; grantees are invited to share data and models with the foundation’s NYC grantees.
Examples of grantees illustrate the kinds of organizations supported. The Laundromat Project describes its mission as advancing artists and neighbors as change agents in their communities. CORO New York Leadership Center describes itself as a leadership-training program and community of alumni working across sectors to shape New York City’s future. Rockwood Leadership Institute says it provides leadership and collaboration training to individuals, organizations, and networks. JustLeadershipUSA says it amplifies the power of people directly impacted by the criminal legal system to organize and build their communities. The Institute for Nonprofit Practice says it equips nonprofit leaders with skills, confidence, and resources to strengthen their organizations.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 123 grants totaling $3,752,060. Grant amounts ranged from $400 to $82,500, with a median of $10,000. Among the largest awards were $82,500 each to the Laundromat Project, CORO New York Leadership Center, Rockwood Leadership Institute, JustLeadershipUSA, and the Institute for Nonprofit Practice. These grants were reported for general support.
The foundation’s website describes Leadership for Equity and Field Building as grantmaking streams. A program listing included a note that applications submitted in the first half of 2025 would not be reviewed until the second half of that year; that timing has passed. The foundation’s 2024 filing states that it does not accept unsolicited requests. It directs applicants to apply online, says proposals are received and reviewed year-round, and refers applicants to the online application for award restrictions.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists James Allen Smith as chairman; Diahann Billings-Burford as vice board chair; Julie C. Muraco as treasurer; Paul R. Dolan as secretary; Gregg Bishop, Andrew Rich, Maja D. Hazell, and Adriana Rocha as trustees; Philip Li as president and CEO; and Lisa Cowan as vice president.
Robert Sterling Clark Foundation Inc is led by Philip Li, President & CEO on every filing since 2020; 2 of 10 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Philip Li
President & CEO
On filings since 2020
55 hrs/week
$284K (2020) → $309K (2024)
James Allen Smith
Chairman
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Adriana Rocha
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gregg Bishop
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Andrew Rich
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Maja D. Hazell
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lisa Cowan
Vice President
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$235K (2023) → $247K (2024)
Diahann Billings-Burford
Vice Board Chair
Trustee → Vice Board Chair, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Julie C. Muraco
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Paul R. Dolan
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Daisy Auger-Dominguez (2020) — Trustee
- Former: John Hoyt Stookey (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Vincent McGee (2020) — Trustee
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $309K, to Philip Li (President & CEO). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Robert Sterling Clark Foundation Inc
How much does Robert Sterling Clark Foundation Inc give each year?
Robert Sterling Clark Foundation Inc gave $3.8M across 123 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $3.4M across 92 grants.
What is Robert Sterling Clark Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Robert Sterling Clark Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $30,505, across 123 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Robert Sterling Clark Foundation Inc that year got $38K on average.
Where does Robert Sterling Clark Foundation Inc give grants?
Robert Sterling Clark Foundation Inc gives mostly in New York: 70% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were California (11%) and Massachusetts (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (64 grants), Boston, MA (9 grants), Brooklyn, NY (8 grants) and Washington, DC (7 grants).
Does Robert Sterling Clark Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Robert Sterling Clark Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (123 of 123) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Robert Sterling Clark Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Robert Sterling Clark Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Community Food Fundersnorth Star Fund ($182,500 across 4 grants), Universal Partnership ($170,000 across 3 grants) and Building Movement Project ($142,500 across 5 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 13% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Robert Sterling Clark Foundation Inc?
Robert Sterling Clark Foundation Inc reported $69.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $5.9M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $4.4M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Robert Sterling Clark Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s stated aim is to help create and sustain a vibrant and equitable New York City. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Robert Sterling Clark Foundation Inc?
The filing states that the foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Robert Sterling Clark Foundation Inc's EIN?
Robert Sterling Clark Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-1957792. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Robert Sterling Clark Foundation Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Robert Sterling Clark Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 4, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/robert-sterling-clark-foundation-inc-morg_94382b691b5e423f8856d3ac2267dcac
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_131957792_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Robert Sterling Clark Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/robert-sterling-clark-foundation-inc-morg_94382b691b5e423f8856d3ac2267dcac},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-04. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Robert Sterling Clark Foundation Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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