Robert Sterling Clark Foundation Inc
The Robert Sterling Clark Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation based in New York City, incorporated in 1952 and endowed in 1955. The foundation was established by Robert Sterling Clark, a member of the prominent New York business family whose wealth derived from their relationship with the Singer Corporation, the leading purveyor of sewing machines. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) private foundation dedicated to creating a vibrant, equitable New York City.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$69.8M
-0.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.8M
+10.3% YoY
Grant Count
123
+33.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$31K
-17.5% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports projects in three primary areas:
- International Cultural Engagement — promoting cultural exchange and engagement globally
- Public Sector Effectiveness and Accountability — ensuring the effectiveness and accountability of public agencies in New York City and State
- Reproductive Health Access — protecting access to comprehensive reproductive health through litigation and public policy advocacy in New York State and at the federal level
The foundation's current approach emphasizes leadership development, investing in individuals and the organizations that develop them, building the field, and commissioning key pieces of leadership research. The foundation operates from a trust-based philanthropy model, considering grantees as true partners.
Grantmaking
The foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily on Education, Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, and Human Services.
Grant Range
s:** Typical awards range from $100,000 to $300,000.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's primary geographic focus is New York City and New York State, with secondary funding activity in California and Massachusetts.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Total Assets: $69.8 million (2023)
Total Liabilities: $0 (2023)
Revenue: $3.55 million (2023)
Expenses: $6.31 million (2023)
Tax-Exempt Status: Tax-exempt since February 1955 (EIN: 13-1957792)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $69,769,817 | $69,794,251 | $72,560,772 |
| Revenue | $6,527,905 | $3,546,582 | $2,193,400 |
| Expenses | $6,552,339 | $6,313,103 | $7,102,484 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $5,909,311 | $5,757,566 | $6,528,031 |
| Net Investment Income | $6,171,799 | $2,916,155 | $1,771,953 |
| Distributable Amount | $4,424,603 | $4,885,103 | $4,578,445 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Robert Sterling Clark Foundation Inc
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JAMES ALLEN SMITH | CHAIRMAN | 1 | — |
| DIAHANN BILLINGS-BURFORD | VICE BOARD CHAIR | 1 | — |
| JULIE C MURACO | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| PAUL R DOLAN | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| GREGG BISHOP | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| ANDREW RICH | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| MAJA D HAZELL | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| ADRIANA ROCHA | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| PHILIP LI | PRESIDENT & CEO | 55 | $309,000 |
| LISA COWAN | VICE PRESIDENT | 40 | $247,115 |
Contact Information
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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