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
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.
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
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Bend the Arc ($82,500), Building Movement Project ($82,500), Community Food Fundersnorth Star Fund ($82,500).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| A NEW ERA OF PHILANTHROPY BOOK PROJECT WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| ADVOCACY INSTITUTE (TIDES CENTER) BROOKLYN, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $55,000 |
| ADVOCACY INSTITUTE (TIDES CENTER) BROOKLYN, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| ALLIANCE FOR QUALITY EDUCATION (PUBLIC POLICY AND EDUCATION FUND OF NY INC ALBANY, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| AURORA COMMONS BRONX, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| BATTLEGROUND NEW YORK EDUCATION FUND WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| BEND THE ARC NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $82,500 |
| BLACKSPACE URBANIST COLLECTIVE BROOKLYN, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| BLACKSPACE URBANIST COLLECTIVE BROOKLYN, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $40,000 |
| BSU PHILANTHROPY INITIATIVE BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY BOWIE, MD | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
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
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Robert Sterling Clark Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation supports projects in three primary areas: 1. **International Cultural Engagement** — promoting cultural exchange and engagement globally 2. **Public Sector Effectiveness and Accountability** — ensuring the effectiveness and accountability of public agencies in New York City and State 3. **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 cu…
How do I apply for a grant from Robert Sterling Clark Foundation Inc?
**Grant Sizes:** Typical awards range from $100,000 to $300,000. **Active Grant Opportunities:** The foundation currently offers at least two active grant programs: • Leadership For Equity Grant • Field Building Grant **Total Giving:** $3,752,060 (based on most recent IRS 990 filing) The foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily on Education, Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, and Human Services.
Where does Robert Sterling Clark Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation's primary geographic focus is **New York City and New York State**, with secondary funding activity in California and Massachusetts.
What size grants does Robert Sterling Clark Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Robert Sterling Clark Foundation Inc awarded 123 grants totaling $3.8M — an average of about $31K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Robert Sterling Clark Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Robert Sterling Clark Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $4.4M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Robert Sterling Clark Foundation Inc'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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