The Clara Lionel Foundation
The Clara Lionel Foundation (CLF), founded in 2012 by Robyn “Rihanna” Fenty, is a public charity based in New York, NY. It invests in community-led solutions, including climate initiatives and efforts to help communities prepare for and withstand natural disasters.
The Clara Lionel Foundation at a glance
In short: The Clara Lionel Foundation gave $1.4M across 5 grants in 2024 (avg $285K), top state California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,425,000
- +26.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 5
- -28.6% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $285,000
- +76.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $200,000
- Total assets
- $67,867,604
- +30.5% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- California (35% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
How to apply to The Clara Lionel Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Contact
Mailing address: Co Ffo 545 Fifth Avenue 1103, New York, NY 10017
Phone: (212) 202-3230
Website: https://claralionelfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Clara Lionel Foundation
Who The Clara Lionel Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Global Fund for Women ($500K). Together the top 5 received $1.4M.
Grant Size Distribution
141 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 34 grants of 141 (24%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
CLF describes its work as spanning the Caribbean, East Africa, and the U.S. South. Its Rebuild & Reimagine Fund focuses on communities across the Caribbean. In the 2024 grants, recipients were based in California, New York, Washington, DC, South Dakota, and Arizona.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 5 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Clara Lionel Foundation gives
- Giving fell 79% from 2021 to 2024. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.1M (2023) to $28.5M (2020). In 2024 it made 5 grants totaling $1.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Global Fund for Women San Francisco, CA | General Support | $500,000 |
| Center for Popular Democracy Action Fund Brooklyn, NY | General Support | $500,000 |
| Windward Fund Washington, DC | General Support | $200,000 |
| NDN Collective Inc Rapid City, SD | General Support | $150,000 |
| Native Renewables Flagstaff, AZ | General Support | $75,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $67,867,604 | $24,028,784 | $6,603,329 | $1,425,000 | 5 | $2,615,213 |
| 2023 | $51,989,011 | $2,880,363 | $7,634,109 | $1,130,000 | 7 | $1,613,548 |
| 2022 | $57,899,179 | $28,731,272 | $20,254,125 | $13,935,000 | 23 | $485,553 |
| 2021 | $44,086,810 | $23,596,509 | $8,907,323 | $6,764,304 | 48 | $290,255 |
| 2020 | $30,340,502 | $51,804,365 | $34,203,622 | $28,489,014 | 58 | $255,347 |
| 2019 | $11,749,384 | $6,698,794 | $3,870,223 | $2,082,453 | 13 | $272,758 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
CLF states that it invests in climate solutions in the Caribbean and United States and helps communities prepare for and withstand natural disasters. Its work includes emergency preparedness and climate adaptation for health, shelter, and communication projects across the Caribbean, as well as short- and long-term climate solutions in the U.S. and Caribbean. The foundation also describes work in arts and culture, education and youth programs, health access and equity, and women’s entrepreneurship.
CLF says it channels resources through community partners. Among its 2024 grantees, Global Fund for Women described its mission as funding gender justice movements; Windward Fund described providing fiscal sponsorship services to environmental projects; NDN Collective described building collective power for Indigenous Peoples, communities, and nations; and Native Renewables described growing Indigenous-led solar knowledge and solutions with Hopi and Diné (Navajo) families and communities.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, CLF reported five grants totaling $1,425,000. Awards ranged from $75,000 to $500,000, with a median of $200,000. The five listed grants were all for general support: $500,000 each to Global Fund for Women and Center for Popular Democracy Action Fund; $200,000 to Windward Fund; $150,000 to NDN Collective; and $75,000 to Native Renewables.
CLF’s filing describes a process in which selected grantees complete an application form and provide detailed project and organizational budgets. Grantees submit periodic reports, including financial reports, and may be asked for interim updates with metrics and photos; CLF also conducts site visits for certain projects. CLF states that it does not accept unsolicited requests for partnership proposals. Its college scholarship process is separate: students apply through an online application package and essay, and awards are paid directly to educational institutions.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Robyn R. Fenty as founder; Tamara Larsen as president; Jessie Schutt-Aine as vice president; Ivan Rosales as chief financial and operating officer; and Mai Lassiter as interim executive director/director. It also lists Kawanna Brown, Cheryl Alston, Jay Brown, Monica Fenty Braithwaite, and Lukas Haynes as directors.
The Clara Lionel Foundation is led by Mai Lassiter, Interim Executive Director & Director since 2024 (on filings since 2019); 2 of 10 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Mai Lassiter
Interim Executive Director & Director
President → Director, 2022
Director → Interim Executive Director & Director, 2024
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$522K (2024)
Tamara Larsen
President
Treasurer → President, 2022
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jay Brown
Director
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kawanna Brown
Director
Vice President → Director, 2022
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lukas Haynes
Director
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cheryl Alston
Director
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Monica Fenty Braithwaite
Director
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ivan Rosales
Chief Financial & Operating Officer
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$103K (2022) → $238K (2024)
Jessie Schutt-Aine
Vice President
Director → Secretary, 2021
Secretary → Vice President, 2022
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robyn R. Fenty
Founder
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (7)
- Former: Jo Opot (2023–2024) — Interim Executive Director · Filing note: Through 012024
- Former: Justine Lucas (2019–2023) — Executive Director · Filing note: Through 042023
- Former: Evan Jehle (2019–2022) — CFO · Filing note: Until 762022
- Former: Fiona Korwin-Pawlowski (2022) — Senior Program Director
- Former: Martha Fiona Korwin-Pawlowski (2019–2021) — Senior Program Director
- Former: Monica Fenty (2019–2020) — Secretary
- Former: Martha Fiona Korwin-Pawlowski Ryan (2020) — Senior Program Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "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 $522K, to Mai Lassiter (Interim Executive Director/Director). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Clara Lionel Foundation
How much does The Clara Lionel Foundation give each year?
The Clara Lionel Foundation gave $1.4M across 5 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $1.1M across 7 grants.
What is The Clara Lionel Foundation's typical grant size?
The Clara Lionel Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $200,000, and its average grant was $285,000, across 5 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does The Clara Lionel Foundation give grants?
The Clara Lionel Foundation's top state is California, with 35% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were New York (35%) and District of Columbia (14%).
Does The Clara Lionel Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Clara Lionel Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (5 of 5) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Who are The Clara Lionel Foundation's largest grantees?
The Clara Lionel Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Global Fund for Women ($500,000), Center for Popular Democracy Action Fund ($500,000) and Windward Fund ($200,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 84% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Clara Lionel Foundation?
The Clara Lionel Foundation reported $67.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $24.0M.
What does The Clara Lionel Foundation fund?
CLF states that it invests in climate solutions in the Caribbean and United States and helps communities prepare for and withstand natural disasters. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Clara Lionel Foundation?
The Clara Lionel Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals, according to Grantable's research on its published guidelines. Check claralionelfoundation.org for any change to that policy.
What is The Clara Lionel Foundation's EIN?
The Clara Lionel Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 45-5620521. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Does The Clara Lionel Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS June 14, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 11, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Live grants for the work The Clara Lionel Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Clara Lionel Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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