The Clara Lionel Foundation
The Clara Lionel Foundation (CLF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2012 by Barbadian singer Robyn "Rihanna" Fenty in honor of her grandparents, Clara and Lionel Braithwaite. Headquartered in New York with a presence in Barbados, the foundation operates as a philanthropic grantmaking organization that invests in, partners with, and empowers community innovators to create change from within their communities.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$67.9M
+30.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.4M
+26.1% YoY
Grant Count
5
-28.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$285K
+76.5% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: The foundation builds thriving and resilient communities by equipping community innovators to lead change from within. CLF's vision is a climate-resilient, equitable world in which everyone has the opportunity to fulfill their potential, no matter where they live.
Primary Focus Areas:
- Climate justice initiatives
- Emergency preparedness and response programs
- Education
- Global health and access
- Arts and culture
- Women's economic development
- Natural disaster preparedness and resilience
The foundation conducts all its giving through an equity lens, prioritizing marginalized and underserved communities.
Grantmaking
The foundation has supported over 150 projects and programs and maintains 83 grant partners active in the U.S. and Caribbean.
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Caribbean is a geographic priority for the foundation's grantmaking. The foundation also funds initiatives in the United States, with particular activity in South Dakota, New York, and the District of Columbia.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024 (Form 990):
- Total Assets: $67,867,604
- Total Revenue: $24,028,784
- Total Expenses: $6,603,329
- Total Liabilities: $2,850,000
Tax Status: Tax-exempt since December 2014 (EIN: 45-5620521)
Rating: The foundation holds a Four-Star rating with a 97% score, reflecting strong accountability and financial practices.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $67,867,604 | $51,989,011 | $57,899,179 |
| Revenue | $24,028,784 | $2,880,363 | $28,731,272 |
| Expenses | $6,603,329 | $7,634,109 | $20,254,125 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $2,615,213 | $1,613,548 | $485,553 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
133 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Clara Lionel Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Global Fund for Women ($500,000), Center for Popular Democracy Action Fund ($500,000), Windward Fund ($200,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| NATIVE RENEWABLES FLAGSTAFF, AZ | GENERAL SUPPORT | $75,000 |
| WINDWARD FUND WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL SUPPORT | $200,000 |
| NDN COLLECTIVE INC RAPID CITY, SD | GENERAL SUPPORT | $150,000 |
| GLOBAL FUND FOR WOMEN SAN FRANCISCO, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $500,000 |
| CENTER FOR POPULAR DEMOCRACY ACTION FUND BROOKLYN, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $500,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Executive Director: Jessie Schutt-aine
The foundation employs 5 people, with staff distributed across the United States (4 employees) and Barbados (1 employee).
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROBYN R FENTY | FOUNDER | 3 | — |
| KAWANNA BROWN | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| CHERYL ALSTON | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| JAY BROWN | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| MONICA FENTY BRAITHWAITE | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| LUKAS HAYNES | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| TAMARA LARSEN | PRESIDENT | 3 | — |
| JESSIE SCHUTT-AINE | VICE PRESIDENT | 3 | — |
| IVAN ROSALES | CHIEF FINANCIAL AND OPERATING OFFICER | 40 | $237,500 |
| MAI LASSITER | INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/DIRECTOR | 40 | $521,792 |
| JO OPOT THROUGH 012024 | INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 20 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In 2025, the Clara Lionel Foundation partnered with the Mellon Foundation to amplify Caribbean arts and culture on a global stage. The foundation launched the Fresh Milk/Clara Lionel Foundation Artistic Fellowship, which provided $100,000 in support to four Barbadian artists.
Fresh Milk / Clara Lionel Foundation Artistic FellowshipIn March 2020, the foundation donated $5 million toward COVID-19 response efforts.
The foundation has established programs including the Clara Braithwaite Center for Oncology and Nuclear Medicine at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Barbados.
Fresh Milk / Clara Lionel Foundation Artistic FellowshipSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Clara Lionel Foundation fund?
**Mission:** The foundation builds thriving and resilient communities by equipping community innovators to lead change from within. CLF's vision is a climate-resilient, equitable world in which everyone has the opportunity to fulfill their potential, no matter where they live. **Primary Focus Areas:** • Climate justice initiatives • Emergency preparedness and response programs • Education • Global health and access • Arts and culture • Women's economic development • Natural disaster preparednes…
How do I apply for a grant from The Clara Lionel Foundation?
The foundation has supported over 150 projects and programs and maintains 83 grant partners active in the U.S. and Caribbean. **Grant Characteristics:** • Typical award range: $10,000–$2,500,000 • Total giving (2024): $3,232,629 **Application Process:** The foundation does not currently accept applications. Prospective grantees are encouraged to sign up for the foundation's newsletter to keep up with emerging opportunities. The foundation requires high-level networking and has revamped its givi…
Where does The Clara Lionel Foundation make grants?
The Caribbean is a geographic priority for the foundation's grantmaking. The foundation also funds initiatives in the United States, with particular activity in South Dakota, New York, and the District of Columbia.
What size grants does The Clara Lionel Foundation award?
In 2024, The Clara Lionel Foundation awarded 5 grants totaling $1.4M — an average of about $285K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
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.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Clara Lionel Foundation'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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