The Fran & Ray Stark Foundation
The Fran & Ray Stark Foundation is a private foundation based in Los Angeles, California. Its 2024 grants supported organizations and programs in the arts, education, medical research and services, and community support.
The Fran & Ray Stark Foundation at a glance
In short: The Fran & Ray Stark Foundation gave $3.7M across 51 grants in 2024 (avg $73K), mostly in California. 20% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $3,722,103
- +36.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 51
- +2.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $72,982
- +34.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $29,454,783
- -1.4% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 20% first-time grantees (10 of 51, 2024)
- Primary geography
- California (88% 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 The Fran & Ray Stark Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 11620 Wilshire Blvd Suite 580, Los Angeles, CA 90025
Phone: (424) 244-6370
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Fran & Ray Stark Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Los Angeles County Museum of Art ($983K). Together the top 10 received $3.3M.
Grant Size Distribution
252 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 202 grants of 252 (80%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 88% of grant dollars went to recipients in California, 7% to Connecticut, 4% to New York, and 1% to Washington, DC. The reported share for Colorado was 0%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 51 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The Fran & Ray Stark Foundation open to new grantees?
20%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 10 of 51 grantees (20%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $8K; repeat grants $89K. How we count
Medians: $8K first-time, $15K repeat.
- 71% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 62% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 108% 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 $2.3M (2021) to $3.7M (2024). In 2024 it made 51 grants totaling $3.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles County Museum of Art Los Angeles, CA | Preservation and Promotion of Art in the Community | $983,337 |
| University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA | Medical Programs, Research, Education and Disease Prevention | $800,000 |
| Academy Foundation Los Angeles, CA | Preservation and promotion of theatrical and performing arts in the community | $500,000 |
| Connecticut College New London, CT | Educational Institutions and Programs | $250,000 |
| The Willows Community School Culver City, CA | Educational Institutions and Programs | $235,000 |
| Hammer Museum Los Angeles, CA | Preservation and Promotion of Art in the Community | $229,850 |
| Homeboy Industries Los Angeles, CA | Programs and resources for formerly gang involved and recently incarcerated men and women | $105,000 |
| Los Angeles LGBTQ Center Los Angeles, CA | Educational Institutions and Programs | $75,000 |
| Museum of Contemporary Art Los Angeles, CA | Preservation and Promotion of Art in the Community | $50,000 |
| Museum of Modern Art - Annual Fund New York, NY | Preservation and Promotion of Art in the Community | $50,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Fran & Ray Stark Foundation?
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 | $29,454,783 | $4,023,663 | $4,444,676 | $3,722,103 | 51 | $3,872,113 | $3,144,075 | $3,579,094 |
| 2023 | $29,877,466 | $2,692,491 | $3,329,173 | $2,721,233 | 50 | $2,864,153 | $1,872,701 | $3,159,664 |
| 2022 | $30,524,148 | $1,008,061 | $3,517,054 | $2,805,345 | 55 | $2,989,912 | $1,216,967 | $3,207,673 |
| 2021 | $33,022,233 | $2,064,106 | $2,989,919 | $2,292,983 | 46 | $2,484,398 | $1,167,812 | $3,287,196 |
| 2020 | $33,948,046 | $743,534 | $3,515,699 | $2,808,783 | 50 | — | $1,285,077 | $2,703,987 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Fran & Ray Stark Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.6M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included support for art and performing arts, educational institutions and programs, medical programs and research, and services for formerly gang-involved and recently incarcerated people.
Grantees describe a range of activities. The Academy Foundation says it oversees educational and cultural activities in the motion picture industry, including the Academy Museum and archives. Connecticut College says it educates students to put the liberal arts into action as citizens of a global society. The Willows Community School describes its mission as helping students explore and learn about the world. Homeboy Industries says it provides hope, training, and support to previously incarcerated and formerly gang-involved people. Los Angeles Nomadic Division describes itself as a public art initiative curating site- and situation-specific contemporary art projects.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 51 grants totaling $3,722,103. Grant amounts ranged from $150 to $983,337, with a median of $10,000.
The largest reported grants included $983,337 to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art for preservation and promotion of art in the community; $800,000 to the University of Southern California for medical programs, research, education, and disease prevention; and $500,000 to the Academy Foundation for preservation and promotion of theatrical and performing arts in the community. Other notable grants were $250,000 to Connecticut College and $235,000 to The Willows Community School for educational institutions and programs, and $105,000 to Homeboy Industries for programs and resources for formerly gang-involved and recently incarcerated men and women.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Wendy Stark Morrissey, Anita Rosenstein, Herbert Allen, Bonnie Grey, and Allison Gorsuch as directors.
The Fran & Ray Stark Foundation's 2024 filing lists 5 officers; 3 of 5 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Allison Gorsuch
Director
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
$40K (2020) → $40K (2024)
Bonnie Grey
Director
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
$40K (2020) → $40K (2024)
Wendy Stark Morrissey
Director
On filings since 2020
35 hrs/week
$110K (2020) → $110K (2024)
Anita Rosenstein
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Herbert Allen
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
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 $110K, to Wendy Stark Morrissey (Director). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Fran & Ray Stark Foundation
How much does The Fran & Ray Stark Foundation give each year?
The Fran & Ray Stark Foundation gave $3.7M across 51 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $2.7M across 50 grants.
What is The Fran & Ray Stark Foundation's typical grant size?
The Fran & Ray Stark Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $72,982, across 51 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Fran & Ray Stark Foundation that year got $8K on average.
Where does The Fran & Ray Stark Foundation give grants?
The Fran & Ray Stark Foundation gives mostly in California: 88% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Connecticut (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Los Angeles, CA (25 grants), New York, NY (9 grants), Washington, DC (2 grants) and Santa Monica, CA (2 grants).
Does The Fran & Ray Stark Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 27% of The Fran & Ray Stark Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (14 of 51) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Preservation and Promotion of Art in the Community" (10 grants), "Educational Institutions and Programs" (9 grants) and "Medical Programs, Research, Education and Disease Prevention" (6 grants).
Who are The Fran & Ray Stark Foundation's largest grantees?
The Fran & Ray Stark Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Los Angeles County Museum of Art ($983,337), University of Southern California ($800,000) and Academy Foundation ($500,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 61% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Fran & Ray Stark Foundation?
The Fran & Ray Stark Foundation reported $29.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $3.9M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $3.6M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Fran & Ray Stark Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included support for art and performing arts, educational institutions and programs, medical programs and research, and services for formerly gang-involved and recently incarcerated people. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Fran & Ray Stark Foundation?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Fran & Ray Stark Foundation's EIN?
The Fran & Ray Stark Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-3767859. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Fran & Ray Stark Foundation 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 September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Other open foundation grants in California
California Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Fran & Ray Stark Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
The David Geffen Foundation
Los Angeles, CA
The David Geffen Foundation supports organizations across arts and culture, education and research, health, and other charitable areas, with most 2024 grant dollars going to California, New York, and Connecticut. Its 2024 grants ranged from $1,250 to $50 million, with a median of $10,000; it funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$332.7M
Grants
93
Total Given
$112.5M
Jay & Deanie Stein Foundation Trust
Jacksonville, FL
The Jay & Deanie Stein Foundation Trust supports arts and cultural organizations, education, religious and Jewish community life, historic preservation, and services for children and families. Its 2025 grants ranged from $100 to $378,000, with a median of $10,000; most funding went to California, followed by the District of Columbia, Mississippi, and New York. It does not accept unsolicited requests and gives only to preselected charitable organizations.
Assets
$33.6M
Grants
34
Total Given
$1.5M
The Otis Booth Foundation
Los Angeles, CA
The Otis Booth Foundation supports organizations in education, science, public safety, domestic-violence services, community outreach, and the arts, with most 2024 grant dollars going to California. Its 2024 grants ranged from $1,200 to $5 million, with a median of $25,000. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$231.3M
Grants
140
Total Given
$14.4M
The Horn Foundation
Santa Monica, CA
The Horn Foundation supports education and environmental projects, along with organizations addressing related social and environmental challenges, with 2024 grants ranging from $500 to $550,000 and a median of $15,000. Its 2024 giving went mainly to recipients in New York, California, Washington, D.C., Massachusetts, and North Carolina. It does not accept unsolicited requests and gives only to preselected organizations.
Assets
$57.0M
Grants
61
Total Given
$3.2M
The Annenberg Foundation
Conshohocken, PA
The Annenberg Foundation funds arts and culture, education, and environmental work, along with varied community initiatives, with grants across multiple states; in 2024, 58% of grant dollars went to California. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000, though awards ranged widely, and it does not accept unsolicited requests, giving only to preselected charitable organizations.
Assets
$1.5B
Grants
543
Total Given
$53.3M
Wm Keck Foundation
Los Angeles, CA
The W.M. Keck Foundation funds high-risk, potentially transformative basic science, engineering, and medical research nationwide, and arts, education, health, and community projects in Southern California. Typical Research Program awards are $1 million to $1.3 million over three years; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.7B
Grants
260
Total Given
$69.7M
More similar funders
More Funders in California
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Fran & Ray Stark Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-fran-and-ray-stark-foundation-morg_f1dfedab496d403ebd0c4563e9f0e569
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_953767859_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Fran \& Ray Stark Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-fran-and-ray-stark-foundation-morg_f1dfedab496d403ebd0c4563e9f0e569},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. 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 The Fran & Ray Stark Foundation'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.
The Fran & Ray Stark Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?