The Leona and Ralph W Kern Foundation
The Leona and Ralph W Kern Foundation is a private foundation, based in New York, NY. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $25.9M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 7 grants totaling $777K. Net investment income was $1.2M.
Key facts about The Leona and Ralph W Kern Foundation
In short: The Leona and Ralph W Kern Foundation gave $777K across 7 grants in 2024 (avg $111K), mostly in New York. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 37-6560613
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $776,667
- Grants made (2024)
- 7
- Average grant
- $110,952
- Median grant
- $125,000
- Total assets
- $25,917,431
- Primary geography
- New York (60% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$25.9M
+12.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$777K
+34.7% YoY
Grant Count
7
+40.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$111K
-3.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Leona and Ralph W Kern Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.1M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
How The Leona and Ralph W Kern Foundation gives
- Giving grew 21% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 100% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 7 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $502K (2020) to $777K (2024). In 2024 it made 7 grants totaling $777K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was The Metropolitan Opera ($167K). Together the top 7 received $777K.
Grant Size Distribution
33 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 18 grants of 33 (55%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Metropolitan Opera New York, NY | General Purpose | $166,667 |
| New York City Ballet New York, NY | General Purpose | $150,000 |
| Hitchcock Center for the Environment Amherst, MA | Generl Purpose | $135,000 |
| National Yiddish Book Center Amherst, MA | General Purpose | $125,000 |
| The Philharmonic Symphony Society of NY Inc New York, NY | General Purpose | $100,000 |
| Fractured Atlas Inc New York, NY | General Purpose | $50,000 |
| University of Chicago Chicago, IL | General Purpose | $50,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $25,917,431 | $23,142,504 | $20,514,666 |
| Revenue | $3,309,826 | $2,740,347 | $2,715,365 |
| Expenses | $824,560 | $682,522 | $610,201 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,132,281 | $895,687 | $600,201 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,152,638 | $950,512 | $515,365 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,127,639 | $1,004,890 | $915,847 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Leona and Ralph W Kern Foundation is led by William D. Kern, Trustee & Executive Director on every filing since 2020; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
William D. Kern
Trustee & Executive Director
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Leona Kern
Trustee
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/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.
Frequently asked questions about The Leona and Ralph W Kern Foundation
How much does The Leona and Ralph W Kern Foundation give each year?
The Leona and Ralph W Kern Foundation gave $777K across 7 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $577K across 5 grants.
What is The Leona and Ralph W Kern Foundation's typical grant size?
The Leona and Ralph W Kern Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $125,000, and its average grant was $110,952, across 7 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Leona and Ralph W Kern Foundation give grants?
The Leona and Ralph W Kern Foundation gives mostly in New York: 60% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Massachusetts (33%) and Illinois (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (4 grants) and Amherst, MA (2 grants).
Does The Leona and Ralph W Kern Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 86% of The Leona and Ralph W Kern Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (6 of 7) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Leona and Ralph W Kern Foundation's largest grantees?
The Leona and Ralph W Kern Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include The Metropolitan Opera ($166,667), New York City Ballet ($150,000) and Hitchcock Center for the Environment ($135,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 58% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Leona and Ralph W Kern Foundation?
The Leona and Ralph W Kern Foundation reported $25.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.1M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.1M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is The Leona and Ralph W Kern Foundation's EIN?
The Leona and Ralph W Kern Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 37-6560613. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
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