The Ray Charles Foundation
The Ray Charles Foundation is a private foundation based in Los Angeles, California. It supports work related to hearing disorders and the empowerment of young people through education, including educational institutions and nonprofit education programs.
The Ray Charles Foundation at a glance
In short: The Ray Charles Foundation gave $1.6M across 10 grants in 2024 (avg $161K), mostly in California. 30% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,612,500
- -46.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 10
- -9.1% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $161,250
- -41.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $17,500
- Total assets
- $39,004,801
- +0.5% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 30% first-time grantees (3 of 10, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- California (64% 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 Ray Charles Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation’s website says it is not accepting applications at this time. Its 2024 filing describes an application package consisting of a cover letter, completed and signed online application, letter of inquiry, proof of federal tax-exempt status, annual report if available, and signed grant checklist. The filing says applicants should print and follow the checklist and mail the package to the Grant Department. It also states that the foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. The website lists eligibility requirements of 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, a Form 990 or equivalent filed for the most recent calendar year, and at least three years of operation. The filing’s stated award conditions require prior written approval for project changes or onward grants, and spending the award within the period set out in the proposal—or within 12 months if no period is specified.
- Review Cycle
- The website FAQ lists January 1 through February 28 as the application period and says board decisions are made once a year in June. The 2024 filing, by contrast, states that there are no submission deadlines and applications are reviewed all year. The website also says applications are not currently being accepted.
- Deadline
- The website FAQ lists January 1 through February 28 as the application period and says board decisions are made once a…
- Contact
Application contact: Grant Department
Mailing address: 2107 West Washington Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90018
Phone: (323) 737-8000
Email: info@theraycharlesfoundation.org
Website: https://theraycharlesfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Ray Charles Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Grammy Museum Foundation ($1.0M). Together the top 10 received $1.6M.
Grant Size Distribution
46 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 37 grants of 46 (80%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s 2024 grant dollars went primarily to recipients in California (64%) and Nevada (31%); New York, Maryland, and Texas each accounted for 2%, 2%, and 1%, respectively. Listed 2024 recipients also included organizations in Virginia and Alabama.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 10 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Ray Charles Foundation open to new grantees?
30%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 3 of 10 grantees (30%) were first-time recipients. With only 10 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 10 points. First grants averaged $173K; repeat grants $156K. How we count
Medians: $13K first-time, $20K repeat.
- 70% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 43% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 131% 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 $120K (2022) to $3.0M (2023). In 2024 it made 10 grants totaling $1.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Grammy Museum Foundation Los Angeles, CA | Education | $1,000,000 |
| City of North Las Vegas Police Depa North Las Vegas, NV | Charitable Purposes | $500,000 |
| Jackie Robinson Foundation Inc New York, NY | Charitable Purposes | $25,000 |
| Reid Temple Ame Church Glenn Dale, MD | Charitable Purposes | $25,000 |
| Boule Foundation San Antonio, TX | Charitable Purposes | $20,000 |
| Art Center College of Design Pasadena, CA | Education | $15,000 |
| Public Counsel's Children Rights PR Los Angeles, CA | Charitable Purposes | $12,500 |
| Hampton University Hampton, VA | Educational Purposes | $5,000 |
| Southern Poverty Law Center Montgomery, AL | Charitable Purposes | $5,000 |
| Cal State Dominguez Hills Carson, CA | Charitable Purposes | $5,000 |
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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 | $39,004,801 | $3,697,358 | $4,590,548 | $1,612,500 | 10 | $2,881,266 | $1,570,730 | $2,202,023 |
| 2023 | $38,818,702 | $2,927,861 | $5,807,603 | $3,025,000 | 11 | $4,212,855 | $1,333,113 | $2,100,489 |
| 2022 | $40,954,501 | $3,531,214 | $4,496,880 | $120,000 | 8 | $1,350,963 | $997,126 | $2,058,548 |
| 2021 | $40,365,367 | $3,144,514 | $5,108,590 | $1,125,000 | 8 | $1,993,934 | $252,132 | $2,145,149 |
| 2020 | $40,370,867 | $2,730,330 | $5,966,243 | $2,125,000 | 9 | — | — | $2,183,838 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Ray Charles Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.2M 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
The foundation’s stated mission is to support hearing-disorder initiatives and empower young people through education. Its areas of interest include hearing disorders, academic services in the arts and sciences, and programs and projects with significant community impact and long-term results.
Its 2024 grants included support for organizations whose own missions span different areas. For example, the GRAMMY Museum Foundation describes its work as celebrating and exploring music through exhibits, education, grants, preservation initiatives, and public programming. The Jackie Robinson Foundation says it provides scholarships and leadership-development opportunities for students of color with limited financial resources. ArtCenter College of Design describes its mission as educating, inspiring, and empowering creative and design leaders.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 10 grants totaling $1,612,500. Grant amounts ranged from $5,000 to $1,000,000, with a median of $17,500. The largest awards were $1,000,000 to the GRAMMY Museum Foundation for education and $500,000 to the City of North Las Vegas Police Department for charitable purposes. Other listed grants included $25,000 each to the Jackie Robinson Foundation and Reid Temple AME Church, and $20,000 to the Boule Foundation.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Vaerie Ervin as president, Mark Whitlock as chairman, C Daniels, D Brokaw, Yakub Coleman, and W Coleman as directors, and K L Johnson as secretary. The foundation’s website identifies Valerie Ervin as president.
The Ray Charles Foundation is led by Vaerie Ervin, President on filings since 2020; 1 of 7 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Vaerie Ervin
President
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$317K (2020) → $388K (2024)
Mark Whitlock
Chairman
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
C. Daniels
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
D. Brokaw
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
W. Coleman
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Yakub Coleman
Director
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
K. L. Johnson
Secretary
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (7)
- Former: R. C. Davidson Jr. (2021–2022) — Chairman
- Former: V. Ervin (2021–2022) — President
- Former: Clarence Daniels (2020) — Director
- Former: David Brokaw (2020) — Director
- Former: Kathleen L. Johnson (2020) — Secretary
- Former: Robert C. Davidson Jr. (2020) — Chairman
- Former: Wesley Coleman (2020) — Director
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 $388K, to Vaerie Ervin (President).
Frequently asked questions about The Ray Charles Foundation
How much does The Ray Charles Foundation give each year?
The Ray Charles Foundation gave $1.6M across 10 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $3.0M across 11 grants.
What is The Ray Charles Foundation's typical grant size?
The Ray Charles Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $17,500, and its average grant was $161,250, across 10 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Ray Charles Foundation that year got $173K on average.
Where does The Ray Charles Foundation give grants?
The Ray Charles Foundation gives mostly in California: 64% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Nevada (31%). The most frequent recipient cities were Los Angeles, CA (2 grants).
Who are The Ray Charles Foundation's largest grantees?
The Ray Charles Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Grammy Museum Foundation ($1,000,000), City of North Las Vegas Police Depa ($500,000) and Jackie Robinson Foundation Inc ($25,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 95% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Ray Charles Foundation?
The Ray Charles Foundation reported $39.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.9M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.2M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Ray Charles Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to support hearing-disorder initiatives and empower young people through education. Its areas of interest include hearing disorders, academic services in the arts and sciences, and programs and projects with significant community impact and long-term results. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Ray Charles Foundation?
The foundation’s website says it is not accepting applications at this time. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Ray Charles Foundation's EIN?
The Ray Charles Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-4047622. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Ray Charles Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-ray-charles-foundation-morg_c1193b780f444fd0a4e5fd881c30c65f
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_954047622_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Ray Charles Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-ray-charles-foundation-morg_c1193b780f444fd0a4e5fd881c30c65f},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. 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 Ray Charles 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.
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