The Fran & Ray Stark Foundation concentrates large, strategic gifts in Los Angeles to support arts institutions and medical research at major local universities. Their funding emphasizes preservation and promotion of visual and performing arts alongside sizable investments in medical programs and research, typically made to well-established cultural and educational institutions. Grants tend to be few but large, often repeated to the same organizations.
The Fran & Ray Stark Foundation C/o Baker Tilly gives most visibly through large Los Angeles-area gifts to arts institutions and medical research programs, with repeated support for the same organizations across multiple years. In the recent grants list, the largest award was $983,337 to Los Angeles County Museum of Art for preservation and promotion of art in the community, followed by $800,000 to the University of Southern California for medical programs, research, education and disease prevention. Those two lines of giving point to the foundation’s core pattern: major institutional support for cultural preservation and university-based health work. The foundation also backed the Academy Foundation with $500,000 for theatrical and performing arts, and made six-figure grants to Homeboy Industries for programs and resources for formerly gang involved and recently incarcerated men and women. Its portfolio shows a preference for established institutions, often in Los Angeles, with some grants repeating to the same grantees in later years.
In visual arts, the foundation supported Los Angeles County Museum of Art with $333,333 in 2023 for preservation and promotion of art in the community, and later gave Hammer Museum $229,850 in 2025 for the same broad area. Performing arts are another clear line of giving: Academy Foundation received $500,000 in 2025 for preservation and promotion of theatrical and performing arts in the community, while Motion Picture and Television Fund received $100,000 in 2023 for the same purpose. The foundation also funded higher education and student institutions, including $250,000 to Connecticut College in 2025 for educational institutions and programs. In community services, it gave $105,000 to Homeboy Industries in 2025 for programs and resources for formerly gang involved and recently incarcerated men and women.
Typical grant size is modest relative to the foundation’s overall scale: the p25 is $5,000, the median is $10,000, and the p75 is $22,500. The recent record also shows a smaller number of much larger institutional awards, including six- and seven-figure gifts. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Academy Foundation, Connecticut College, Homeboy Industries, Los Angeles LGBTQ Center, Motion Picture and Television Fund, Hammer Museum, UCLA Foundation, and Los Angeles Nomadic Division. The foundation is classified as a regular funder, not a DAF and not a vehicle for individual grants or PRIs.
$3.7M
$29.5M
$4M
$4.4M
Most grants fall between $5K and $23K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$23K
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Concentrated, high-dollar grants to a small number of repeat, anchor institutions in Los Angeles; few grants per year, often multi-grant relationships with cultural and university beneficiaries.
Notable grantees: Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), Academy Foundation (performing/theatrical arts), University of Southern California (medical programs and research)
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly local: 84% of grants go to recipients in California, and the top giving state is CA. Los Angeles is the central hub, with recipients there including Los Angeles County Museum of Art, University of Southern California, Academy Foundation, Hammer Museum, Homeboy Industries, and Los Angeles LGBTQ Center. Other California recipients include Culver City, Woodland Hills, and San Ramon. Outside California, named recipient locations in the recent grants list include New London, CT; New York, NY; and Washington, DC. All recorded grants in the provided data go to US recipients.
The recent grants show a strong emphasis on arts institutions and medical programs. Examples include Los Angeles County Museum of Art for preservation and promotion of art in the community, Academy Foundation for theatrical and performing arts, and University of Southern California for medical programs, research, education and disease prevention.
The typical grant size is relatively small for the foundation’s overall portfolio: p25 is $5,000, median is $10,000, and p75 is $22,500. At the same time, the recent grants list includes larger institutional awards such as $983,337, $800,000, and $500,000.
Yes. California accounts for 84% of grants, and Los Angeles is the main recipient city in the recent grants list. Other California recipient locations include Culver City, Woodland Hills, and San Ramon, while a smaller share goes to recipients in New London, New York, and Washington, DC.
Yes. Several organizations appear in both 2023 and 2025, including Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Academy Foundation, Connecticut College, Homeboy Industries, Los Angeles LGBTQ Center, Motion Picture and Television Fund, Hammer Museum, UCLA Foundation, and Los Angeles Nomadic Division.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LOS ANGELES COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART | LOS ANGELES, CA | $983,337 | 2025 | PRESERVATION AND PROMOTION OF ART IN THE COMMUNITY |
| UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA | LOS ANGELES, CA | $800,000 | 2025 | MEDICAL PROGRAMS, RESEARCH, EDUCATION AND DISEASE PREVENTION |
| ACADEMY FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $500,000 | 2025 | PRESERVATION AND PROMOTION OF THEATRICAL AND PERFORMING ARTS IN THE COMMUNITY |
| CONNECTICUT COLLEGE | NEW LONDON, CT | $250,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND PROGRAMS |
| THE WILLOWS COMMUNITY SCHOOL | CULVER CITY, CA | $235,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND PROGRAMS |
| HAMMER MUSEUM | LOS ANGELES, CA | $229,850 | 2025 | PRESERVATION AND PROMOTION OF ART IN THE COMMUNITY |
| HOMEBOY INDUSTRIES | LOS ANGELES, CA | $105,000 | 2025 | PROGRAMS AND RESOURCES FOR FORMERLY GANG INVOLVED AND RECENTLY INCARCERATED MEN AND WOMEN |
| LOS ANGELES LGBTQ CENTER | LOS ANGELES, CA | $75,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND PROGRAMS |
| MUSEUM OF MODERN ART - ANNUAL FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | PRESERVATION AND PROMOTION OF ART IN THE COMMUNITY |
| MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART | LOS ANGELES, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | PRESERVATION AND PROMOTION OF ART IN THE COMMUNITY |
| LOS ANGELES NOMADIC DIVISION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $30,000 | 2025 | PRESERVATION AND PROMOTION OF ART IN THE COMMUNITY |
| LIBRARY OF AMERICA | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MOTION PICTURE AND TELEVISION FUND | WOODLAND HILLS, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | PRESERVATION AND PROMOTION OF THEATRICAL AND PERFORMING ARTS IN THE COMMUNITY |
| UCLA FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | MEDICAL PROGRAMS, RESEARCH, EDUCATION AND DISEASE PREVENTION |
| MUSEUM OF MODERN ART - INTL COUNCIL | NEW YORK, NY | $20,000 | 2025 | PRESERVATION AND PROMOTION OF ART IN THE COMMUNITY |
| FOUNDATION FOR ART & PRESERVATION IN EMBASSIES | WASHINGTON, DC | $20,000 | 2025 | PRESERVATION AND PROMOTION OF ART IN THE COMMUNITY |
| UC REGENTS | OAKLAND, CA | $17,400 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE FULFILLMENT FUND | LOS ANGELES, CA | $15,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND PROGRAMS |
| THE KENNEDY CENTER | WASHINGTON, DC | $15,000 | 2025 | PRESERVATION AND PROMOTION OF THEATRICAL AND PERFORMING ARTS IN THE COMMUNITY |
| THE JOHN THOMAS DYE SCHOOL | LOS ANGELES, CA | $15,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND PROGRAMS |
| TATE AMERICAS FOUNDATION | NEW LONDON, NY | $15,000 | 2025 | PRESERVATION AND PROMOTION OF ART IN THE COMMUNITY |
| CHILDRENS HOSPITAL LOS ANGELES | LOS ANGELES, CA | $15,000 | 2025 | MEDICAL PROGRAMS, RESEARCH, EDUCATION AND DISEASE PREVENTION |
| FRIENDS OF FAI | NEW YORK, NY | $12,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE MUSIC CENTER | LOS ANGELES, CA | $10,800 | 2025 | PRESERVATION AND PROMOTION OF THEATRICAL AND PERFORMING ARTS IN THE COMMUNITY |
| CEDARS-SINAI WOMEN'S GUILD | LOS ANGELES, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CENTER THEATRE GROUP | LOS ANGELES, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UCLA SCHOOL OF THEATER FILM AND TELEVISION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND PROGRAMS |
| CIRCLE OF CHILDREN PRESCHOOL | SANTA MONICA, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND PROGRAMS |
| HEARST CASTLE PRESERVATION FOUNDATION | SAN RAMON, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAMS FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION |
| CHILDREN'S INSTITUTE INC | LOS ANGELES, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | TREATMENT AND PREVENTION OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT |
| THE COLLEAGUES | SANTA MONICA, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | TREATMENT AND PREVENTION OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT |
| WHITNEY MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | PRESERVATION AND PROMOTION OF ART IN THE COMMUNITY |
| MARLBOROUGH SCHOOL | LOS ANGELES, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND PROGRAMS |
| HOUSE INSTITUTE FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | MEDICAL PROGRAMS, RESEARCH, EDUCATION AND DISEASE PREVENTION |
| LA PHILHARMONIC | LOS ANGELES, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SERPENTINE AMERICAS FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| YO SAN UNIVERSITY OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE | LOS ANGELES, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | MEDICAL PROGRAMS, RESEARCH, EDUCATION AND DISEASE PREVENTION |
| CHILDREN'S DIABETES FOUNDATION | AURORA, CO | $8,700 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE RONALD REAGAN PRESIDENTIAL FOUNDATION | SIMI VALLEY, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | PROGRAMS FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION |
| HARVARD-WESTLAKE SCHOOL | STUDIO CITY, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND PROGRAMS |
| RUTGERS UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LA CONSERVANCY | LOS ANGELES, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | PROGRAMS FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION |
| CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF THE ARTS | VALENCIA, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | PRESERVATION AND PROMOTION OF ART IN THE COMMUNITY |
| AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE | NEW YORK, NY | $4,000 | 2025 | PRESERVATION AND PROMOTION OF THEATRICAL AND PERFORMING ARTS IN THE COMMUNITY |
| LOS ANGELES BALLET | LOS ANGELES, CA | $3,316 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SAVE VENICE INC | NEW YORK, NY | $2,800 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UNITED FRIENDS OF THE CHILDREN | LOS ANGELES, CA | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WORLD MONUMENTS FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE KATHI KOLL FOUNDATION | IRVINE, CA | $2,500 | 2025 | MEDICAL PROGRAMS, RESEARCH, EDUCATION AND DISEASE PREVENTION |
| FARRAH FAWCETT FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $2,250 | 2025 | TO ADVANCE THE RESEARCH AND RELATED SUPPORT FOR CANCER RELATED CAUSES SPECIFIC TO HPV-RELATED CANCERS |
LOS ANGELES COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART
$983,337PRESERVATION AND PROMOTION OF ART IN THE COMMUNITY
MEDICAL PROGRAMS, RESEARCH, EDUCATION AND DISEASE PREVENTION
ACADEMY FOUNDATION
$500,000PRESERVATION AND PROMOTION OF THEATRICAL AND PERFORMING ARTS IN THE COMMUNITY
HAMMER MUSEUM
$229,850PRESERVATION AND PROMOTION OF ART IN THE COMMUNITY
PROGRAMS AND RESOURCES FOR FORMERLY GANG INVOLVED AND RECENTLY INCARCERATED MEN AND WOMEN
PRESERVATION AND PROMOTION OF ART IN THE COMMUNITY
MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART
$50,000PRESERVATION AND PROMOTION OF ART IN THE COMMUNITY
LOS ANGELES NOMADIC DIVISION
$30,000PRESERVATION AND PROMOTION OF ART IN THE COMMUNITY
LIBRARY OF AMERICA
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MOTION PICTURE AND TELEVISION FUND
$25,000PRESERVATION AND PROMOTION OF THEATRICAL AND PERFORMING ARTS IN THE COMMUNITY
MEDICAL PROGRAMS, RESEARCH, EDUCATION AND DISEASE PREVENTION
PRESERVATION AND PROMOTION OF ART IN THE COMMUNITY
PRESERVATION AND PROMOTION OF ART IN THE COMMUNITY
UC REGENTS
$17,400GENERAL SUPPORT
PRESERVATION AND PROMOTION OF THEATRICAL AND PERFORMING ARTS IN THE COMMUNITY
MEDICAL PROGRAMS, RESEARCH, EDUCATION AND DISEASE PREVENTION
FRIENDS OF FAI
$12,000GENERAL SUPPORT
THE MUSIC CENTER
$10,800PRESERVATION AND PROMOTION OF THEATRICAL AND PERFORMING ARTS IN THE COMMUNITY
UCLA SCHOOL OF THEATER FILM AND TELEVISION
$10,000EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND PROGRAMS
CIRCLE OF CHILDREN PRESCHOOL
$10,000EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND PROGRAMS
HEARST CASTLE PRESERVATION FOUNDATION
$10,000PROGRAMS FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION
TREATMENT AND PREVENTION OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT
WHITNEY MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART
$10,000PRESERVATION AND PROMOTION OF ART IN THE COMMUNITY
MARLBOROUGH SCHOOL
$10,000EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND PROGRAMS
MEDICAL PROGRAMS, RESEARCH, EDUCATION AND DISEASE PREVENTION
LA PHILHARMONIC
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SERPENTINE AMERICAS FOUNDATION
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
YO SAN UNIVERSITY OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE
$10,000MEDICAL PROGRAMS, RESEARCH, EDUCATION AND DISEASE PREVENTION
THE RONALD REAGAN PRESIDENTIAL FOUNDATION
$5,000PROGRAMS FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION
LA CONSERVANCY
$5,000PROGRAMS FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION
PRESERVATION AND PROMOTION OF ART IN THE COMMUNITY
AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE
$4,000PRESERVATION AND PROMOTION OF THEATRICAL AND PERFORMING ARTS IN THE COMMUNITY
WORLD MONUMENTS FUND
$2,500GENERAL SUPPORT
THE KATHI KOLL FOUNDATION
$2,500MEDICAL PROGRAMS, RESEARCH, EDUCATION AND DISEASE PREVENTION
FARRAH FAWCETT FOUNDATION
$2,250TO ADVANCE THE RESEARCH AND RELATED SUPPORT FOR CANCER RELATED CAUSES SPECIFIC TO HPV-RELATED CANCERS