The Ray & Vera Conniff Foundation concentrates its giving on the arts and youth development, favoring sizable unrestricted or program-support grants to established cultural institutions and mentoring organizations. Grants are few but meaningful, supporting music and film organizations as well as youth mentoring programs rather than broad-based philanthropy. While based in South Carolina, their recent awards are to prominent nonprofits outside their region, suggesting an interest in national cultural and youth initiatives.
A $166,000 general-purpose grant to Eastman School of Music University of Rochester stands out as the largest recent award from Ray & Vera Conniff Foundation 51645983, and it captures the foundation’s clear preference for supporting music institutions at a significant scale. The funder’s recent grants also show steady support for jazz education and performance organizations, with repeated awards to Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz, Kaufman Music Center, and Smithsonian Master Jazz Orchestra. Beyond music, the foundation has backed youth development and mentoring through Mana Mentors, along with selected grants to film, conservation, and community organizations. Its profile is shaped by relatively few but substantial awards, often described as general support or general purpose, which suggests a flexible approach to established nonprofits rather than tightly restricted project giving. The foundation also funds individuals, and its recent grant record includes scholarship-oriented support alongside organizational grants. Taken together, the pattern points to a national funder that prioritizes arts institutions, especially music and jazz, while keeping room for youth-serving and other mission-aligned nonprofits.
In music education, the foundation gave $166,000 to Eastman School of Music University of Rochester for general purpose, and it also supported Kaufman Music Center with awards of $50,000 in 2024 and $50,000 in 2025. Jazz-focused institutions recur as well: Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz received $50,000 in 2023, $50,000 in 2024, and $50,000 in 2025, while Smithsonian Master Jazz Orchestra received $40,000 in 2025 and $35,000 in 2023. The foundation’s youth-development giving includes $100,000 to Mana Mentors for general support. Its broader arts and culture interest also appears in $100,000 to Northwest Film Forum for general support, showing that film and media arts are another recurring thread.
Typical grant size is $5,000 at the 25th percentile, $15,000 at the median, and $50,000 at the 75th percentile, with larger outliers at the top of the recent record. The same organizations often appear across multiple years: Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz, Kaufman Music Center, Make Life Skate Life, Ordinary Hero Foundation, Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association, American Battlefield Trust, and Mana Mentors all received repeat awards. The foundation makes grants from a private foundation structure and also funds individuals. Recent awards are mostly described as general support, general purpose, or general financial support, indicating a flexible, unrestricted style rather than narrowly specified project-only funding.
$788K
$18.9M
$2M
$1.1M
Most grants fall between $5K and $50K, with a median of $15K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$15K
75th Percentile
$50K
About 0% of grants go to recipients in HI.
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Concentrated, large single-year grants to a small number of organizations — typically three sizable gifts rather than many small grants; emphasis on general or program support rather than restricted project funding.
Notable grantees: Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester, Northwest Film Forum, MANA Mentors
Grant recipients are located entirely in the U.S., with all 77 recent grants going to U.S. organizations or individuals. By count, Kansas is the top giving state, even though the foundation is headquartered in Fort Mill, South Carolina. Recent recipients appear across multiple regions, including Rochester, New York; Los Angeles, California; Washington, DC; Seattle, Washington; and Lahaina and Honolulu in Hawaii. The pattern is national rather than local, with no recent grants to South Carolina recipients.
Recent grants show a strong emphasis on music and jazz education, including institutions such as Eastman School of Music University of Rochester, Kaufman Music Center, Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz, and Smithsonian Master Jazz Orchestra. The foundation also supports youth mentoring, film and media arts, and some conservation or community organizations.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz, Kaufman Music Center, Make Life Skate Life, Ordinary Hero Foundation, Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association, American Battlefield Trust, and Mana Mentors. That pattern suggests ongoing relationships rather than one-time awards.
The grant-size distribution centers on $5,000 at the 25th percentile, $15,000 at the median, and $50,000 at the 75th percentile. Recent awards also include larger gifts such as $166,000 to Eastman School of Music University of Rochester and $100,000 to Mana Mentors.
The foundation gives nationally, with 77 grants in the U.S. in the recent record. By grant count, Kansas is the top state for giving, while recipients also appear in New York, California, Washington, DC, Washington state, and Hawaii.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EASTMAN SCHOOL OF MUSIC UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER | ROCHESTER, NY | $166,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| GREATER LOS ANGELES ZOO ASSOCIATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $90,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MAKE LIFE SKATE LIFE | RIDGEWAY, CO | $80,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MANA MAOLI | HONOLULU, HI | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| KAUFMAN MUSIC CENTER | New York, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HERBIE HANCOCK INSTITUTE OF JAZZ | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GRAMMY MUSEUM FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SMITHSONIAN MASTER JAZZ ORCHESTRA | WASHINGTON, DC | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN BATTLEFIELD TRUST | WASHINGTON, DC | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ORDINARY HERO FOUNDATION | BRENTWOOD, TN | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MUSICARES FOUNDATION | SANTA MONICA, CA | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| KAHAKUKAHI FOUNDATION | LAHAINA, HI | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| KA HALE A KE OLA HOMELESS RESOURCE CTR | WAILUKU, HI | $20,000 | 2025 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| NASHVILLE JAZZ WORKSHOP | NASHVILLE, TN | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ONE LOVE SKATE | KULA, HI | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ATTLEBORO ARTS MUSEUM | ATTLEBORO, MA | $6,000 | 2025 | TO FUND MUSIC AT ALL THE |
| PAIA YOUTH COUNCIL INC | PAIAH, HI | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ST JUDES CHILDRENS RESEARCH HOSPITAL | MEMPHIS, TN | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| CEDARS-SINAI MEDICAL CENTER | LOS ANGELES, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | FOR DR TAGLIATI RESEARCH |
| CHILDRENS HOSPITAL LOS ANGELES | LOS ANGELES, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| ATTLEBORO MUSIC PARENTS ASSOCIATION | ATTLEBORO, MA | $3,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ATTLEBORO SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION | ATTLEBORO, MA | $3,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP FOR |
| MEALS ON WHEELS | ARLINGTON, VA | $3,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT | TOPEKA, KS | $2,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| MANA MENTORS | Lahaina, HI | $100,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MAKE LIFE SKATE LIFE | RIDGEWAY, CO | $80,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GREATER LOS ANGELES ZOO ASSOCIATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $59,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GRAMMY MUSEUM FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| KAUFMAN MUSIC CENTER | New York, NY | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| POSITIVELY KAI FOUNDATION | KAHULUI, HI | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HERBIE HANCOCK INSTITUTE OF JAZZ | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ORDINARY HERO FOUNDATION | BRENTWOOD, TN | $40,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SMITHSONIAN JAZZ MASTERWORKS ORCHESTRA | WASHINGTON, DC | $40,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN BATTLEFIELD TRUST | WASHINGTON, DC | $40,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MUSICARES FOUNDATION | SANTA MONICA, CA | $30,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| KAHAKUKAHI FOUNDATION | LAHAINA, HI | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HARVEST KUMALANI MAUI | Lahaina, HI | $20,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ALOHAGAPE AINA | BROOKLYN, NY | $18,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NASHVILLE JAZZ WORKSHOP | NASHVILLE, TN | $15,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| KA HALE A KE OLA HOMELESS RESOURCE CTR | WAILUKU, HI | $15,000 | 2024 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| AUTISM SPEAKS | ROCKY HILL, NJ | $7,500 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ATTLEBORO ARTS MUSEUM | ATTLEBORO, MA | $6,000 | 2024 | TO FUND MUSIC AT ALL THE |
| PAIA YOUTH COUNCIL INC | PAIAH, HI | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ST JUDES CHILDRENS RESEARCH HOSPITAL | MEMPHIS, TN | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| CHILDRENS HOSPITAL LOS ANGELES | LOS ANGELES, CA | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| CEDARS-SINAI MEDICAL CENTER | LOS ANGELES, CA | $5,000 | 2024 | FOR DR TAGLIATI RESEARCH |
| ONE LOVE SKATE | KULA, HI | $4,500 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ATTLEBORO SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION | ATTLEBORO, MA | $3,000 | 2024 | ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP FOR |
| ATTLEBORO MUSIC PARENTS ASSOCIATION | ATTLEBORO, MA | $3,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MEALS ON WHEELS | ARLINGTON, VA | $3,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
EASTMAN SCHOOL OF MUSIC UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER
$166,000GENERAL PURPOSE
MAKE LIFE SKATE LIFE
$80,000GENERAL SUPPORT
GENERAL SUPPORT
SMITHSONIAN MASTER JAZZ ORCHESTRA
$40,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ORDINARY HERO FOUNDATION
$40,000GENERAL SUPPORT
KAHAKUKAHI FOUNDATION
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NASHVILLE JAZZ WORKSHOP
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ONE LOVE SKATE
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ATTLEBORO ARTS MUSEUM
$6,000TO FUND MUSIC AT ALL THE
PAIA YOUTH COUNCIL INC
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ATTLEBORO MUSIC PARENTS ASSOCIATION
$3,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ATTLEBORO SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION
$3,000ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP FOR
MEALS ON WHEELS
$3,000GENERAL FINANCIAL SUPPORT
MANA MENTORS
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MAKE LIFE SKATE LIFE
$80,000GENERAL SUPPORT
KAUFMAN MUSIC CENTER
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT
POSITIVELY KAI FOUNDATION
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ORDINARY HERO FOUNDATION
$40,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SMITHSONIAN JAZZ MASTERWORKS ORCHESTRA
$40,000GENERAL SUPPORT
KAHAKUKAHI FOUNDATION
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
HARVEST KUMALANI MAUI
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ALOHAGAPE AINA
$18,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NASHVILLE JAZZ WORKSHOP
$15,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ATTLEBORO ARTS MUSEUM
$6,000TO FUND MUSIC AT ALL THE
PAIA YOUTH COUNCIL INC
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ONE LOVE SKATE
$4,500GENERAL SUPPORT
ATTLEBORO SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION
$3,000ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP FOR
ATTLEBORO MUSIC PARENTS ASSOCIATION
$3,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MEALS ON WHEELS
$3,000GENERAL FINANCIAL SUPPORT