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Foundations / California

Helen Sperry Lea Foundation

Accepts applications Venice, California · EIN 136161749

Helen Sperry Lea Foundation is a private foundation in Venice, California. In tax year 2025 it gave $133,509 in 11 grants; the typical grant was $10,000 and the largest $30,000. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.

From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.

Giving in 2025 was up from $124,066 the year before.

0% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, so most of its money goes to organizations it already funds.

Giving by year

Tax yearGrants paidNumber of grantsAssets
2023$124,68812$2.6 million
2024$124,06611$2.8 million
2025$133,50911$2.9 million

How to apply

ContactR Brooke Lea II
931 Fairmount Ae, Saint Paul, MN 55105
Phone or email(651) 696-6196
What to submitNo specific format required

As written in the foundation's IRS filing for tax year 2025. Details may have changed since.

IRS filings on ProPublica

What Helen Sperry Lea Foundation funds

Where it gives

Its grants went to recipients in 4 states, the most to Minnesota.

StateGrantsAmount
Minnesota7$66,754
California2$45,000
New York1$11,755
Massachusetts1$10,000

Grants paid in 2025

All 11 grants
RecipientPurposeAmount
The Wooden Floor
Santa Ana, CA
General$30,000
Individual
MN
General$20,000
Project for Pride in Living
Minneapolis, MN
General$20,000
Music Academy of the West
Santa Barbara, CA
General$15,000
Braver Angels-Inst for Am Values
New York, NY
General$11,755
Individual
MA
General$10,000
Interact Ctr for Vis Perm Arts
Saint Paul, MN
General$10,000
Hallie Q Brown Comm Center
Saint Paul, MN
General$9,754
Individual
MN
General$4,000
Friend of the Ms River
Saint Paul, MN
General$2,000
Walk in Counseling Center
Minneapolis, MN
General$1,000

Officers and trustees

As listed in Part VIII of the 2025 filing.

Questions people ask

Does Helen Sperry Lea Foundation accept grant applications?

Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications.

How much does Helen Sperry Lea Foundation give?

$133,509 in tax year 2025, across 11 grants, with a typical grant of $10,000.

Who runs Helen Sperry Lea Foundation?

Its 2025 filing lists R Brooke Lea II (President), Emily Fields (Vice President) and Helena Lea-Bastille (Vice President).

What does Helen Sperry Lea Foundation fund?

Based on its grants, mainly arts and culture.

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