The Ray Charles Foundation
Accepts applications
The Ray Charles Foundation is a private foundation in Los Angeles, California. In tax year 2024 it gave $1.6 million in 10 grants; the typical grant was $17,500 and the largest $1.0 million. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2024.
- Grants paid, 2024$1.6 million
- Number of grants10
- Typical grant$17,500
- Largest grant$1.0 million
- Assets$47.8 million
- New grantees30%
Giving in 2024 was down from $3.0 million the year before.
30% of its 2024 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a mix of repeat and new grantees.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $3.0 million | 11 | $44.4 million |
| 2024 | $1.6 million | 10 | $47.8 million |
How to apply
| Contact | Grant Department 2107 West Washington Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90018 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (323) 737-8000, info@theraycharlesfoundation.org |
| What to submit | The Ray Charles Foundation requests that the applicant print and follow the Grant Check List. Upon completing the instructions, mail the GRANT APPLICATION PACKAGE (Cover Letter, completed and signed Online Grant Application, Letter of Inquiry, Proof of IRS federal tax-exempt status, Annual Report [if available], and signed Grant Check List TO THE FOLLOWING ADDRESS:GRANT DEPARTMENTThe Ray Charles Foundation2107 West Washington BoulevardLos Angeles, CA 90018 |
| Deadlines | No submission deadlines - applications reviewed all year |
| Restrictions | Obligations and Responsibilities of Grant Recipients 1) Since an award is made only for the purposes set forth in the Grantees submitted proposal and the Grantees grant application, any modifications to the project, as originally proposed, may be made only with prior written approval by The Ray Charles Foundation.2) The Grantee may not grant any portion of the award to a secondary Grantee without prior written permission of The Ray Charles Foundation.3) The Grant must be spent in full within the time set forth in the Grant proposal and if no such time is set forth, then within twelve (12) months following the Grant. In the event that the Grant is expressly made for multiple years, any funds not used in the current year may be applied to the purposes of the Grant in following years but only for the years covered by the Grant proposal.4) The Grantee must maintain complete records of receipts and expenditures sufficient to identify grant funds and expenditures made in the furtherance of t |
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What The Ray Charles Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 7 states, the most to California.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| California | 4 | $1.0 million |
| Nevada | 1 | $500,000 |
| Maryland | 1 | $25,000 |
| New York | 1 | $25,000 |
| Texas | 1 | $20,000 |
| Alabama | 1 | $5,000 |
| Virginia | 1 | $5,000 |
Grants paid in 2024
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Grammy Museum Foundation | Education | $1.0 million |
| City of North Las Vegas Police Depa | Charitable purposes | $500,000 |
| Jackie Robinson Foundation Inc | Charitable purposes | $25,000 |
| Reid Temple AME Church | Charitable purposes | $25,000 |
| Boule Foundation | Charitable purposes | $20,000 |
| Art Center College of Design | Education | $15,000 |
| Public Counsel's Children Rights PR | Charitable purposes | $12,500 |
| Hampton University | Educational purposes | $5,000 |
| Southern Poverty Law Center | Charitable purposes | $5,000 |
| Cal State Dominguez Hills | Charitable purposes | $5,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Vaerie Ervin
- Mark Whitlock
- C Daniels
- D Brokaw
- Yakub Coleman
- W Coleman
- K L Johnson
Questions people ask
Does The Ray Charles Foundation accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications, with this on deadlines: No submission deadlines - applications reviewed all year.
How much does The Ray Charles Foundation give?
$1.6 million in tax year 2024, across 10 grants, with a typical grant of $17,500.
Who runs The Ray Charles Foundation?
Its 2024 filing lists Vaerie Ervin (President), Mark Whitlock (Chairman), C Daniels (Director) and D Brokaw (Director) among 7 officers and trustees.
What does The Ray Charles Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education and arts and culture.