Richard J Stern Foundation for the Arts
Accepts applications
Richard J Stern Foundation for the Arts is a private foundation in Kansas City, Missouri. In tax year 2024 it gave $3.6 million in 75 grants; the typical grant was $15,000 and the largest $300,000. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2024.
- Grants paid, 2024$3.6 million
- Number of grants75
- Typical grant$15,000
- Largest grant$300,000
- Assets$66.8 million
- New grantees14%
Giving in 2024 was up from $1.9 million the year before.
14% of its 2024 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 year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $1.9 million | 70 | $63.0 million |
| 2024 | $3.6 million | 75 | $66.8 million |
How to apply
| Contact | Commerce Bank 1000 Walnut Ste 1560, Kansas City, MO 64106 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (816) 234-1768, commercebankfoundationoffice@commercebank.com |
| What to submit | Application must be submitted via online portal |
| Restrictions | Qualifying charitable organizations that are not private foundations and are engaged in supporting the arts in the greater Kansas city area. |
What Richard J Stern Foundation for the Arts funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 2 states, the most to Missouri.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri | 71 | $2.7 million |
| Kansas | 4 | $24,000 |
Grants paid in 2024
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City Symphony | 2024/2024 season support | $300,000 |
| Lyric Opera of Kansas City Inc | 2024/2025 season support | $200,000 |
| Lyric Opera of Kansas City Inc | 2024/2025 season support | $200,000 |
| Lyric Opera of Kansas City Inc | 2024/2025 season support | $200,000 |
| Performing Arts Foundation of Kansas City DBA Folly Theater | Sound system upgrade | $178,677 |
| Kansas City Art Institute | Michael vergason landscape plan over 2 years | $125,000 |
| Nelson Gallery Foundation | Upexplored resonance acquisition support | $100,000 |
| William Jewell College (Harriman-Jewell Series) | 2025/2026 season support recognized through season sponsorship | $100,000 |
| Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts | Replace harlequin liberty latchloc stage in muriel kauffman theater | $80,000 |
| Kansas City Art Institute | Ceramics program | $65,000 |
| Kansas City Ballet Association | 2024/2025 season support and partial underwriting of don quixote | $60,000 |
| Kansas City Repertory Theatre Inc | 2024/2025 season support and partial underwriting of emma | $50,000 |
| Lyric Opera of Kansas City Inc | 2025 lyric ball | $50,000 |
| Nelson Gallery Foundation | Featured exhibitions: "we live in painting" | $50,000 |
| Unicorn Theatre | Fund our future (fof) campaign | $50,000 |
| Musical Theater Heritage Inc | Equipment upgrades | $49,000 |
| Kansas City Ballet Association | Family production of "snow white" | $40,000 |
| Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts | 2025 future stages festival | $40,000 |
| Coterie Inc | 2025/2026 season support | $35,000 |
| Kansas City Symphony | 2024 symphony ball | $35,000 |
| Unicorn Theatre | Season support | $35,000 |
| Arts Engagement Foundation of Kansas City | Kc studio magazine | $30,000 |
| Charlotte Street Foundation | Used at the discretion of the board of directors or trustees as they see fit for operating their organization | $30,000 |
| Friends of Chamber Music | Artistic planning as part of 50th anniversary campaign | $30,000 |
| Kansas City Actors Theatre Inc | 2025/2026 season support | $30,000 |
| Kansas City Chorale | 2024/2025 season support | $30,000 |
| Park University | Park icm season support through stanislav & friends | $30,000 |
| Kansas City Chapter of Young Audiences Inc | Used at the discretion of the board of directors or trustees as they see fit for operating their organization | $25,000 |
| Kemper Museum Operating Foundation DBA Kemper Museum of Art | Stan douglas: metronome | $25,000 |
| Music-Arts Institute | Scholarships | $20,000 |
| Owen-Cox Dance Group | 2024/2025 performance season and take the stage | $20,000 |
| The Heart of America Shakespeare Festival | 2025 season support | $20,000 |
| William Jewell College (Harriman-Jewell Series) | Transition support for new 501(c)(3) entity | $20,000 |
| Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey | Ailey ii residency | $18,000 |
| Youth Symphony Association of Kansas City Inc | Orchestral education program | $18,000 |
| Friends of Chamber Music | 2025/2026 season support | $15,000 |
| Heartland Men's Chorus | 2024/2025 season support | $15,000 |
| Metropolitan Arts Council of Greater Kansas City DBA Artskc - Regional Arts | Marketing capacity program | $15,000 |
| Mid-America Arts Alliance | Arts programming in the metropolitan kansas city area | $15,000 |
| Moving Arts Kansas City | 2025 season support | $15,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Commerce Bankinv Mgmt
- Commerce Bankcharity Office
- Commerce Bankcharity Mgmt
Questions people ask
Does Richard J Stern Foundation for the Arts accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications.
How much does Richard J Stern Foundation for the Arts give?
$3.6 million in tax year 2024, across 75 grants, with a typical grant of $15,000.
Who runs Richard J Stern Foundation for the Arts?
Its 2024 filing lists Commerce Bankinv Mgmt (Corporate Trustee), Commerce Bankcharity Office (Corporate Trustee) and Commerce Bankcharity Mgmt (Corporate Trustee).
What does Richard J Stern Foundation for the Arts fund?
Based on its grants, mainly arts and culture, education and youth programs.