Frances Lear Foundation
Preselected recipients only
Frances Lear Foundation is a private foundation in Harrison, New York. In tax year 2025 it gave $672,500 in 38 grants; the typical grant was $5,000 and the largest $214,000. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$672,500
- Number of grants38
- Typical grant$5,000
- Largest grant$214,000
- Assets$9.4 million
- New grantees43%
Giving in 2025 was down from $794,530 the year before.
43% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a sign it is open to new organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $705,645 | 28 | $8.6 million |
| 2024 | $794,530 | 40 | $8.7 million |
| 2025 | $672,500 | 38 | $9.4 million |
How to apply
Frances Lear Foundation says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.
What Frances Lear Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 8 states, the most to New York.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| New York | 27 | $559,000 |
| Louisiana | 2 | $36,000 |
| District of Columbia | 4 | $30,500 |
| Washington | 1 | $25,000 |
| California | 1 | $7,500 |
| Connecticut | 1 | $5,000 |
| Georgia | 1 | $5,000 |
| Florida | 1 | $4,500 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Ballet Hispanico of New York Inc | General operating support | $214,000 |
| Rainforest Alliance | General operating support | $75,000 |
| NYU Langone Health | The empathy project | $50,000 |
| Youth Represent | General operating support | $48,500 |
| Panorama Global | Run for something | $25,000 |
| The 92nd Street Y | General operating support | $25,000 |
| Friends and Family of Louisiana's Incarcerated Children | General operating support | $24,000 |
| Pal-O-Mine Equestrian Inc | General operating support | $20,000 |
| A Little Piece of Light | General operating support | $15,000 |
| Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth | General operating support | $15,000 |
| Good Call | General operating support | $15,000 |
| The Omowale Project | General operating support | $15,000 |
| Daughters Beyond Incarceration | General operating support | $12,000 |
| Alliance of Families for Justice | General operating support | $10,000 |
| Earthshare | The big green tent | $10,000 |
| Family Justice Law Center | General operating support | $10,000 |
| NYU Langone Health | The oliver friberg fund | $10,000 |
| The Film Collective Att Fiscal Sponsorship | Coming home project | $7,500 |
| Amber Waves Farm | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Freedom Reads | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Motherhood Behind Bars | General operating support | $5,000 |
| New York City Center | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Plan A Health | General operating support | $5,000 |
| The New Press | General operating support | $5,000 |
| The Public Theatre | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Vera Institute of Justice | Digital campaign project | $5,000 |
| Global Impact | One for justice conference | $4,500 |
| Perpetual Use | General operating support | $4,500 |
| Forward Globalorg | Annual summit | $3,000 |
| Forward Globalorg | Annual dues | $2,500 |
| Manhattan Theatre Club | General operating support | $2,500 |
| Myriad USA | American friends of institute curie | $2,500 |
| Rainforest Alliance | General operating support | $2,500 |
| Rewild | General operating support | $2,500 |
| Works and Process | Guggenheim museum arts development | $2,500 |
| Chapel & York US Foundation Inc | Good chance theater | $2,000 |
| Bottomless Closet | General operating support | $1,500 |
| National Center for Family Philanthropy | Dues | $1,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Maggie Lear
- Kate Breckir Lear
- Daniel R Katz
- Dr Jonathan Lapook
Questions people ask
Does Frances Lear Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Frances Lear Foundation give?
$672,500 in tax year 2025, across 38 grants, with a typical grant of $5,000.
Who runs Frances Lear Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Maggie Lear (President), Kate Breckir Lear (Director), Daniel R Katz (Director) and Dr Jonathan Lapook (Director).
What does Frances Lear Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly arts and culture, youth programs and health.