The Ray Charles Foundation
Historical FunderLos Angeles, California · EIN 95-4047622 · Private foundation · Website
Half of its grants to organizations were between $5,000 and $25,000.
How to apply
The foundation filed the following application information (Form 990-PF Part XV, tax year 2024):
| Contact | GRANT DEPARTMENT |
|---|---|
| Address | 2107 West Washington Boulevard, LOS ANGELES CA 90018 |
| Phone | 3237378000 |
| info@theraycharlesfoundation.org | |
| Form and materials | 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 |
Copied as filed. Deadlines on a tax return describe the foundation's usual process; they are not confirmation of a current open cycle.
What it funds
Share of grant lines on the latest return, classified from the purpose each grant states.
Where it gives
75% of grants went outside California.
Grants paid in tax year 2024
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grammy Museum Foundation | Los Angeles, CA | Education | $1,000,000 |
| City of North Las Vegas Police Depa | North Las Vegas, NV | Charitable purposes | $500,000 |
| Jackie Robinson Foundation Inc | New York, NY | Charitable purposes | $25,000 |
| Reid Temple AME Church | Glenn Dale, MD | Charitable purposes | $25,000 |
| Boule Foundation | San Antonio, TX | Charitable purposes | $20,000 |
| Art Center College of Design | Pasadena, CA | Education | $15,000 |
| Hampton University | Hampton, VA | Educational purposes | $5,000 |
| Southern Poverty Law Center | Montgomery, AL | Charitable purposes | $5,000 |
The return also lists 2 grants to individuals ($17,500). We do not publish the names of individual recipients.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1,612,500 | 10 |
| 2023 | $3,025,000 | 11 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2024, filed Nov 13, 2025 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202513169349102756
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 95-4047622
- Profile updated Nov 6, 2026
Facts on this page come from the foundation's own IRS Form 990-PF filings as published by the IRS. Grantvello does not know whether a foundation is accepting proposals right now: a past grant is not an open opportunity. Always confirm current guidelines with the funder before applying.