SIZABLE GIFTS MADE TO MOCA.

Byline: Reed Johnson Daily News Staff Writer

The Museum of Contemporary Art has received four major gifts totaling $3.25 million in support of the Campaign for MOCA, the museum's ongoing $25 million fund-raising drive to build its endowment to $50 million and to raise its standing as a regional and global cultural resource.

A $1 million gift comes from Ron Burkle, managing partner and majority owner of the Yucaipa Cos., a private investment firm that is the controlling shareholder of Fred Meyer Inc., Dominick's Finer Food and Ralphs Grocery Co. The gift will establish the Ron Burkle Endowment for Architecture and Design Programs at MOCA. Last year, Burkle personally contributed $7.5 million toward completion of the planned Walt Disney Concert Hall, which would be across the street from MOCA on Grand Avenue in downtown Los Angeles.

Another $1 million gift from an anonymous donor will create a programming endowment to be used at the museum director's discretion. It will provide a resource for new or more experimental programs that have not yet attracted government, foundation or corporate support.

The Kresge Foundation has awarded a $750,000 challenge grant that will be used for a variety of capital improvements at both museum buildings: MOCA at California Plaza (250 S. Grand Ave.) and the Geffen Contemporary at MOCA (152 N. Central Ave.).

Audrey Irmas, chair of the MOCA board of trustees and co-chair of the Campaign for MOCA, has made a $500,000 gift to the campaign in memory of her late husband. The gift will establish the Sydney Irmas Exhibition Endowment, from which funds will be used to support one major exhibition each year in Sydney Irmas' name in perpetuity beginning in fall 1998. The couple previously had given a lead gift of $3 million to inaugurate the campaign in October 1995.

With these gifts, approximately $22 million of the $25 million goal has been committed.