The local equivalence ratio distribution in a flame affects its shape and response under velocity perturbations. The forced heat release response of stratified lean-premixed flames to acoustic velocity fluctuations are investigated via chemiluminescence measurements and spatial Fourier transfer analysis. A laboratory scale burner and its boundary conditions were designed to generate high-amplitude acoustic velocity fluctuations in flames. These flames are subject to inlet radial equivalence ratio distributions created via a split annular fuel delivery system outfitted with a swirling stabilizer. Simultaneous measurements on the oscillations of inlet velocity and heat release rate were carried out via a two-microphone technique, and OH∗ chemiluminescence. The measurements show that, for a given mean total power and equivalence ratio (Φg= 0.60), the flame responses vary significantly depending on forcing frequency, equivalence ratio split and velocity fluctuation amplitude, showing significant non-linearities with respect to forcing amplitude and stratification ratio. Furthermore, the spatial Fourier transfer analysis shows the underlying changes in the rate of heat release, including the direction and speed of the perturbation within the flame. Copyright © 2014 by ASME.