Don Ryan Center for Innovation Inc logo

Don Ryan Center for Innovation Inc

Public charity · Grantmaker Bluffton, SC EIN: 45-3996460 Website

To foster regional economic development and support entrepreneurship by providing business incubation, education, and mentorship programs to early-stage and growing businesses.

Key facts about Don Ryan Center for Innovation Inc

In short: Don Ryan Center for Innovation Inc gave $40K across 1 grant in 2025 (avg $40K), mostly in South Carolina. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.

EIN
45-3996460
Latest 990 filing
Form 990, 2025
Annual giving (2025)
$40,000
Grants made (2025)
1
Average grant
$40,000
Median grant
$40,000
Total assets
$686,289
Primary geography
South Carolina (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.

Financial Overview

From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing

Total Assets

$686K

+28.7% YoY

Annual Giving

$40K

Grant Count

1

Avg Grant Size

$40K

About Don Ryan Center for Innovation Inc

Based on IRS filings

Don Ryan Center for Innovation Inc is a public charity focused on Community Improvement & Capacity Building, based in Bluffton, SC. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $686K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 1 grant totaling $40K. Net investment income was $18K.

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

1state

Share of the 2025 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.

Cities

Beaufort

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$10K$20K$30K$40K0 grants2021 0 grants2022 0 grants2023 0 grants2024 1 grant2025

In 2025 it made 1 grant totaling $40K.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top recipient in 2025

Beaufort County Economic Development Corporation: $40KBeaufort County EconomicDevelopment Corporation$40K

The largest 2025 recipient was Beaufort County Economic Development Corporation ($40K).

Grant Size Distribution

1 grant across all recorded years

1<$50K$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 1 grant of 1 (100%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Beaufort County Economic Development Corporation Beaufort, SCOrganizational support$40,000

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue
Expenses
Net Investment Income
$0$250K$500K$750K$1M2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Metric202520242023
Total Assets$686,289$533,195$791,308
Revenue$655,720$554,270$875,935
Expenses$558,152$476,771$796,203
Net Investment Income$17,835$12,380$5,890

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 13, 2026)

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Don Ryan Center for Innovation Inc is led by David Nelems, Executive Director on every filing since 2022; 1 of 13 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • David Nelems

    Executive Director

    On filings since 2022

    40 hrs/week

    $96K (2022) → $115K (2025)

  • Berl Davis

    Chair

    Director → Chairman, 2022

    Chairman → Chair, 2025

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Bernie Traywick

    Director

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Edward Taylor

    Director

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jim Biggs

    Director

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Kevin Ryan

    Director

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Michael J Czymbor

    Director

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Larry Toomer

    Director & Mayor of Bluffton

    Mayor → Director & Mayor of Bluffton, 2025

    On filings since 2024

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Latoya Salters

    Director

    On filings since 2024

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Debra Edmondson

    Director

    New on the 2025 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Josn Gruber

    Director

    New on the 2025 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Matt Green

    Vice Chair

    Vice Chairman → Vice Chair, 2025

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Walter Nester

    Secretary

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (4)
  • Former: Bill Fuge (2021–2023) — Director
  • Former: Deborah Edmonson (2021–2023) — Director
  • Former: Lisa Sulka (2021–2023) — Director
  • Former: Mike Levine (2021) — Executive Director

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.

Compensation Overview

From 2025 IRS filing

David Nelems — Executive Director: $115KDavid NelemsExecutive Director$115K

The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $115K, to David Nelems (Executive Director).

Frequently asked questions about Don Ryan Center for Innovation Inc

How much does Don Ryan Center for Innovation Inc give each year?

Don Ryan Center for Innovation Inc gave $40K across 1 grant in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990.

How large is Don Ryan Center for Innovation Inc?

Don Ryan Center for Innovation Inc reported $686K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $656K.

What is Don Ryan Center for Innovation Inc?

Don Ryan Center for Innovation Inc is a public charity focused on Community Improvement & Capacity Building, based in Bluffton, SC. It holds $686K in total assets as of 2025.

Where does Don Ryan Center for Innovation Inc operate?

Don Ryan Center for Innovation Inc has awarded grants in South Carolina.

What is Don Ryan Center for Innovation Inc's EIN?

Don Ryan Center for Innovation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 45-3996460. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.

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