Donald and Ruby Branson Foundation
Donald and Ruby Branson Foundation is a private foundation, based in Lone Pine, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $1.6M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 7 grants totaling $75K. Net investment income was $87K.
Donald and Ruby Branson Foundation at a glance
In short: Donald and Ruby Branson Foundation gave $75K across 7 grants in 2025 (avg $11K), mostly in California. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $74,650
- +12.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 7
- -30.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $10,664
- +61.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $1,626,146
- -0.6% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- California (73% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Donald and Ruby Branson Foundation
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Donald and Ruby Branson Foundation
Who Donald and Ruby Branson Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Eastern Sierra Institute ($20K). Together the top 7 received $75K.
Grant Size Distribution
44 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 44 grants of 44 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 7 itemized grants.
Cities
How Donald and Ruby Branson Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−8%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 93% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $61K (2021) to $94K (2020). In 2025 it made 7 grants totaling $75K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern Sierra Institute Bishop, CA | Outdoor STEM program for 3-8 grade | $20,000 |
| Lone Pine Unified School Dist Lone Pine, CA | LP Pool, 8th grade STEM trip to Catalina | $19,150 |
| Stay Indiana Youth Aviation Granger, IN | Youth Building Airplane | $11,000 |
| Wildcare Eastern Sierra Bishop, CA | Injured wildlife and education program for local schools | $10,000 |
| Housed Great Falls Great Falls, MT | Housing Homeless | $6,000 |
| Friends of the LP airport Lone Pine, CA | Youth Building Airplanes | $5,000 |
| Land and Trust of Alabama Huntsville, AL | Youth Outdoor Education program | $3,500 |
Ready to take the next step with Donald and Ruby Branson Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,626,146 | $101,410 | $111,706 | $74,650 | 7 | $85,438 | $86,904 | $91,582 |
| 2024 | $1,636,442 | $114,331 | $90,633 | $66,100 | 10 | $75,252 | $103,313 | $87,877 |
| 2023 | $1,612,743 | $-64,322 | $101,790 | $71,400 | 7 | $90,014 | $42,738 | $83,859 |
| 2022 | $1,778,855 | $53,883 | $106,616 | $81,208 | 11 | $99,217 | $48,144 | $87,244 |
| 2021 | $1,831,588 | $194,478 | $92,968 | $60,612 | 9 | $80,381 | $182,714 | $99,038 |
| 2020 | $1,730,078 | $73,229 | $109,660 | $94,410 | 13 | — | $63,076 | $91,412 |
| 2019 | $1,765,535 | $70,684 | $109,221 | $85,150 | 8 | — | $60,507 | $91,589 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Donald and Ruby Branson Foundation reported a distributable amount of $92K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Donald and Ruby Branson Foundation is led by Bruce Branson, President since 2025 (on filings since 2019); none of the 5 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Bruce Branson
President
President → CEO, 2024
CEO → President, 2025
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
James Johnson
Director
Vice President → Director, 2025
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Elizabeth Branson
Vice President
Vice President → President, 2024
President → Vice President, 2025
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Ed Johnson
Secretary
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Matt Branson
Treasurer
Vice President → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: Jim Johnson (2022–2024) — Vice President
- Former: Ben Branson (2019–2023) — Legal Counsel
- Former: Matthew Branson (2019–2021) — Treasurer
- Former: Dorothy Branson (2020) — Sargent at Arms
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Donald and Ruby Branson Foundation
How much does Donald and Ruby Branson Foundation give each year?
Donald and Ruby Branson Foundation gave $75K across 7 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $66K across 10 grants.
What is Donald and Ruby Branson Foundation's typical grant size?
Donald and Ruby Branson Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $10,664, across 7 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Donald and Ruby Branson Foundation give grants?
Donald and Ruby Branson Foundation gives mostly in California: 73% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Indiana (15%) and Montana (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Bishop, CA (2 grants) and Lone Pine, CA (2 grants).
Does Donald and Ruby Branson Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 7 grants with a stated purpose on Donald and Ruby Branson Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are Donald and Ruby Branson Foundation's largest grantees?
Donald and Ruby Branson Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Eastern Sierra Institute ($20,000), Lone Pine Unified School Dist ($19,150) and Stay Indiana Youth Aviation ($11,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 67% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Donald and Ruby Branson Foundation?
Donald and Ruby Branson Foundation reported $1.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $85K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $92K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What is Donald and Ruby Branson Foundation's EIN?
Donald and Ruby Branson Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-4779170. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS June 22, 2020)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Donald and Ruby Branson Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Donald and Ruby Branson Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
First Interstate BancSystem Foundation
Billings, MT
The First Interstate BancSystem Foundation funds poverty reduction, youth development, financial education, and community development, as well as civic, arts, education, health, human services, and sustainability efforts in communities served by First Interstate Bank across 10 states. Its 2025 grants had a median award of $2,500, though amounts varied widely; the stated minimum grant is $2,500. Organizations can submit grant requests online, which are traditionally reviewed monthly, but grants must be recommended by a local First Interstate branch.
Assets
$19.2M
Grants
767
Total Given
$5.0M
Carroll Petrie Foundation
Santa Fe, NM
The Carroll Petrie Foundation funds animal welfare and humane treatment, wildlife protection, habitat conservation, and related environmental work, with a focus on New Mexico and the Southwest. Its 2024 grants ranged from $2,000 to $3,862,500, with a median of $50,000. It funds preselected organizations by invitation only and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$320.6M
Grants
115
Total Given
$14.2M
Cross Charitable Foundation
Bozeman, MT
The foundation funds education, homelessness and assistance for oppressed people, wildlife and environmental conservation, and dog health and welfare in Idaho, Utah, Montana, and Wyoming. In 2024, grants ranged from $5,000 to $100,000, with a median of $20,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests; organizations must be invited by the Board to apply.
Assets
$58.2M
Grants
110
Total Given
$2.6M
Prewoznik Foundation
Santa Monica, CA
Assets
$292K
Grants
3
Total Given
$40K
The Florence S Mahoney Foundation
Washington, DC
The Florence S Mahoney Foundation supports a range of charitable work, including food and shelter, education, health and nutrition, community services, and animal rescue, with grants to organizations in California and other states. Its 2025 grants ranged from $1,000 to $10,000, with a median of $5,000. It accepts written requests, and the filing lists no deadlines.
Assets
$3.3M
Grants
31
Total Given
$150K
Manitou Fund
White Bear Lake, MN
Manitou Fund supports organizations in areas including education, arts and cultural preservation, tennis, and land conservation, with 2024 grants ranging from $10,000 to $1.75 million and a median of $50,000. Its 2024 grants went mainly to California, Minnesota, New York, Florida, and Rhode Island. It funds only preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$778.2M
Grants
164
Total Given
$20.1M
More similar funders
More Funders in California
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Donald and Ruby Branson Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Donald and Ruby Branson Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?