Elizabeth Ring Mather
The Elizabeth Ring Mather and William Gwinn Mather Fund is a private foundation based in Cleveland, Ohio. Incorporated in 1954, the fund was established from the estate of Elizabeth Ring Mather (1891-1957), wife of William Gwinn Mather, former chairman of Cleveland Cliffs Iron Company. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization and has been tax-exempt since February 1956.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$22.2M
+14.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.1M
+24.3% YoY
Grant Count
105
+12.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$10K
+10.1% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Elizabeth Ring Mather reported a distributable amount of $1.4M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The fund supports the arts, hospitals and health agencies, secondary and higher education, conservation, and social welfare efforts. The foundation does not award grants to individuals or for scholarships, fellowships, matching gifts, or loans. Grant applications are not actively encouraged.
The foundation demonstrates particular commitment to local organizations, especially those connected to University Circle, Inc. and other institutions with which the founders were directly involved.
Grantmaking
In 1993, the fund distributed over $951,576 across 41 grants, with individual awards ranging from $600 to $626,000.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Ohio, Massachusetts, and California, with particular emphasis on local Cleveland-area institutions.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets:
- 2023: $19.3 million in total assets
- 2024: $22.1 million in total assets (most recent filing)
- Historical (1993): Over $9 million in assets
Annual Activity:
- 2023 Revenue: $1.91 million
- 2023 Expenses: $1.1 million
- 2023 Liabilities: $0
Financial Position: The foundation maintains a debt-free balance sheet with no liabilities reported.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $22,155,154 | $19,344,788 | $18,540,803 |
| Revenue | $4,150,536 | $1,908,925 | $2,137,026 |
| Expenses | $1,324,121 | $1,100,539 | $1,432,958 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,178,643 | $967,992 | $1,308,779 |
| Net Investment Income | $2,854,118 | $843,536 | $1,241,754 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,375,653 | $1,253,753 | $1,252,190 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Astoria Park Conservancy ($50,000), American Foreign Policy Council ($40,000), Kenyon College ($35,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ACT FOR LEBANON EDGEWATER, NJ | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT | $2,500 |
| ALCOHOL & DRUG FREEDOM CENTER OF MOUNT VERNON, OH | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT | $1,000 |
| AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY COUNCIL WASHINGTON, DC | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING EXPENSES | $40,000 |
| AMERICANS FOR OXFORD INC NEW YORK, NY | EXETER COLLEGE | $2,500 |
| ART ASSOCIATION OF JACKSON HOLE JACKSON, WY | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING EXPENSES | $5,000 |
| ART GARAGE DENVER DENVER, CO | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT | $15,000 |
| ASTORIA PARK CONSERVANCY JACKSON, WY | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| BOK TOWER GARDENS LAKE WALES, FL | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| BOSTON ALTHENAEUM BOSTON, MA | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING EXPENSES | $5,000 |
| BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPI BOSTON, MA | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT | $5,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Current leadership structure includes:
- George R. Ireland – President
- Lucy I. Weller – Vice President (also listed as Trustee)
- George R. Ireland – Treasurer
- Cornelia I. Hallinan – Secretary (also listed as Trustee)
Additional trustees include James D. Ireland IV, Katherine I. Ireland, Louise Ireland, Augustus Ireland, Elizabeth Ireland Hallinan, Rachel Ireland Weller, and Tess Ireland Hallinan.
The fund's governance traces to James D. Ireland, son of Elizabeth Ring Mather, who served as president until his death in January 1991. His widow, Cornelia W. Ireland, passed away in August 1997.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CORNELIA I HALLINAN | TRUSTEE | — | — |
| GEORGE R IRELAND | PRESIDENT | — | — |
| LUCY WELLER | TRUSTEE | — | — |
| TESS IRELAND HALLINAN | SECRETARY | — | — |
| JAMES D IRELAND IV | TREASURER | — | — |
| KATHERINE I IRELAND | TRUSTEE | — | — |
| LOUISE IRELAND | TRUSTEE | — | — |
| AUGUSTUS IRELAND | TRUSTEE | — | — |
| ELIZABETH IRELAND HALLINAN | TRUSTEE | — | — |
| RACHEL IRELAND WELLER | TRUSTEE | — | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In 1984, the fund helped support the Cleveland Museum of Art's new wing, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to major cultural institutions in the Cleveland area.
[PDF] Download - Cleveland Museum of Natural HistorySubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Elizabeth Ring Mather fund?
The fund supports the arts, hospitals and health agencies, secondary and higher education, conservation, and social welfare efforts. The foundation does not award grants to individuals or for scholarships, fellowships, matching gifts, or loans. Grant applications are not actively encouraged. The foundation demonstrates particular commitment to local organizations, especially those connected to University Circle, Inc. and other institutions with which the founders were directly involved.
How do I apply for a grant from Elizabeth Ring Mather?
**Grant Characteristics:** • Typical award range: $500–$385,000 • Median grant amount: $5,000 • Maximum grant observed: $115,000 **Recent Activity:** • 2023: 93 grants awarded totaling $968,000 in distributions • 2023: $955,000 in contributions received • 2024: Total giving of $1,093,000 **Historical Context:** In 1993, the fund distributed over $951,576 across 41 grants, with individual awards ranging from $600 to $626,000.
Where does Elizabeth Ring Mather make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Ohio, Massachusetts, and California, with particular emphasis on local Cleveland-area institutions.
What size grants does Elizabeth Ring Mather award?
In 2024, Elizabeth Ring Mather awarded 105 grants totaling $1.1M — an average of about $10K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Elizabeth Ring Mather required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Elizabeth Ring Mather reported a distributable amount of $1.4M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Elizabeth Ring Mather's EIN?
Elizabeth Ring Mather's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 34-6519863. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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