Joy in Blue Foundation
Joy in Blue Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation based in Litchfield Park, Arizona. Established in 2019, the foundation operates as a non-operating private foundation with a focused approach to philanthropic giving.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$27.9M
+7.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.0M
-4.8% YoY
Grant Count
31
-3.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$33K
-1.7% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Joy in Blue Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.4M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
Joy in Blue Foundation supports organizations with charitable, education, scientific, or literary purposes, as defined under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
The foundation's primary funding focus areas include:
- Education
- Science and technology
- Philanthropy and grantmaking
- Human services
Grantmaking
According to available records, the foundation has made 120 grants totaling $3.9 million, with annual giving growing from $852,000 in 2020 to $1.1 million in 2023. The foundation has supported 55 unique organizations across its history.
Average Grant
amount: $32,000
Invitation Only
** Joy in Blue Foundation operates on an invitation-only basis and does not accept unsolicited funding requests.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in:
- Minnesota
- California
- Georgia
- Maryland
- Arizona
Grantmaking reaches organizations across 12 states, with Minnesota, California, and Maryland accounting for approximately 70% of all grants. The foundation has national funding reach.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total assets: $27,945,639
- Total revenues: $1,473,157
- Total expenses: $1,372,717
- Annual income: $5.8 million (reported)
Organization Details:
- EIN: 83-0528682
- IRS 501(c)(3) classification
- NTEE code: T20 (Private Foundations)
- IRS ruling year: 2019
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $27,945,639 | $25,980,906 | $23,224,425 |
| Revenue | $1,473,157 | $650,938 | $732,164 |
| Expenses | $1,372,717 | $1,374,854 | $1,372,422 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,214,481 | $1,238,377 | $1,235,083 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,297,972 | $403,358 | $329,728 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,350,405 | $1,210,767 | $1,251,898 |
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
151 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Boston College Trustees ($100,000), National Science and Technology Medals Foundation ($100,000), Sustainafest Inc ($50,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ANIMAL HUMANE SOCIETY MINNEAPOLIS, MN | OPERATING SUPPORT | $30,000 |
| ASSOCIATION OF SMALL FOUNDATIONS WASHINGTON, DC | OPERATING SUPPORT | $1,500 |
| BABY2BABY LOS ANGELES, CA | OPERATING SUPPORT | $20,000 |
| BAIL PROJECT INC VENICE, CA | OPERATING SUPPORT | $30,000 |
| BLACK VOTERS MATTER CAPACITY BUILDING INSTITUTE INC ATLANTA, GA | OPERATING SUPPORT | $20,000 |
| BOOKS FOR KEEPS INC ATHENS, GA | OPERATING SUPPORT | $20,000 |
| BOSTON COLLEGE TRUSTEES CHESTNUT HILL, MA | DRINAN FAMILY FUND IN SUPPORT OF PUBLIC INTEREST LAW | $100,000 |
| CROSSROADS FUND CHICAGO, IL | OPERATING SUPPORT | $30,000 |
| FEEDING AMERICA CHICAGO, IL | OPERATING SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| FOR THE GOOD GLENWOOD SPGS, CO | OPERATING SUPPORT | $30,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Trustees:
- Laura Jean Rathmann
- Richard G Rathmann
Staff:
- Suzanne Busta, Executive Director (compensation: $139,823 as of 2023)
The foundation operates with 1 full-time employee.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAURA JEAN RATHMANN | PRESIDENT | 2.5 | — |
| RICHARD G RATHMANN | TREASURER/SECRETARY | 3 | — |
| KAELI J RATHMANN | DIRECTOR | 2.5 | — |
Contact Information
Address: 5115 N Dysart Rd Ste 202 PMB 601 Litchfield Park, AZ 85340-3036
Phone: 952-988-5945
Website: www.JoyinBlueFoundation.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Joy in Blue Foundation fund?
Joy in Blue Foundation supports organizations with charitable, education, scientific, or literary purposes, as defined under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The foundation's primary funding focus areas include: • Education • Science and technology • Philanthropy and grantmaking • Human services
How do I apply for a grant from Joy in Blue Foundation?
**Application Process:** Joy in Blue Foundation operates on an invitation-only basis and does not accept unsolicited funding requests. **Grant Activity:** • Made 25 grants in 2024 • Total giving in 2024: $1,011,500 • Typical grant awards range from $1,500 to $100,000 • Average grant amount: $32,000 • Median grant amount: $25,000 **Recent Grants (2024):** • Boston College: $100,000 (Drinan Family Fund in Support of Public Interest Law) • National Science and Technology Medals Foundation: $100,00…
Where does Joy in Blue Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in: • Minnesota • California • Georgia • Maryland • Arizona Grantmaking reaches organizations across 12 states, with Minnesota, California, and Maryland accounting for approximately 70% of all grants. The foundation has national funding reach.
What size grants does Joy in Blue Foundation award?
In 2024, Joy in Blue Foundation awarded 31 grants totaling $1.0M — an average of about $33K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Joy in Blue Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Joy in Blue Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.4M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Joy in Blue Foundation's EIN?
Joy in Blue Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 83-0528682. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Joy in Blue Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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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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