Nancy Buck Ransom Foundation
The Nancy Buck Ransom Foundation (NBRF) is a private foundation established in 1979 to support youth-serving programs. Originally created to support the operations of Crivitz Youth, Inc. in Crivitz, Wisconsin, the foundation has expanded over time to also fund youth programs in Monterey County, California. The foundation is headquartered in Monterey, California.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$43.9M
+3.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.5M
-0.7% YoY
Grant Count
31
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$49K
-0.7% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Nancy Buck Ransom Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.1M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to help young people achieve their full potential by funding youth-serving programs that enable youth and families to flourish and prosper. NBRF partners with organizations that reduce barriers to success and support the development of children and youth.
The foundation prioritizes funding in the following areas:
- Advocacy & Policy Reform
- Emotional Development
- Family/Caregiver Support & Education
- Opportunities to Belong
- Opportunities for Skill Building
- Security
Core values guiding the foundation's work include trust, respect, and belonging. The foundation emphasizes serving communities with humility and grace, promoting diversity and racial equity, practicing transparency and honesty, and building relationships grounded in trust and mutual goals.
Grantmaking
In 2023, the foundation made 86 grants totaling approximately $1.45 million. Notable grants included $1.1 million in operating support to Crivitz Youth, Inc., and $30,000 each to Special Kids Connect and The Read to Me Project.
Review Cycle
February 20, 2026
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds youth-serving programs in two primary geographic areas:
Crivitz, Wisconsin: The original focus area where Nancy Buck Ransom and her mother, Constance Buck, founded Crivitz Youth, Inc. in 1971. The foundation provides substantial annual grants to support CYI's operations.
Monterey County, California: Nancy Buck Ransom spent the last 40 years of her life in Monterey County. The foundation supports youth programs and may also fund significant youth-oriented projects of other Monterey County organizations.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 31, 2023:
- Total Assets: $42.4 million
- Total Revenue: $2.09 million
- Total Expenses: $2.01 million
- Total Liabilities: $221,000
Revenue Composition (2023):
- Investment income and dividends: $1,141,397
- Net gain from sale of non-inventory assets: $946,041
Tax Status:
- Designated as a 501(c)(3) organization
- Tax-exempt since November 1979
- EIN: 94-2601172
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $43,908,968 | $42,437,448 | $38,090,386 |
| Revenue | $2,983,556 | $2,089,260 | $1,328,626 |
| Expenses | $2,207,880 | $2,009,260 | $2,474,441 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,723,377 | $1,710,143 | $2,374,841 |
| Net Investment Income | $2,739,602 | $1,876,492 | $1,130,395 |
| Distributable Amount | $2,124,398 | $1,949,886 | $2,006,107 |
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
212 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Nancy Buck Ransom Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Crivitz Youth Inc ($1,068,312), Boys and Girls Clubs of Monterey Co ($30,000), Community Partnership for Youth ($30,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Crivitz Youth Inc Crivitz, WI | Operating Support | $1,068,312 |
| Action Council of Monterey County Salinas, CA | Fiscal sponsor for Urban Arts Collaborative | $10,000 |
| ARIEL Theatrical Inc Salinas, CA | Operating Support | $10,000 |
| Central Coast YMCA Salinas, CA | Operating Support | $20,000 |
| CASA of Monterey County Inc Salinas, CA | Operating Support | $15,000 |
| El Sistema USASalinas Inc Salinas, CA | Operating Support | $10,000 |
| Fndn for Monterey County Free Libra Salinas, CA | Operating Support | $15,000 |
| Monterey County Rape Crisis Center Monterey, CA | Youth Programs | $10,000 |
| Olinga Learning Gonzales, CA | Operating Support | $10,000 |
| Youth Music Monterey Monterey, CA | Operating Support | $15,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board Members:
- Caroline Degenaars (Chair)
- Laura Smith (Vice Chair)
- David Dobrowski (Treasurer)
- Lynn Bentaleb (Secretary, non-voting & Executive Director)
- Allison Barrientos (Director)
- Nelson Ewing II (Director)
- Carmen Gil (Director)
- Ruth Rodriguez (Director)
- Jim Zittlow (Director)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jim Zittlow | Director | 1 | — |
| Lynn Bentaleb | Sec/Exec Dir | 40 | $135,500 |
| Carmen Gil | Director | 1 | — |
| Michael Green | Treasurer | 2 | — |
| Caroline Degenaars | Director | 1 | — |
| Allison Barrientos | Director | 1 | — |
| David Mancera | Chairman | 1 | — |
| Theodore Ewing | Vice Chair | 1 | — |
| Laura Smith | Director | 1 | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Nancy Buck Ransom Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission is to help young people achieve their full potential by funding youth-serving programs that enable youth and families to flourish and prosper. NBRF partners with organizations that reduce barriers to success and support the development of children and youth. The foundation prioritizes funding in the following areas: • Advocacy & Policy Reform • Emotional Development • Family/Caregiver Support & Education • Opportunities to Belong • Opportunities for Skill Building • Sec…
How do I apply for a grant from Nancy Buck Ransom Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** In 2023, the foundation made 86 grants totaling approximately $1.45 million. Notable grants included $1.1 million in operating support to Crivitz Youth, Inc., and $30,000 each to Special Kids Connect and The Read to Me Project. **Application Process:** • Applications are accepted twice annually on the third Friday in February and August • Spring Cycle deadline: February 20, 2026 • Fall Cycle deadline: August 21, 2026 • All applications must be received by 5 p.m. on the deadl…
Where does Nancy Buck Ransom Foundation make grants?
The foundation funds youth-serving programs in two primary geographic areas: **Crivitz, Wisconsin:** The original focus area where Nancy Buck Ransom and her mother, Constance Buck, founded Crivitz Youth, Inc. in 1971. The foundation provides substantial annual grants to support CYI's operations. **Monterey County, California:** Nancy Buck Ransom spent the last 40 years of her life in Monterey County. The foundation supports youth programs and may also fund significant youth-oriented projects of…
What size grants does Nancy Buck Ransom Foundation award?
In 2024, Nancy Buck Ransom Foundation awarded 31 grants totaling $1.5M — an average of about $49K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Nancy Buck Ransom Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Nancy Buck Ransom Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.1M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Nancy Buck Ransom Foundation's EIN?
Nancy Buck Ransom Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 94-2601172. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Nancy Buck Ransom 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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