Patrick G and Shirley W Ryan Foundation
The Patrick G and Shirley W Ryan Foundation is a private foundation based in Chicago, Illinois. Northwestern University has described the Ryan family’s philanthropy as spanning scientific research, faculty support, academic programs, student access and success, performing arts, and athletics, with Northwestern University as a major beneficiary. The family’s $480 million gift to Northwestern in 2021 was the largest in the university’s history.
Patrick G and Shirley W Ryan Foundation at a glance
In short: Patrick G and Shirley W Ryan Foundation gave $12.9M across 89 grants in 2024 (avg $145K), mostly in Illinois. 12% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $12,904,112
- +87.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 89
- -8.2% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $144,990
- +104.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $108,819,579
- +38.8% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 12% first-time grantees (11 of 89, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (91% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Patrick G and Shirley W Ryan Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 150 N Michigan Ave 2100, Chicago, IL 60601-7559
Phone: (312) 893-6600
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Patrick G and Shirley W Ryan Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Shirley Ryan Abilitylab ($5.5M). Together the top 10 received $10.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
471 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 300 grants of 471 (64%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 91% of grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois. The remaining shares went to Virginia (3%), Pennsylvania (2%), Florida (1%), and Wisconsin (1%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 89 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Patrick G and Shirley W Ryan Foundation open to new grantees?
12%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 11 of 89 grantees (12%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $36K; repeat grants $160K. How we count
Medians: $25K first-time, $25K repeat.
- 69% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+7%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 406% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $6.9M (2023) to $12.9M (2024). In 2024 it made 89 grants totaling $12.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Shirley Ryan Abilitylab Chicago, IL | Charitable for High Quality Care | $5,542,949 |
| Big Shoulders Fund Chicago, IL | General Charitable Operations | $1,200,000 |
| Rise Opportunity Foundation Chicago, IL | General Charitable Operations | $1,000,000 |
| Accelerate Institute Chicago, IL | General Charitable Operations | $775,000 |
| Pathways Foundation Chicago, IL | General Charitable Operations | $469,163 |
| Lyric Opera of Chicago Chicago, IL | Magnificent Art Form Continuation | $450,000 |
| Friends of Notre-Dame De Paris Inc Philadelphia, PA | General Charitable Operations | $255,000 |
| Navy Seal Foundation Virginia Beach, VA | General Charitable Operations | $250,000 |
| Alain Locke Charter School Chicago, IL | General Charitable Operations | $150,000 |
| The John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Arlington, VA | General Charitable Operations | $125,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $108,819,579 | $33,921,054 | $13,097,930 | $12,904,112 | 89 | $12,937,021 | $3,315,766 | $3,182,605 |
| 2023 | $78,384,236 | $2,520,307 | $7,118,072 | $6,879,873 | 97 | $6,944,893 | $974,081 | $2,709,370 |
| 2022 | $69,160,066 | $-1,136,554 | $10,301,945 | $9,978,834 | 93 | $10,142,174 | $370,969 | $3,041,631 |
| 2021 | $85,937,406 | $43,526,457 | $12,174,125 | $12,088,087 | 93 | $12,114,817 | $1,025,079 | $2,305,165 |
| 2020 | $41,514,306 | $10,676,514 | $10,602,908 | $10,466,250 | 99 | — | $614,031 | $1,777,788 |
| 2019 | $36,293,800 | $10,437,861 | $7,389,162 | $7,265,500 | 105 | — | $690,569 | $1,549,029 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Patrick G and Shirley W Ryan Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.2M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Northwestern University has described the family’s support for biomedical research, including digital medicine and neuroscience initiatives; applied microeconomics research; business education programs; and the redevelopment of Ryan Field. It also describes broader philanthropic investments in scientific research, faculty support, academic programs, student access and success, performing arts, and athletics at Northwestern University.
The 2024 grantees illustrate additional kinds of organizations supported. Big Shoulders Fund says it supports underserved schools providing quality, values-based education for Chicago children. Accelerate Institute says it works to close the achievement gap by developing school leaders who accelerate student achievement. Lyric Opera of Chicago describes its work as providing cultural service and advancing opera, while the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association says it enriches, inspires, and transforms lives through music, community engagement, and education. Navy SEAL Foundation says it supports warriors, veterans, and families of Naval Special Warfare.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 89 grants totaling $12,904,112. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $5,542,949, with a median grant of $25,000. The largest awards included $5,542,949 to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab for “charitable for high quality care,” $1,200,000 to Big Shoulders Fund for general charitable operations, $1,000,000 to Rise Opportunity Foundation for general charitable operations, and $775,000 to Accelerate Institute for general charitable operations. Other notable awards were $450,000 to Lyric Opera of Chicago and $250,000 to Navy SEAL Foundation.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Shirley W Ryan as president, treasurer, and director; Patrick G Ryan as chairman, vice president, and director; and Mary Ignell as secretary and director. Patrick G Ryan Jr, Robert JW Ryan, and Corbett MW Ryan are also listed as directors.
Patrick G and Shirley W Ryan Foundation is led by Shirley W. Ryan, President, Treasurer & Director since 2024 (on filings since 2019); none of the 6 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Shirley W. Ryan
President, Treasurer & Director
President & Treasurer → President, Treasurer & Director, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Patrick G. Ryan
Chairman, Vice President & Director
Chairman & Vice President → Chairman, Vice President & Director, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Corbett Mw Ryan
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mary Ignell
Secretary & Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Patrick G. Ryan Jr.
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert Jw Ryan
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "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 Patrick G and Shirley W Ryan Foundation
How much does Patrick G and Shirley W Ryan Foundation give each year?
Patrick G and Shirley W Ryan Foundation gave $12.9M across 89 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $6.9M across 97 grants.
What is Patrick G and Shirley W Ryan Foundation's typical grant size?
Patrick G and Shirley W Ryan Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $25,000, and its average grant was $144,990, across 89 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Patrick G and Shirley W Ryan Foundation that year got $36K on average.
Where does Patrick G and Shirley W Ryan Foundation give grants?
Patrick G and Shirley W Ryan Foundation gives mostly in Illinois: 91% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (51 grants), New York, NY (4 grants), Hobe Sound, FL (3 grants) and Evanston, IL (3 grants).
Does Patrick G and Shirley W Ryan Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 82% of Patrick G and Shirley W Ryan Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (73 of 89) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Support Catholic Faith" (9 grants).
Who are Patrick G and Shirley W Ryan Foundation's largest grantees?
Patrick G and Shirley W Ryan Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Shirley Ryan Abilitylab ($5,542,949), Big Shoulders Fund ($1,200,000) and Rise Opportunity Foundation ($1,000,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 60% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Patrick G and Shirley W Ryan Foundation?
Patrick G and Shirley W Ryan Foundation reported $108.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $12.9M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $3.2M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Patrick G and Shirley W Ryan Foundation fund?
Northwestern University has described the family’s support for biomedical research, including digital medicine and neuroscience initiatives; applied microeconomics research; business education programs; and the redevelopment of Ryan Field. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Patrick G and Shirley W Ryan Foundation?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Patrick G and Shirley W Ryan Foundation's EIN?
Patrick G and Shirley W Ryan Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3305162. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Does Patrick G and Shirley W Ryan Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS July 6, 2020)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Patrick G and Shirley W Ryan Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 23, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/patrick-g-and-shirley-w-ryan-foundation-morg_f4f58213e8d74128a38b64a4a47e7626
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_363305162_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Patrick G and Shirley W Ryan Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/patrick-g-and-shirley-w-ryan-foundation-morg_f4f58213e8d74128a38b64a4a47e7626},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-23. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Patrick G and Shirley W Ryan 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.
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