Reader's Digest Foundation
Reader's Digest Foundation is a private foundation based in New York, NY. Its 2024 filing reports that its board voted to discontinue all programs and dissolve the foundation; it filed a certificate of dissolution on December 30, 2024, which was approved by the New York State Office of the Attorney General.
Reader's Digest Foundation at a glance
In short: Reader's Digest Foundation gave $2.2M across 26 grants in 2024 (avg $84K), mostly in California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,186,545
- +514.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 26
- -23.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $84,098
- +703.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $240
- Primary geography
- California (95% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Reader's Digest Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Contact
Mailing address: 485 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10017
Phone: (914) 238-1000
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Reader's Digest Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was United Through Reading ($2.1M). Together the top 10 received $2.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
75 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 69 grants of 75 (92%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 95% of grant dollars went to recipients in California and 5% to recipients in New York. The filing lists shares for North Carolina, Wisconsin, and Washington as 0% each.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 26 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Reader's Digest Foundation gives
- 31% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 182% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $356K (2023) to $2.2M (2024). In 2024 it made 26 grants totaling $2.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| United Through Reading San Diego, CA | General Operating Support | $2,066,100 |
| New York Historical Society New York, NY | General Operating Support | $100,000 |
| From the Heart Productions Oxnard, CA | General Operating Support | $5,000 |
| Planned Parenthood South Atlantic Raleigh, NC | General Operating Support | $5,000 |
| Hollywood Schoolhouse Inc Los Angeles, CA | General Operating Support | $2,000 |
| Off Assignment Inc New York, NY | General Operating Support | $2,000 |
| Children's Aid Society - Wagon Road Camp Chappaqua, NY | General Operating Support | $1,055 |
| Business Council for Peace Inc (Bpeace) Winston-Salem, NC | General Operating Support | $1,025 |
| Mequon-Thiensville School District West Milwaukee, WI | General Operating Support | $1,000 |
| Tattered Paws and Golden Hearts Rescue Bellingham, WA | General Operating Support | $970 |
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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 | — | $554,882 | $2,313,152 | $2,186,545 | 26 | $2,260,411 | $554,712 | $85,814 |
| 2023 | $2,126,108 | $176,955 | $414,638 | $355,838 | 34 | $400,438 | $174,555 | $109,084 |
| 2022 | $2,253,500 | $223,372 | $584,139 | $529,159 | 4 | $562,052 | $220,972 | $134,239 |
| 2021 | $3,322,592 | $462,637 | $843,517 | $776,525 | 6 | $828,090 | $460,237 | $168,767 |
| 2020 | $3,790,703 | $461,131 | $862,813 | $808,900 | 5 | — | $453,731 | $190,412 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Reader's Digest Foundation reported a distributable amount of $86K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants went to organizations with varied missions. United Through Reading describes its work as strengthening military families’ literacy, emotional bonds, and well-being through reading together. New York Historical Society says it collects, preserves, and interprets materials relevant to U.S. and New York history. From the Heart Productions says it helps independent filmmakers create and complete films through fiscal sponsorship, grants, education, mentorship, and community support.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 26 grants totaling $2,186,545. Grant amounts ranged from $25 to $2,066,100, with a median of $240. The largest grant was $2,066,100 to United Through Reading for general operating support. Other notable grants included $100,000 to New York Historical Society, $5,000 each to From the Heart Productions and Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, and $2,000 to Hollywood Schoolhouse Inc.; each was listed for general operating support.
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Its 2024 filing also states that it began settling liabilities, including distributions to its major grantee and distribution of remaining assets, as part of its dissolution.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Bonnie S. Kintzer as chairwoman; Paul L. Gillow as president, with the filing noting “TERM ENDED 12624”; Leigh Truett as secretary; Maria Morganti as treasurer; and Jason Buhrmester and Jen Tyrrell as directors.
Reader's Digest Foundation is led by Bonnie S. Kintzer, Chairwoman since 2021 (on filings since 2020); 1 of 5 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Bonnie S. Kintzer
Chairwoman
Chairman → Chairwoman, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jen Tyrrell
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jason Buhrmester
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Leigh Truett
Secretary
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$4K (2020) → $3K (2024)
Maria Morganti
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Paul L. Gillow (2020–2024) — President · Filing note: Term ended 12624
- Former: Bruce Kelly (2020) — Director
- Former: Ronak Patel (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $18K, to Paul L Gillow Term Ended 12624 (President). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Reader's Digest Foundation
How much does Reader's Digest Foundation give each year?
Reader's Digest Foundation gave $2.2M across 26 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $356K across 34 grants.
What is Reader's Digest Foundation's typical grant size?
Reader's Digest Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $240, and its average grant was $84,098, across 26 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Reader's Digest Foundation give grants?
Reader's Digest Foundation gives mostly in California: 95% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (3 grants).
Does Reader's Digest Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Reader's Digest Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (26 of 26) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Reader's Digest Foundation's largest grantees?
Reader's Digest Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include United Through Reading ($2,066,100), New York Historical Society ($100,000) and From the Heart Productions ($5,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 99% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
What does Reader's Digest Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants went to organizations with varied missions. United Through Reading describes its work as strengthening military families’ literacy, emotional bonds, and well-being through reading together. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Reader's Digest Foundation?
Reader's Digest Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals, according to Grantable's research on its published guidelines.
How much is Reader's Digest Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Reader's Digest Foundation reported a distributable amount of $86K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Reader's Digest Foundation's EIN?
Reader's Digest Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-6120380. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Reader's Digest 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 September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Reader's Digest Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/reader-s-digest-foundation-morg_04c68be5317f4495a545242e879fd59c
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_136120380_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Reader's Digest Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/reader-s-digest-foundation-morg_04c68be5317f4495a545242e879fd59c},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. 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 Reader's Digest 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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