Retirement Research Foundation
The Retirement Research Foundation (RRF), also known as RRF Foundation for Aging, is a private foundation based in Chicago, Illinois. Founded in 1978 with an endowment from the late John D. MacArthur, RRF is one of the nation's largest funders devoted exclusively to improving the quality of life for older adults. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and has been tax-exempt since September 1976.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$146.5M
+4.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$7.8M
+17.4% YoY
Grant Count
256
+10.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$31K
+6.0% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Retirement Research Foundation reported a distributable amount of $6.9M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
RRF is devoted exclusively to improving the quality of life for the nation's older adults, especially those who are vulnerable due to advanced age, economic disadvantage, or disparity related to race and ethnicity. The foundation fulfills its mission through grantmaking programs that support innovative advocacy, direct service, professional education and training, and research projects benefiting older Americans.
Priority Areas
RRF has established the following priority areas for grantmaking:
- Reducing ageism toward older adults and challenging age bias
- Ensuring that care partners for older people are recognized and supported through system-level approaches
- Valuing the dignity of older people through efforts that ensure and protect their economic security and well-being
- Promoting efforts that make housing affordable and enable older people to remain living in the community safely and with dignity
- Strengthening social bonds through efforts that promote meaningful connections
- Improving management and governance of organizations in Illinois
Grantmaking
RRF offers multiple grant types:
Grant Range
s and Activity
Review Cycle
(common exceptions include proposals submitted by separate departments of large universities)
Grant Types
How to Apply
- A Letter of Inquiry (LOI) is required as a prerequisite for consideration of funding
Ready to take the next step with Retirement Research Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
- National focus for most grant programs
- Illinois-only focus for Direct Service grants
- Grant recipients are concentrated in Illinois
- Primary funding areas include Illinois, New York, and District of Columbia
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets and Revenue
- Total Assets: $146.5 million (2024)
- Total Assets: $141 million (2023)
- Annual Revenue: $27.1 million - $28.1 million
- Total Revenues: $15.5 million (2024)
- Total Expenses: $14.3 million (2024)
- Total Liabilities: $2.63 million (2023)
Historical Growth
- Total assets have grown from $118.9 million in 2011 to $146.5 million in 2024
- Annual giving has decreased from $6.6 million in 2020 to $2.3 million in 2023
- Grantmaking activity was highest in 2022 with $8.3 million distributed
Grant Distribution History
- The foundation has made 236 grants totaling $21.6 million (based on available records)
- Individual grants have ranged from $150 to $8.1 million
- The foundation has supported 175 unique organizations
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $146,522,542 | $140,682,488 | $133,517,021 |
| Revenue | $15,539,039 | $4,402,075 | $1,342,271 |
| Expenses | $14,349,974 | $10,042,050 | $10,591,600 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $9,776,322 | $8,510,879 | $10,350,231 |
| Net Investment Income | $11,371,580 | $953,103 | $520,084 |
| Distributable Amount | $6,928,192 | $6,751,274 | $7,094,821 |
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
106 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
7 open opportunities from Retirement Research Foundation
Direct Service Grants
RETIREMENT RESEARCH FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Knowledge Sharing & Awareness Raising Grants
RETIREMENT RESEARCH FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Organizational Capacity Building Grants - Standard OCB Grants
RETIREMENT RESEARCH FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Grantmakers in Aging ($132,500), Foundation for Social Connection ($124,593), Amalgamated Charitable Foundation ($100,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AGEOPTIONS INC OAK PARK, IL | A THREE-YEAR GRANT PROVIDING GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT FOR AVISERY, THE LEAD RESOURCE FOR PROVIDERS, ADVOCATES, AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS ON HEALTHCARE COVERAGE FOR ILLINOIS OLDER ADULTS, PARTICULARLY LOW-INCOME, MARGINALIZED POPULATIONS. | $50,000 |
| AGEOPTIONS INC OAK PARK, IL | A THREE-YEAR GRANT PROVIDING GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT FOR AVISERY, THE LEAD RESOURCE FOR PROVIDERS, ADVOCATES, AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS ON HEALTHCARE COVERAGE FOR ILLINOIS OLDER ADULTS, PARTICULARLY LOW-INCOME, MARGINALIZED POPULATIONS. | $50,000 |
| AGEOPTIONS INC OAK PARK, IL | A SECOND-YEAR GRANT TO CONTINUE ADVOCACY EFFORTS FOR INCREASED RESOURCES AND SUPPORTS FOR FAMILY CAREGIVERS THROUGHOUT ILLINOIS. | $46,750 |
| AGEOPTIONS INC OAK PARK, IL | A SECOND-YEAR GRANT TO CONTINUE ADVOCACY EFFORTS FOR INCREASED RESOURCES AND SUPPORTS FOR FAMILY CAREGIVERS THROUGHOUT ILLINOIS. | $46,750 |
| AIDS FOUNDATION OF CHICAGO CHICAGO, IL | A ONE-YEAR GRANT IN SUPPORT OF PRIDE ACTION TANK'S EFFORTS TO ENGAGE LGBTQ+ OLDER ADULTS THROUGH ADVOCACY, STORYTELLING, AND POLICY IMPLEMENTATION TO ADDRESS DISPARITIES AND PROMOTE INCLUSION. | $37,173 |
| AIDS FOUNDATION OF CHICAGO CHICAGO, IL | A ONE-YEAR GRANT IN SUPPORT OF PRIDE ACTION TANK'S EFFORTS TO ENGAGE LGBTQ+ OLDER ADULTS THROUGH ADVOCACY, STORYTELLING, AND POLICY IMPLEMENTATION TO ADDRESS DISPARITIES AND PROMOTE INCLUSION. | $37,172 |
| AMALGAMATED CHARITABLE FOUNDATION WASHINGTON, DC | AN 18-MONTH GRANT TO STRENGTHEN TENANT ORGANIZING THROUGH SUPPORT OF A NATIONAL HOUSING JUSTICE CAMPAIGN THAT WILL BENEFIT OLDER RENTERS. | $62,500 |
| AMALGAMATED CHARITABLE FOUNDATION WASHINGTON, DC | AN 18-MONTH GRANT TO STRENGTHEN TENANT ORGANIZING THROUGH SUPPORT OF A NATIONAL HOUSING JUSTICE CAMPAIGN THAT WILL BENEFIT OLDER RENTERS. | $62,500 |
| AMALGAMATED CHARITABLE FOUNDATION WASHINGTON, DC | AN 18-MONTH GRANT TO CONTINUE SUCCESSFUL EFFORTS TO STRENGTHEN TENANT ORGANIZING THROUGH SUPPORT OF A FEDERAL AND STATE HOUSING JUSTICE CAMPAIGN LED BY OLDER TENANTS. | $100,000 |
| AMERICAN SOCIETY ON AGING SAN FRANCISCO, CA | A ONE-YEAR GRANT TO CONTINUE SUPPORTING THE GROWING MOMENTUM OF THE ASA RISE PROGRAM, WHICH TRAINS AND MENTORS BIPOC RISING LEADERS IN THE FIELD OF AGING ON PRINCIPLES OF ADVOCACY, SOCIAL JUSTICE, AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT. | $50,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Mary O'Donnell: President (since 2020)
- The foundation is governed by 12 officers and trustees
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOHN BOUMAN | TRUSTEE | 6 | $20,000 |
| RUTH ANN WATKINS | CHAIRPERSON | 9 | $32,500 |
| MICHAEL J STARSHAK | SECRETARY | 6 | $26,000 |
| DOWNEY R VAREY | TREASURER | 6 | $26,000 |
| MARY O'DONNELL | PRESIDENT | 40 | $249,944 |
| ANTHONY PERRY | TRUSTEE | 6 | $20,000 |
| KATHLEEN W KOLODGY | TRUSTEE | 6 | $21,500 |
| THOMAS D KUCZMARSKI | TRUSTEE | 6 | $20,000 |
| ADRIENNE MIMS | TRUSTEE | 6 | $20,000 |
| MICHELLE SADDLER | TRUSTEE | 6 | $20,000 |
| ROBYN GOLDEN-V | TRUSTEE | 6 | $20,000 |
Contact Information
Address: 8765 W. Higgins Road, Suite 430, Chicago, IL 60631-4170
Phone: 773-714-8080
Fax: 773-714-8089
Email: info@rrf.org
Website: www.rrf.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Retirement Research Foundation fund?
RRF is devoted exclusively to improving the quality of life for the nation's older adults, especially those who are vulnerable due to advanced age, economic disadvantage, or disparity related to race and ethnicity. The foundation fulfills its mission through grantmaking programs that support innovative advocacy, direct service, professional education and training, and research projects benefiting older Americans. RRF has established the following priority areas for grantmaking: • Reducing ageis…
How do I apply for a grant from Retirement Research Foundation?
RRF offers multiple grant types: • **Advocacy Grants** (National): $50,000 - $375,000 to support efforts that advance policy and systems change benefiting older adults • **Direct Service Grants**: Support direct service programs • **Professional Education & Training Grants**: Fund professional education and training initiatives • **Research Grants**: Support applied research projects with immediate and direct implications for adults age 60 and older • **Organizational Capacity Building Grants**…
Where does Retirement Research Foundation make grants?
• **National focus** for most grant programs • **Illinois-only focus** for Direct Service grants • Grant recipients are concentrated in Illinois • Primary funding areas include Illinois, New York, and District of Columbia
What size grants does Retirement Research Foundation award?
In 2024, Retirement Research Foundation awarded 256 grants totaling $7.8M — an average of about $31K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Retirement Research Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Retirement Research Foundation reported a distributable amount of $6.9M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Retirement Research Foundation's EIN?
Retirement Research Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-2429540. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
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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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