Richard J and Georgiann L Ames Family
The Richard J and Georgiann L Ames Family is a private foundation based in Jordan, Minnesota. It supports cancer-related work and initiatives promoting the Arabian horse, including grants for cancer care, Arabian-horse activities, and horse lesson programs.
Key facts about Richard J and Georgiann L Ames Family
In short: Richard J and Georgiann L Ames Family gave $176K across 18 grants in 2024 (avg $10K), mostly in California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 92-1574782
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $176,100
- Grants made (2024)
- 18
- Average grant
- $9,783
- Median grant
- $1,000
- Total assets
- $137,072
- Primary geography
- California (57% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- The filing says applications are submitted through the foundation’s website during an application window, with deadlines noted on the website. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$137K
+9.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$176K
-13.0% YoY
Grant Count
18
+157.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$10K
-66.2% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Richard J and Georgiann L Ames Family reported a distributable amount of $7K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
How Richard J and Georgiann L Ames Family gives
- In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s website says it seeks to honor the legacy of Dick and Lollie Ames by supporting families, education, community well-being, and the heritage of the Arabian horse. It also identifies cancer research and transforming cancer care as priorities.
Its 2024 grants included $100,000 to City of Hope for cancer charity care. City of Hope describes its mission as making hope a reality for people touched by cancer and diabetes. Other grants supported Arabian-horse organizations: the Arabian Western Pleasure Association says it works to foster relationships among professionals, amateurs, and breeders and promote Arabian and Half-Arabian western pleasure horses; the Arabian Horse Promotional Fund says it helps people outside the equestrian community become more familiar with Arabian horses; and The Horsemen’s Distress Fund says it helps members of the Arabian horse community facing unexpected catastrophic situations.
The foundation’s website also describes a Lesson Program Incentive intended to help develop new and existing Arabian-horse lesson programs, including support for startup costs, events, and equine maintenance.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 18 grants totaling $176,100. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $100,000, with a median grant of $1,000. The largest awards were $100,000 to City of Hope for cancer charity care, $25,000 to the Arabian English Performance Association for an Arabian English performance futurity class, and $25,000 to the Arabian Western Pleasure Association for an Arabian western sale. Other notable awards included $6,600 to the Arabian Horse Association of Arizona for class sponsorship and $6,000 to the Arabian Horse Promotional Fund for general support. Several $1,000 awards supported feed-package scholarships.
How to Apply
The filing says applications are submitted through the foundation’s website during an application window, with deadlines noted on the website. It lists Lara Ames as the application contact. The filing states that awards are restricted to payments for food, veterinary, or farrier costs.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 grants went to recipients in several states. By grant dollars, California received 57%, New York 15%, Texas 14%, Connecticut 5%, and Arizona 4%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 18 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2023 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $176K (2024) to $202K (2023). In 2024 it made 18 grants totaling $176K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 6 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was City of Hope ($100K). Together the top 6 received $164K.
Organizations only. It also paid 12 individual scholarships ($12,500), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
25 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 22 grants of 25 (88%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| City of Hope Duarte, CA | Cancer Charity Care | $100,000 |
| Arabian English Performance Association East Aurora, NY | Ames Foundation Arabian English Performance Futurity Class | $25,000 |
| Arabian Western Pleasure Association Mansfield, TX | Arabian Western Sale | $25,000 |
| Arabian Horse Association of Arizona Scottsdale, AZ | Class Sponsorship | $6,600 |
| Arabian Horse Promotional Fund Inc Bridgewater, CT | General Support | $6,000 |
| 12 individual scholarships Recipients not named | — | $12,500 |
| The Horsemen's Distress Fund Bridgewater, CT | Regionals | $1,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants | Grant count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $137,072 | $756,854 | $750,234 | $176,100 | 18 |
| 2023 | $125,009 | $795,004 | $669,995 | $202,450 | 7 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $137,072 | $125,009 |
| Revenue | $756,854 | $795,004 |
| Expenses | $750,234 | $669,995 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $466,084 | $373,882 |
| Distributable Amount | $6,698 | $9,443 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2023–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Lara Ames as president and treasurer and Sara Thomas as secretary.
Richard J and Georgiann L Ames Family is led by Lara Ames, President & Treasurer since 2024 (on filings since 2023); none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Lara Ames
President & Treasurer
President → President & Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sara Thomas
Secretary
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Georgiann Ames (2023) — Director
- Former: Paul Dinzeo (2023) — Treasurer & Secretary
- Former: Todd Churchill (2023) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2023–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Contact
Application contact: Lara Ames
Mailing address: 20335 Sawmill Road PO Box 8, Jordan, MN 55352
Phone: (612) 210-1592
Website: https://rjglamesfamilyfoundation.org
Frequently asked questions about Richard J and Georgiann L Ames Family
How much does Richard J and Georgiann L Ames Family give each year?
Richard J and Georgiann L Ames Family gave $176K across 18 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $202K across 7 grants.
What is Richard J and Georgiann L Ames Family's typical grant size?
Richard J and Georgiann L Ames Family's median grant in 2024 was $1,000, and its average grant was $9,783, across 18 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Richard J and Georgiann L Ames Family give grants?
Richard J and Georgiann L Ames Family gives mostly in California: 57% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were New York (15%) and Texas (14%). The most frequent recipient cities were Bridgewater, CT (2 grants).
Does Richard J and Georgiann L Ames Family give general operating support?
Occasionally: 6% of Richard J and Georgiann L Ames Family's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 18) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Feed Package Scholarship" (6 grants) and "Veterinary Package Scholarship" (4 grants).
Who are Richard J and Georgiann L Ames Family's largest grantees?
Richard J and Georgiann L Ames Family's largest 2024 grantees include City of Hope ($100,000), Arabian English Performance Association ($25,000) and Arabian Western Pleasure Association ($25,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 12 individual scholarships ($12,500), which are not listed by name. Together they received 85% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Richard J and Georgiann L Ames Family?
Richard J and Georgiann L Ames Family reported $137K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $466K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $7K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Richard J and Georgiann L Ames Family fund?
The foundation’s website says it seeks to honor the legacy of Dick and Lollie Ames by supporting families, education, community well-being, and the heritage of the Arabian horse. It also identifies cancer research and transforming cancer care as priorities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Richard J and Georgiann L Ames Family?
The filing says applications are submitted through the foundation’s website during an application window, with deadlines noted on the website. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Richard J and Georgiann L Ames Family's EIN?
Richard J and Georgiann L Ames Family's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 92-1574782. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2023–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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