Richard Nelson Ryan Foundation

Private foundation · Grantmaker New York, NY EIN: 13-6161617
EducationEnvironmentDomesticated animalsHuman servicesYouth development

The Richard Nelson Ryan Foundation is a private foundation based in New York, New York. Its 2025 filing reports grants to charitable organizations, including support for scholarships and contributions to organizations working in areas such as nature conservation, women’s well-being, and parks.

Richard Nelson Ryan Foundation at a glance

In short: Richard Nelson Ryan Foundation gave $107K across 10 grants in 2025 (avg $11K), top state Washington. 20% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

Annual giving (2025)
$106,500
+6.5% vs 2024
Grants made (2025)
10
+0.0% vs 2024
Average grant
$10,650
+6.5% vs 2024
Median grant
$8,750
Total assets
$163,828
+16.5% vs 2024
New grantees (estimate)
20% first-time grantees (2 of 10, 2025; small sample)
Primary geography
Washington (23% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).

How to apply to Richard Nelson 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: 787 Seventh Ave 4444, New York, NY 10019-6099
Phone: (212) 728-8723

Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Who Richard Nelson Ryan Foundation funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2025

SMU (Southern Methodist University): $25KSMU (Southern MethodistUniversity)$25KApda American Parkinson's Disease Assoc: $20KApda American Parkinson'sDisease Assoc$20KEden II Genesis Foundation: $16KEden II Genesis Foundation$16KWorld Wildlife Fund Inc: $10KWorld Wildlife Fund Inc$10KBoys & Girls Club of America: $9KBoys & Girls Club of America$9KWomen for Women International: $9KWomen for Women International$9KLife Wire: $5KLife Wire$5KSeattle Parks Foundation: $5KSeattle Parks Foundation$5KOscar Strong Foundation: $5KOscar Strong Foundation$5KChoate Rosemary Hall: $3KChoate Rosemary Hall$3K

The largest 2025 recipient was SMU (Southern Methodist University) ($25K). Together the top 10 received $107K.

Grant Size Distribution

53 grants across all recorded years

53<$50K$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 53 grants of 53 (100%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The 2025 grants went to recipients in multiple states. The reported shares of grant dollars were 23% each to Washington and Texas, 20% to New York, 18% to the District of Columbia, and 11% to Connecticut.

Grant Distribution by State

9states

Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 10 itemized grants.

Cities

SeattleWashingtonSouthamptonStaten IslandStamfordSan FranciscoBellevueDallasNew YorkNorwalkBlairstownLake Worth BeachMerrifieldNew CanaanTampaWallingfordWest Palm Beach

Is Richard Nelson Ryan Foundation open to new grantees?

20%

first-time grantees, 2025

In 2025, 2 of 10 grantees (20%) were first-time recipients. With only 10 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 10 points. First grants averaged $4K; repeat grants $12K. How we count

Medians: $4K first-time, $9K repeat.

  • 80% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
  • Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−7%). Method
  • In 2025 it paid out 119% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method

Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). 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

$0$50K$100K$150K10 grants2020 11 grants2021 13 grants2022 9 grants2023 10 grants2024 10 grants2025

From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $100K (2024) to $114K (2022). In 2025 it made 10 grants totaling $107K.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
SMU (Southern Methodist University) Dallas, TXScholarships$25,000
Apda American Parkinson's Disease Assoc Seattle, WAContribution$20,000
Eden II Genesis Foundation Staten Island, NYContribution$16,000
World Wildlife Fund Inc Washington, DCContribution$10,000
Boys & Girls Club of America Stamford, CTContribution$8,750
Women for Women International Washington, DCContribution$8,750
Life Wire New York, NYContribution$5,000
Seattle Parks Foundation Seattle, WAContribution$5,000
Oscar Strong Foundation Lake Worth Beach, FLContribution$5,000
Choate Rosemary Hall Wallingford, CTContribution$3,000
Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with Richard Nelson Ryan Foundation?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsQualifying DistributionsNet Investment IncomeDistributable Amount
2025$163,828$130,108$110,435$106,50010$110,435$130,108$93,123
2024$140,627$82,306$104,632$100,00010$104,632$82,306$89,889
2023$162,279$114,103$107,015$102,3919$107,015$114,103$89,376
2022$155,191$112,740$118,456$114,35613$118,266$112,740$98,314
2021$160,907$100,478$114,285$109,52711$114,285$100,079$95,498
2020$174,714$120,761$113,455$110,04910—$120,761$88,011

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Richard Nelson Ryan Foundation reported a distributable amount of $93K for 2025 — 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 foundation mission statement is provided. Its 2025 grants included $25,000 to Southern Methodist University for scholarships and contributions to organizations with varied missions. For example, the World Wildlife Fund describes its mission as conserving nature and reducing threats to the diversity of life on Earth. Women for Women International says it supports marginalized women in conflict-affected countries, including to improve their economic circumstances, health, and well-being. The Seattle Parks Foundation describes its mission as partnering with community to champion thriving and equitable parks and public spaces.

Grantmaking

In 2025, the foundation reported 10 grants totaling $106,500. Grant amounts ranged from $3,000 to $25,000, with a median of $8,750. Its largest grants included $25,000 to Southern Methodist University for scholarships; $20,000 to the American Parkinson’s Disease Association; $16,000 to Eden II Genesis Foundation; and $10,000 to the World Wildlife Fund. Other 2025 recipients included Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Women for Women International, each receiving $8,750.

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2025 filing lists Hope R Garrett as president and treasurer, Hope Farnell Belles as vice-president, David McCabe as secretary and assistant treasurer, and Richard Ryan Plum as director.

Richard Nelson Ryan Foundation is led by Hope R. Garrett, President & Treasurer on every filing since 2020; none of the 4 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • Hope R. Garrett

    President & Treasurer

    On filings since 2020

    5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Richard Ryan Plum

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • David McCabe

    Secretary & Assistant Treasurer

    Secretary & Ass't Treasurer → Secretary & Assistant Treasurer, 2024

    On filings since 2020

    5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Hope Farnell Belles

    Vice President

    On filings since 2020

    5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 Richard Nelson Ryan Foundation

How much does Richard Nelson Ryan Foundation give each year?

Richard Nelson Ryan Foundation gave $107K across 10 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $100K across 10 grants.

What is Richard Nelson Ryan Foundation's typical grant size?

Richard Nelson Ryan Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $8,750, and its average grant was $10,650, across 10 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Richard Nelson Ryan Foundation that year got $4K on average.

Where does Richard Nelson Ryan Foundation give grants?

Richard Nelson Ryan Foundation's top state is Washington, with 23% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Texas (23%) and New York (20%). The most frequent recipient cities were Seattle, WA (2 grants) and Washington, DC (2 grants).

Does Richard Nelson Ryan Foundation give general operating support?

Not in 2025: none of the 10 grants with a stated purpose on Richard Nelson Ryan Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Contribution" (9 grants).

Who are Richard Nelson Ryan Foundation's largest grantees?

Richard Nelson Ryan Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include SMU (Southern Methodist University) ($25,000), Apda American Parkinson's Disease Assoc ($20,000) and Eden II Genesis Foundation ($16,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 57% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.

How large is Richard Nelson Ryan Foundation?

Richard Nelson Ryan Foundation reported $164K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $110K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $93K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).

What does Richard Nelson Ryan Foundation fund?

No foundation mission statement is provided. Its 2025 grants included $25,000 to Southern Methodist University for scholarships and contributions to organizations with varied missions. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from Richard Nelson 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 Richard Nelson Ryan Foundation's EIN?

Richard Nelson Ryan Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-6161617. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.

Does Richard Nelson 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 September 2026.

Data update history

(6)

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS January 10, 2022)
  2. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS March 18, 2022)
  3. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS April 15, 2023)
  4. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 3, 2024)
  5. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 14, 2025)
  6. Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 14, 2026)

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in Richard Nelson Ryan Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Funders that support many of the same organizations

The Chicago Community Trust

Chicago, IL

The Chicago Community Trust funds eligible nonprofits working to narrow the wealth gap and meet urgent needs, with priorities including economic mobility, education, jobs, homeownership, and community development in metropolitan Chicago and Cook County. Its 2025 grants had a median of $26,500, though amounts varied widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Assets

$7.1B

Grants

4,316

Total Given

$1.2B

The New York Community Trust

New York, NY

The New York Community Trust funds nonprofit programs in areas such as arts, education, health, the environment, workforce development, and youth development, including projects that improve services, build organizational capacity, or advance policy and systems change. Its competitive grants mainly serve New York City, Long Island, and Westchester, with some national and international environmental funding; the 2024 median grant was $20,000. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Assets

$3.5B

Grants

2,748

Total Given

$193.8M

The Oregon Community Foundation

Portland, OR

The Oregon Community Foundation funds Oregon nonprofits and community-serving projects across education, health, arts and culture, housing, economic and community vitality, and the environment. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000, with awards ranging from about $5,000 to nearly $8 million; applications are accepted through specific grant programs and cycles, but the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$3.3B

Grants

2,149

Total Given

$171.4M

The Ford Foundation

New York, NY

The Ford Foundation funds organizations and initiatives working to reduce inequality and advance social justice, including work on civic engagement, civil rights, climate justice, disability rights, and technology and society. In 2024, its grants ranged from $45 to $15 million, with a median of $100,000, supporting work in the U.S. and internationally. It says most grants are identified by the foundation and it does not accept unsolicited proposals by mail, email, or phone; limited opportunities may be offered separately.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$17.5B

Grants

4,007

Total Given

$844.7M

The Simons Foundation Inc

New York, NY

The Simons Foundation funds research and public engagement in mathematics and the physical, life, autism, and neuroscience sciences. In 2024, it made 1,727 grants, with a median award of $72,000 and amounts ranging from $1,480 to $20 million, supporting organizations in the U.S. and internationally. It states that it funds only preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$4.5B

Grants

1,727

Total Given

$272.0M

Seattle Foundation

Seattle, WA

Seattle Foundation supports community-led solutions, racial and economic equity, policy and systems change, and a broad range of community needs through donor-recommended and foundation-directed grants. Its 2024 median grant was $6,000, and its giving primarily serves Greater Seattle and Washington, with some grants made nationally and internationally.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$1.4B

Grants

5,379

Total Given

$177.9M

More Funders in New York

Cite this profile

Grantable. (2026). Richard Nelson Ryan Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/richard-nelson-ryan-foundation-morg_06bbec08c529480da19d9e4e0c119dff

BibTeX
@misc{grantable_136161617_2026,
  author       = {{Grantable}},
  title        = {{Richard Nelson Ryan Foundation funder profile}},
  howpublished = {GrantGraph},
  year         = {2026},
  url          = {https://grantable.co/funders/richard-nelson-ryan-foundation-morg_06bbec08c529480da19d9e4e0c119dff},
  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 Richard Nelson 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.

Richard Nelson Ryan Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?