Ritter Family Foundation
The Ritter Family Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation based in Ridgefield, Connecticut. Established in 1997, it operates as a placed-based philanthropic organization with a focus on improving outcomes for children and families in under-resourced communities.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$664K
-58.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.7M
+6.9% YoY
Grant Count
25
+8.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$69K
-1.6% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation believes every child has the right to a quality education and social, emotional, and physical support and learning, regardless of zip code. The organization invests in and partners with organizations working to improve opportunity, access, and quality of services for children and families in under-resourced communities.
Primary funding focus areas include:
- Education
- Children and Youth
- Community Development
- Health and Well Being
- Early Childhood (special interest area)
The foundation supports community-based systems solutions and operates through a philosophy of place, partnership, leverage, and impact.
Grantmaking
Grant Range
Up to $285,000
Average Grant
amount: $69,000
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Ritter Family Foundation makes philanthropic investments primarily in:
- Norwalk, Connecticut (9 grants)
- Bridgeport, Connecticut (2 grants)
The foundation also funds organizations in other Connecticut communities including Hartford, New Britain, New Haven, Danbury, and Cos Cob, with occasional grants to organizations in Oakland, California and Denver, Colorado.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $664,077
- Total Revenues: $1,034,278
- Total Expenses: $1,987,664
- Number of Employees: 1
Historical Context:
- 2023 Total Assets: $1,620,000
- 2023 Total Expenses: $1,870,000
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $664,077 | $1,617,463 | $3,398,652 |
| Revenue | $1,034,278 | $92,853 | $-2,097,329 |
| Expenses | $1,987,664 | $1,874,042 | $2,610,152 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,725,460 | $1,613,851 | $2,291,367 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,033,751 | $83,847 | — |
| Distributable Amount | $80,603 | $171,862 | $303,424 |
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
131 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board and Staff:
- Bruce Ritter — President
- Diane Ritter — Vice President/Secretary
- Tom Reynolds — Treasurer
- Kathryn Repen — Executive Director
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIANE RITTER | VICE PRESIDENT/SECRETARY | — | — |
| KATHRYN REPEN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $201,002 |
| BRUCE RITTER | PRESIDENT | — | — |
| TOM REYNOLDS | TREASURER | — | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has been active in supporting educational initiatives, including inaugural scholarship programs. Recent grantmaking reflects continued commitment to education and youth development across Connecticut and select national organizations focused on early childhood and family support services.
NYITCOM at A-State\u2019s Grubb Receives Inaugural Ritter Family Foundation...Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
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NEW BRITAIN, CT
Assets
$767K
Grants
7
Total Given
$36K
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Assets
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Total Given
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Alderman Family Foundation
SALISBURY, CT
Assets
$33K
Grants
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Total Given
$650
Calf Island Foundation
GREENWICH, CT
Assets
$172K
Grants
1
Total Given
$10K
Russel R Taylor Foundation
GREENWICH, CT
Assets
$2.6M
Grants
3
Total Given
$224K
Nancy a Larson Foundation Inc
OLD LYME, CT
Assets
$9K
Grants
8
Total Given
$12K
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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