RJS Foundation Inc
RJS Foundation Inc. is a private foundation based in Indianapolis, Indiana. Founded in 2015 by Robert and Cynthia Scannell, it works with nonprofit partners on community, housing, and educational needs, particularly in communities with marginalized populations.
RJS Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: RJS Foundation Inc gave $2.5M across 14 grants in 2024 (avg $178K), mostly in Indiana. 50% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,495,665
- +103.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 14
- +55.6% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $178,262
- +31.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $3,178
- Total assets
- $6,898,735
- +6.0% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 50% first-time grantees (7 of 14, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Indiana (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to RJS Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Invitation Only
-
The foundation describes its grants as invitation-only and does not accept unsolicited requests. Its website invites organizations to submit a brief introduction, while its 2024 filing says interested organizations should submit a letter of inquiry online or by email. The website notes that an introduction does not guarantee a funding invitation and that the foundation may only respond if the request aligns with its work. The filing lists no restrictions on awards.
- Contact
Application contact: Jennifer Dozert
Mailing address: 8801 River Crossing Blvd Suite 300, Indianapolis, IN 46240
Phone: (317) 418-8759
Email: jen@rjsfoundation.org
Website: HTTPS://WWW.RJSFOUNDATION.ORG/
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from RJS Foundation Inc
Who RJS Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Family Promise of Hendricks County Inc ($2.4M). Together the top 10 received $2.5M.
Grant Size Distribution
50 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 41 grants of 50 (82%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation describes work in Indiana and around the world. Its Indiana initiatives include the Butterfly Houses in Westfield and Plainfield. Its stated international initiatives include support through Agape Interfaith Ministries in India, Nicaragua Resource Network in Nicaragua, and World Vision in Ghana. The 2024 grants listed include recipients in Indiana and Kansas.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 14 itemized grants.
Cities
Is RJS Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
50%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 7 of 14 grantees (50%) were first-time recipients. With only 14 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. First grants averaged $348K; repeat grants $9K. How we count
Medians: $2K first-time, $5K repeat.
- 50% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 172% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 866% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 $761K (2022) to $2.5M (2024). In 2024 it made 14 grants totaling $2.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Family Promise of Hendricks County Inc Plainfield, IN | Providing Transitional Housing - Scannell Lane Project | $2,414,418 |
| Agape Therapeutic Riding Resources Inc Cicero, IN | To Support Building Campaign | $26,950 |
| Nicaragua Resource Network Inc (DBA NRN) Westfield, IN | General Operating Fund | $21,153 |
| Agape Interfaith Ministries International Inc (Aim) Ottawa, KS | Helping to Cover Medical Costs | $10,354 |
| Brookside Community Development Corporation Indianapolis, IN | Supporting the Re-Entry Program | $6,000 |
| The O'Connor House Carmel, IN | Provide christian home to help homeless, single, pregnant women improve life for themselves and their children. | $5,000 |
| Mephibosheth Ministries Inc Cicero, IN | General Operating Fund | $3,595 |
| Shepherd Community Inc Indianapolis, IN | General Operating Fund | $2,760 |
| Brightlane Learning Corp Indianapolis, IN | Helping Educate Homeless Children | $1,564 |
| 91 Place Inc Indianapolis, IN | General Operating Fund | $1,500 |
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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 | $6,898,735 | $2,886,947 | $2,826,625 | $2,495,665 | 14 | $2,634,532 | $234,000 | $304,218 |
| 2023 | $6,506,773 | $1,880,960 | $1,463,168 | $1,224,051 | 9 | $1,443,281 | $427,250 | $291,137 |
| 2022 | $6,088,981 | $5,976,813 | $1,015,221 | $761,435 | 9 | $885,991 | — | $15,905 |
| 2021 | $1,127,389 | $1,718,476 | $1,126,306 | $916,095 | 11 | $1,116,557 | — | $5,004 |
| 2020 | $537,219 | $799,102 | $1,069,311 | $823,882 | 7 | — | — | — |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, RJS Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $304K 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
The foundation’s mission is to “pave pathways for progress, ignite potential, and foster growth in communities globally” by addressing critical community, housing, and educational needs, particularly for marginalized populations.
Its 2024 grants show support for housing and homelessness services, education, community development, and other needs. For example, Family Promise of Hendricks County describes its work as providing housing, stability services, and homelessness prevention for families in Hendricks County. Brookside CDC says it provides reentry and housing services to people affected by the justice system, homelessness, and addiction. Brightlane Learning describes its work as providing tutoring and academic support to students affected by homelessness and housing instability.
The foundation also reports supporting its Butterfly Houses, which provide supportive housing and resources for single mothers and their children. It says the Plainfield facility can house up to six families, while its Westfield home pairs residents with mentors and provides structured support toward independent living.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 14 grants totaling $2,495,665. Individual grants ranged from $100 to $2,414,418, with a median grant of $3,178. The largest award was $2,414,418 to Family Promise of Hendricks County for transitional housing through the Scannell Lane project. Other notable grants included $26,950 to Agape Therapeutic Riding Resources for a building campaign, $21,153 to Nicaragua Resource Network for general operating support, and $6,000 to Brookside Community Development Corporation for its reentry program.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Patricia Cynthia Scannell as executive director; Robert J Scannell as president and chairman; Douglas L Snyder as vice chairman; James C Carlino as secretary; Dave Johnson as treasurer; and Nadine Dyer as member at large.
RJS Foundation Inc is led by Patricia Cynthia Scannell, Executive Director on every filing since 2021; 1 of 6 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Patricia Cynthia Scannell
Executive Director
On filings since 2021
28 hrs/week
$92K (2021) → $115K (2024)
Robert J. Scannell
President & Chairman
President & Director → President, 2021
President → President & Chairman, 2022
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Douglas L. Snyder
Vice Chairman
Treasurer & Director → Vice President, 2021
Vice President → Vice Chairman, 2022
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James C. Carlino
Secretary
Secretary & Director → Secretary, 2021
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dave Johnson
Treasurer
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nadine Dyer
Member at Large
On filings since 2023
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Patricia C. Murdock (2020) — Executive 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 $115K, to Patricia Cynthia Scannell (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about RJS Foundation Inc
How much does RJS Foundation Inc give each year?
RJS Foundation Inc gave $2.5M across 14 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.2M across 9 grants.
What is RJS Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
RJS Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $3,178, and its average grant was $178,262, across 14 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from RJS Foundation Inc that year got $348K on average.
Where does RJS Foundation Inc give grants?
RJS Foundation Inc gives mostly in Indiana: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Indianapolis, IN (4 grants), Cicero, IN (2 grants), Westfield, IN (2 grants) and Carmel, IN (2 grants).
Does RJS Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 29% of RJS Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (4 of 14) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are RJS Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
RJS Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Family Promise of Hendricks County Inc ($2,414,418), Agape Therapeutic Riding Resources Inc ($26,950) and Nicaragua Resource Network Inc (DBA NRN) ($21,153), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 99% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is RJS Foundation Inc?
RJS Foundation Inc reported $6.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.6M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $304K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does RJS Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s mission is to “pave pathways for progress, ignite potential, and foster growth in communities globally” by addressing critical community, housing, and educational needs, particularly for marginalized populations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from RJS Foundation Inc?
The foundation describes its grants as invitation-only and does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is RJS Foundation Inc's EIN?
RJS Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-5044065. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does RJS Foundation Inc 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). RJS Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/rjs-foundation-inc-morg_cfdad2d9e3fe4c57894afb52095c5faa
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_475044065_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{RJS Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/rjs-foundation-inc-morg_cfdad2d9e3fe4c57894afb52095c5faa},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. 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 RJS Foundation Inc'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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