RK Mellon Family Foundation
RK Mellon Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Ligonier, Pennsylvania. In 2024, it made 211 grants totaling $2,692,500, supporting organizations that include hospitals, arts and cultural institutions, educational organizations, a library, and a community art center.
RK Mellon Family Foundation at a glance
In short: RK Mellon Family Foundation gave $2.7M across 211 grants in 2024 (avg $13K), top state Pennsylvania. 30% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,692,500
- -2.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 211
- -1.4% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $12,761
- -1.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $37,163,864
- +4.1% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 30% first-time grantees (44 of 147, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (36% 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 RK Mellon Family Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation accepts applications throughout the year and does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Proposals should include a completed application form; a two-page executive summary describing the sponsoring organization, proposed project, and problem addressed; board or trustee names and affiliations; project purpose, objectives, population served, budget, timetable, and other support; a current operating budget; audited financial statements for the most recent year; and the latest IRS determination letter showing tax-exempt status under sections 501(c)(3) and 509(a). The foundation does not consider requests on behalf of individuals or from outside the United States. Applicants must be charitable tax-exempt organizations with a valid IRS tax ID number or government entities. It typically does not consider requests for grants to conduit organizations that pass funds to other organizations.
- Review Cycle
- Applications are accepted throughout the year.
- Deadline
- Applications are accepted throughout the year.
- Contact
Application contact: Rk Mellon Family Foundation
Mailing address: PO Box 690, Ligonier, PA 15658-0690
Phone: (724) 238-5269
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who RK Mellon Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Loyalhanna Association ($141K across 3 grants). Together the top 10 received $897K.
Grant Size Distribution
948 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 915 grants of 948 (97%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, Pennsylvania accounted for 36% of grant dollars, followed by New York at 16%, Massachusetts at 9%, Maryland at 5%, and Virginia at 4%. The listed grants also include recipients in Michigan and Ohio.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 211 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is RK Mellon Family Foundation open to new grantees?
30%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 44 of 147 grantees (30%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $10K; repeat grants $22K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $11K repeat.
- 66% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+8%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 100% 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 $2.1M (2020) to $2.8M (2023). In 2024 it made 211 grants totaling $2.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Loyalhanna Association Ligonier, PA | Operations | $130,000 |
| National Gallery of Art Landover, MD | Operations & Photography Initi | $100,000 |
| Westmoreland Museum of Art Greensburg, PA | Operations | $62,500 |
| Cape Cod Healthcare Inc Hyannis, MA | Operations at Falmouth Hospita | $50,000 |
| Cape Cod Healthcare Inc Hyannis, MA | Operations at Falmouth Hospita | $50,000 |
| Eastern Long Island Hospital Foundation Greenport, NY | Trauma Training | $50,000 |
| Latrobe Area Hospital Charitable Foundation Latrobe, PA | Operations at Latrobe Hospital | $50,000 |
| Hillsdale College Independence Foundation Hillsdale, MI | Operations & Sports Program | $40,000 |
| Skidmore College Saratoga Springs, NY | Endowment and Faculty Support | $30,000 |
| Passion Works Athens, OH | Operations | $30,000 |
Ready to take the next step with RK Mellon Family Foundation?
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 | $37,163,864 | $4,759,128 | $3,536,432 | $2,692,500 | 211 | $3,092,545 | $4,179,088 | $3,090,484 |
| 2023 | $35,706,514 | $3,438,969 | $3,201,786 | $2,762,072 | 214 | $3,145,387 | $2,434,981 | $2,861,791 |
| 2022 | $35,721,466 | $1,205,287 | $3,572,080 | $2,631,087 | 208 | $3,006,416 | $1,425,251 | $2,934,376 |
| 2021 | $37,959,701 | $4,872,495 | $3,201,457 | $2,497,552 | 155 | $2,860,428 | $7,927,436 | $3,151,719 |
| 2020 | $36,310,500 | $5,887,627 | $2,813,385 | $2,122,900 | 160 | — | $5,184,757 | $2,444,881 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, RK Mellon Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.1M 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
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included operating support for hospitals, museums, a church, and other organizations, as well as support for trauma training, an endowment and faculty support, and a sports program.
Grantees describe a range of work. The National Gallery of Art says it welcomes people to explore and experience art, creativity, and shared humanity. Passion Works describes itself as a collaborative community art center where people of all abilities work and thrive through creativity and connection. Skidmore College describes its work as educating undergraduates and preparing them to be informed, responsible citizens. These are grantee descriptions, not stated focus areas of the foundation.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 211 grants totaling $2,692,500. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $130,000, with a median of $10,000.
Among the largest reported grants were $130,000 to Loyalhanna Association for operations; $100,000 to the National Gallery of Art for operations and a photography initiative; and $62,500 to Westmoreland Museum of Art for operations. Other grants included $50,000 to Eastern Long Island Hospital Foundation for trauma training, $50,000 to Latrobe Area Hospital Charitable Foundation for hospital operations, and two $50,000 grants to Cape Cod Healthcare for operations at Falmouth Hospital. Skidmore College, Passion Works, St Michael’s of the Valley Episcopal Church, and Woods Hole Public Library each received $30,000.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Richard A. Mellon as trustee, chairman, and CEO; Catharine Mellon Cathey as trustee and president; Sam Reiman as trustee and director; Douglas L. Sisson as trustee, vice president, and treasurer; Edward J. Morgan as trustee and assistant treasurer; Paul A. Hannah as trustee and controller; Brian J. Hill as secretary; and Alison M. Byers, W. Russell G. Byers Jr., and Bruce King Mellon Henderson as trustees.
RK Mellon Family Foundation is led by Richard A. Mellon, Trustee, Chairman & CEO on every filing since 2020; 3 of 12 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Richard A. Mellon
Trustee, Chairman & CEO
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Catharine Mellon Cathey
Trustee & President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Douglas L. Sisson
Trustee, Vice President & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$55K (2020) → $71K (2024)
Paul A. Hannah
Trustee & Controller
Trustee & Secretary → Tr & Secretary Cntrllr, 2023
Tr & Secretary Cntrllr → Trustee & Controller, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$26K (2020) → $42K (2024)
Sam Reiman
Trustee & Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$30K (2020) → $45K (2024)
Armour N. Mellon
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bruce King Mellon Henderson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Constance Elizabeth Mellon Kapp
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
W. Russell G. Byers Jr.
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alison M. Byers Psyd
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Edward J. Morgan
Trustee & Assistant Treasurer
Assistant Treasurer → Trustee & Assistant Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brian J. Hill
Secretary
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (5)
- Former: John J. Turcik (2020–2023) — Trustee & Controller
- Former: Lawrence S. Busch (2020–2022) — Trustee & Assistant Treasurer
- Former: Alison M. Byers (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Scott D. Izzo (2020) — Trustee & Special Project Director
- Former: Seward Prosser Mellon (2020) — Trustee
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 $71K, to Douglas L Sisson (Trustee/VP/Treasurer). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about RK Mellon Family Foundation
How much does RK Mellon Family Foundation give each year?
RK Mellon Family Foundation gave $2.7M across 211 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $2.8M across 214 grants.
What is RK Mellon Family Foundation's typical grant size?
RK Mellon Family Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $12,761, across 211 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from RK Mellon Family Foundation that year got $10K on average.
Where does RK Mellon Family Foundation give grants?
RK Mellon Family Foundation's top state is Pennsylvania, with 36% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were New York (16%) and Massachusetts (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were Ligonier, PA (33 grants), New York, NY (9 grants), Pittsburgh, PA (9 grants) and Greensburg, PA (6 grants).
Does RK Mellon Family Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 1% of RK Mellon Family Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (2 of 211) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Operations" (155 grants) and "Operations at Latrobe Hospital" (3 grants).
Who are RK Mellon Family Foundation's largest grantees?
RK Mellon Family Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Loyalhanna Association ($141,000 across 3 grants), St Michael's of the Valley Episcopal Church ($127,500 across 8 grants) and National Gallery of Art ($120,000 across 2 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 14% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is RK Mellon Family Foundation?
RK Mellon Family Foundation reported $37.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $3.1M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $3.1M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does RK Mellon Family Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included operating support for hospitals, museums, a church, and other organizations, as well as support for trauma training, an endowment and faculty support, and a sports program. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from RK Mellon Family Foundation?
The foundation accepts applications throughout the year and does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is RK Mellon Family Foundation's EIN?
RK Mellon Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 25-1356145. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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). RK Mellon Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 21, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/rk-mellon-family-foundation-morg_fba51b781ab04b4ebc98d2e19fcab042
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_251356145_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{RK Mellon Family Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/rk-mellon-family-foundation-morg_fba51b781ab04b4ebc98d2e19fcab042},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-21. 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 RK Mellon Family 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.
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