Robert S Morrison Foundation
The Robert S. Morrison Foundation is a private foundation established in 1973 and based in Ashtabula, Ohio. The foundation works to improve the lives of people in the Ashtabula area through strategic philanthropic contributions that reflect the values and vision of its founder, Robert S. Morrison.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$11.8M
-0.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$580K
-17.9% YoY
Grant Count
36
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$16K
-17.9% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Robert S Morrison Foundation reported a distributable amount of $903K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to improve the lives of people in the Ashtabula area. Its contributions reflect the values of its founder and strive to be productive and relate to community betterment.
Primary funding areas include:
- Education
- Transportation
- Animal welfare
- Recreation
- Health
- Social services
- Hunger and homelessness
- Community and economic development
- Civic affairs
- Arts and culture
The foundation's philosophy emphasizes contributions to enduring, community-based institutions that have permanence and encourage production within their environments. The foundation also aims to serve as an example to encourage others to help in good causes.
Grantmaking
The foundation has two application tracks based on grant amount:
Grant Range
s:** Typical awards range from $500 to $155,000.
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation focuses exclusively on the Ashtabula area in Ohio.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $11,041,213
- Revenue: $792,385
- Expenses: $934,119
- Net Income: -$141,734
- Total Liabilities: $747,000
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $11,827,038
- Total Revenue: $761,382
- Total Expenses: $1,768,300
- Total Giving: $705,488
Tax Status: The foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization, tax-exempt since March 1973. EIN: 23-7246162.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $11,788,193 | $11,827,038 | $12,025,463 |
| Revenue | $792,385 | $761,382 | $1,169,629 |
| Expenses | $934,119 | $1,768,300 | $1,948,966 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $750,568 | $873,211 | $852,091 |
| Net Investment Income | $728,676 | $703,742 | $1,106,129 |
| Distributable Amount | $902,529 | $799,740 | $807,267 |
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
171 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Ashtabula County Medical Center Foundation ($150,000), Ashtabula County Airport Authority ($50,000), Ashtabula County Animal Protective Leauge ($36,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AFTER SCHOOL DISCOVERY ASHTABULA, OH | GENERAL PURPOSE | $20,000 |
| ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION INDEPENDENCE, OH | GENERAL PURPOSE | $5,000 |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS NE OHIO CLEVELAND, OH | GENERAL PURPOSE | $10,000 |
| ASHTABULA AREA CITY SCHOOLS ASHTABULA, OH | GENERAL PURPOSE | $13,090 |
| ASHTABULA ARTS CENTER FOUNDATION ASHTABULA, OH | GENERAL PURPOSE | $10,000 |
| ASHTABULA ARTS CENTER ASHTABULA, OH | GENERAL PURPOSE | $25,000 |
| ASHTABULA COUNTY AIRPORT AUTHORITY JEFFERSON, OH | GENERAL PURPOSE | $50,000 |
| ASHTABULA COUNTY ANIMAL PROTECTIVE LEAUGE ASHTABULA, OH | GENERAL PURPOSE | $36,000 |
| ASHTABULA COUNTY COVERED BRIDGE FESTIVAL JEFFERSON, OH | GENERAL PURPOSE | $3,000 |
| ASHTABULA COUNTY DISTRICT LIBRARY FOUNDATION ASHTABULA, OH | GENERAL PURPOSE | $25,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation maintains a small group of trustees who represent a variety of professions and business interests in the Ashtabula community. It was the founder's wish that the foundation function as an independently operating entity.
The foundation has one employee on staff.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LOUISE M RAFFA | CO-PRESIDENT | 30 | $82,500 |
| ALEC J RAFFA | CO-PRESIDENT | 2 | — |
| THOMAS M RAFFA | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| ROBERT M RAFFA | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| RICHARD ROWLEY | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| RICHARD G COBLITZ | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**October 2024:** Ashtabula County students participated in the first drone class at Lakeside High School, supported by the foundation.
Patient Care Tower Donors - Ashtabula County Medical Center**September 2024:** Saybrook Township hosted a dedication ceremony for a water rescue boat donated with foundation support.
**December 2023:** The Robert S. Morrison Foundation awarded a $1 million grant to Ashtabula County Medical Center.
Robert S. Morrison Foundation awards $1 million grant to ARMCFrequently Asked Questions
What does Robert S Morrison Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission is to improve the lives of people in the Ashtabula area. Its contributions reflect the values of its founder and strive to be productive and relate to community betterment. Primary funding areas include: • Education • Transportation • Animal welfare • Recreation • Health • Social services • Hunger and homelessness • Community and economic development • Civic affairs • Arts and culture The foundation's philosophy emphasizes contributions to enduring, community-based inst…
How do I apply for a grant from Robert S Morrison Foundation?
**Grant Sizes:** Typical awards range from $500 to $155,000. **Types of Support:** • General support • Project support • Building funds • Equipment **Application Process:** The foundation has two application tracks based on grant amount: • **Under $5,000:** Applicants download the "Under $5,000" application form • **$5,000 and above:** Applicants download the "Above $5,000" application form All applications must include: • Acknowledgement Release form • Release Form • Sponsor Recommendation form
Where does Robert S Morrison Foundation make grants?
The foundation focuses exclusively on the Ashtabula area in Ohio.
What size grants does Robert S Morrison Foundation award?
In 2024, Robert S Morrison Foundation awarded 36 grants totaling $580K — an average of about $16K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Robert S Morrison Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Robert S Morrison Foundation reported a distributable amount of $903K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Robert S Morrison Foundation's EIN?
Robert S Morrison Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7246162. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Robert S Morrison Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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