Ross Stores Foundation
Ross Stores Foundation is a private foundation based in Dublin, California. Its philanthropic focus is supporting young people through programs that advance academic achievement and life skills, particularly in communities where Ross operates.
Key facts about Ross Stores Foundation
In short: Ross Stores Foundation gave $4.2M across 140 grants in 2026 (avg $30K), top state Georgia. 40% of 2026 grantees were new. Source: 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 46-3828645
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2026
- Annual giving (2026)
- $4,226,636
- Grants made (2026)
- 140
- Average grant
- $30,190
- Median grant
- $8,617
- New grantees (estimate)
- 40% first-time grantees (56 of 140, 2026)
- Total assets
- $10,205,026
- Primary geography
- Georgia (38% of itemized 2026 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- For the Regional Giving Program, eligible organizations register and submit a Letter of Inquiry through Ross’s online portal; only selected organizations are invited to submit a full proposal. Full details ↓
- Deadline
- The 2026 Regional Giving Letter of Inquiry periods were February 16–March 6 and July 6–24; both have passed.
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2026; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2026 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$10.2M
+12.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$4.2M
+4.0% YoY
Grant Count
140
+22.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$30K
-15.3% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Ross Stores Foundation reported a distributable amount of $464K for 2026 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is Ross Stores Foundation open to new grantees?
40%
first-time grantees, 2026
In 2026, 56 of 140 grantees (40%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $13K; repeat grants $42K. How we count
Medians: $3K first-time, $13K repeat.
- 52% of 2026 grantees were also funded in 2025. Method
- Giving grew 29% from 2023 to 2026. Method
- In 2026 it paid out 915% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2026). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s stated mission is to prepare today’s youth for a bright tomorrow. Its grantmaking and partnerships support youth literacy, STEM education, mentoring, leadership development, and college and career readiness. Ross’s Regional Giving Program describes its focus as building competence, confidence, and character in young people facing socioeconomic challenges.
The Foundation’s 2026 grants included national and local youth-serving organizations. Boys & Girls Clubs of America describes its work as providing safe spaces, mentors, meals, and programs supporting academic success and leadership. First Book says it works to expand children’s access to quality education. Boys & Girls Clubs of the Peninsula describes its mission as connecting youth with social, academic, and career opportunities. Other 2026 grantees included Scientific Adventures, whose stated mission is to remove barriers to girls’ participation in STEM, and Resource Area for Teaching, which says it aims to inspire joy through hands-on learning.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2026, the Foundation reported 140 grants totaling $4,226,636. Grant amounts ranged from $151 to $1,603,333, with a median of $8,616. Its largest listed grant was $1,603,333 to Boys & Girls Clubs of America for a youth program. Other large grants included $366,700 to First Book for a youth program, $210,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs of the Peninsula for a youth program, and $153,558 to American Online Giving Foundation for matching gifts.
Ross’s Regional Giving Program invites eligible organizations to request one-year grants of $10,000, $20,000, or $30,000, for either general operations and overhead or specific programs. The program uses a two-stage process: organizations submit a Letter of Inquiry through the online portal, and selected applicants are invited to submit a full proposal. Eligible applicants include federal tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations, schools, and government programs serving designated communities and aligned with the program’s youth-focused mission. Organizations that received a Regional Giving grant within the past 12 months are generally ineligible, and organizations awarded grants three consecutive years must wait out one full grant-cycle year before applying again.
Ross’s Store-Based Giving Program provides gift cards, usually valued at $300–$500, to eligible organizations for school or professional clothing and accessories for socioeconomically disadvantaged youth. Applicants must meet the program’s eligibility requirements, including serving a community within 25 miles of a Ross Dress for Less or dd’s DISCOUNTS store.
Review Cycle
The 2026 Regional Giving Letter of Inquiry periods were February 16–March 6 and July 6–24; both have passed. The third period is September 28–October 16, 2026.
How to Apply
For the Regional Giving Program, eligible organizations register and submit a Letter of Inquiry through Ross’s online portal; only selected organizations are invited to submit a full proposal. Store-Based Giving applications are accepted during established application cycles.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Ross Stores Foundation
Ready to take the next step with Ross Stores Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation supports organizations in communities where Ross operates. In filing year 2026, Georgia accounted for 38% of grant dollars, California 37%, the District of Columbia 9%, Florida 4%, and New York 3%.
For its 2026 Regional Giving Program, Ross identified eligible areas including the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles Area in California; Avondale, Buckeye, Goodyear, and West Phoenix in Arizona; Carlisle, Pennsylvania; Rock Hill and Fort Mill, South Carolina; and Sealy, Brookshire, Greater Katy Area, and West Houston in Texas.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2026 grant dollars across all 140 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2026, annual grant giving ranged from $1.6M (2024) to $4.4M (2021). In 2026 it made 140 grants totaling $4.2M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2026
The largest 2026 recipient was Boys & Girls Clubs of America ($1.6M). Together the top 10 received $2.6M.
Grant Size Distribution
645 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 613 grants of 645 (95%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Boys & Girls Clubs of America Atlanta, GA | Youth Program | $1,603,333 |
| First Book Washington, DC | Youth Program | $366,700 |
| Boys & Girls Club of the Peninsula Menlo Park, CA | Youth Program | $210,000 |
| American Online Giving Foundation Inc Clearwater, FL | Matching Gifts | $153,558 |
| Golden State Community Foundation San Francisco, CA | Youth Program | $100,000 |
| Educational Alliance New York, NY | Youth Program | $60,000 |
| Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country Kerrville, TX | Disaster Response | $50,000 |
| All Peoples Community Center Los Angeles, CA | Youth Program | $30,000 |
| Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation New York, NY | Youth Program | $30,000 |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star Houston, TX | Youth Program | $30,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $10,205,026 | $5,354,993 | $3,699,830 | $4,226,636 |
| 2025 | $9,107,527 | $4,774,449 | $6,930,604 | $4,063,242 |
| 2024 | $9,424,942 | $4,559,672 | $2,148,446 | $1,625,612 |
| Metric | 2026 | 2025 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $10,205,026 | $9,107,527 | $9,424,942 |
| Revenue | $5,354,993 | $4,774,449 | $4,559,672 |
| Expenses | $3,699,830 | $6,930,604 | $2,148,446 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $4,250,186 | $5,081,957 | $2,977,011 |
| Net Investment Income | $353,152 | $372,541 | $307,846 |
| Distributable Amount | $464,367 | $394,956 | $327,476 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2026 (received by the IRS June 3, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2026 filing lists Michael Hartshorn as director, president, and chairman; William W. Sheehan as director and treasurer; Kelly West as director and secretary beginning September 2025; and Adam Orvos as director and secretary through September 2025.
Ross Stores Foundation is led by Michael Hartshorn, Director, President & Chm on every filing since 2021; none of the 4 officers listed in 2026 report compensation.
Officers on the 2026 filing
Michael Hartshorn
Director, President & Chm
On filings since 2021
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Adam Orvos
Director & Secretary
Director → Director & Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2023
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
William W. Sheehan
Director & Treasurer
On filings since 2024
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kelly West
Director & Secretary
New on the 2026 filing
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: John Call (2021–2025) — Director & Secretary
- Former: Bill Sheehan (2022–2023) — Director & Treasurer
- Former: Kristin Wolfe (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Travis Marquette (2021–2022) — Director & Treasurer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2026. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Contact
Application contact: Ross Stores Foundation
Mailing address: 5130 Hacienda Drive, Dublin, CA 94568
Phone: (925) 965-4400
Website: https://corp.rossstores.com
Frequently asked questions about Ross Stores Foundation
How much does Ross Stores Foundation give each year?
Ross Stores Foundation gave $4.2M across 140 grants in 2026, according to its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2025 it gave $4.1M across 114 grants.
What is Ross Stores Foundation's typical grant size?
Ross Stores Foundation's median grant in 2026 was $8,617, and its average grant was $30,190, across 140 grants on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Ross Stores Foundation that year got $13K on average.
Where does Ross Stores Foundation give grants?
Ross Stores Foundation's top state is Georgia, with 38% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were California (37%) and District of Columbia (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were San Francisco, CA (15 grants), Oakland, CA (10 grants), Los Angeles, CA (9 grants) and New York, NY (5 grants).
Does Ross Stores Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2026: none of the 140 grants with a stated purpose on Ross Stores Foundation's 2026 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Youth Program" (136 grants).
Who are Ross Stores Foundation's largest grantees?
Ross Stores Foundation's largest 2026 grantees include Boys & Girls Clubs of America ($1,603,333), First Book ($366,700) and Boys & Girls Club of the Peninsula ($210,000), according to its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 52% of its itemized 2026 grant dollars.
How large is Ross Stores Foundation?
Ross Stores Foundation reported $10.2M in total assets on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $4.3M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $464K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Ross Stores Foundation fund?
The Foundation’s stated mission is to prepare today’s youth for a bright tomorrow. Its grantmaking and partnerships support youth literacy, STEM education, mentoring, leadership development, and college and career readiness. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Ross Stores Foundation?
For the Regional Giving Program, eligible organizations register and submit a Letter of Inquiry through Ross’s online portal; only selected organizations are invited to submit a full proposal. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Ross Stores Foundation's EIN?
Ross Stores Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-3828645. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2026.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
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