Ruggles Family Foundation

Private foundation · Grantmaker Garden City, NY EIN: 26-6381931

The Ruggles Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Garden City, New York. Its 2025 filing reports grants to charitable organizations, including organizations working in youth services, education, science, health, and the arts.

Ruggles Family Foundation at a glance

In short: Ruggles Family Foundation gave $2.4M across 94 grants in 2025 (avg $26K), top state Massachusetts. 12% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

Annual giving (2025)
$2,444,700
-8.2% vs 2024
Grants made (2025)
94
-12.1% vs 2024
Average grant
$26,007
+4.5% vs 2024
Median grant
$10,000
Total assets
$35,963,199
+20.9% vs 2024
New grantees (estimate)
12% first-time grantees (11 of 94, 2025)
Primary geography
Massachusetts (40% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).

How to apply to Ruggles Family Foundation

Accepts unsolicited proposals
No
How to Apply

The foundation states on its 2024 filing that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Contact

Mailing address: 1225 Franklin Avenue 500, Garden City, NY 11530
Phone: (516) 508-9623

Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Who Ruggles Family Foundation funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2025

Plummer Youth Promise: $400KPlummer Youth Promise$400KJ Craig Venter Institute: $200KJ Craig Venter Institute$200KRudy Ruggles Jr Family Fund - Bessemer Giving Fund: $200KRudy Ruggles Jr Family Fund -Bessemer Giving Fund$200KThe Mentor Group: $100KThe Mentor Group$100KAct a Contemporary Theatre of CT: $75KAct a Contemporary Theatre ofCT$75KThe Hotchkiss School: $75KThe Hotchkiss School$75KUniversity of Richmond: $75KUniversity of Richmond$75KMassachusetts General Hospital: $60KMassachusetts General Hospital$60KAmerican Physical Society: $50KAmerican Physical Society$50KAmericans for Oxford Inc: $50KAmericans for Oxford Inc$50K

The largest 2025 recipient was Plummer Youth Promise ($400K). Together the top 10 received $1.3M.

Grant Size Distribution

467 grants across all recorded years

413<$50K32$50–100K20$100–250K2$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 413 grants of 467 (88%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

In 2025, Massachusetts accounted for 40% of grant dollars, Maryland 14%, New York 11%, New Jersey 8%, and Connecticut 8%. The foundation also reported grants to organizations in other states, including Virginia and Maine.

Grant Distribution by State

20states

Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 94 itemized grants.

Cities

BostonNew YorkBozemanRidgefieldArlingtonWashingtonBeverlyLawrenceSalemHoldernessDanburyCambridgeEvanstonDanversLincolnBaltimoreBoulderConcordEwestonLynn

Is Ruggles Family Foundation open to new grantees?

12%

first-time grantees, 2025

In 2025, 11 of 94 grantees (12%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $36K; repeat grants $25K. How we count

Medians: $10K first-time, $10K repeat.

  • 84% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
  • Giving grew 26% from 2022 to 2025. Method
  • In 2025 it paid out 133% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method

Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2025). 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

$0$1M$2M$3M91 grants2021 100 grants2022 75 grants2023 107 grants2024 94 grants2025

From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.4M (2023) to $2.7M (2024). In 2025 it made 94 grants totaling $2.4M.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Plummer Youth Promise Salem, MAGeneral Purpose$400,000
J Craig Venter Institute Rockville, MDGeneral Purpose$200,000
Rudy Ruggles Jr Family Fund - Bessemer Giving Fund Woodbridge, NJGeneral Purpose$200,000
The Mentor Group Boston, MAGeneral Purpose$100,000
Act a Contemporary Theatre of CT Ridgefield, CTGeneral Purpose$75,000
The Hotchkiss School Lakeville, CTGeneral Purpose$75,000
University of Richmond Richmond, VAGeneral Purpose$75,000
Massachusetts General Hospital Boston, MAGeneral Purpose$60,000
American Physical Society College Park, MDGeneral Purpose$50,000
Americans for Oxford Inc New York, NYGeneral Purpose$50,000
Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with Ruggles Family Foundation?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsQualifying DistributionsNet Investment IncomeDistributable Amount
2025$35,963,199$9,011,614$2,773,812$2,444,70094$2,486,442$1,895,317$1,864,493
2024$29,753,834$6,813,211$2,872,390$2,661,878107$2,694,172$1,141,640$1,434,177
2023$24,796,387$608,163$1,506,294$1,372,20075$1,390,333$492,202$1,140,790
2022$22,029,538$1,764,628$2,065,348$1,937,100100$1,953,251$1,657,446$1,170,002
2021$18,562,482$413,143$1,762,934$1,726,40091—$393,518$833,379

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Ruggles Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.9M for 2025 — 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 2025 grants show support for a range of organizations. For example, Plummer Youth Promise describes its mission as improving outcomes for young people in or at risk of entering state care by developing permanent family relationships, skills, and community connections. The American Physical Society says it works to advance physics through a vibrant, inclusive, and global community dedicated to science and society. The Hotchkiss School says it seeks to inspire students and cultivate qualities including intellectual excellence, empathy, and responsible citizenship.

Grantmaking

In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 94 grants totaling $2,444,700. Grants ranged from $100 to $400,000, with a median of $10,000. The largest grants included $400,000 to Plummer Youth Promise; $200,000 each to the J. Craig Venter Institute and the Rudy Ruggles Jr Family Fund – Bessemer Giving Fund; and $100,000 to The Mentor Group. Other recipients included ACT A Contemporary Theatre of CT and The Hotchkiss School, each with $75,000; the University of Richmond, with $75,000; and Massachusetts General Hospital, with $60,000.

Other reported 2025 recipients included the Museum of Science, which received $35,000. It describes its mission as inspiring a lifelong love of science and making science and scientific thinking accessible, engaging, and relevant. The New School received $30,000 and says its mission is to prepare students to contribute to a rapidly changing society and help make the world better and more just.

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2025 filing lists Bessemer Trust Company of Florida, Rudy L. Ruggles Jr., Leslie R. Rylee, and Whitney R. Savignano as co-trustees.

Ruggles Family Foundation's 2025 filing lists 4 officers; 1 of 4 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • Bessemer Trust Company Of Florida

    Co-Trustee

    On filings since 2021

    40 hrs/week

    $29K (2021) → $115K (2025)

  • Leslie R. Rylee Co Btfl

    Co-Trustee

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Rudy L. Ruggles Jr Co Btfl

    Co-Trustee

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Whitney R. Savignano Co Btfl

    Co-Trustee

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.

Compensation Overview

From 2025 IRS filing

Bessemer Trust Company of Florida — Co-Trustee: $115KBessemer Trust Company…Co-Trustee$115K

The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $115K, to Bessemer Trust Company of Florida (Co-Trustee).

Frequently asked questions about Ruggles Family Foundation

How much does Ruggles Family Foundation give each year?

Ruggles Family Foundation gave $2.4M across 94 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $2.7M across 107 grants.

What is Ruggles Family Foundation's typical grant size?

Ruggles Family Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $26,007, across 94 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Ruggles Family Foundation that year got $36K on average.

Where does Ruggles Family Foundation give grants?

Ruggles Family Foundation's top state is Massachusetts, with 40% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Maryland (14%) and New York (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were Boston, MA (15 grants), New York, NY (13 grants), Bozeman, MT (7 grants) and Washington, DC (3 grants).

Does Ruggles Family Foundation give general operating support?

Yes: 99% of Ruggles Family Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (93 of 94) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

Who are Ruggles Family Foundation's largest grantees?

Ruggles Family Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Plummer Youth Promise ($400,000), J Craig Venter Institute ($200,000) and Rudy Ruggles Jr Family Fund - Bessemer Giving Fund ($200,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 33% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.

How large is Ruggles Family Foundation?

Ruggles Family Foundation reported $36.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.5M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.9M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).

What does Ruggles Family Foundation fund?

No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants show support for a range of organizations. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from Ruggles Family Foundation?

The foundation states on its 2024 filing that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑

What is Ruggles Family Foundation's EIN?

Ruggles Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-6381931. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.

Does Ruggles Family Foundation 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

  1. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025

Live grants for the work Ruggles Family Foundation funds

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in Ruggles Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Funders that support many of the same organizations

IBM International Foundation

Armonk, NY

The IBM International Foundation funds education and workforce programs that build 21st-century and technology job skills, including initiatives for underserved students and job seekers. Its 2024 grants ranged from $10,000 to $8.48 million, with a median of $100,000, and went to organizations across several U.S. states, especially Delaware and Massachusetts. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets

$357.7M

Grants

16

Total Given

$11.7M

Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation Inc

Princeton, NJ

The Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation supports health access and stronger health systems, with a focus on adult and pediatric cancers, blood disorders, brain health, and clinical-trial participation in the United States, Brazil, India, and ten Sub-Saharan African countries. In 2024, its median grant was about $134,000, though awards varied widely; it does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests, and advises prospective applicants to contact the Foundation about its process.

Assets

$83.3M

Grants

144

Total Given

$67.7M

Synchrony Foundation

Stamford, CT

In 2024, Synchrony Foundation supported charitable organizations across workforce development, education, financial assistance, and giving, with grants ranging from $150 to $2.6 million and a median of $10,000. Its largest shares of grant funding went to Connecticut, New York, and South Carolina, followed by the District of Columbia and New Jersey; it does not accept unsolicited requests and funds preselected organizations only.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$71.5M

Grants

374

Total Given

$21.5M

Boston Foundation Inc

Boston, MA

The Boston Foundation funds nonprofits and community initiatives focused on equity and opportunity, including child well-being, economic opportunity, community wealth, and community leadership, primarily in Greater Boston. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000, while specific programs offer amounts such as $50,000; whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.

Assets

$2.1B

Grants

2,375

Total Given

$228.4M

American Tower Corporation Foundation

Boston, MA

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$15.4M

Grants

632

Total Given

$1.7M

The Chicago Community Trust

Chicago, IL

The Chicago Community Trust funds eligible nonprofits working to narrow the wealth gap and meet urgent needs, with priorities including economic mobility, education, jobs, homeownership, and community development in metropolitan Chicago and Cook County. Its 2025 grants had a median of $26,500, though amounts varied widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Assets

$7.1B

Grants

4,316

Total Given

$1.2B

More similar funders

More Funders in New York

Cite this profile

Grantable. (2026). Ruggles Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/ruggles-family-foundation-morg_202cc9c1917f44b3a4416208b59012c9

BibTeX
@misc{grantable_266381931_2026,
  author       = {{Grantable}},
  title        = {{Ruggles Family Foundation funder profile}},
  howpublished = {GrantGraph},
  year         = {2026},
  url          = {https://grantable.co/funders/ruggles-family-foundation-morg_202cc9c1917f44b3a4416208b59012c9},
  note         = {Accessed 2026-11-03. 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 Ruggles 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.

Ruggles Family Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?