Ryerson Foundation
Ryerson Foundation is a private foundation based in Chicago, Illinois. Its 2025 filing lists grants to educational institutions, with stated grant purposes of education.
Ryerson Foundation at a glance
In short: Ryerson Foundation gave $103K across 57 grants in 2025 (avg $2K), top state Georgia. 42% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $103,000
- +7.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 57
- +5.6% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $1,807
- +1.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $2,000
- Total assets
- $2,646
- +0.0% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 42% first-time grantees (24 of 57, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Georgia (13% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Ryerson Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
- Contact
Mailing address: 227 W Monroe St Fl 27, Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: (312) 292-5000
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Ryerson Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Middle Georgia State University ($4K). Together the top 10 received $26K.
Grant Size Distribution
233 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 233 grants of 233 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, the largest identified shares of grant dollars by recipient state were Georgia (13%), Illinois (10%), Texas (7%), and Ohio (6%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 57 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Ryerson Foundation open to new grantees?
42%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 24 of 57 grantees (42%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $2K; repeat grants $2K. How we count
Medians: $2K first-time, $2K repeat.
- 39% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 49% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). 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
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $69K (2022) to $103K (2025). In 2025 it made 57 grants totaling $103K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Georgia State University Macon, GA | Education | $4,000 |
| University of Central Arkansas Conway, AR | Education | $4,000 |
| University of Georgia Athens, GA | Education | $4,000 |
| Aurora University Aurora, IL | Education | $2,000 |
| Benedictine University Lisle, IL | Education | $2,000 |
| Clemson University Clemson, SC | Education | $2,000 |
| Denison University Granville, OH | Education | $2,000 |
| DePaul University Chicago, IL | Education | $2,000 |
| Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Tallahassee, FL | Education | $2,000 |
| Georgia Gwinnett College Lawrenceville, GA | Education | $2,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Ryerson Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2,646 | $121,000 | $108,000 | $103,000 | 57 | $108,000 | $130 |
| 2024 | $2,646 | $120,000 | $120,000 | $96,000 | 54 | $120,000 | $130 |
| 2023 | $2,646 | $105,000 | $105,000 | $77,000 | 43 | $105,000 | $130 |
| 2022 | $2,646 | $90,000 | $89,580 | $69,000 | 41 | $89,580 | $121 |
| 2021 | $2,226 | $76,000 | $76,000 | $72,000 | 38 | $76,000 | $200 |
| 2020 | $2,226 | $72,000 | $75,500 | $74,000 | 42 | — | $452 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Ryerson Foundation reported a distributable amount of $130 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 include universities and colleges. Middle Georgia State University Foundation describes its mission as providing resources to the university and its students to enhance the educational experience. Aurora University says it is dedicated to the transformative power of learning, while DePaul University describes a commitment to teaching and academic excellence.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation awarded 57 grants totaling $103,000. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $4,000, with a median of $2,000. Notable grants included $4,000 each to Middle Georgia State University, the University of Central Arkansas, and the University of Georgia. Other listed grants included $2,000 each to Aurora University, Benedictine University, Clemson University, Denison University, DePaul University, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Georgia Gwinnett College, Georgia State University, and Iowa State University.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Edward J Lehner as President & Chief Executive Officer; Mark Silver as Executive Vice President & Director; Tricia Kelly as Treasurer; Molly Kannan as Assistant Secretary; Andrea C Okun as Assistant Secretary & Director; James Claussen as Executive Vice President Chief Financial Officer & Director; and Camilla Rykke Merrick as Secretary.
Ryerson Foundation is led by Edward J Lehner, President & Chief Executive Officer on every filing since 2020; none of the 7 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Edward J Lehner
President & Chief Executive Officer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Andrea C Okun
Assistant Secretary & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark Silver
Executive Vice President & Director
Vice President, Secretary & Director → Executive Vice President & Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James Claussen
Executive Vice President Chief Financial Officer & Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Molly Kannan
Assistant Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tricia Kelly
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Camilla Rykke Merrick
Secretary
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Christopher Pavia (2020–2023) — Assistant Treasurer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Ryerson Foundation
How much does Ryerson Foundation give each year?
Ryerson Foundation gave $103K across 57 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $96K across 54 grants.
What is Ryerson Foundation's typical grant size?
Ryerson Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $2,000, and its average grant was $1,807, across 57 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Ryerson Foundation that year got $2K on average.
Where does Ryerson Foundation give grants?
Ryerson Foundation's top state is Georgia, with 13% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Illinois (10%) and Texas (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (3 grants).
Does Ryerson Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 57 grants with a stated purpose on Ryerson Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Education" (57 grants).
Who are Ryerson Foundation's largest grantees?
Ryerson Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Middle Georgia State University ($4,000), University of Central Arkansas ($4,000) and University of Georgia ($4,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 12% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Ryerson Foundation?
Ryerson Foundation reported $3K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $108K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $130 (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Ryerson Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants include universities and colleges. Middle Georgia State University Foundation describes its mission as providing resources to the university and its students to enhance the educational experience. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Ryerson Foundation?
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Ryerson Foundation's EIN?
Ryerson Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-6046944. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Ryerson Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 5, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 11, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 8, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 6, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 14, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 13, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Ryerson Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Ryerson Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 13, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/ryerson-foundation-morg_3dd794229c3346419b984e2d70425f2a
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_366046944_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Ryerson Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/ryerson-foundation-morg_3dd794229c3346419b984e2d70425f2a},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-13. 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 Ryerson 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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