The John H and Jan W Ruhle
The John H and Jan W Ruhle is a private foundation based in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. In 2024, it reported making 20 grants totaling $175,000 to organizations working in areas including education, historical preservation, rehabilitation, arts, and nature preservation.
The John H and Jan W Ruhle at a glance
In short: The John H and Jan W Ruhle gave $175K across 20 grants in 2024 (avg $9K), mostly in Pennsylvania. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $175,000
- +8.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 20
- +81.8% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $8,750
- -40.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $3,000
- Total assets
- $3,572,111
- -5.1% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (61% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The John H and Jan W Ruhle
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 901 West Lehigh Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018
Phone: (610) 691-3450
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The John H and Jan W Ruhle funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Bethlehem Area Vocational Technical School Bridges Foundation ($50K). Together the top 10 received $164K.
Grant Size Distribution
31 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 28 grants of 31 (90%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation is based in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. In 2024, 61% of its grant dollars went to recipients in Pennsylvania, 29% to recipients in New Jersey, 7% to recipients in Virginia, 2% to recipients in California, and less than 1% to recipients in New York.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 20 itemized grants.
Cities
How The John H and Jan W Ruhle gives
- 50% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 94% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (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 2023 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $161K (2023) to $175K (2024). In 2024 it made 20 grants totaling $175K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Bethlehem Area Vocational Technical School Bridges Foundation Bethlehem, PA | Vocationial Academics Support | $50,000 |
| The Hun School of Princeton Princeton, NJ | Academics Support | $50,000 |
| Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites Bethlehem, PA | Historical Preservation | $15,000 |
| Executive Education Academy Charter School Allentown, PA | Academics Support | $10,000 |
| Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Allentown, PA | Rehabilitation Program | $10,000 |
| United Way Alexandria, VA | Charitable Operations | $10,000 |
| Allentown Art Museum Allentown, PA | Arts Patronage | $5,000 |
| Cancer Support Community Allentown, PA | Program Support | $5,000 |
| The Heritage Conservancy Doylestown, PA | Nature Preservation | $5,000 |
| Paws for Purple Hearts Penngrove, CA | Charitable Operations | $4,000 |
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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 | $3,572,111 | $298,947 | $198,667 | $175,000 | 20 | $179,654 | $248,138 | $191,809 |
| 2023 | $3,763,109 | $245,802 | $214,075 | $161,000 | 11 | $170,369 | $236,540 | $182,020 |
| 2022 | $3,730,384 | $211,002 | $21,126 | — | — | $7,343 | $952,871 | $163,038 |
| 2021 | $3,540,508 | $3,540,508 | — | — | — | — | $4 | $1,915 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The John H and Jan W Ruhle reported a distributable amount of $192K 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 academic and vocational support, historical preservation, rehabilitation programs, arts patronage, cancer support, and nature preservation.
The Hun School of Princeton, which received $50,000 in 2024, describes its mission as empowering students to thrive through individual mentorship, resilient character, and joyful learning. The Allentown Art Museum, which received $5,000, says it collects, preserves, studies, and exhibits art to enrich residents’ lives. Cancer Support Community, also a recipient of $5,000, says it supports people affected by cancer through free programs that provide knowledge, action, and community.
Other 2024 recipients include organizations whose stated missions involve services and education for people with autism (Somerset Hills Learning Institute), protecting natural areas and waterways (Wildlands Conservancy), connecting the public with America’s industrial history (National Museum of Industrial History), and choral performance and education (Bach Choir of Bethlehem).
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation gave $175,000 through 20 grants. Grant amounts ranged from $500 to $50,000, with a median grant of $3,000. In 2023, it reported $161,000 in grants across 11 grants. Its 2024 filing, the latest on this page, reports 20 grants totaling $175,000.
The largest 2024 awards were $50,000 each to Bethlehem Area Vocational Technical School Bridges Foundation for vocational academics support and The Hun School of Princeton for academics support. Other notable awards included $15,000 to Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites for historical preservation; $10,000 each to Executive Education Academy Charter School for academics support, Good Shepherd Rehabilitation for a rehabilitation program, and United Way for charitable operations; and $5,000 each to the Allentown Art Museum, Cancer Support Community, and The Heritage Conservancy.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists John H Ruhle Jr and Jan Ruhle as trustees.
The John H and Jan W Ruhle's 2024 filing lists 2 officers; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Jan Ruhle
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John H. Ruhle Jr.
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2024. "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 The John H and Jan W Ruhle
How much does The John H and Jan W Ruhle give each year?
The John H and Jan W Ruhle gave $175K across 20 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $161K across 11 grants.
What is The John H and Jan W Ruhle's typical grant size?
The John H and Jan W Ruhle's median grant in 2024 was $3,000, and its average grant was $8,750, across 20 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The John H and Jan W Ruhle give grants?
The John H and Jan W Ruhle gives mostly in Pennsylvania: 61% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were New Jersey (29%) and Virginia (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Bethlehem, PA (6 grants) and Allentown, PA (4 grants).
Does The John H and Jan W Ruhle give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 20 grants with a stated purpose on The John H and Jan W Ruhle's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Charitable Operations" (10 grants) and "Nature Preservation" (3 grants).
Who are The John H and Jan W Ruhle's largest grantees?
The John H and Jan W Ruhle's largest 2024 grantees include Bethlehem Area Vocational Technical School Bridges Foundation ($50,000), The Hun School of Princeton ($50,000) and Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites ($15,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 66% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The John H and Jan W Ruhle?
The John H and Jan W Ruhle reported $3.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $180K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $192K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does The John H and Jan W Ruhle fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included academic and vocational support, historical preservation, rehabilitation programs, arts patronage, cancer support, and nature preservation. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The John H and Jan W Ruhle?
The foundation 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 The John H and Jan W Ruhle's EIN?
The John H and Jan W Ruhle's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 87-3761533. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
Does The John H and Jan W Ruhle 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
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The John H and Jan W Ruhle funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-john-h-and-jan-w-ruhle-morg_ba2645ff670f4bf4b2fddae3e4bc0050
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_873761533_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The John H and Jan W Ruhle funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-john-h-and-jan-w-ruhle-morg_ba2645ff670f4bf4b2fddae3e4bc0050},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. 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 The John H and Jan W Ruhle'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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