The Rachael Ray Foundation
The Rachael Ray Foundation (RRF) is a private foundation based in New York City that was launched in 2016 and received its IRS tax-exempt designation in December 2017. The foundation is fully funded by proceeds from the sale of Rachael Ray Nutrish products. It operates as a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to philanthropic grantmaking across the United States.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$7.4M
-11.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$13.5M
+1.8% YoY
Grant Count
88
+4.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$154K
-2.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Rachael Ray Foundation reported a distributable amount of $5.6M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports causes aligned with Rachael Ray's personal philanthropic interests, with primary focus areas including:
- Animal welfare and shelter support: Funding organizations that improve the lives of shelter animals and animals in need across the country
- Emergency relief and disaster assistance: Providing funds for urgent animal welfare situations requiring immediate assistance
- Culinary education: Supporting ProStart programs and culinary education initiatives in high schools
- Food security and nutrition programs: Supporting organizations that provide critically needed food programs and support services across the United States
- Yum-o! aligned causes: Funding organizations that support the mission of Yum-o!, Rachael Ray's 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
Grantmaking
The foundation makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations. No open application process is indicated in available sources.
Grant Range
approximately $146,000
Average Grant
approximately $146,000
Grant Types
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with The Rachael Ray Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds organizations across multiple states, with primary concentration in:
- New York
- California
- Texas
- Utah
- District of Columbia
Grantmaking reaches organizations across 36 states, with 36% of all grants supporting organizations in New York, Utah, and the District of Columbia.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year Ending December 2024:
- Total Assets: $7,441,901
- Total Revenue: $13,895,124
- Total Expenses: $15,030,351
- Total Liabilities: $656,000
- Number of Employees: 0
Historical Grantmaking:
- Total grants made (all years): $66.2 million across 454 grants
- Annual distribution has ranged from $10.2 million to $26.9 million (2020-2023)
- Highest grantmaking activity in 2022: $26.9 million distributed across 200 grants
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $7,441,901 | $8,420,412 | $7,719,444 |
| Revenue | $13,895,124 | $15,008,927 | $14,626,499 |
| Expenses | $15,030,351 | $14,457,017 | $14,559,057 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $14,145,261 | $13,799,826 | $14,072,388 |
| Net Investment Income | $13,381,999 | $14,594,629 | $14,354,664 |
| Distributable Amount | $5,578,569 | $5,623,924 | $5,126,796 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Aspca ($1,300,000), Best Friends Animal Society ($1,300,000), Animal Humane Society ($400,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| A SINGLE BITE LIBERTY, NY | AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE | $25,000 |
| ACE OF HEARTS WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA | AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE | $40,000 |
| ANIMAL FRIENDS INC PITTSBURGH, PA | AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE | $150,000 |
| ANIMAL HAVEN NEW YORK, NY | AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE | $5,000 |
| ANIMAL HUMANE SOCIETY GOLDEN VALLEY, MN | AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE | $400,000 |
| ANIMAL LIGHTHOUSE RESCUE NEW YORK, NY | AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE | $5,000 |
| ANIMAL MEDICAL CENTER NEW YORK, NY | AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE | $135,000 |
| ANIMAL PROTECTIVE FOUNDATION GLENVILLE, NY | AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE | $75,000 |
| ANTI-CRUELTY SOCIETY CHICAGO, IL | AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE | $45,000 |
| ASPCA NEW YORK, NY | AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO FURTHER THE DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE | $1,300,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Rachael Ray: President
- John Cusimano: Vice President/Secretary
- Judith Keane: Treasurer
- Andrew Peskoe: Board member
- Richard Fields: Board member
- Mark Smucker: Board member
All executive leadership serves without compensation. The foundation is governed by 7 officers and trustees.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| RACHAEL RAY | PRESIDENT | 5 | — |
| JOHN CUSIMANO | VICE PRESIDENT / SECRETARY | 5 | — |
| ANDREW PESKOE | GOVERNING MEMBER | 5 | — |
| RICHARD FIELDS | GOVERNING MEMBER | 5 | — |
| TRACY QUIGLEY | GOVERNING MEMBER | 5 | — |
| JOHN HALL | VICE PRESIDENT | 10 | — |
| JUDITH KEANE | TREASURER | 10 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has actively supported culinary education through ProStart Grow Grants:
Rachael Ray Foundation Awards $5,000 Grants to Support Culinary Education**2025**: Forty-eight high schools received ProStart Grow Grants of $5,000 each to support culinary education and develop culinary and restaurant management programs
Forty-Eight High Schools Receive The Rachael Ray Foundation ...**Previous years**: The foundation selected 27 and 40 high schools respectively to receive ProStart Grow Grants for developing their culinary and restaurant management programs
Forty-Eight High Schools Receive The Rachael Ray Foundation ...The foundation has supported 156 unique organizations throughout its grantmaking history.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Rachael Ray Foundation fund?
The foundation supports causes aligned with Rachael Ray's personal philanthropic interests, with primary focus areas including: • **Animal welfare and shelter support**: Funding organizations that improve the lives of shelter animals and animals in need across the country • **Emergency relief and disaster assistance**: Providing funds for urgent animal welfare situations requiring immediate assistance • **Culinary education**: Supporting ProStart programs and culinary education initiatives in h…
How do I apply for a grant from The Rachael Ray Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Made 88 grants in 2024 • Historical grantmaking has ranged from $3,000 to $3.4 million per grant • Average grant size: approximately $146,000 • Median grant size: $50,000 • Total giving in 2024: $13,541,403 **Recent Major Grants (2024):** • North Shore Animal League America: $2,100,000 • Best Friends Animal Society: $1,300,000 • Animal Humane Society: $400,000 **Application Process:** The foundation makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations. No open appli…
Where does The Rachael Ray Foundation make grants?
The foundation funds organizations across multiple states, with primary concentration in: • New York • California • Texas • Utah • District of Columbia Grantmaking reaches organizations across 36 states, with 36% of all grants supporting organizations in New York, Utah, and the District of Columbia.
What size grants does The Rachael Ray Foundation award?
In 2024, The Rachael Ray Foundation awarded 88 grants totaling $13.5M — an average of about $154K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Rachael Ray Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Rachael Ray Foundation reported a distributable amount of $5.6M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Rachael Ray Foundation's EIN?
The Rachael Ray Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-3236729. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Rachael Ray Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
The Reich Family Charitable Trust
BROOKLYN, NY
Assets
$689K
Grants
1
Total Given
$453K
Launa Beuhler Foundation for
BROOKLYN, NY
Assets
$2K
Grants
4
Total Given
$20K
The Hilary Grace Foundation Inc
EAST AMHERST, NY
Assets
$126K
Grants
2
Total Given
$36K
Uw E J Madden Mem Open Hearts Club 10-214880
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$1.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$307K
Hindy's Foundation
BROOKLYN, NY
Assets
$142K
Grants
8
Total Given
$225K
Jeanne & Thomas Hardy Family Foundation
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$3K
Grants
3
Total Given
$3K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with The Rachael Ray Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching The Rachael Ray Foundation to a real strategy.