The Ray C Anderson Foundation Inc

Foundation · Grantmaker Atlanta, GA EIN: 58-1867303 Website

The Ray C Anderson Foundation Inc is a private philanthropic organization based in Atlanta, Georgia, established in 1991. The foundation is dedicated to promoting sustainable practices and environmental stewardship, carrying forward the legacy of Ray C. Anderson, a pioneer in sustainable business practices. As a 501(c)(3) organization, the foundation supports initiatives focused on environmental education and sustainability across the United States.

Key facts about The Ray C Anderson Foundation Inc

EIN: 58-1867303
Latest 990 filing: Form 990-PF, 2024
Annual giving (2024): $4,215,500
Grants made (2024): 27
Average grant: $156,130
Median grant: $15,000
New grantees (estimate): 22% first-time grantees (6 of 27, 2024)
Total assets: $43,049,683
Primary geography: Georgia (81% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).

Who The Ray C Anderson Foundation Inc funds

By grant dollars, the top recipient states for The Ray C Anderson Foundation Inc's 27 itemized 2024 grants were Georgia (81%) and Montana (15%). The most frequent recipient cities were Atlanta, GA (15 grants). None of its 27 grants with a stated purpose were described as general or operating support.

Is The Ray C Anderson Foundation Inc open to new grantees?

22%

first-time grantees, 2024

In 2024, 6 of 27 grantees (22%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $18K; repeat grants $196K. How we count

Medians: $5K first-time, $15K repeat.

70% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+11%). Method
In 2024 it paid out 261% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method

Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.

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Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$43.0M

-1.5% YoY

Annual Giving

$4.2M

-2.1% YoY

Grant Count

-60.9% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$156K

+150.2% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Ray C Anderson Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $2.1M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

Environmental education
Sustainability initiatives
Climate solutions and environmental stewardship
Natural capital and living infrastructure
Energy and mobility solutions
Biomimicry and nature-based innovation

Grantmaking

The foundation is open to new applicants and demonstrates recent grant activity in its filings.

Grant Range

$15,000

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation supports initiatives across multiple states including Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, California, and other locations throughout the United States. Major cities receiving support include Atlanta, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.

Grant Distribution by State

Georgia $3.4M (81%)

Montana $650K (15%)

California $100K (2%)

South Carolina $15K (0%)

Virginia $15K (0%)

All other $11K (0%)

Share of all 27 itemized 2024 grant dollars.

States

California Connecticut Georgia Kansas Montana North Carolina New Mexico New York Pennsylvania South Carolina Tennessee Virginia Washington

Cities

AtlantaLagrangeDecaturSan FranciscoAthensForsythGreenvilleMerrifieldMissoulaPalmettoPeachtree CornersBlufftonBrooklynSacramentoSeattleWinston SalemAlexandreaAshevilleBrevardDel Mar

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

As of 2023:

Total Assets: $43.7 million
Total Revenue: $3.82 million
Total Expenses: $6.18 million
Total Liabilities: $6,610

Staffing: The foundation employs 2 professional staff members working full-time, with additional trustee support.

Revenue

Expenses

Qualifying Distributions

Net Investment Income

Metric	2024	2023	2022
Total Assets	$43,049,683	$43,695,347	$42,159,322
Revenue	$4,578,679	$3,820,998	$2,944,990
Expenses	$6,025,043	$6,179,345	$5,582,679
Qualifying Distributions	$5,535,411	$5,722,149	$5,000,938
Net Investment Income	$4,081,392	$3,375,625	$2,351,061
Distributable Amount	$2,118,554	$2,242,296	$2,305,131

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

March 1, 2026 IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

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

259 grants across all recorded years

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include MZC Foundation (DBA the Ray) ($2,000,000), Georgia Tech Foundation ($750,000), The Biomimicry Institute ($650,000).

Recipient	Purpose	Amount
MZC FOUNDATION (DBA THE RAY) Atlanta, GA	GRAY NOTE GRANT - COMMITTED TO $1,250,000 ANNUALLY FOR FIVE YEARS, FROM 2022 THROUGH 2026	$2,000,000
GEORGIA TECH FOUNDATION Atlanta, GA	GRANT - TO SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE ENVIRONMENTAL MISSION, ACTIVITIES AND OPERATIONS OF THE RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION	$750,000
THE BIOMIMICRY INSTITUTE Missoula, MT	GRAY NOTE GRANT - $500,000 OF DIRECT SUPPORT & $150,000 FOR PASS THROUGH TO RAY OF HOPE PRIZE WINNERS.	$650,000
GEORGIA TECH RESEARCH CORPORATION Atlanta, GA	DRAWDOWN GEORGIA RESEARCH GRANT	$250,000
GROUNDSWELL Atlanta, GA	DRAWDOWN GEORGIA GRANT - TO SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE ENVIRONMENTAL MISSION, ACTIVITIES AND OPERATIONS OF THE RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION	$100,000
PROJECT DRAWDOWN San Francisco, CA	CLIMATE GRANT - TO SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE ENVIRONMENTAL MISSION, ACTIVITIES AND OPERATIONS OF THE RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION	$100,000
CLIMATE CONSORTIUM OF THE COMMONS Atlanta, GA	GRANT - TO SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE ENVIRONMENTAL MISSION, ACTIVITIES AND OPERATIONS OF THE RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION	$50,000
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMUNITY ACTION Atlanta, GA	DRAWDOWN GEORGIA GRANT - TO SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE ENVIRONMENTAL MISSION, ACTIVITIES AND OPERATIONS OF THE RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION	$50,000
GEORGIA INTERFAITH POWER & LIGHT Atlanta, GA	DRAWDOWN GEORGIA GRANT - TO SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE ENVIRONMENTAL MISSION, ACTIVITIES AND OPERATIONS OF THE RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION	$50,000
GEORGIA WAND EDUCATION FUND Atlanta, GA	GRANT - TO SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE ENVIRONMENTAL MISSION, ACTIVITIES AND OPERATIONS OF THE RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION	$46,000

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

Mary Anne Anderson Lanier - Trustee, President/Treasurer
John Anderson Lanier - Trustee Ex-Officio, Executive Director
Harriet Anderson Langford - Trustee
A Phillip Langford - Trustee
James A Lanier Jr - Trustee

The foundation maintains a board of trustees dedicated to environmental stewardship, with most serving without compensation.

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

Name	Title	Hours	Compensation
Mary Anne Anderson Lanier	Trustee, President/Treasurer	1	—
John Anderson Lanier	Trustee Ex-Officio, Executive Director	40	—
Harriet Anderson Langford	Trustee	1	—
A Phillip Langford	Trustee	1	—
James a Lanier Jr	Trustee	1	$222,000

Recent News & Activity

Recent developments and announcements

2026

**2026 Initiatives:**

2026

Successfully installed a pollinator meadow in Doraville, Georgia in late February 2026, representing a strategic partnership to enhance public land value at a regional transportation hub

2026

The Biomimicry Institute opened applications for the 2026 Ray of Hope Accelerator, a global founder-focused program supporting early-stage startups using nature-based solutions

2025

Katie Garcia recognized as the 2025 recipient of the Ray C. Anderson Sales & Sustainability Award, presented by Interface and the foundation

The Ray C. Anderson Foundation Funds Fellowship to Accelerate Climate Solutions\

**The Ray Program:**

The foundation supports The Ray, a nonprofit representing Ray C. Anderson's legacy in transforming infrastructure. The Ray focuses on:

Ray C. Anderson Foundation Grant to Emory Supports Statewide Climate Consortium

Energy and Mobility: Deploying advanced power-generating assets including solar arrays within highway rights-of-way

Geospatial Analysis: Using advanced mapping tools to assess corridor feasibility for infrastructure placement

Natural Capital: Reintroducing living infrastructure such as native plantings and specialized vegetation

The foundation committed an additional $2 million to The Ray program, demonstrating significant ongoing investment in this strategic initiative.

Ray C. Anderson Foundation Commits Additional $2 Million to The Ray

**Contact Information:**

Phone: 404-477-1462

Website: www.raycandersonfoundation.org

Address: 1270 Caroline St NE Ste D120 PMB 52, Atlanta, GA 30307-2954

EIN: 58-1867303

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Frequently Asked Questions

What does The Ray C Anderson Foundation Inc fund?

The foundation is committed to supporting and funding projects that ensure future generations inherit a world where healthy and functioning natural systems support all life. Primary giving focuses on: • Environmental education • Sustainability initiatives • Climate solutions and environmental stewardship • Natural capital and living infrastructure • Energy and mobility solutions • Biomimicry and nature-based innovation

How do I apply for a grant from The Ray C Anderson Foundation Inc?

**Grant Activity:** • Total giving: $4.2 million (2023) • Typical grant awards range from $515 to $2,000,000 • Median grant size: $15,000 • Recent grant activity demonstrates active grantmaking **Recent Grants (2023):** • The Biomimicry Institute: $650,000 (Gray Note Grant with direct support and pass-through funding for Ray of Hope Prize Winners) • Georgia Tech Research Corporation: $230,000 (Drawdown Georgia Research Grant) • Project Drawdown: $150,000 (Climate Grant) **Application Status:** …

Where does The Ray C Anderson Foundation Inc make grants?

What size grants does The Ray C Anderson Foundation Inc award?

In 2024, The Ray C Anderson Foundation Inc awarded 27 grants totaling $4.2M — an average of about $156K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is The Ray C Anderson Foundation Inc required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Ray C Anderson Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $2.1M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

What is The Ray C Anderson Foundation Inc's EIN?

The Ray C Anderson Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 58-1867303. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.