The Ray C Anderson Foundation Inc
The Ray C Anderson Foundation Inc is an Atlanta, Georgia-based private foundation that supports initiatives promoting sustainability and environmental stewardship. Its stated mission is to advance a sustainable society through projects that harmonize society, business, and the environment for today and future generations.
The Ray C Anderson Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: The Ray C Anderson Foundation Inc gave $4.2M across 27 grants in 2024 (avg $156K), mostly in Georgia. 22% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $4,215,500
- -2.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 27
- -60.9% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $156,130
- +150.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $43,049,683
- -1.5% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 22% first-time grantees (6 of 27, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Georgia (81% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Ray C Anderson Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Review Cycle
- July 26, 2024, was the Letter of Introduction deadline for the 2025–26 Drawdown Georgia Climate Solutions and Equity Grants. This is a past application cycle. The opportunity was funded by four family foundations, including the Ray C. Anderson Foundation, and offered up to five two-year grants of up to $100,000 per year.
- Deadline
- July 26, 2024, was the Letter of Introduction deadline for the 2025–26 Drawdown Georgia Climate Solutions and Equity…
- Contact
Mailing address: 1270 Caroline St Ste D120 Unit 52, Atlanta, GA 30307
Phone: (404) 477-1462
Website: https://raycandersonfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Ray C Anderson Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was MZC Foundation (DBA the Ray) ($2.0M). Together the top 10 received $4.0M.
Grant Size Distribution
259 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 201 grants of 259 (78%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 81% of grant dollars went to recipients in Georgia, 15% to Montana, and 2% to California; the filing also lists South Carolina and Virginia at 0% each. The foundation’s website describes Drawdown Georgia as work to identify promising solutions for achieving carbon neutrality in Georgia.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 27 itemized grants.
States
Cities
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 grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $3.3M (2020) to $4.3M (2023). In 2024 it made 27 grants totaling $4.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| 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 |
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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 | $43,049,683 | $4,578,679 | $6,025,043 | $4,215,500 | 27 | $5,535,411 | $4,081,392 | $2,118,554 |
| 2023 | $43,695,347 | $3,820,998 | $6,179,345 | $4,305,415 | 69 | $5,722,149 | $3,375,625 | $2,242,296 |
| 2022 | $42,159,322 | $2,944,990 | $5,582,679 | $3,628,570 | 59 | $5,000,938 | $2,351,061 | $2,305,131 |
| 2021 | $59,267,318 | $7,168,250 | $5,408,344 | $3,807,244 | 48 | $4,865,953 | $6,796,664 | $2,766,823 |
| 2020 | $57,754,337 | $3,170,777 | $4,931,649 | $3,329,853 | 56 | — | $1,726,850 | $2,521,430 |
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 September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to promote a sustainable society by supporting and pioneering initiatives that harmonize society, business, and the environment. Its website describes support for innovative, educational, and project-based initiatives, including work connected to climate solutions in Georgia, biomimicry, sustainable business, and sustainable highways.
Among its 2024 grantees, the Biomimicry Institute describes its mission as bringing ideas and strategies from biology into sustainable human systems design. Georgia Tech Research Corporation says it supports Georgia Tech research, technical assistance, and economic development. Other supported organizations describe work on community environmental rights, faith-community climate action and resilience, environmental education for young people, and redirecting military spending toward unmet human and environmental needs.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 27 grants totaling $4,215,500. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $2,000,000, with a median of $15,000. Its largest listed awards included $2,000,000 to MZC Foundation (DBA The Ray), under a Gray Note commitment of $1,250,000 annually for five years from 2022 through 2026; $750,000 to Georgia Tech Foundation; and $650,000 to the Biomimicry Institute, including direct support and pass-through funding for Ray of Hope Prize winners. Other listed awards included $250,000 to Georgia Tech Research Corporation for Drawdown Georgia research and $100,000 each to Groundswell and Project Drawdown.
The foundation’s website says Gray Notes™ Grants are awarded annually and identifies four long-term projects supported through those grants: Drawdown Georgia; the Biomimicry Institute’s Biomimicry Launchpad and Ray of Hope Prize®; the Ray C. Anderson Center for Sustainable Business at Georgia Tech; and The Ray.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Mary Anne Anderson Lanier as trustee and president/treasurer; John Anderson Lanier as trustee ex-officio and executive director; Harriet Anderson Langford and A Phillip Langford as trustees; and James A Lanier Jr as trustee.
The Ray C Anderson Foundation Inc is led by John Anderson Lanier, Trustee Ex-Officio & Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 1 of 5 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
John Anderson Lanier
Trustee Ex-Officio & Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$200K (2022) → $0 (2024)
Mary Anne Anderson Lanier
Trustee, President & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James A. Lanier Jr.
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$173K (2020) → $222K (2024)
A. Phillip Langford
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Harriet Anderson Langford
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $222K, to James a Lanier Jr (Trustee).
Frequently asked questions about The Ray C Anderson Foundation Inc
How much does The Ray C Anderson Foundation Inc give each year?
The Ray C Anderson Foundation Inc gave $4.2M across 27 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $4.3M across 69 grants.
What is The Ray C Anderson Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
The Ray C Anderson Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $15,000, and its average grant was $156,130, across 27 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Ray C Anderson Foundation Inc that year got $18K on average.
Where does The Ray C Anderson Foundation Inc give grants?
The Ray C Anderson Foundation Inc gives mostly in Georgia: 81% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Montana (15%). The most frequent recipient cities were Atlanta, GA (15 grants).
Does The Ray C Anderson Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 27 grants with a stated purpose on The Ray C Anderson Foundation Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are The Ray C Anderson Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
The Ray C Anderson Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include MZC Foundation (DBA the Ray) ($2,000,000), Georgia Tech Foundation ($750,000) and The Biomimicry Institute ($650,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 81% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Ray C Anderson Foundation Inc?
The Ray C Anderson Foundation Inc reported $43.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $5.5M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.1M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Ray C Anderson Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s mission is to promote a sustainable society by supporting and pioneering initiatives that harmonize society, business, and the environment. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Ray C Anderson Foundation Inc?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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.
Does The Ray C Anderson Foundation Inc 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 2020–2024
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Browse active grant opportunities in The Ray C Anderson Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Ray C Anderson Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-ray-c-anderson-foundation-inc-morg_32053e5d733b420e96785ecbcb41db5b
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_581867303_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Ray C Anderson Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-ray-c-anderson-foundation-inc-morg_32053e5d733b420e96785ecbcb41db5b},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. 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 Ray C Anderson Foundation Inc'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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