The Ray M and Mary E Lee Foundation
The Ray M and Mary E Lee Foundation is a private foundation incorporated in 1966 and based in Marietta, Georgia. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to philanthropic grantmaking across multiple sectors.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$12.2M
-2.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$837K
-2.2% YoY
Grant Count
39
-2.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$21K
+0.3% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Ray M and Mary E Lee Foundation reported a distributable amount of $960K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary funding areas include:
- General operating support for public charities
- Scholarships and scholarship funds to college foundations
- Capital projects for charitable organizations
- Medical research
- Patient flight support
- Meal assistance
- COVID-19 response initiatives
Grantmaking
The foundation made 38 grants in its most recent reporting period (2024).
Grant Range
s:**
Average Grant
amount: approximately $22,026
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Georgia, with some giving extending to New York and New Jersey.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $12,160,784
- Total Revenues: $687,195
- Total Expenses: $964,043
- Total Giving: $837,190
Tax Status:
- EIN: 58-6049441
- Tax-exempt since February 1966
- Designated as 501(c)(3)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $12,160,784 | $12,443,330 | $12,720,363 |
| Revenue | $687,195 | $692,339 | $789,368 |
| Expenses | $964,043 | $957,047 | $873,908 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $894,785 | $902,791 | $813,948 |
| Net Investment Income | $617,937 | $638,083 | $729,408 |
| Distributable Amount | $959,992 | $847,865 | $907,890 |
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
193 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta Fo ($40,000), Shepherd Center Foundation ($40,000), Atlanta Community Food Bank ($35,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Hope Atlanta Atlanta, GA | General Operating | $25,000 |
| Alice Lloyd College Pippa Passes, KY | Scholarship | $20,000 |
| Atlanta Ballet M C Carlos Dance Ce Atlanta, GA | General Operating | $20,000 |
| Atlanta Botanical Garden Atlanta, GA | General Operating | $30,000 |
| Atlanta Childrens Shelter Atlanta, GA | General Operating | $25,000 |
| Atlanta Community Food Bank Atlanta, GA | General Operating | $35,000 |
| Atlanta History Center Atlanta, GA | General Operating | $20,000 |
| Atlanta Mission Atlanta, GA | General Operating | $25,000 |
| Atlanta Opera Atlanta, GA | General Operating | $20,000 |
| Berry College Mount Berry, GA | Scholarships | $20,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Donald D. Smith – Chairman
- Hansell L. Smith – Treasurer
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Donald D Smith | Chairman | 20 | — |
| Hansell L Smith | ChairmanTreasurer | 5 | — |
Contact Information
Address: 94 Church Street NE Marietta, GA 30060-1908
Telephone: 404-842-1870
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Ray M and Mary E Lee Foundation fund?
The foundation's primary funding areas include: • General operating support for public charities • Scholarships and scholarship funds to college foundations • Capital projects for charitable organizations • Medical research • Patient flight support • Meal assistance • COVID-19 response initiatives
How do I apply for a grant from The Ray M and Mary E Lee Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** The foundation made 38 grants in its most recent reporting period (2024). **Grant Sizes:** • Typical awards range from $795 to $40,000 • Average grant amount: approximately $22,026 • Median grant amount: data available in detailed financial records **Recent Grant Examples (2024):** • Shepherd Center Foundation: $40,000 (General Operating) • Atlanta Community Food Bank: $35,000 (General Operating) • The Good Samaritan Health Center: $35,000 (General Operating) **Total Giving:…
Where does The Ray M and Mary E Lee Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Georgia, with some giving extending to New York and New Jersey.
What size grants does The Ray M and Mary E Lee Foundation award?
In 2024, The Ray M and Mary E Lee Foundation awarded 39 grants totaling $837K — an average of about $21K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Ray M and Mary E Lee Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Ray M and Mary E Lee Foundation reported a distributable amount of $960K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Ray M and Mary E Lee Foundation's EIN?
The Ray M and Mary E Lee Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 58-6049441. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Browse active grant opportunities in The Ray M and Mary E Lee Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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