The Rhe Charitable Foundation
The RHE Charitable Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation based in Novato, California. The organization has been tax-exempt since April 2009 and operates with a focus on supporting individual artists and arts organizations, particularly in the performing arts sector.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$3.0M
+28.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$208K
+17.3% YoY
Grant Count
25
+8.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$8K
+7.9% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Rhe Charitable Foundation reported a distributable amount of $144K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary funding focus includes:
- Performing arts
- Theater
- Music
- Dance
- Nonprofit organizations
The foundation demonstrates a particular commitment to supporting emerging talent in theater through its signature Artistic Fellowship program.
Grantmaking
The foundation makes typical awards ranging from $100 to $50,000. Recent annual giving totaled $207,805 based on the most recent IRS Form 990 filing (2024).
Ready to take the next step with The Rhe Charitable Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily on California, New York, and the District of Columbia. The Artistic Fellowship program is administered in partnership with Theatre Bay Area and has a particular focus on the San Francisco Bay Area theater community.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Based on the most recent IRS Form 990 filing (2024):
- Total Assets: $2,978,492
- Total Annual Giving: $207,805
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $2,978,492 | $2,322,308 | $2,558,719 |
| Revenue | $219,681 | $104,852 | $129,220 |
| Expenses | $371,426 | $341,006 | $371,889 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $334,065 | $340,190 | $330,939 |
| Net Investment Income | $183,088 | $69,603 | $89,378 |
| Distributable Amount | $144,403 | $146,066 | $133,882 |
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
181 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Oakland Theater Project ($50,000), Theater Bay Area ($12,000), Covenant House California ($11,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AURORA THEATER COMPANY BERKELEY, CA | EDGY ARTS: ACTING, NUANCED LANGUAGE, AND IMMEDIACY: MAKING EXHILARATING THEATER | $2,160 |
| BAY AREA WILDERNESS TRAINING BAWT BERKELEY, CA | HR/ ENVIRONMENT: GETTING YOUTH OUTDOORS! | $8,000 |
| CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES SAN FRANCISCO, CA | ENVIRONMENT: SEA HORSE DEDICCATION | $10,645 |
| CENTRAL WORKS BERKELEY, CA | EDGY ARTS: PRODUCING AND DEVELOPING PLAYS | $5,000 |
| COMMITTEE ON THE SHELTERLESS COTS PETALUMA, CA | HUMAN RESILIENCE: PROVIDING RELIEF FOR FIRE VICTIMS | $8,000 |
| COVENANT HOUSE CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES, CA | HUMAN RESILIENCE: SUPPORTING SAFE HAVEN PROGRAM AND OUTREACH | $11,000 |
| DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS NEW YORK, NY | HUMAN RESILIENCE: MEDICAL RELIEF | $200 |
| FOOD SHIFT BERKELEY, CA | HUMAN RESILIENCE: NEIGHBORHOOD HELP | $8,000 |
| GOOD SHEPHARD GRACENTER SAN FRANCISCO, CA | WOMENS RECOVERY TRANSITIONAL HOUSING | $10,000 |
| IMMIGRATION LEGAL DEFENSE OAKLAND, CA | HUMAN RESILIENCE CASE SUPPORT | $2,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Jennifer Heyneman Sousae — Executive Director of RHE Charitable Foundation
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JENNIFER HEYNEMAN SOUSAE | Executive Dir. | 40 | $95,600 |
| WILL SOUSAE | Vice President | 20 | — |
| JEFF ARNOLD | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| KARRIE MYERS TAYLOR | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation announced Jamella Cross as the 2025 RHE Charitable Foundation Artistic Fellow in October 2025. Cross was formally introduced as the awardee on November 17, 2025, at Theatre Bay Area's TBAConnect: Undeniable Creativity conference.
Introducing the 2025 RHE Charitable Foundation Artistic Fellow - TheatreSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Rhe Charitable Foundation fund?
The foundation's primary funding focus includes: • Performing arts • Theater • Music • Dance • Nonprofit organizations The foundation demonstrates a particular commitment to supporting emerging talent in theater through its signature Artistic Fellowship program.
How do I apply for a grant from The Rhe Charitable Foundation?
The foundation makes typical awards ranging from $100 to $50,000. Recent annual giving totaled $207,805 based on the most recent IRS Form 990 filing (2024). The foundation's flagship program is the RHE Charitable Foundation Artistic Fellowship, a $10,000 award designed to make a significant investment in individual artists' careers. **Fellowship Criteria:** • Open to female or nonbinary actors of color with exceptional promise • Candidates are nominated by a diverse panel of established theatre…
Where does The Rhe Charitable Foundation make grants?
The foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily on California, New York, and the District of Columbia. The Artistic Fellowship program is administered in partnership with Theatre Bay Area and has a particular focus on the San Francisco Bay Area theater community.
What size grants does The Rhe Charitable Foundation award?
In 2024, The Rhe Charitable Foundation awarded 25 grants totaling $208K — an average of about $8K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Rhe Charitable Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Rhe Charitable Foundation reported a distributable amount of $144K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Rhe Charitable Foundation's EIN?
The Rhe Charitable Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-2469224. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Rhe Charitable Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Gochnauer Family Foundation
CORONA DEL MAR, CA
Assets
$15.2M
Grants
39
Total Given
$313K
Cottage Health
SANTA BARBARA, CA
Assets
$172.1M
Grants
6
Total Given
$179K
International Right of Way Association
GARDENA, CA
Assets
$5.7M
Grants
1
Total Given
$9K
Quince Interfaith Housing Corporation
LEMON GROVE, CA
Assets
—
Grants
0
Total Given
—
William & Lillian Schwartz Charitable Foundation
LA JOLLA, CA
Assets
$325K
Grants
1
Total Given
$3K
Covia Foundation
GLENDALE, CA
Assets
$15.2M
Grants
1
Total Given
$4.8M
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with The Rhe Charitable 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 Rhe Charitable Foundation to a real strategy.