The Rhimes Foundation
The Rhimes Foundation is a private foundation established in 2016 by Shonda Rhimes, a renowned screenwriter, producer, and creator of television series including *Grey's Anatomy*, *Private Practice*, *Scandal*, and *How to Get Away With Murder*. The foundation is based in Los Angeles, California, with administrative offices in Wilmington, Delaware. It operates as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization dedicated to philanthropic grantmaking.
Key facts about The Rhimes Foundation
- EIN
- 81-6544162
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $3,328,674
- Grants made (2024)
- 33
- Average grant
- $100,869
- Median grant
- $26,550
- New grantees (estimate)
- 27% first-time grantees (6 of 22, 2024)
- Total assets
- $8,497,167
- Primary geography
- Connecticut (48% 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 Rhimes Foundation funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for The Rhimes Foundation's 33 itemized 2024 grants were Connecticut (48%), Mississippi (23%) and California (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were Westport, CT (6 grants), Norwalk, CT (5 grants), Hanover, NH (5 grants) and Los Angeles, CA (4 grants). 42% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Charitable Event" (6 grants).
Is The Rhimes Foundation open to new grantees?
27%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 6 of 22 grantees (27%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $18K; repeat grants $201K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $50K repeat.
- 64% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+18%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 799% 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.
Next steps with The Rhimes Foundation
- How to evaluate The Rhimes Foundation as a funder
Our grant prospecting guide: read the 990-PF, check fit, and decide whether to apply.
- Draft an LOI to The Rhimes Foundation with AI
AI grant writing that drafts from your organization’s own materials, in your voice.
- Track this opportunity in a free grant tracker
A free Google Sheets or Excel template for deadlines, award terms, and reports due.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$8.5M
+26.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.3M
+87.4% YoY
Grant Count
33
+26.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$101K
+47.6% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Rhimes Foundation reported a distributable amount of $437K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Rhimes Foundation supports arts, education, and activism with a focus on cultural inclusion, fighting for equality, and standing up against bigotry. The foundation's primary funding areas include:
- Arts: Supporting theater, performing arts, and culturally inclusive storytelling
- Education: Educational initiatives and programs
- Cultural Inclusion & Equality: Organizations and projects advancing cultural inclusion and equality
Grantmaking
The foundation is actively engaged in grantmaking with significant annual giving. In 2024, the foundation made 19 grants totaling approximately $3.3 million. Notable recent grants include:
Ready to take the next step with The Rhimes Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds projects across multiple U.S. states and cities, with particular activity in:
- California
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Illinois
- Massachusetts
- New Hampshire
- New York
- Pennsylvania
Major cities receiving support include Los Angeles, New York City, and Chicago.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 33 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $8,497,167
- Total Revenues: $5,317,310
- Total Expenses: $3,539,983
- Total Grants Awarded: $3,328,674
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $6,719,840
- Total Revenues: $5,189,373
- Total Expenses: $2,011,262
The foundation has zero employees and operates with an expense ratio of 38.8%.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $8,497,167 | $6,719,840 | $3,541,729 |
| Revenue | $5,317,310 | $5,189,373 | $7,910,978 |
| Expenses | $3,539,983 | $2,011,262 | $4,587,727 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $3,492,173 | $1,971,375 | $4,564,275 |
| Net Investment Income | $139,142 | $85,818 | $10,864 |
| Distributable Amount | $436,979 | $288,419 | $80,732 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- 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
112 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include The Southport School Inc ($1,005,000 across 3 grants), Emmett Till Interpretive Center ($750,000), Filling in the Blanks Inc ($275,099 across 5 grants).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| EMMETT TILL INTERPRETIVE CENTER Sumner, MS | Barn Fund | $750,000 |
| THE SOUTHPORT SCHOOL INC Southport, CT | Southport Schools CoLab Programs | $500,000 |
| THE SOUTHPORT SCHOOL INC Southport, CT | Southport School's CoLab Program | $500,000 |
| GREENS FARMS ACADEMY INC Westport, CT | Vera Rhimes Scholarship Fund | $250,000 |
| LINCOLN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS INC New York, NY | General & Unrestricted | $250,000 |
| IAMA THEATRE COMPANY Los Angeles, CA | General & Unrestricted | $200,000 |
| FILLING IN THE BLANKS INC Norwalk, CT | Mobile Pantry Fund | $79,922 |
| FILLING IN THE BLANKS INC Norwalk, CT | Q3 Mobile Pantry Fund | $79,817 |
| FILLING IN THE BLANKS INC Norwalk, CT | Q1 Mobile Pantry Fund | $78,810 |
| CIVIC NATION Carol Stream, IL | When We All Vote | $50,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Shonda Rhimes serves as trustee and founder of the foundation. She was born in 1970 in suburban Chicago, holds a B.A. from Dartmouth College, and earned an MFA from USC School of Cinematic Arts. She was the first Black woman to create and executive produce a top 10 network series.
Compensation Overview
No officer or director reported compensation in the available filings.
From 2024 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shonda Rhimes | Trustee | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Rhimes Unsung Voices Playwriting Commission, a partnership between the foundation and IAMA Theatre Company, continues to support culturally inclusive storytelling. The commission named its 2025 recipient in March 2025.
Shonda Rhimes and IAMA Theatre Company\u2019s Playwriting Commission Names\The foundation has contributed to the Obama Foundation with at least $1 million in grants.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Rhimes Foundation fund?
The Rhimes Foundation supports arts, education, and activism with a focus on cultural inclusion, fighting for equality, and standing up against bigotry. The foundation's primary funding areas include: • **Arts**: Supporting theater, performing arts, and culturally inclusive storytelling • **Education**: Educational initiatives and programs • **Cultural Inclusion & Equality**: Organizations and projects advancing cultural inclusion and equality
How do I apply for a grant from The Rhimes Foundation?
The foundation is actively engaged in grantmaking with significant annual giving. In 2024, the foundation made 19 grants totaling approximately $3.3 million. Notable recent grants include: • $750,000 to the Emmett Till Interpretive Center (Barn Fund) • $500,000 to The Southport School (Southport Schools Colab Programs) • $500,000 to The Southport School (Southport School's Colab Program) The foundation has made at least $10 million in cumulative grants to the Smithsonian National Museum of Afri…
Where does The Rhimes Foundation make grants?
The foundation funds projects across multiple U.S. states and cities, with particular activity in: • California • Connecticut • Delaware • Illinois • Massachusetts • New Hampshire • New York • Pennsylvania Major cities receiving support include Los Angeles, New York City, and Chicago.
What size grants does The Rhimes Foundation award?
In 2024, The Rhimes Foundation awarded 33 grants totaling $3.3M — an average of about $101K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Rhimes Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Rhimes Foundation reported a distributable amount of $437K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Rhimes Foundation's EIN?
The Rhimes Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-6544162. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Rhimes Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Mountain View, CA
Assets
$12.3B
Grants
3,576
Total Given
$3.2B
The Cigna Group Foundation
Philadelphia, PA
Assets
$127.2M
Grants
4,075
Total Given
$14.1M
American Electric Power Foundation
Wilmington, DE
Assets
$65.2M
Grants
752
Total Given
$22.6M
Puget Sound Energy Foundation
Wilmington, DE
Assets
$19.6M
Grants
451
Total Given
$1.2M
First Eagle Investments Foundation
Wilmington, DE
Assets
—
Grants
389
Total Given
$1.2M
Hagerty Drivers Foundation
Wilmington, DE
Assets
—
Grants
330
Total Given
$192K
McNabb Foundation
Wilmington, DE
Assets
$4.8M
Grants
328
Total Given
$358K
Raskob Foundation for Catholic
Wilmington, DE
Assets
$208.0M
Grants
325
Total Given
$6.2M
Delaware Community Foundation Inc
Wilmington, DE
Assets
$392.5M
Grants
323
Total Given
$20.4M
WSFS Cares Foundation
Wilmington, DE
Assets
$12.3M
Grants
323
Total Given
$2.7M
The Pfizer Foundation Inc
New York, NY
Assets
$255.3M
Grants
9,306
Total Given
$23.2M
Jpmorgan Chase Foundation
New York, NY
Assets
$1.2B
Grants
10,334
Total Given
$202.5M
More Funders in Delaware
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.