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.
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:
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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
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 |
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 include Emmett Till Interpretive Center ($750,000), The Southport School Inc ($500,000), The Southport School Inc ($500,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| A BETTER CHANCE OF WESTPORT INC WESTPORT, CT | Charitable Event | $15,000 |
| BEYOND 12 EDUCATION INC OAKLAND, CA | General & Unrestricted | $25,000 |
| CHLOE AND MAUD FOUNDATION INC LOS ANGELES, CA | General & Unrestricted | $25,000 |
| CIVIC NATION CAROL STREAM, IL | When We All Vote | $50,000 |
| COLORECTAL CANCER ALLIANCE INC WASHINGTON, DC | Charitable Event | $15,000 |
| DEBBIE ALLEN DANCE INC LOS ANGELES, CA | DAMS Scholarship Fund | $50,000 |
| EMMETT TILL INTERPRETIVE CENTER SUMNER, MS | Barn Fund | $750,000 |
| FILLING IN THE BLANKS INC NORWALK, CT | Q1 Mobile Pantry Fund | $78,810 |
| 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 |
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
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 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
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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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