The Rist Family Foundation
The Rist Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Fort Myers, Florida. Created by longtime local business leader Brian Rist, it describes itself as a catalyst for positive change for families in Southwest Florida and supports work in education, service to veterans, economic impact, and social impact.
Key facts about The Rist Family Foundation
In short: The Rist Family Foundation gave $1.8M across 13 grants in 2024 (avg $135K), mostly in Massachusetts. 58% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 83-2037794
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,753,519
- Grants made (2024)
- 13
- Average grant
- $134,886
- Median grant
- $10,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 58% first-time grantees (7 of 12, 2024; small sample)
- Total assets
- $7,665,183
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (54% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to apply
- The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests; it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$7.7M
-15.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.8M
+16.9% YoY
Grant Count
13
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$135K
+16.9% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Rist Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $522K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is The Rist Family Foundation open to new grantees?
58%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 7 of 12 grantees (58%) were first-time recipients. With only 12 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. First grants averaged $147K; repeat grants $145K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 17% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 44% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 372% 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.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation says its mission is to improve the lives and actions of people in Southwest Florida who prioritize education, “Our American Hero’s,” economic impact, and social impact. Its website identifies support for youth through academic and educational initiatives and for service members and veterans.
The foundation lists initiatives involving Florida Gulf Coast University’s School of Entrepreneurship, Runway Program, and Newton Ethical Leadership Initiative; Florida SouthWestern State College; Lee County Public Schools; and the University of Massachusetts, Lowell. Its listed community and social-impact interests include food banks, Valerie’s House, and organizations serving girls.
Among its 2024 grantees, Florida SouthWestern State College describes its mission as administering property and making expenditures for the college’s exclusive benefit. Florida Gulf Coast University’s grantee organization says it advances the university and its students by supporting teaching, scholarship, and public service. Valerie’s House says it helps children and families work through the loss of a loved one, while Starability Foundation says it provides social, vocational, and educational connections for individuals with disabilities.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 13 grants totaling $1,753,519. Awards ranged from $504 to $945,000, with a median grant of $10,000. The largest listed awards were $945,000 to U-Mass Lowell, $400,000 to Florida SouthWestern State College, and $300,000 to Florida Gulf Coast University. Other listed grants included $40,000 to SWFL Children Charity Wine Fest and $25,000 to JA Business Hall of Fame.
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
How to Apply
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests; it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
Ready to take the next step with The Rist Family Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation describes its work as serving families in Southwest Florida. In 2024, 45% of grant dollars went to recipients in Florida, 54% to Massachusetts, and 1% to Colorado. Its largest 2024 grant went to U-Mass Lowell in Massachusetts; major Florida recipients included Florida SouthWestern State College and Florida Gulf Coast University.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 13 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $65K (2020) to $2.0M (2022). In 2024 it made 13 grants totaling $1.8M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was U-Mass ($945K). Together the top 10 received $1.8M.
Grant Size Distribution
62 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 46 grants of 62 (74%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| U-Mass Lowell, MA | Charitable | $945,000 |
| Florida Southwestern State College Fort Myers, FL | Charitable | $400,000 |
| Florida Gulf Coast University Fort Myers, FL | Charitable | $300,000 |
| SWFL Children Charity Wine Fest Fort Myers, FL | Charitable | $40,000 |
| Ja Business Hall of Fame Colorado Springs, CO | Charitable | $25,000 |
| Lee BIA Builders Care Fort Myers, FL | Charitable | $10,000 |
| Shell Museum Sanibel, FL | Charitable | $10,000 |
| Harry Chapin Food Bank Fort Myers, FL | Charitable | $7,500 |
| Imag Fort Myers, FL | Charitable | $5,000 |
| Imag Fort Myers, FL | Charitable | $5,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $7,665,183 | $556,867 | $1,970,878 | $1,753,519 |
| 2023 | $9,079,194 | $35,816 | $1,798,460 | $1,500,000 |
| 2022 | $10,841,838 | $325,334 | $2,246,355 | $1,977,104 |
In 2024, the foundation reported 13 grants; it reported 13 in 2023 and 19 in 2022.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $7,665,183 | $9,079,194 | $10,841,838 |
| Revenue | $556,867 | $35,816 | $325,334 |
| Expenses | $1,970,878 | $1,798,460 | $2,246,355 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,942,508 | $1,714,516 | $2,193,413 |
| Net Investment Income | $328,667 | $140,760 | $79,110 |
| Distributable Amount | $522,266 | $540,744 | $602,249 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Brian Rist as president and director, and Kim Marie Rist as vice president, secretary, and treasurer. The foundation’s website identifies Brian Rist as its founder and says he is building the foundation with his wife, Kim.
The Rist Family Foundation is led by Brian Rist, President & Director on every filing since 2020; 1 of 2 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Brian Rist
President & Director
On filings since 2020
30 hrs/week
$40K (2022) → $40K (2024)
Kim Marie Rist
Vice President, Secretary & Treasurer
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 $40K, to Brian Rist (President/Director).
Contact
Mailing address: 5327 Summerlin Commons Blvd 33133, Fort Myers, FL 33907
Phone: (239) 262-5248
Website: https://ristfamilyfoundation.org
Frequently asked questions about The Rist Family Foundation
How much does The Rist Family Foundation give each year?
The Rist Family Foundation gave $1.8M across 13 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.5M across 13 grants.
What is The Rist Family Foundation's typical grant size?
The Rist Family Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $134,886, across 13 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Rist Family Foundation that year got $147K on average.
Where does The Rist Family Foundation give grants?
The Rist Family Foundation gives mostly in Massachusetts: 54% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Florida (45%). The most frequent recipient cities were Fort Myers, FL (9 grants).
Does The Rist Family Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 13 grants with a stated purpose on The Rist Family Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Charitable" (13 grants).
Who are The Rist Family Foundation's largest grantees?
The Rist Family Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include U-Mass ($945,000), Florida Southwestern State College ($400,000) and Florida Gulf Coast University ($300,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 94% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Rist Family Foundation?
The Rist Family Foundation reported $7.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.9M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $522K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Rist Family Foundation fund?
The foundation says its mission is to improve the lives and actions of people in Southwest Florida who prioritize education, “Our American Hero’s,” economic impact, and social impact. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Rist Family Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests; it 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 Rist Family Foundation's EIN?
The Rist Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 83-2037794. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Rist Family Foundation 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.
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