The RJ Salerno Foundation
The RJ Salerno Foundation is a private foundation based in Wilmington, Delaware. Its 2024 filing reports grants to charitable organizations, including organizations working in conservation, humanitarian aid, health, and youth services.
The RJ Salerno Foundation at a glance
In short: The RJ Salerno Foundation gave $185K across 9 grants in 2025 (avg $21K), top state New Jersey. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $185,000
- +15.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 9
- -10.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $20,556
- +28.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Total assets
- $3,950,008
- +10.0% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- New Jersey (27% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated November 2026.
How to apply to The RJ Salerno Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: Foundation Source 501 Silverside Rd, Wilmington, DE 19809-1377
Phone: (800) 839-1754
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The RJ Salerno Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 9 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Heal Raising Our World Foundation Inc ($50K). Together the top 9 received $185K.
Grant Size Distribution
50 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 49 grants of 50 (98%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, grant dollars by recipient state were reported as NY 45%, CA 22%, MA 12%, WV 12%, and DC 6%. The listed grants also include a $3,000 grant to the Fort Lewis College Foundation in Colorado.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 9 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The RJ Salerno Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+3%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 90% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $125K (2019) to $185K (2025). In 2025 it made 9 grants totaling $185K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Heal Raising Our World Foundation Inc Haddonfield, NJ | General & Unrestricted | $50,000 |
| Sierra Club Foundation Oakland, CA | General & Unrestricted | $30,000 |
| Appalachian Mountain Club Charlestown, MA | General & Unrestricted | $20,000 |
| Appalachian Trail Conservancy Harpers Ferry, WV | General & Unrestricted | $20,000 |
| Oxfam-America Inc Washington, DC | General & Unrestricted | $20,000 |
| The Nature Conservancy Cold Spring Harbor, NY | General & Unrestricted | $15,000 |
| Boys & Girls Club of Newburgh Inc Newburgh, NY | General & Unrestricted | $10,000 |
| Direct Relief Santa Barbara, CA | General & Unrestricted | $10,000 |
| Medecins Sans Frontieres USA Inc Hagerstown, MD | General & Unrestricted | $10,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $3,950,008 | $594,290 | $235,768 | $185,000 | 9 | $205,942 | $545,957 | $228,760 |
| 2024 | $3,591,486 | $391,549 | $207,272 | $160,000 | 10 | $179,689 | $239,200 | $208,364 |
| 2023 | $3,407,209 | $426,719 | $207,178 | $165,000 | 9 | $183,596 | $364,734 | $183,495 |
| 2022 | $3,187,668 | $296,185 | $222,902 | $180,000 | 11 | $198,658 | $153,031 | $181,911 |
| 2021 | $3,114,385 | $418,784 | $191,384 | $145,000 | 11 | $163,779 | $311,611 | $195,979 |
| 2020 | $2,886,985 | $256,395 | $168,307 | $130,000 | 9 | — | $191,023 | $165,345 |
| 2019 | $2,798,897 | $277,946 | $161,791 | $125,000 | 12 | — | $154,078 | $150,761 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The RJ Salerno Foundation reported a distributable amount of $229K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included support for organizations with varied missions. For example, the Sierra Club Foundation says it works to educate and empower people to protect and improve the natural and human environment. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy says it works to protect and advocate for the Appalachian Trail and its corridor, while the Appalachian Mountain Club says it promotes protection, enjoyment, and understanding of the Appalachian region’s mountains, forests, waters, and trails.
The foundation also gave to Médecins Sans Frontières USA, whose stated mission is to provide independent medical humanitarian emergency aid, and Direct Relief, which says it works to improve the health and lives of people affected by poverty or emergencies.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 10 grants totaling $160,000. The median grant was $11,000; grants ranged from $3,000 to $40,000. The largest reported grants were: Its 2025 filing, the latest on this page, reports 9 grants totaling $185,000.
The filing lists the grants as “General & Unrestricted,” except for the Fort Lewis College Foundation grant, which was for a charitable event.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Robert J Salerno as director, president, and secretary, and Robyn Anne Salerno as director, treasurer, and vice president.
The RJ Salerno Foundation is led by Robert J Salerno, Director, President & Secretary on every filing since 2019; none of the 2 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Robert J Salerno
Director, President & Secretary
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robyn Anne Salerno
Director, Treasurer & Vice President
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about The RJ Salerno Foundation
How much does The RJ Salerno Foundation give each year?
The RJ Salerno Foundation gave $185K across 9 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $160K across 10 grants.
What is The RJ Salerno Foundation's typical grant size?
The RJ Salerno Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $20,000, and its average grant was $20,556, across 9 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The RJ Salerno Foundation give grants?
The RJ Salerno Foundation's top state is New Jersey, with 27% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were California (22%) and New York (14%).
Does The RJ Salerno Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The RJ Salerno Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (9 of 9) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The RJ Salerno Foundation's largest grantees?
The RJ Salerno Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Heal Raising Our World Foundation Inc ($50,000), Sierra Club Foundation ($30,000) and Appalachian Mountain Club ($20,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 54% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The RJ Salerno Foundation?
The RJ Salerno Foundation reported $4.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $206K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $229K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does The RJ Salerno Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included support for organizations with varied missions. For example, the Sierra Club Foundation says it works to educate and empower people to protect and improve the natural and human environment. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The RJ Salerno Foundation?
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The RJ Salerno Foundation's EIN?
The RJ Salerno Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-1509260. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does The RJ Salerno Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated November 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS September 15, 2026)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS May 28, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS October 26, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS April 12, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS April 25, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS June 27, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS July 2, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Live grants for the work The RJ Salerno Foundation funds
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Figures come from The RJ Salerno Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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