The Russell Foundation
The Russell Foundation is a private foundation, based in Pacific Palisades, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $199K in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 1 grant totaling $301K. Net investment income was $6.
The Russell Foundation at a glance
In short: The Russell Foundation gave $301K across 1 grant in 2024 (avg $301K), mostly in District of Columbia. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $301,226
- +262.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $301,226
- +262.9% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $301,226
- Total assets
- $199,089
- -15.5% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- District of Columbia (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who The Russell Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Institute for State Effectiveness ($301K).
Grant Size Distribution
7 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 4 grants of 7 (57%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2024 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
Cities
How The Russell Foundation gives
- Giving grew 402% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 315% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $60K (2021) to $301K (2024). In 2024 it made 1 grant totaling $301K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Institute for State Effectiveness Washington, DC | (1) description: 718 shares of bershire hathaway class b securities (2) book value: $32,837 (3) method used to determine book value: average of the high/low on the date the securities were received by the foundation. (4) method used to determine fair market value: average of the high/low on the date the securities were donated. (5) date of the gift: 04/04/2024 (6) purpose: general operating support | $301,226 |
Ready to take the next step with The Russell Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $199,089 | $6 | $304,996 | $301,226 | 1 | $303,961 | $6 | $96,426 |
| 2023 | $235,690 | $74,412 | $86,532 | $83,000 | 1 | $84,344 | $84,289 | $87,390 |
| 2022 | $247,810 | $52,339 | $77,255 | $75,000 | 1 | $75,000 | $50,084 | $82,939 |
| 2021 | $280,498 | $78,018 | $63,131 | $60,000 | 2 | $60,000 | $74,887 | $75,234 |
| 2020 | $279,786 | $17,910 | $65,166 | $62,050 | 2 | — | $14,794 | $59,603 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Russell Foundation reported a distributable amount of $96K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Russell Foundation's only listed officer is William H. Borthwick, Officer since 2023 (on filings since 2020) (uncompensated).
Officers on the 2024 filing
William H. Borthwick
Officer
As Needed → Officer, 2023
On filings since 2020
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.
Frequently asked questions about The Russell Foundation
How much does The Russell Foundation give each year?
The Russell Foundation gave $301K across 1 grant in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $83K across 1 grant.
How large is The Russell Foundation?
The Russell Foundation reported $199K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $304K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $96K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
Where does The Russell Foundation operate?
The Russell Foundation has awarded grants in California, District of Columbia, Massachusetts.
What is The Russell Foundation's EIN?
The Russell Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-4720083. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Russell Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common
Munger Charitable Trust Number Eight
Pasadena, CA
Munger Charitable Trust Number Eight’s 2025 grants supported civic engagement and voting-related organizations, including voter education and voting rights groups. Its median grant was $100,000, with grants ranging from $49,367 to $5,805,594; most funding went to organizations in Washington, DC, with smaller amounts in Pennsylvania, California, Ohio, and Nevada. It funds only preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$145.5M
Grants
17
Total Given
$11.6M
Rockefeller Brothers Fund Inc
New York, NY
The Rockefeller Brothers Fund supports work on democracy, sustainable development and climate, and peacebuilding, as well as place-based efforts in China, Central America, and the Western Balkans and arts and culture in New York City. Its 2024 grants had a median of $60,000, though awards varied widely. It accepts unsolicited requests, but rarely funds them—fewer than 1 percent result in funding.
Assets
$1.4B
Grants
646
Total Given
$60.4M
The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation
Menlo Park, CA
The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation funds education, climate and conservation, the arts, democracy, gender equity, racial justice, and efforts to strengthen nonprofits and philanthropy, with work spanning the San Francisco Bay Area, the U.S. West, and locations including East and West Africa and Mexico. Its 2024 grants had a median award of $150,000, though amounts varied widely. It generally does not accept unsolicited requests, but sometimes invites proposals through open processes.
Assets
$14.2B
Grants
2,001
Total Given
$625.0M
RSF Social Finance Inc
San Francisco, CA
RSF Social Finance funds organizations and projects advancing social and environmental change, especially in food and agriculture, climate and energy, education, and community impact. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000, with awards ranging from $5,250 to $5.52 million; recipients were primarily in California, Maryland, New York, Georgia, and Pennsylvania. The profile does not state whether RSF accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$108.4M
Grants
457
Total Given
$48.2M
Open Society Institute
New York, NY
The Open Society Institute funds organizations and individuals advancing democracy, human rights, equity, and justice, including work on civic engagement, independent media, and digital rights. Its 2024 grants had a median of $15,000, though awards ranged widely, and it supports work nationally and globally. Application processes vary by program; most grants go to groups approached directly, and the Latin America and Caribbean program rarely funds unsolicited proposals.
Assets
$5.4B
Grants
559
Total Given
$146.9M
Franklin W Olin College of Engineering Inc
Needham, MA
Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering primarily supports engineering education and related learning initiatives; its filings show one $10,000 grant in each of 2023 and 2024, but none in 2025. It is based in Needham, Massachusetts, and no grantmaking geographic focus is specified. Its website describes grant support for Olin faculty and staff, not an application program for outside organizations.
Assets
$511.0M
Grants
0
Total Given
$587K
More similar funders
More Funders in California
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from The Russell 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.
The Russell Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?