The Rust Family Foundation is a private, tax-exempt (501(c)(3)) charitable foundation established in Virginia in 1998 (with some sources indicating 1999). The foundation maintains its office in Fairfield, Connecticut, and operates as a family foundation focused on grantmaking activities.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$5.1M
-0.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$280K
+21.6% YoY
Grant Count
39
+14.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$7K
+6.0% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Rust Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $302K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary funding interests include:
- Education — including support for universities and educational institutions
- Archaeology — through a dedicated Archaeology Grants Program
- Science and STEM Education
- Human Services
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
The Archaeology Grants Program emphasizes funding the development and dissemination of direct archaeological evidence gained through field and laboratory work. The program prioritizes:
- Initial explorations in regions and/or chronological periods where archaeological data has been previously lacking
- Research pertaining to basic questions of human origins or human cultural development (including development of agriculture, origins of complex society, migrations, and trade)
- Projects that advance understanding of cultural prehistory and development
Grantmaking
For the Archaeology Grants Program, proposals should be:
Ready to take the next step with The Rust Family Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds work in:
- New York
- Florida
- Connecticut
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 31, 2023:
- Total assets: $5,094,928
- Total revenues: $238,616
- Total expenses: $243,876
- Investment income and dividends: $222,596
- Number of employees: 0
Year-over-year changes (2023 vs. 2022):
- Total grants and contributions decreased 99.2% (from $1,631,342 to $13,015)
- Investment income increased 5.6%
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $5,050,141 | $5,094,928 | $5,100,188 |
| Revenue | $258,337 | $238,616 | $1,847,239 |
| Expenses | $303,124 | $243,876 | $188,911 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $280,299 | $230,539 | $159,181 |
| Net Investment Income | $235,975 | $225,601 | $200,368 |
| Distributable Amount | $301,544 | $272,137 | $207,712 |
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
157 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include American Society Un of Haifa ($15,900), Regents of the University of Ca ($15,360), Ucl Friends & Alumni Assoc ($14,412).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN SOCIETY UN OF HAIFA NEW YORK, NY | SUPPORT WORK | $15,900 |
| ASPCA NEW YORK, NY | SUPPORT WORK | $2,500 |
| BAYLOR UNIVERSITY WACO, TX | SUPPORT WORK | $5,954 |
| BROWN UNIVERSITY PROVIDENCE, RI | SUPPORT WORK | $7,810 |
| CARLETON COLLEGE NORTHFIELD, MN | SUPPORT WORK | $7,500 |
| CONNECTICUT FOOD BANK WALLINGFORD, CT | SUPPORT WORK | $3,000 |
| CONNECTICUT HUMANE SOCIETY NEWINGTON, CT | SUPPORT WORK | $3,000 |
| CORNELL UNIVERSITY ITHACA, NY | SUPPORT WORK | $7,419 |
| DARTMOUTH COLLEGE HANOVER, NH | SUPPORT WORK | $14,115 |
| HERITAGE FOUNDATION WASHINGTON, DC | SUPPORT WORK | $7,600 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| RANDI RUST | PRESIDENT | 2 | — |
| JEFFREY D MITCHELL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Contact Information
Address: 3244 Bronson Road Fairfield, CT 06824-2003 United States
Phone: 203-259-4576
Email: rfamfo1@aol.com
Website: www.rfamfound1.org
EIN: 54-1925955
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Rust Family Foundation fund?
The foundation's primary funding interests include: • **Education** — including support for universities and educational institutions • **Archaeology** — through a dedicated Archaeology Grants Program • **Science and STEM Education** • **Human Services** • **Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking** The Archaeology Grants Program emphasizes funding the development and dissemination of direct archaeological evidence gained through field and laboratory work. The program prioritizes: • Initial exp…
How do I apply for a grant from The Rust Family Foundation?
**Grant Activity (2023):** • Total grants awarded: $230,539 • Number of grants: 34 • Typical award range: $500–$15,064 **Recent Grant Recipients (2023):** • University of Colorado Foundation: $9,300 • Cornell University: $8,000 • Sigma Chi Fraternity Tau Tau Chapter: $7,530 **Application Requirements:** For the Archaeology Grants Program, proposals should be: • Clear and concise (5-10 numbered pages, not including bibliography, figures, and CVs) • Focused on specific goals and methodological de…
Where does The Rust Family Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds work in: • New York • Florida • Connecticut
What size grants does The Rust Family Foundation award?
In 2024, The Rust Family Foundation awarded 39 grants totaling $280K — an average of about $7K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Rust Family Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Rust Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $302K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Rust Family Foundation's EIN?
The Rust Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 54-1925955. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Rust Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Christine E Moser Foundation
NEW BRITAIN, CT
Assets
$767K
Grants
7
Total Given
$36K
The Ravengate Foundation
OLD GREENWICH, CT
Assets
$1.2M
Grants
3
Total Given
$70K
Alderman Family Foundation
SALISBURY, CT
Assets
$33K
Grants
5
Total Given
$650
Calf Island Foundation
GREENWICH, CT
Assets
$172K
Grants
1
Total Given
$10K
Russel R Taylor Foundation
GREENWICH, CT
Assets
$2.6M
Grants
3
Total Given
$224K
Nancy a Larson Foundation Inc
OLD LYME, CT
Assets
$9K
Grants
8
Total Given
$12K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with The Rust Family Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching The Rust Family Foundation to a real strategy.