The Rust Foundation
The Rust Foundation is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to stewarding the Rust programming language and supporting Rust communities worldwide. Founded in 2020 and headquartered in Dover, Delaware, the organization operates globally across 19 countries with a workforce of 31 employees. The Foundation invests in the global open-source community to maintain a healthy and efficient technological ecosystem for individuals and organizations.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$3.4M
+0.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$305K
+0.3% YoY
Grant Count
95
+8.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$3K
-7.1% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Rust Foundation reported a distributable amount of $324K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To ensure global computer systems are more secure, sustainable, scalable, and efficient through the use of the Rust programming language.
The Foundation's work encompasses:
- Stewarding the Rust programming language
- Supporting Rust communities worldwide
- Investing in the Rust talent pool
- Maintaining the health and efficiency of the technological ecosystem
Grantmaking
The Foundation engages in grant-making activities with a focus on Education, Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, and Human Services. Based on recent IRS filings:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation's grant-making activities have primarily focused on Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Tennessee, though the organization operates globally across 19 countries including the United Kingdom, Germany, Romania, India, and Austria.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue:
- Total assets: $3,396,281 (as of December 2024)
- Total assets: $3,372,861 (as of 2023)
- Revenue (2024): $385,000
- Expenses (2024): $362,000
- Net income (2024): $23,420
- Total liabilities: $0 (2024)
Funding:
- Total funding: $1,000,000
- Grant funding from Google (February 2024): $1,000,000
- Prior grant funding (November 2023)
Tax Status:
- 501(c)(3) organization
- Tax-exempt since February 1952
- EIN: 25-6049037
- IRS filing requirement: Form 990-PF
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $3,396,281 | $3,372,861 | $3,509,175 |
| Revenue | $384,968 | $247,789 | $483,731 |
| Expenses | $361,548 | $384,103 | $512,323 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $310,413 | $309,572 | $426,892 |
| Net Investment Income | $333,833 | $176,310 | $402,052 |
| Distributable Amount | $324,171 | $287,611 | $293,742 |
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
201 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Genesis of Ann Arbor ($15,000), Calvary Episcopal Church ($14,500), Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh ($12,500).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 412 FOOD RESCUE PITTSBURGH, PA | GENERAL PURPOSE | $500 |
| A FARM LESS ORDINARY PURCELLVILLE, VA | GENERAL PURPOSE | $500 |
| ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL PURPOSE | $500 |
| AMERICAN FOUNDATION SUICIDE PREVENTION NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL PURPOSE | $500 |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS BOONE, IA | GENERAL PURPOSE | $5,000 |
| AMERICAN WHITEWATER CULLOWHEE, NC | GENERAL PURPOSE | $2,500 |
| ANIMAL FRIENDS INC PITTSBURGH, PA | GENERAL PURPOSE | $500 |
| APPALACHIA SERVICE PROJECT INC JOHNSON CITY, TN | GENERAL PURPOSE | $500 |
| AUTISM SOCIETY CENTRAL OHIO WORTHINGTON, OH | GENERAL PURPOSE | $4,000 |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS CENTRAL INDIANA INDIANAPOLIS, IN | GENERAL PURPOSE | $2,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board of Directors:
- Nell Shamrell-Harrington – Chair, Member Director (Microsoft)
Board Members:
- David Wood (joined October 2025)
- Jack Huey (joined October 2025)
- Tyler Mandry
- Eric Garcia
- Seth M
The Board of Directors is composed of representatives from member organizations and the Rust Project who share equal voting power.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| THATCHER O MONTGOMERY | PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| COBURN J GILLIES | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| R BRUCE RUST | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| MOLLY R MONTGOMERY | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| JAMES O RUST | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| DAVID C GILLES | VICE PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| NANCY L GILLIES | TREASURER | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**Maintainers Fund Announcement:** The Foundation announced the Rust Foundation Maintainers Fund to provide support to Rust maintainers
Announcing the Rust Foundation Maintainers Fund**Community Grants Program:** Continued awards announcements for community-focused projects
Community Grants Program Awards Announcement - The Rust Foundation**Rust Innovation Lab:** Launched with Rustls as the inaugural project, demonstrating the Foundation's commitment to advancing critical Rust ecosystem projects
Rust Foundation Launches Rust Innovation Lab with Rustls as Inaugural Project**2025 Annual Report & 2026-2028 Strategic Plan:** Published to document recent impact and shape future priorities
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Rust Foundation fund?
**Mission:** To ensure global computer systems are more secure, sustainable, scalable, and efficient through the use of the Rust programming language. The Foundation's work encompasses: • Stewarding the Rust programming language • Supporting Rust communities worldwide • Investing in the Rust talent pool • Maintaining the health and efficiency of the technological ecosystem
How do I apply for a grant from The Rust Foundation?
The Foundation engages in grant-making activities with a focus on Education, Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, and Human Services. Based on recent IRS filings: • **Total giving (2023):** $304,000 • **Typical award range:** $500–$55,500 • **Geographic focus for grants:** Primarily Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Tennessee Recent grantmaking initiatives include: • **Rust Foundation Maintainers Fund:** Announced to provide support to Rust maintainers • **Community Grants Program:** Awards annou…
Where does The Rust Foundation make grants?
The Foundation's grant-making activities have primarily focused on Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Tennessee, though the organization operates globally across 19 countries including the United Kingdom, Germany, Romania, India, and Austria.
What size grants does The Rust Foundation award?
In 2024, The Rust Foundation awarded 95 grants totaling $305K — an average of about $3K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Rust Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Rust Foundation reported a distributable amount of $324K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Rust Foundation's EIN?
The Rust Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 25-6049037. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Rust 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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