The Ruth and Hal Launders Charitable
The Ruth and Hal Launders Charitable Trust is a private foundation based in Herndon, Virginia. Founded in 2006, it supports organizations addressing charitable needs, with its stated mission focused on helping people experiencing food insecurity and housing challenges.
The Ruth and Hal Launders Charitable at a glance
In short: The Ruth and Hal Launders Charitable gave $1.2M across 56 grants in 2025 (avg $21K), top state District of Columbia. 48% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,184,970
- +31.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 56
- +27.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $21,160
- +3.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $47,726,089
- -3.6% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 48% first-time grantees (27 of 56, 2025)
- Primary geography
- District of Columbia (14% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Ruth and Hal Launders Charitable
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Invitation Only
-
The Trust does not accept unsolicited requests. Applications are by invitation; an invited applicant uses the link in the application email and password to access and submit the online form.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 546, Herndon, VA 20172-0546
Phone: (703) 497-9200
Website: https://rhlct.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Ruth and Hal Launders Charitable funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Capital Area Food Bank ($100K). Together the top 10 received $660K.
Grant Size Distribution
246 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 227 grants of 246 (92%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, the largest shares of grant dollars by recipient state were DC and Virginia at 14% each, New York at 13%, Rhode Island at 12%, and California at 9%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 56 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Ruth and Hal Launders Charitable open to new grantees?
48%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 27 of 56 grantees (48%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $23K; repeat grants $19K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 38% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−12%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 70% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $553K (2021) to $1.4M (2022). In 2025 it made 56 grants totaling $1.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Capital Area Food Bank Washington, DC | This grant supports the cafb hunger relief infrastructure addressing food insecurity in the dc area. | $100,000 |
| Edesia Inc Providence, RI | Edesia manufactures specialized ready-to-eat foods for malnourished populations. This grant will help produce and provide food to malnourished children. | $100,000 |
| The Common Market Philadelphia, PA | These funds support tcm in improving food security, farm viability and community health delivering nutritious food to needy populations. | $100,000 |
| Anne Saxelby Legacy Fund Inc Brooklyn, NY | Aslf funding is for food security and diversity. This grant will be used for general operations which provides paid apprenticeships on farms for young adults throughout the country. | $70,000 |
| Make Projects San Diego, CA | Make projects funding is used to empower refugee and immigrant women and youth with job readiness skills to achieve their dreams. | $65,000 |
| Urban Growers Collective Chicago, IL | This grant will support urban growers job training and education programs for teens, adults and beginning farmers with a focus on food access programs and emergency food response. | $65,000 |
| Solar Electric Light Fund Washington, DC | Funds will be used to install solar solutions in uganda to help thwart sexual assaults against females; in addition to supply electricity to shelter and school facilities. Supports the rape hurts foundation. | $50,000 |
| Fairfax County Park Foundation Fairfax, VA | The funds are to be used for the summer concert series at arrowbrook centre park. Funds will be used for expenses for advertising, mailings, fees for musicians and other performers, and technical support. The funds are to be used for the summer concert series at arrowbrook centre park and the expenses of the Fairfax county 4-h fair and carnival. | $45,000 |
| The Mayo Clinic Rochester, MN | These funds will support multiple myeloma research at the mayo clinic. | $40,000 |
| Catalyst for Change Inc Madison, WI | Funds are used for general operating support providing services for the homeless in madison. | $25,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Ruth and Hal Launders Charitable?
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 | $47,726,089 | $2,061,149 | $4,395,878 | $1,184,970 | 56 | $1,705,082 | — | $2,434,503 |
| 2024 | $49,506,006 | $790,535 | $3,205,372 | $899,000 | 44 | $1,570,765 | — | $2,477,231 |
| 2023 | $41,472,217 | $598,088 | $2,644,141 | $865,602 | 56 | $1,553,152 | — | $2,271,315 |
| 2022 | $43,449,834 | $1,879,287 | $3,360,634 | $1,350,577 | 53 | $2,409,186 | $1,037,724 | $2,544,957 |
| 2021 | $44,870,444 | $9,530,217 | $3,444,744 | $553,000 | 37 | — | $7,905,444 | $1,372,378 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Ruth and Hal Launders Charitable reported a distributable amount of $2.4M 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
The Trust’s mission is “to help individuals struggling with food insecurity and housing by supporting organizations that demonstrate awareness of root causes of hunger and homelessness.”
Its 2025 grants included support for food access and nutrition, farming and job training, refugee and immigrant communities, homelessness services, youth activities, and medical research. For example, Capital Area Food Bank describes its mission as creating more equitable access to food and opportunity through community partnerships. Edesia says it works to treat and prevent malnutrition among vulnerable populations through ready-to-use therapeutic foods. Anne Saxelby Legacy Fund says it provides paid farm apprenticeships for young adults, while Urban Growers Collective describes work addressing inequities in the food system through urban agriculture.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the Trust reported 56 grants totaling $1,184,970. Grant amounts ranged from $720 to $100,000, with a median of $10,000.
Among the largest grants were $100,000 each to Capital Area Food Bank, Edesia, and The Common Market. Other notable grants included $70,000 to Anne Saxelby Legacy Fund; $65,000 each to Make Projects and Urban Growers Collective; and $50,000 to Solar Electric Light Fund. The Trust also awarded $45,000 to Fairfax County Park Foundation, $40,000 to Mayo Clinic, and $25,000 each to Catalyst for Change, Madison Area Food Pantry Gardens, and Metropolitan PGA Junior Golf Association.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Arthur A. Anselene as co-trustee and board chairman, and Catherine P. Whelan as co-trustee and treasurer. Other listed co-trustees are Rebecca F. Fehrs, Whitney Webb, Valerie E. Maine, and Terrill J. North. Caitlin E. Orth is listed as executive director. The filing also lists Eugenie W. Maine as secretary through October 31, 2024, and Jeffrey J. Fairfield as co-executive director, then real estate manager, with a change dated August 1, 2024.
The Ruth and Hal Launders Charitable is led by Caitlin E. Orth, Executive Director on the 2025 filing; all 9 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Caitlin E. Orth
Executive Director
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$225K (2025)
Arthur A. Anselene
Co-Trustee & Board Chairman
Co-Trustee & Treasurer → Co-Trustee & Board Chairman, 2024
On filings since 2022
2.5 hrs/week
$15K (2022) → $24K (2025)
Catherine P. Whelan
Co-Trustee & Treasurer
Co-Trustee & Chairman of the Board → Co-Trustee & Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2021
2.5 hrs/week
$30K (2021) → $31K (2025)
Eugenie W. Maine
Co-Trustee & Secretary
Co-Trustee → Co-Trustee & Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2021
2.5 hrs/week
$30K (2021) → $30K (2025)
Rebecca F. Fehrs
Co-Trustee
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
$30K (2021) → $30K (2025)
Whitney Webb
Co-Trustee
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
$15K (2022) → $15K (2025)
Terrill J. North
Co-Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
$8K (2025)
Valerie E. Maine
Co-Trustee & Then Secretary
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
$18K (2025)
Jeffrey J. Fairfield
Co-Ed Then R.e. Manager
Executive Director & Secretary → Executive Director, 2024
Executive Director → Co-Ed Then R.e. Manager, 2025
On filings since 2021
30 hrs/week
$251K (2021) → $136K (2025)
Former officers (2)
- Former: Jerome L. Lonnes (2021–2024) — Co-Trustee
- Former: John H. Webb (2021) — Co-Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $225K, to Caitlin E Orth (Executive Director). 9 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Ruth and Hal Launders Charitable
How much does The Ruth and Hal Launders Charitable give each year?
The Ruth and Hal Launders Charitable gave $1.2M across 56 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $899K across 44 grants.
What is The Ruth and Hal Launders Charitable's typical grant size?
The Ruth and Hal Launders Charitable's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $21,160, across 56 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Ruth and Hal Launders Charitable that year got $23K on average.
Where does The Ruth and Hal Launders Charitable give grants?
The Ruth and Hal Launders Charitable's top state is District of Columbia, with 14% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Virginia (14%) and New York (13%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (3 grants), Providence, RI (3 grants), San Diego, CA (3 grants) and Madison, WI (3 grants).
Does The Ruth and Hal Launders Charitable give general operating support?
Yes: 21% of The Ruth and Hal Launders Charitable's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (12 of 56) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Ruth and Hal Launders Charitable's largest grantees?
The Ruth and Hal Launders Charitable's largest 2025 grantees include Capital Area Food Bank ($100,000), Edesia Inc ($100,000) and The Common Market ($100,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 25% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Ruth and Hal Launders Charitable?
The Ruth and Hal Launders Charitable reported $47.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.7M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.4M (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 Ruth and Hal Launders Charitable fund?
The Trust’s mission is “to help individuals struggling with food insecurity and housing by supporting organizations that demonstrate awareness of root causes of hunger and homelessness.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Ruth and Hal Launders Charitable?
The Trust does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Ruth and Hal Launders Charitable's EIN?
The Ruth and Hal Launders Charitable's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 02-0703907. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Does The Ruth and Hal Launders Charitable 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.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS February 3, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 30, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 9, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS March 4, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS March 3, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Ruth and Hal Launders Charitable funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-ruth-and-hal-launders-charitable-morg_eeb733ee06904ba79344c2b40b6256fc
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_020703907_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Ruth and Hal Launders Charitable funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-ruth-and-hal-launders-charitable-morg_eeb733ee06904ba79344c2b40b6256fc},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from The Ruth and Hal Launders Charitable'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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