The Ruth M Knight Foundation Inc
The Ruth M Knight Foundation Inc is a private foundation focused on Arts and culture, based in Columbia, MD. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $2.0M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 8 grants totaling $150K. Net investment income was $174K.
The Ruth M Knight Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: The Ruth M Knight Foundation Inc gave $150K across 8 grants in 2024 (avg $19K), top state New York. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $150,000
- -0.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 8
- -38.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $18,750
- +61.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Total assets
- $1,990,065
- +1.2% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- New York (27% 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 Ruth M Knight Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 8 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Manhattan School of Music ($20K). Together the top 8 received $150K.
Grant Size Distribution
65 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 65 grants of 65 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 8 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Ruth M Knight Foundation Inc gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+7%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 91% 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $135K (2020) to $162K (2022). In 2024 it made 8 grants totaling $150K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Manhattan School of Music New York, NY | General | $20,000 |
| Moving Arts Espanola Ohkay Owinegh, NM | General | $20,000 |
| Shelburne Farms Shelburne, VT | General | $20,000 |
| Montgomery Countryside Alliance Poolesville, MD | General | $20,000 |
| Young Storytellers Los Angeles, CA | General | $20,000 |
| Girls on the Run Greenwood Village, CO | General | $20,000 |
| We Are Instrumental Fort Ticonderoga, NY | General | $20,000 |
| Tampa Bay Abortion Fund Beaverton, OR | General | $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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1,990,065 | $199,141 | $175,547 | $150,000 | 8 | $150,000 | $173,594 | $164,974 |
| 2023 | $1,966,471 | $112,098 | $176,666 | $151,250 | 13 | $151,250 | $86,682 | $147,302 |
| 2022 | $2,031,039 | $164,733 | $192,352 | $162,400 | 14 | $162,400 | $134,781 | $151,168 |
| 2021 | $2,058,659 | $266,104 | $165,024 | $140,450 | 15 | $140,450 | $241,530 | $164,936 |
| 2020 | $1,957,578 | $207,626 | $156,496 | $135,050 | 15 | — | $186,180 | $138,275 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Ruth M Knight Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $165K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Ruth M Knight Foundation Inc is led by Eric Naumburg, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 8 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Eric Naumburg
President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Christopher London
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Darren Bluestone
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Elizabeth H. Naumburg
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Gordon Naumburg
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Michael Gravitz
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Tahlia Sayers
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Judith Ellen Naumburg
Treasurer
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 Ruth M Knight Foundation Inc
How much does The Ruth M Knight Foundation Inc give each year?
The Ruth M Knight Foundation Inc gave $150K across 8 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $151K across 13 grants.
What is The Ruth M Knight Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
The Ruth M Knight Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $20,000, and its average grant was $18,750, across 8 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Ruth M Knight Foundation Inc give grants?
The Ruth M Knight Foundation Inc's top state is New York, with 27% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were New Mexico (13%) and Vermont (13%).
Does The Ruth M Knight Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Ruth M Knight Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (8 of 8) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Ruth M Knight Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
The Ruth M Knight Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Manhattan School of Music ($20,000), Moving Arts Espanola ($20,000) and Shelburne Farms ($20,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 40% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Ruth M Knight Foundation Inc?
The Ruth M Knight Foundation Inc reported $2.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $150K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $165K (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 is The Ruth M Knight Foundation Inc?
The Ruth M Knight Foundation Inc is a private foundation focused on Arts and culture, based in Columbia, MD. It holds $2.0M in total assets as of 2024.
What is The Ruth M Knight Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Ruth M Knight Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-6093663. 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
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