The Ryna and Melvin Cohen Family
The Ryna and Melvin Cohen Family is a private foundation based in Beltsville, Maryland. In 2024, it reported 48 grants totaling $2,791,022 to charitable organizations, including recipients in New York, California, Washington, D.C., and Maryland.
The Ryna and Melvin Cohen Family at a glance
In short: The Ryna and Melvin Cohen Family gave $2.8M across 48 grants in 2024 (avg $58K), mostly in New York. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,791,022
- +14.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 48
- -59.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $58,146
- +181.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $28,699,322
- +4.3% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- New York (51% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The Ryna and Melvin Cohen Family
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 10501 Rhode Island Avenue, Beltsville, MD 20705
Phone: (301) 937-5300
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Ryna and Melvin Cohen Family funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was JP Morgan - Cohen Family Fund ($1.3M). Together the top 10 received $2.6M.
Grant Size Distribution
169 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 148 grants of 169 (88%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 51% of grant dollars went to recipients in New York, 33% to California, 11% to Washington, D.C., and 3% to Maryland. Massachusetts accounted for 0% of grant dollars. Listed recipients also included organizations in Missouri.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 48 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Ryna and Melvin Cohen Family gives
- 58% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 22% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 101% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2024). 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.8M (2020) to $2.8M (2024). In 2024 it made 48 grants totaling $2.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| JP Morgan - Cohen Family Fund New York, NY | Unrestricted Support of the Organizations Tax Exempt Purpose | $1,300,000 |
| San Francisco Jewish Community Federation San Francisco, CA | Unrestricted Support of the Organizations Tax Exempt Purpose | $900,000 |
| The John F Kennedy DC Washington, DC | Unrestricted Support of the Organizations Tax Exempt Purpose | $124,000 |
| Capital Jewish Museum Washington, DC | Unrestricted Support of the Organizations Tax Exempt Purpose | $105,000 |
| Anti-Defamation League New York, NY | Unrestricted Support of the Organizations Tax Exempt Purpose | $100,000 |
| Bender JCC of Greater Washington Rockville, MD | Unrestricted Support of the Organizations Tax Exempt Purpose | $27,500 |
| SP National Links Washington, DC | Unrestricted Support of the Organizations Tax Exempt Purpose | $25,000 |
| Stanford University Development Services Stanford, CA | Unrestricted Support of the Organizations Tax Exempt Purpose | $25,000 |
| Makom Rockville, MD | Unrestricted Support of the Organizations Tax Exempt Purpose | $15,000 |
| Chris Long Foundation St. Louis, MO | Unrestricted Support of the Organizations Tax Exempt Purpose | $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 | $28,699,322 | $3,917,856 | $3,173,537 | $2,791,022 | 48 | $2,792,759 | $3,547,862 | $2,764,242 |
| 2023 | $27,512,392 | $3,361,955 | $2,736,558 | $2,440,735 | 118 | $2,449,742 | $3,146,037 | $2,310,335 |
| 2022 | $26,456,534 | $2,798,807 | $2,563,945 | $2,225,427 | 1 | $2,230,940 | $2,572,861 | $2,116,295 |
| 2021 | $26,505,315 | $4,449,793 | $2,676,460 | $2,280,609 | 1 | $2,286,109 | $4,169,442 | $2,565,071 |
| 2020 | $24,791,604 | $4,278,306 | $2,087,926 | $1,820,771 | 1 | — | $4,037,601 | $2,078,961 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Ryna and Melvin Cohen Family reported a distributable amount of $2.8M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grantees describe a range of missions: the Anti-Defamation League says it works to stop the defamation of Jewish people and secure justice and fair treatment for all; the Bender JCC of Greater Washington describes programming inspired by Jewish heritage and welcoming people of diverse backgrounds; and the Defiant Requiem Foundation says it addresses Holocaust ignorance, denial, and antisemitism through performances, film, and educational materials. Other 2024 recipients include organizations whose stated missions concern clean water and basic needs, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, and youth and young-adult mental health.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 48 grants totaling $2,791,022. Awards ranged from $250 to $1,300,000, with a median grant of $5,000. The largest grants included $1,300,000 to JP Morgan - Cohen Family Fund, $900,000 to San Francisco Jewish Community Federation, $124,000 to The John F Kennedy DC, $105,000 to Capital Jewish Museum, and $100,000 to the Anti-Defamation League.
Other listed 2024 grants included $27,500 to Bender JCC of Greater Washington; $25,000 each to SP National Links and Stanford University Development Services; $15,000 to Makom; and $10,000 each to Chris Long Foundation, National Museum of Women in the Arts, and Save a Child’s Heart.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Neil D. Cohen as president. Ryna G. Cohen, Diane C. Zack, Mark L. Cohen, Marcella E. Cohen, Howard B. Zack, Theresa Cohen, and Thea A. Cohen are listed as vice presidents.
The Ryna and Melvin Cohen Family is led by Neil D. Cohen, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 8 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Neil D. Cohen
President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Diane C. Zack
Vice President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Howard B. Zack
Vice President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marcella E. Cohen
Vice President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark L. Cohen
Vice President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ryna G. Cohen
Vice President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Thea A. Cohen
Vice President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Theresa Cohen
Vice President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
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 Ryna and Melvin Cohen Family
How much does The Ryna and Melvin Cohen Family give each year?
The Ryna and Melvin Cohen Family gave $2.8M across 48 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $2.4M across 118 grants.
What is The Ryna and Melvin Cohen Family's typical grant size?
The Ryna and Melvin Cohen Family's median grant in 2024 was $5,000, and its average grant was $58,146, across 48 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Ryna and Melvin Cohen Family give grants?
The Ryna and Melvin Cohen Family gives mostly in New York: 51% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were California (33%) and District of Columbia (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (17 grants), New York, NY (5 grants), Rockville, MD (2 grants) and Potomac, MD (2 grants).
Does The Ryna and Melvin Cohen Family give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Ryna and Melvin Cohen Family's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (48 of 48) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Ryna and Melvin Cohen Family's largest grantees?
The Ryna and Melvin Cohen Family's largest 2024 grantees include JP Morgan - Cohen Family Fund ($1,300,000), San Francisco Jewish Community Federation ($900,000) and The John F Kennedy DC ($124,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 83% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Ryna and Melvin Cohen Family?
The Ryna and Melvin Cohen Family reported $28.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.8M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.8M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Ryna and Melvin Cohen Family fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Ryna and Melvin Cohen Family?
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Ryna and Melvin Cohen Family's EIN?
The Ryna and Melvin Cohen Family's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 52-1800019. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Ryna and Melvin Cohen Family 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
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Ryna and Melvin Cohen Family funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 25, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-ryna-and-melvin-cohen-family-morg_38c1c25f09b841b4bbb43822129b9591
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_521800019_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Ryna and Melvin Cohen Family funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-ryna-and-melvin-cohen-family-morg_38c1c25f09b841b4bbb43822129b9591},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-25. 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 Ryna and Melvin Cohen Family'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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