The Sam R Ratcliff Charitable
The Sam R Ratcliff Charitable is a private foundation based in Gillette, Wyoming. Its filing describes support for higher education through scholarships or non-interest-bearing loans to eligible high school graduates or residents pursuing study at a college, university, vocational school, or trade school.
The Sam R Ratcliff Charitable at a glance
In short: The Sam R Ratcliff Charitable gave $129K across 62 grants in 2025 (avg $2K), mostly in Wyoming. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $128,875
- -15.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 62
- -11.4% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $2,079
- -5.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $2,125
- Total assets
- $1,666,678
- +8.0% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Wyoming (98% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The Sam R Ratcliff Charitable
- How to Apply
-
Applications must be submitted in writing. Applicants must have been residents of the qualifying counties for at least one year before applying, or be graduates of high schools in those counties. Awards are based on need and worthiness as established by the board of trustees. Funds are to be used for tuition, textbooks, instruments, tools, or other aids that enable attendance at a vocational or trade school.
- Review Cycle
- The filing states that the application deadline is March 1 each year. The March 1, 2026 deadline has passed.
- Deadline
- The filing states that the application deadline is March 1 each year.
- Contact
Application contact: Patsy L Larson
Mailing address: PO Box 2306, Gillette, WY 82717-2306
Phone: (307) 682-8334
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Sam R Ratcliff Charitable funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
252 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 252 grants of 252 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The filing identifies Campbell, Johnson, Crook, and Weston counties as the qualifying counties for scholarship applicants. In 2025, 98% of grant dollars went to recipients in Wyoming and 2% to recipients in Montana.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 62 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Sam R Ratcliff Charitable gives
- Giving grew 59% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 130% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $57K (2023) to $153K (2024). In 2025 it made 62 grants totaling $129K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 50 individual scholarships Recipients not named | — | $107,750 |
Ready to take the next step with The Sam R Ratcliff 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 | $1,666,678 | $309,120 | $185,206 | $128,875 | 62 | $132,069 | $238,832 | $101,211 |
| 2024 | $1,542,764 | $298,966 | $201,374 | $153,246 | 70 | $155,088 | $252,959 | $69,583 |
| 2023 | $1,445,172 | $468,169 | $98,303 | $56,672 | 36 | $57,988 | $379,958 | $60,105 |
| 2022 | $1,075,306 | $95,602 | $121,871 | $81,250 | 47 | $83,117 | $92,228 | $57,611 |
| 2021 | $1,101,575 | $255,301 | $111,975 | $72,259 | 37 | $72,559 | $122,647 | $59,706 |
| 2020 | $958,249 | $82,589 | $104,139 | $74,219 | 37 | — | $63,541 | $55,100 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Sam R Ratcliff Charitable reported a distributable amount of $101K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated charitable activity is to aid the higher education of graduates or residents of Campbell, Johnson, Crook, or Weston counties through scholarships or non-interest-bearing loans. The filing says assistance may support study toward a degree at a college or university, or attendance at a vocational or trade school.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 62 grants totaling $128,875. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $2,250, with a median of $2,125. The largest grants were $2,250 scholarships to individual recipients. The foundation’s filing says it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Patsy L Larson as secretary, Thomas E Lubnau II as chair, Chris Fare as vice preside, and John Melgaard Jr as director.
The Sam R Ratcliff Charitable is led by Thomas E. Lubnau II, Chair since 2025 (on filings since 2020); all 4 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Thomas E. Lubnau II
Chair
Trustee → Chair, 2025
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$600 (2022) → $600 (2025)
John Melgaard Jr.
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
$600 (2025)
Patsy L. Larson
Secretary
Trustee → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$600 (2022) → $600 (2025)
Chris Fare
Vice President
Trustee & Director → Vice President, 2025
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
$300 (2024) → $600 (2025)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Gary Marquiss (2020–2024) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 $600, to Patsy L Larson (Secretary). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Sam R Ratcliff Charitable
How much does The Sam R Ratcliff Charitable give each year?
The Sam R Ratcliff Charitable gave $129K across 62 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $153K across 70 grants.
What is The Sam R Ratcliff Charitable's typical grant size?
The Sam R Ratcliff Charitable's median grant in 2025 was $2,125, and its average grant was $2,079, across 62 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Sam R Ratcliff Charitable give grants?
The Sam R Ratcliff Charitable gives mostly in Wyoming: 98% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there.
Does The Sam R Ratcliff Charitable give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 62 grants with a stated purpose on The Sam R Ratcliff Charitable's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Scholarship" (62 grants).
How large is The Sam R Ratcliff Charitable?
The Sam R Ratcliff Charitable reported $1.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $132K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $101K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Sam R Ratcliff Charitable fund?
The foundation’s stated charitable activity is to aid the higher education of graduates or residents of Campbell, Johnson, Crook, or Weston counties through scholarships or non-interest-bearing loans. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Sam R Ratcliff Charitable?
Applications must be submitted in writing. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Sam R Ratcliff Charitable's EIN?
The Sam R Ratcliff Charitable's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-2094781. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 10, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 13, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 11, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS July 18, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 14, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 18, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The Sam R Ratcliff Charitable funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Sam R Ratcliff Charitable's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common
Christian Community Foundation Inc
Colorado Springs, CO
WaterStone supports domestic and international nonprofits, including Christian ministries and charitable and educational organizations, through donor-directed grants; eligible organizations must be IRS-recognized 501(c)(3)s whose mission aligns with its Statement of Faith. Its 2025 grants had a median of $20,000, with awards ranging from $5,028 to $11 million, and were concentrated in Texas and Colorado. Grant recommendations come from donor-advised fund holders; the profile does not state that it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$746.4M
Grants
1,651
Total Given
$161.8M
WK Kellogg Foundation
Battle Creek, MI
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation funds work to help children, families, and communities thrive, including early education, health equity, food systems, family economic well-being, and racial equity. In 2025, its grants ranged from $50 to nearly $5 million, with a median of $100,000; it funds across the United States, with long-term commitments in several states and communities, as well as parts of Mexico and Haiti. It accepts unsolicited proposals online at any time.
Assets
$481.0M
Grants
1,818
Total Given
$303.9M
C and M Nelson Family Foundation
San Diego, CA
The C and M Nelson Family Foundation supports schools, churches, medical care, conservation, and community organizations. In 2024, its 20 grants ranged from $5,000 to $89,826, with a median of $11,148, going to organizations in California, Montana, South Carolina, Nevada, and Kansas. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$6.4M
Grants
20
Total Given
$402K
LPL Financial Foundation Inc
Boston, MA
Assets
$7.8M
Grants
55
Total Given
$2.3M
Share Our Strength
Washington, DC
Share Our Strength funds child nutrition and hunger-reduction efforts, including school meals, summer meals, benefits access, and family economic mobility, primarily across the United States, with some work in India. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,200 to $739,871, with a median of $20,000. The available information does not say whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$74.5M
Grants
302
Total Given
$14.4M
Youth Emergency Services Foundation
Gillette, WY
Fundraising and support for youth emergency services, inc. Of gillette and Campbell county, Wyoming
Assets
$3.1M
Grants
1
Total Given
$137K
More similar funders
More Funders in Wyoming
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from The Sam R Ratcliff 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.
The Sam R Ratcliff Charitable down — hundreds of funders to go?