The Schooner Foundation is a private philanthropic organization based in Boston, Massachusetts, established in 1996. Operating as the charitable arm of Schooner Capital LLC, the foundation functions as a family foundation with the Ryan family serving as trustees. The organization is structured as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and has been tax-exempt since May 1997.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$253.7M
+2.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$19.4M
+101.5% YoY
Grant Count
129
+5.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$151K
+90.5% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Schooner Foundation reported a distributable amount of $12.2M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Schooner Foundation believes in the fundamental right to a life with dignity, opportunity, and access to resources. The foundation seeks to advance human rights by leveraging funds where there is the greatest need and opportunity, both domestically and internationally.
The foundation invests in equitable, replicable, and scalable solutions across four primary areas:
- Human rights & social justice
- Global health equity
- Education & economic empowerment
- Environment
Additional focus areas include peace & security, investigative journalism, and campaign finance reform. The foundation partners with exemplary organizations that share its values of trust, integrity, and respect.
Grantmaking
The Schooner Foundation awards grants by invitation only and does not accept unsolicited proposals.
Grant Range
s:**
Grant Types
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation supports initiatives across the United States and internationally, with a preference for Boston-based organizations. Geographic reach includes major urban centers such as New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, as well as smaller communities.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $248.7 million (2023)
Annual Giving: $9.6 million (2023)
Total Revenue: $17.6 million (2023)
Total Expenses: $12.2 million (2023)
Expense Ratio: 69.6% of total revenue
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $253,702,589 | $248,732,681 | $195,803,404 |
| Revenue | $18,739,313 | $17,575,111 | $-13,611,992 |
| Expenses | $27,723,664 | $12,232,922 | $10,497,010 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $19,829,603 | $9,947,083 | $8,636,378 |
| Net Investment Income | $10,956,117 | $15,518,447 | $74,176 |
| Distributable Amount | $12,249,985 | $11,023,028 | $10,050,364 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Brigham and Women's Hospital ($625,000), Here Right Matters Foundation ($590,000), Brigham and Women's Hospital ($500,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ACLU Foundation of TN Nashville, TN | General Support | $5,000 |
| African Visionary Fund Boston, MA | General Support | $250,000 |
| American Ireland Fund Boston, MA | Trinity College Dublin | $444,485 |
| Block Island Club Block Island, RI | General Support | $1,000 |
| Block Island Health Services Block Island, RI | Capital Campaign | $50,000 |
| Boston Bridges Initiative Inc Weston, MA | General Support | $50,000 |
| Boston Children's Hospital Boston, MA | Dept of Global Health Equity | $160,000 |
| Breaktime United Inc Boston, MA | General Support | $100,000 |
| Brennan Center for Justice New York, NY | General Support | $200,000 |
| Brigham and Women's Hospital Boston, MA | Hiatt Residency | $500,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Julia B Pettengill — Executive Director (as of 2023)
Isabel Vinson — Associate (general inquiries contact)
The foundation was established by Vin Ryan, founder of Schooner Capital LLC, and his wife Carla Meyer.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vincent J Ryan | Trustee | 5 | — |
| Stephen D Maiocco | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Stephanie R Ditenhafer | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Nicholas L Ryan | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Kimberly R Dano | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Julia B Pettengill | Executive Director | 40 | $203,870 |
| Jonathan Corbett | Treasurer | 2 | — |
| Jennifer Ryan | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Cynthia A Ryan | Trustee/Director | 1 | — |
| Carla E Meyer | Trustee | 1 | — |
Contact Information
Address: c/o Schooner Capital LLC, 60 South Street, Suite 1120, Boston, MA 02111-5103
Email: isabel@schoonerfoundation.org
Website: schoonercapital.com/the-foundation
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Schooner Foundation fund?
The Schooner Foundation believes in the fundamental right to a life with dignity, opportunity, and access to resources. The foundation seeks to advance human rights by leveraging funds where there is the greatest need and opportunity, both domestically and internationally. The foundation invests in equitable, replicable, and scalable solutions across four primary areas: • Human rights & social justice • Global health equity • Education & economic empowerment • Environment Additional focus areas…
How do I apply for a grant from The Schooner Foundation?
The Schooner Foundation awards grants by invitation only and does not accept unsolicited proposals. **Grant Types:** • General operational support • Project-based grants • Fellowships and residency programs **Grant Sizes:** • Typical range: $10,000 - $100,000 • Median grant: $50,000 • Grant range: $1,000 - $500,000 **Recent Activity:** In 2023, the foundation made 122 grants totaling approximately $9.6 million. Recent grants include: • $500,000 to Boston University for the BU Center for Forced …
Where does The Schooner Foundation make grants?
The foundation supports initiatives across the United States and internationally, with a preference for Boston-based organizations. Geographic reach includes major urban centers such as New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, as well as smaller communities.
What size grants does The Schooner Foundation award?
In 2024, The Schooner Foundation awarded 129 grants totaling $19.4M — an average of about $151K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Schooner Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Schooner Foundation reported a distributable amount of $12.2M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Schooner Foundation's EIN?
The Schooner Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-3347626. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Schooner 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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