The Richard Ravitch Foundation concentrates its giving on higher education and strong support for journalism and civic institutions. Its largest commitment is a transformational grant to Wellesley College, while multiple gifts fund journalism education and local news outlets as well as law school initiatives and civic-policy organizations. The foundation favors institutional capacity-building and initiatives that strengthen public information, legal scholarship, and democratic engagement.
Concentrated, high-dollar support to a small set of institutional grantees with several repeat payments; emphasis on transformational single large grants plus targeted multi-year or repeat grants to journalism and civic organizations.
A $4,000,000 grant to Wellesley College in 2025 is the clearest signal of the Richard Ravitch Foundation Inc C/o Andrew Cooper at Cerity Partners’ giving style: large, institution-level support paired with a strong interest in public-information and civic institutions. The foundation’s recent record shows a mix of higher education, journalism, law, and democracy-related organizations, with multiple awards repeating over several years rather than one-off gifts only. That pattern includes sustained support for journalism training, local reporting, and policy groups, alongside major commitments to universities and cultural institutions. The foundation also appears comfortable funding established organizations through unrestricted or exempt-purpose grants. Recent recipients range from New York-based news and civic organizations to law and policy institutions in New Haven and Washington, reflecting a portfolio that favors infrastructure, scholarship, and the production of public knowledge. Several grantees appear more than once, which suggests ongoing relationships rather than isolated awards.
Higher education is a central theme. The largest recent grant went to Wellesley College for $4,000,000, and other education-related gifts include $500,000 to Yale Law School and $50,000 to Cornell University. Those awards point to a preference for established academic institutions and core-purpose support. Journalism is another visible line of giving. The foundation gave $350,000, $175,000, $87,500, and another $87,500 to the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY, and it supported The City Report with $225,000, $100,000, and $100,000. In civic and policy work, it awarded $400,000 to The American Independent Foundation and $200,000 to Future Now Institute. Cultural and community institutions also appear in the record, including gifts to The Metropolitan Opera and Central Synagogue.
The typical grant size is moderate, with a p25 of $3,500, a median of $20,000, and a p75 of $50,000, even though the recent record includes several much larger institutional gifts. The pattern includes repeated support for the same recipients across multiple years, especially in journalism and civic policy. The foundation is not a pass-through for individuals and does not make program-related investments, and the grant language is consistently framed as support to further the donee’s exempt purpose. Its filings show a regional scope of giving centered on New York.
$5M
$792K
$216K
$5.1M
Most grants fall between $4K and $50K, with a median of $20K.
25th Percentile
$4K
Median
$20K
75th Percentile
$50K
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Notable grantees: Wellesley College, Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY, The City Report, Yale Law School, The American Independent Foundation
Grantmaking is heavily concentrated in New York, which accounts for 77% of grants, though the foundation’s headquarters are also in New York City. Recent recipients span New York City, Long Island City, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Ithaca, Huntington, and one nearby metro recipient in Wellesley, Massachusetts. Outside New York, grants also reached New Haven, Washington, Alexandria, and Wellesley, but all reported recipient countries are in the United States.
Its recent grants emphasize higher education, journalism, and civic institutions. Examples include large gifts to Wellesley College and Yale Law School, repeated support for the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY and The City Report, and funding for policy organizations such as The American Independent Foundation and Future Now Institute.
Typical gifts are modest relative to the largest awards: p25 is $3,500, median grant size is $20,000, and p75 is $50,000. The recent record also includes several much larger grants, including $4,000,000, $500,000, and $400,000.
Yes. Several recipients appear multiple times across different years, including the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY, The City Report, The Metropolitan Opera, Fund for the City of New York, Central Synagogue, and the Council on Foreign Relations- Annual Fund.
New York is the top state by grant count, and 77% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. Recent New York recipients include organizations in New York City, Brooklyn, Long Island City, Staten Island, Ithaca, and Huntington.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WELLESLEY COLLEGE | WELLESLEY, MA | $4,000,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| THE AMERICAN INDEPENDENT FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $400,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| CRAIG NEWMARK GRADUATE SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM AT CUNY | NEW YORK, NY | $350,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| FUTURE NOW INSTITUTE | WASHINGTON, DC | $200,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| DONA DONA SANCTUARY | BROOKLYN, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| CENTRAL SYNAGOGUE | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| CITIZENS UNION | STATEN ISLAND, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| FUND FOR THE CITY OF NEW YORK | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| YALE LAW SCHOOL | NEW HAVEN, CT | $500,000 | 2024 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| THE CITY REPORT | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2024 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| CRAIG NEWMARK GRADUATE SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM AT CUNY | NEW YORK, NY | $87,500 | 2024 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| THE METROPOLITAN OPERA | NEW YORK, NY | $35,000 | 2024 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| FUND FOR THE CITY OF NEW YORK | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2024 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| ISRAEL POLICY FORUM | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2024 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| CENTRAL SYNAGOGUE | NEW YORK, NY | $20,000 | 2024 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| THE FOUNDATION FOR CITY COLLEGE | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2024 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| CITIZENS COMMITTEE FOR CHILDREN | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2024 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| THE JAMESTOWN FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,000 | 2024 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| FREEST INTERNATIONAL | ATLANTA, GA | $2,000 | 2024 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| JEWISH COMMUNITY RELATIONS COUNCIL OF NEW YORK | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000 | 2024 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| NEW YORK JEWISH AGENDA | RADIO CITY STATION, NY | $1,000 | 2024 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| THE GRAYSON FAMILY FOUNDATION DESIGNATED TO THE RAWLE J DELAND FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $500 | 2024 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| THE VOLKERS ALLIANCE | NEW YORK, NY | $300,000 | 2023 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| THE VOLKERS ALLIANCE | NEW YORK, NY | $300,000 | 2023 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| THE CITY REPORT | NEW YORK, NY | $225,000 | 2023 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| THE CITY REPORT | NEW YORK, NY | $225,000 | 2023 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| CRAIG NEWMARK GRADUATE SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM AT CUNY | NEW YORK, NY | $175,000 | 2023 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| CRAIG NEWMARK GRADUATE SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM AT CUNY | NEW YORK, NY | $175,000 | 2023 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| THE CITY REPORT - PLEDGE | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2023 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| THE CITY REPORT - PLEDGE | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2023 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| CRAIG NEWMARK GRADUATE SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM AT CUNY | NEW YORK, NY | $87,500 | 2023 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| CRAIG NEWMARK GRADUATE SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM AT CUNY | NEW YORK, NY | $87,500 | 2023 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| THE FUND FOR CUTS OF NY | LONG ISLAND CITY, NY | $50,000 | 2023 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| HUNTER COLLEGE FOUNDATION INC | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2023 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| THE FUND FOR CUTS OF NY | LONG ISLAND CITY, NY | $50,000 | 2023 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| CORNELL UNIVERSITY | ITHACA, NY | $50,000 | 2023 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| CORNELL UNIVERSITY | ITHACA, NY | $50,000 | 2023 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| HUNTER COLLEGE FOUNDATION INC | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2023 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS- ANNUAL FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2023 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| THE METROPOLITAN OPERA | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2023 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| THE METROPOLITAN OPERA | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2023 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| JEWISH COMMUNITY RELATIONS COUNCIL OF NEW YORK OF NEW YORK | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2023 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS- ANNUAL FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2023 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS- ANNUAL FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2023 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| JEWISH COMMUNITY RELATIONS COUNCIL OF NEW YORK OF NEW YORK | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2023 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS- ANNUAL FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2023 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA | ALEXANDRIA, VA | $20,000 | 2023 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA | ALEXANDRIA, VA | $20,000 | 2023 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD | HUNTINGTON, NY | $10,000 | 2023 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD | HUNTINGTON, NY | $10,000 | 2023 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
WELLESLEY COLLEGE
$4,000,000TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
DONA DONA SANCTUARY
$50,000TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
CENTRAL SYNAGOGUE
TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
CITIZENS UNION
$10,000TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
YALE LAW SCHOOL
$500,000TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
THE METROPOLITAN OPERA
$35,000TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
CENTRAL SYNAGOGUE
$20,000TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
CITIZENS COMMITTEE FOR CHILDREN
$5,000TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
FREEST INTERNATIONAL
$2,000TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
NEW YORK JEWISH AGENDA
$1,000TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
THE GRAYSON FAMILY FOUNDATION DESIGNATED TO THE RAWLE J DELAND FUND
$500TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
THE VOLKERS ALLIANCE
$300,000TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
THE VOLKERS ALLIANCE
$300,000TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
THE CITY REPORT - PLEDGE
$100,000TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
THE CITY REPORT - PLEDGE
$100,000TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
THE FUND FOR CUTS OF NY
$50,000TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
THE FUND FOR CUTS OF NY
$50,000TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS- ANNUAL FUND
$25,000TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
THE METROPOLITAN OPERA
$25,000TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
THE METROPOLITAN OPERA
$25,000TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS- ANNUAL FUND
$25,000TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS- ANNUAL FUND
$25,000TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS- ANNUAL FUND
$25,000TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA
$20,000TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA
$20,000TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
PLANNED PARENTHOOD
$10,000TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
PLANNED PARENTHOOD
$10,000TO FURTHER DONEE'S EXEMPT PURPOSE