About Rippleworks
RippleWorks Inc. concentrates its giving on large, strategic gifts to high-impact organizations working on global environmental policy and applied global health innovations. The foundation makes very large, targeted investments (multi-million dollar single grants) rather than many small awards, suggesting a preference for scaling proven institutions and interventions that influence systems and practice at scale.
Focus Areas
Global environmental policy and climate solutions (major institutional support to World Resources Institute)Health systems strengthening via caregiver/patient education and hospital practice improvement (Noora Health-style interventions)
Who They Fund
underserved populationsyouthsmallholder farmers (West Africa, India)economically disadvantaged urban residents (San Francisco)rural communities in Democratic Republic of Congoultra-poor households / very low-income populationsnonprofit organizations (staff hiring/retention)
About Rippleworks
Rippleworks Inc. stands out for its $20,000,000 general-support grant to World Resources Institute in 2024, a signal of how the foundation backs large institutions working on environmental policy and climate solutions. The same pattern appears in its health-related giving: a $3,500,000 general-support grant to Noora Health in 2023, followed by other multi-million-dollar awards to organizations building practical systems for learning, health, and livelihoods. Rippleworks Inc. does not spread its giving across many small checks; instead, it concentrates on large, strategic commitments that can help organizations scale programs, strengthen operations, and expand reach. Recent grants also show a mix of nonprofit partners in education, public health, civic technology, agriculture, and financial inclusion, with awards often landing at the $2,000,000 to $3,000,000 level. The foundation’s portfolio suggests preference for proven organizations and interventions already operating at meaningful scale, rather than early-stage experimentation. Its active programs reinforce that pattern by pairing capital support with advisory and leadership-development offerings for ventures and nonprofit leaders.
What Rippleworks Funds
In climate and environmental policy, Rippleworks Inc. gave $20,000,000 to World Resources Institute for general support, showing a willingness to fund large policy-oriented infrastructure. In health systems strengthening, it awarded $3,500,000 to Noora Health for general support, aligning with caregiver and patient education approaches that improve hospital practice. Education is another clear theme: the foundation gave $2,500,000 to Magic Bus India Foundation to support the grantee’s scaling efforts to bring life skill education to youth, and $3,000,000 to Commonlit Inc for general support. Financial inclusion also appears in the recent record, including $1,800,000 to Mercy Corps to improve access to and use of responsible financial services for underserved populations. Across these areas, the common thread is scale support for organizations already delivering programs.
How Rippleworks Gives
Rippleworks Inc. gives in a highly uneven way: the typical award sits at a p25 of $230, a median of $2,000, and a p75 of $500,000, while recent grants show repeated multi-million-dollar commitments. It is a regular funder and also makes program-related investments. The record suggests some recurring relationships across years, including repeat support to Mercy Corps in 2023 and 2024. The foundation also combines grantmaking with active programs such as Scaling Capital, Expert Office Hours, and several Leaders Studio offerings, with some accepting unsolicited applications and others not.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$154M
Total Assets
$2.5B
Total Revenue
$437.4M
Total Expenses
$182.8M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $231 and $500K, with a median of $2K.
25th Percentile
$231
Median
$2K
75th Percentile
$500K
Geographic Reach
National31 states funded
About 36% of grants go to recipients in CA.
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
Leadership
DOUG GALEN
PRESIDENT/CEO
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Where Rippleworks Funds
Top 10 recipient countries by grant volume for Rippleworks.
| Rank | Country | Grants | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United StatesDomestic | 342 | $261.1M | 82.6% |
| 2 | India | 14 | $13.1M |
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