The Ratner Family Foundation makes a small number of large, targeted gifts focused on higher education, Jewish communal life and Jewish arts, and medical research. Their support includes endowed or named awards (notably at Brandeis), major campaign and communal funding in the Cleveland Jewish community, funding for Jewish arts/design initiatives, and disease-focused medical research at a local hospital. Grants are sizable and strategic rather than broad-based or numerous.
RONALD AND DEBORAH RATNER FAMILY FOUNDATION is based in Shaker Heights, OH. It reported $3,139,164 in annual grants and $1,787,609 in total assets on its latest 990 filed for 2024. The foundation gives nationally, but 53% of its grants go to recipients in Ohio, which is also the state where it gives most often. Its grantmaking is concentrated in higher education, Jewish communal life and Jewish arts, and medical research. Recent large grants include $250,000 to BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY for the Ratner Distinguished Teaching Awards & Brandeis Funds in 2023 and another $250,000 to BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY for the Mark A Ratner Distinguished Teaching Award / Brandeis Fund in 2024. It gave $204,000 to JEWISH FEDERATION OF CLEVELAND for the Campaign for Jewish Needs in 2023 and $200,000 to FRIENDS OF BEZALEL ACADEMY OF ARTS & DESIGN INC for the Betty & Max Ratner Gallery in 2024. Medical research appears in grants such as $150,000 to UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS OF CLEVELAND for diabetes research in 2023 and $150,000 in 2024 for the Ronald & Deborah Ratner Fund in Diabetes Research. The foundation also made $100,000 grants to SAVE THE CHILDREN FEDERATION INC for preventing child marriage in Sierra Leone and emergency response in Ethiopia.
Recent grantmaking spans higher education, Jewish communal fundraising, arts and cultural programs, medical research, humanitarian relief, and immigration legal services. Notable grants include $250,000 to BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY for the Ratner Distinguished Teaching Awards & Brandeis Funds, $204,000 to JEWISH FEDERATION OF CLEVELAND for the Campaign for Jewish Needs, and $200,000 to FRIENDS OF BEZALEL ACADEMY OF ARTS & DESIGN INC for the Betty & Max Ratner Gallery. It also gave $150,000 to UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS OF CLEVELAND for diabetes research, $100,000 to SAVE THE CHILDREN FEDERATION INC for preventing child marriage in Sierra Leone, and $75,000 to CLEVELAND FOUNDATION for the Cuyahoga County Immigration Legal Fund. Other recent grants supported Ukraine crisis relief, emergency response in Ethiopia, and general operating support for arts and community groups.
RONALD AND DEBORAH RATNER FAMILY FOUNDATION makes a small number of targeted grants rather than many small awards. The typical grant size in the available data is $4,000 at the 25th percentile, $7,500 at the median, and $25,000 at the 75th percentile. Recent grants range from $25,000 to $250,000 among the listed top awards. The foundation funds individuals and also supports organizations through annual funds, campaign gifts, general operating support, and project-specific grants. Its recent pattern shows recurring support to some organizations across multiple years, including BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY, JEWISH FEDERATION OF CLEVELAND, UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS OF CLEVELAND, and SAVE THE CHILDREN FEDERATION INC.
$267K
$62K
$4K
$267K
Most grants fall between $4K and $25K, with a median of $8K.
25th Percentile
$4K
Median
$8K
75th Percentile
$25K
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Concentrated, high-dollar grants (five large gifts totaling ~$1M) with repeat funding to select institutions; mixes named/endowed gifts, campaign support, and targeted research donations rather than many small grants.
Notable grantees: Brandeis University, Jewish Federation of Cleveland, Friends of Bezalel Academy of Arts & Design, University Hospitals of Cleveland
RONALD AND DEBORAH RATNER FAMILY FOUNDATION gives nationally, with all recorded recipient grants in the United States. Ohio is the state where it gives most often, accounting for 53% of grants. Other frequently funded states in the recent grants list include Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, and Maryland. Recent Ohio recipients include organizations in Cleveland, Columbus, and Burton. Outside Ohio, the foundation has funded organizations in Waltham, New York, Fairfield, Philadelphia, Columbia, Washington, Atlanta, and Davis.
The provided data does not describe an open application process or unsolicited application policy. Recent grants show direct support to named organizations, including BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY, JEWISH FEDERATION OF CLEVELAND, and UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS OF CLEVELAND.
Its recent grantmaking has supported higher education, Jewish communal needs, Jewish arts and design, diabetes research, humanitarian relief, immigration legal services, and arts and cultural programming. Examples include the Ratner Distinguished Teaching Awards, the Campaign for Jewish Needs, and diabetes research at UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS OF CLEVELAND.
The available grant-size data shows a typical range of $4,000 at the 25th percentile, $7,500 at the median, and $25,000 at the 75th percentile. Recent top grants in the dataset include awards of $250,000, $204,000, $200,000, and $150,000.
The foundation is headquartered in Shaker Heights, OH and gives nationally. Ohio receives the largest share of grants, at 53% of the total. Other recent recipient states include Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Georgia, California, Illinois, and Washington, DC.
Recent grantees include BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY, JEWISH FEDERATION OF CLEVELAND, FRIENDS OF BEZALEL ACADEMY OF ARTS & DESIGN INC, UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS OF CLEVELAND, SAVE THE CHILDREN FEDERATION INC, CLEVELAND FOUNDATION, CLEVELAND PUBLIC THEATRE, and GREATER CLEVELAND FOOD BANK INC.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAVE THE CHILDREN FEDERATION INC | FAIRFIELD, CT | $150,000 | 2026 | ANNUAL FUND |
| BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY | WALTHAM, MA | $50,000 | 2026 | PRESIDENT'S DISCRETIONARY FUND |
| NEW ISRAEL FUND | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT FUND |
| HAMMER MUSEUM | LOS ANGELES, CA | $16,666 | 2026 | ANNUAL FUND |
| IMMIGRANT DEFENDERS LAW CENTER | LOS ANGELES, CA | $5,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR DEFENDING CHILDREN IN IMMIGRATION CASES |
| PARK SYNAGOGUE | PEPPER PIKE, OH | $5,000 | 2026 | ILANA SKOFF MEMORIAL FUND |
| CLEVELAND KIDS' BOOK BANK | CLEVELAND, OH | $5,000 | 2026 | ANNUAL FUND |
| FRIENDS OF NACHUSA GRASSLANDS | FRANKLIN GROVE, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | ANNUAL FUND |
| J STREET EDUCATION FUND | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,000 | 2026 | ANNUAL FUND |
| BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY | WALTHAM, MA | $250,000 | 2025 | MARK A. RATNER DISTINGUISHED TEACHING AWARD AND BRANDEIS FUND |
| JEWISH FEDERATION OF CLEVELAND | CLEVELAND, OH | $139,500 | 2025 | CAMPAIGN FOR JEWISH NEEDS & THE UKRAINE EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND |
| JEWISH FEDERATION OF CLEVELAND | CLEVELAND, OH | $126,250 | 2025 | CLEVELAND STANDS WITH ISRAEL |
| FRIENDS OF BEZALEL ACADEMY OF ARTS & DESIGN INC | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | BETTY & MAX RATNER GALLERY |
| SAVE THE CHILDREN FEDERATION INC | FAIRFIELD, CT | $100,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL FUND |
| CLEVELAND PUBLIC THEATRE | CLEVELAND, OH | $60,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL FUND |
| SAVE THE CHILDREN FEDERATION INC | FAIRFIELD, CT | $50,000 | 2025 | AID TO SUDAN AND GAZA |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF GREATER OHIO | CLEVELAND, OH | $50,000 | 2025 | THE CARE. NO MATTER WHAT. CELEBRATION |
| UNITED WAY OF GREATER CLEVELAND | CLEVELAND, OH | $42,500 | 2025 | ANNUAL FUND |
| PARK SYNAGOGUE | PEPPER PIKE, OH | $40,495 | 2025 | DAVIS HALL PROJECT |
| PARK SYNAGOGUE | PEPPER PIKE, OH | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ENTERPRISE COMMUNITY PARTNERS | COLUMBIA, MD | $30,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL FUND |
| US HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM | WASHINGTON, DC | $30,000 | 2025 | BEYOND OUR WALLS FUND |
| GREATER CLEVELAND FOOD BANK INC | CLEVELAND, OH | $25,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL FUND |
| THE MANAGEMENT CENTER | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL FUND |
| DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS USA INC | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | AID FOR GAZA |
| OHIO PROGRESSIVE COLLABORATIVE EDUCATION FUND | COLUMBUS, OH | $25,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL FUND |
| J STREET EDUCATION FUND | WASHINGTON, DC | $20,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL FUND |
| MGVP INC (GORILLA DOCTORS) | DAVIS, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL FUND |
| INTERNATIONAL FUND FOR ANIMAL WELFARE INC | YARMOUTH PORT, MA | $20,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL FUND |
| THE RATNER SCHOOL | PEPPER PIKE, OH | $18,750 | 2025 | ANNUAL FUND |
| HAMMER MUSEUM | LOS ANGELES, CA | $16,667 | 2025 | ANNUAL FUND |
| PARK SYNAGOGUE | PEPPER PIKE, OH | $16,666 | 2025 | ALBERT B. RATNER LIFETIME LEGACY AWARD |
| WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN | WASHINGTON, DC | $15,000 | 2025 | AID FOR GAZA |
| CLEVELAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL INC | CLEVELAND, OH | $15,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL FUND |
| DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS USA INC | NEW YORK, NY | $15,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL FUND |
| ACLU OF OHIO | CLEVELAND, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL FUND |
| HANNA PERKINS SCHOOL | SHAKER HEIGHTS, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL FUND |
| HIAS INC | SILVER SPRING, MD | $10,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL FUND |
| ENVIRONMENTAL LAW & POLICY CENTER | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL FUND |
| LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF CLEVELAND | CLEVELAND, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL FUND |
| AGAHOZO-SHALOM YOUTH VILLAGE INC | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL FUND |
| WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2025 | AID FOR GAZA |
| DRINK LOCAL DRINK TAP INC | CLEVELAND, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | DEEP WELL IN UGANDA PROJECT |
| OXFAM AMERICA | BOSTON, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | AID FOR GAZA |
| MILESTONES AUTISM RESOURCES | WARRENSVILLE HTS, OH | $8,333 | 2025 | ANNUAL FUND |
| GLOBAL RESPONSE MEDICINE | MARCO ISLAND, FL | $7,500 | 2025 | ANNUAL FUND |
| FRIENDS OF JCC KRAKOW INC | SUFFERN, NY | $5,400 | 2025 | ANNUAL FUND |
| MIDCOAST CONSERVANCY | EDGECOMB, ME | $5,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL FUND |
| OXFAM AMERICA | BOSTON, MA | $5,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL FUND |
| VALUES-IN-ACTION FOUNDATION | MAYFIELD, OH | $5,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL FUND |
HAMMER MUSEUM
$16,666ANNUAL FUND
SUPPORT FOR DEFENDING CHILDREN IN IMMIGRATION CASES
PARK SYNAGOGUE
$5,000ILANA SKOFF MEMORIAL FUND
FRIENDS OF NACHUSA GRASSLANDS
$5,000ANNUAL FUND
MARK A. RATNER DISTINGUISHED TEACHING AWARD AND BRANDEIS FUND
JEWISH FEDERATION OF CLEVELAND
$139,500CAMPAIGN FOR JEWISH NEEDS & THE UKRAINE EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND
UNITED WAY OF GREATER CLEVELAND
$42,500ANNUAL FUND
PARK SYNAGOGUE
$40,495DAVIS HALL PROJECT
PARK SYNAGOGUE
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
THE MANAGEMENT CENTER
$25,000ANNUAL FUND
DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS USA INC
$25,000AID FOR GAZA
MGVP INC (GORILLA DOCTORS)
$20,000ANNUAL FUND
THE RATNER SCHOOL
$18,750ANNUAL FUND
HAMMER MUSEUM
$16,667ANNUAL FUND
PARK SYNAGOGUE
$16,666ALBERT B. RATNER LIFETIME LEGACY AWARD
DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS USA INC
$15,000ANNUAL FUND
ACLU OF OHIO
$10,000ANNUAL FUND
DRINK LOCAL DRINK TAP INC
$10,000DEEP WELL IN UGANDA PROJECT
GLOBAL RESPONSE MEDICINE
$7,500ANNUAL FUND
VALUES-IN-ACTION FOUNDATION
$5,000ANNUAL FUND