To provide meaningful assistance and support to society, the arts, and the environment.
Anne Ray Foundation’s recent record is defined by large, repeat commitments to a small set of organizations working in conservation, education, public media, housing, and disaster readiness. The Nature Conservancy appears throughout the grant list, including support for Enduring Earth, freshwater conservation in Africa and South America, tropical forest landscapes, and capacity-building for traditional and community conservation. Berea College is another recurring recipient, with grants for bridge support programming, a building rebuild, and maintenance funding. The foundation also makes substantial gifts to Public Broadcasting Service for PBS Earth programming and to the YMCA of the USA for water safety and business model optimization. Across those examples, the pattern is not small project support: awards commonly reach into the millions and often back organizational infrastructure, program continuity, and multi-year initiatives. That mix fits a foundation whose stated purpose is to provide assistance and support to society, the arts, and the environment, while also funding work connected to students, families, and communities experiencing vulnerability.
In environmental grantmaking, the foundation has backed both ecosystem protection and the organizational capacity behind it. It gave $6,725,000 to The Nature Conservancy for community-led conservation in tropical forests landscapes, and another $5,500,000 for community-led conservation, livelihoods and resilience in coastal ecosystems. Freshwater work also appears in a $5,000,000 grant to The Nature Conservancy for community-led freshwater conservation in Africa and South America. The arts and media side is visible through $6,000,000 to Public Broadcasting Service for PBS Earth III and $5,000,000 for programming support tied to PBS Earth IV. In youth and family-serving work, the foundation awarded $5,500,000 to YMCA of the USA for YMCA business model optimization and $4,130,000 for the water safety initiative.
Typical grant size is substantial: the 25th percentile is $421,500, the median is $1,000,000, and the 75th percentile is $2,092,500. The recent grants list shows clear recurrence, with several recipients appearing across multiple years, including The Nature Conservancy, Berea College, Public Broadcasting Service, YMCA of the USA, the American National Red Cross International Services Department, and The Salvation Army in San Diego. That pattern suggests ongoing relationship-based funding rather than isolated awards. The foundation is a regular funder and, per the invitation-based grantmaking program, does not accept unsolicited applications.
$167M
$5B
$153.1M
$172.8M
Most grants fall between $422K and $2.1M, with a median of $1M.
25th Percentile
$422K
Median
$1M
75th Percentile
$2.1M
About 3% of grants go to recipients in KY.
HEATHER KUKLA
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeSign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Grant recipients are entirely in the United States in the recent list, with the strongest concentration in Kentucky, where Berea College in Berea appears repeatedly. Other frequent recipient cities include Arlington, Virginia; Chicago, Illinois; San Diego, California; Washington, DC; and Burbank, California. Minnesota is the headquarters state, but only 3% of grants in the data go to recipients there. The geographic picture is national, with many awards also tied to defined program regions such as the Upper Midwest and Southern California.
No. The foundation’s invitation-based grantmaking model is not broadly open, and the data explicitly says it does not accept unsolicited applications.
The typical grant is large: the 25th percentile is $421,500, the median is $1,000,000, and the 75th percentile is $2,092,500.
The foundation funds animal welfare, arts and cultures, disaster relief and recovery, environment, legacy and opportunity, quality of life, and teachers and students, with active work in areas such as conservation, public media, homelessness, water safety, and student support.
The recent grants show recurring support to several organizations across multiple years, including The Nature Conservancy, Berea College, Public Broadcasting Service, YMCA of the USA, the American National Red Cross International Services Department, and The Salvation Army in San Diego.
By recipient count, Kentucky is the top state. The recent grant list shows repeated awards to Berea College in Berea, Kentucky, alongside awards to organizations in Arlington, Chicago, San Diego, Washington, DC, and Burbank.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BEREA COLLEGE | BEREA, KY | $8,500,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR STUDENT BRIDGE SUPPORT PROGRAMMING |
| THE NATURE CONSERVANCY | ARLINGTON, VA | $6,000,000 | 2025 | BUILDING MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING CAPACITY FOR CONSERVATION IMPACT |
| THE NATURE CONSERVANCY | ARLINGTON, VA | $5,675,000 | 2025 | BUILDING TNCS CAPACITY FOR TRADITIONAL AND COMMUNITY CONSERVATION |
| PUBLIC BROADCASTING SERVICE (PBS) | ARLINGTON, VA | $5,000,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMMING: PBS EARTH IV |
| YMCA OF THE USA | CHICAGO, IL | $5,000,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR ITS BUSINESS MODEL OPTIMIZATION |
| YMCA OF THE USA | CHICAGO, IL | $4,000,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR THE WATER SAFETY INITIATIVE |
| AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS INTERNATIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT | WASHINGTON, DC | $4,000,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR THE MEASLES AND RUBELLA INITIATIVE |
| AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS INTERNATIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT | WASHINGTON, DC | $4,000,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR ENHANCED RESPONSE READINESS |
| THE NATURE CONSERVANCY | ARLINGTON, VA | $3,960,000 | 2025 | SUPPORTING CONSERVATION IN TROPICAL FORESTS LANDSCAPES |
| AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS INTERNATIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT | WASHINGTON, DC | $3,833,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR UNDERFUNDED DISASTERS |
| PUBLIC BROADCASTING SERVICE (PBS) | ARLINGTON, VA | $3,500,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMMING: PBS EARTH V |
| THE NATURE CONSERVANCY | ARLINGTON, VA | $3,300,000 | 2025 | SUPPORTING CONSERVATION IN FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS IN AFRICA AND SOUTH AMERICA |
| BEREA COLLEGE | BEREA, KY | $3,150,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR BUILDING MAINTENANCE |
| PUBLIC BROADCASTING SERVICE (PBS) | ARLINGTON, VA | $3,100,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR EMERGING PLATFORMS AND DIGITAL EXPERIENCES |
| PUBLIC MEDIA GROUP OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA | BURBANK, CA | $3,100,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR MODERNIZING TECHNOLOGY AND STUDIO EQUIPMENT |
| THE SALVATION ARMY NATIONAL CORPORATION | ALEXANDRIA, VA | $3,000,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR THE PATHWAY OF HOPE PROGRAM |
| THE SALVATION ARMY NATIONAL CORPORATION | ALEXANDRIA, VA | $3,000,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR ITS NATIONAL DATA WAREHOUSE AND MANAGEMENT |
| YMCA OF THE USA | CHICAGO, IL | $3,000,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR ITS LEARNING PLATFORM DEVELOPMENT |
| PUBLIC BROADCASTING SERVICE (PBS) | ARLINGTON, VA | $2,845,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR DATA PRIVACY, TRANSPARENCY, AND TRUST |
| PUBLIC BROADCASTING SERVICE (PBS) | ARLINGTON, VA | $2,700,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR PBS KIDS DIGITAL OPTIMIZATION |
| YMCA OF THE USA | CHICAGO, IL | $2,575,000 | 2025 | SUPPORTING HIGH-QUALITY AND INCLUSIVE YMCA OVERNIGHT CAMP FACILITIES |
| THE NATURE CONSERVANCY | ARLINGTON, VA | $2,540,000 | 2025 | SUPPORTING CONSERVATION THROUGH VOICE, CHOICE AND ACTION |
| BEREA COLLEGE | BEREA, KY | $2,500,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR RESIDENT HALL REMODEL AND PLANNING |
| THE NATURE CONSERVANCY | ARLINGTON, VA | $2,500,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR BUFFALO RESTORATION AND LAND REMATRIATION |
| YMCA OF THE USA | CHICAGO, IL | $2,500,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR CAMP ACCESS |
| SAN DIEGO HUMANE SOCIETY & SPCA | SAN DIEGO, CA | $2,191,500 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR EXCEPTIONAL CARE FOR SHELTER ANIMALS |
| THE NATURE CONSERVANCY | ARLINGTON, VA | $2,145,000 | 2025 | SUPPORTING CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT IN NORTHERN AUSTRALIA |
| SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION (NMAI) | WASHINGTON, DC | $2,025,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT TO INCREASE OUTREACH, ACCESS TO COLLECTIONS, AND COMMUNITY KNOWLEDGE |
| THE SALVATION ARMY NATIONAL CORPORATION | ALEXANDRIA, VA | $2,000,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR ITS DIGITAL VOLUNTEERISM PLATFORM |
| AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS INTERNATIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT | WASHINGTON, DC | $2,000,000 | 2025 | STRENGTHENING DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE CAPACITY IN GUATEMALA |
| THE NATURE CONSERVANCY | ARLINGTON, VA | $2,000,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR THE DAKOTA PARTNERSHIP |
| YMCA OF THE USA | CHICAGO, IL | $2,000,000 | 2025 | SUPPORTING MEMBERSHIP EXPANSION |
| YMCA OF THE USA | CHICAGO, IL | $2,000,000 | 2025 | SUPPORTING ITS CAMP BRAND INTEGRATION |
| SAN DIEGO HUMANE SOCIETY & SPCA | SAN DIEGO, CA | $1,875,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR INTAKE DIVERSION PROGRAMS |
| YMCA OF THE USA | CHICAGO, IL | $1,675,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR THE STRATEGIC INITIATIVES FUND |
| AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS INTERNATIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT | WASHINGTON, DC | $1,545,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR BUILDING ENVIORNMENTAL RESILIENCE IN THE PACIFIC |
| AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS INTERNATIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT | WASHINGTON, DC | $1,500,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR ENHANCING ENVIRONMENTAL RISK REDUCTION IN COX'S BAZAR CAMP SETTLEMENT |
| THE SALVATION ARMY A CALIFORNIA CORPORATION (CALIFORNIA SOUTH DIVISION) | SAN DIEGO, CA | $1,500,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR YOUTH CAMPS, ARTS AND LITERACY PROGRAMS |
| THE NATURE CONSERVANCY | ARLINGTON, VA | $1,400,000 | 2025 | SUPPORTING CONSERVATION IN CRITICAL GRASSLAND ECOSYSTEMS |
| AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS INTERNATIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT | WASHINGTON, DC | $1,345,000 | 2025 | STRENGTHENING DISASTER READINESS AND RESPONSE IN TIMOR-LESTE |
| AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS | WASHINGTON, DC | $1,320,000 | 2025 | SUSTAINABILITY AND ESG MANAGEMENT SYSTEM |
| THE NATURE CONSERVANCY | ARLINGTON, VA | $1,300,000 | 2025 | SUPPORTING CONSERVATION IN MONGOLIA |
| AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS | WASHINGTON, DC | $1,300,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR LOW-ATTENTION DOMESTIC DISASTERS |
| THE NATURE CONSERVANCY | ARLINGTON, VA | $1,280,000 | 2025 | SUPPORTING COASTAL CONSERVATION IN INDONESIA |
| THE NATURE CONSERVANCY | ARLINGTON, VA | $1,250,000 | 2025 | SUPPORTING CONSERVATION, LIVELIHOODS AND RESILIENCE IN COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS |
| THE NATURE CONSERVANCY | ARLINGTON, VA | $1,200,000 | 2025 | SUPPORTING CONSERVATION, LIVELIHOODS AND RESILIENCE IN THE HUMBOLDT CURRENT |
| PUBLIC BROADCASTING SERVICE (PBS) | ARLINGTON, VA | $1,200,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMMING: WEATHER HUNTERS SERIES FOR PBS KIDS |
| AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS INTERNATIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT | WASHINGTON, DC | $1,200,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR DISASTER READINESS AND RESPONSE IN THE PHILIPPINES |
| SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY - (KPBS) | SAN DIEGO, CA | $1,194,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMMING AT KPBS |
| PUBLIC BROADCASTING SERVICE (PBS) | ARLINGTON, VA | $1,155,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR PBS KIDS BRAND REFRESH |
BEREA COLLEGE
$8,500,000SUPPORT FOR STUDENT BRIDGE SUPPORT PROGRAMMING
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY
$6,000,000BUILDING MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING CAPACITY FOR CONSERVATION IMPACT
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY
$5,675,000BUILDING TNCS CAPACITY FOR TRADITIONAL AND COMMUNITY CONSERVATION
PUBLIC BROADCASTING SERVICE (PBS)
$5,000,000SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMMING: PBS EARTH IV
YMCA OF THE USA
$5,000,000SUPPORT FOR ITS BUSINESS MODEL OPTIMIZATION
YMCA OF THE USA
$4,000,000SUPPORT FOR THE WATER SAFETY INITIATIVE
AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS INTERNATIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT
$4,000,000SUPPORT FOR THE MEASLES AND RUBELLA INITIATIVE
AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS INTERNATIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT
$4,000,000SUPPORT FOR ENHANCED RESPONSE READINESS
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY
$3,960,000SUPPORTING CONSERVATION IN TROPICAL FORESTS LANDSCAPES
AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS INTERNATIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT
$3,833,000SUPPORT FOR UNDERFUNDED DISASTERS
PUBLIC BROADCASTING SERVICE (PBS)
$3,500,000SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMMING: PBS EARTH V
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY
$3,300,000SUPPORTING CONSERVATION IN FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS IN AFRICA AND SOUTH AMERICA
BEREA COLLEGE
$3,150,000SUPPORT FOR BUILDING MAINTENANCE
PUBLIC BROADCASTING SERVICE (PBS)
$3,100,000SUPPORT FOR EMERGING PLATFORMS AND DIGITAL EXPERIENCES
PUBLIC MEDIA GROUP OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
$3,100,000SUPPORT FOR MODERNIZING TECHNOLOGY AND STUDIO EQUIPMENT
THE SALVATION ARMY NATIONAL CORPORATION
$3,000,000SUPPORT FOR THE PATHWAY OF HOPE PROGRAM
THE SALVATION ARMY NATIONAL CORPORATION
$3,000,000SUPPORT FOR ITS NATIONAL DATA WAREHOUSE AND MANAGEMENT
YMCA OF THE USA
$3,000,000SUPPORT FOR ITS LEARNING PLATFORM DEVELOPMENT
PUBLIC BROADCASTING SERVICE (PBS)
$2,845,000SUPPORT FOR DATA PRIVACY, TRANSPARENCY, AND TRUST
PUBLIC BROADCASTING SERVICE (PBS)
$2,700,000SUPPORT FOR PBS KIDS DIGITAL OPTIMIZATION
YMCA OF THE USA
$2,575,000SUPPORTING HIGH-QUALITY AND INCLUSIVE YMCA OVERNIGHT CAMP FACILITIES
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY
$2,540,000SUPPORTING CONSERVATION THROUGH VOICE, CHOICE AND ACTION
BEREA COLLEGE
$2,500,000SUPPORT FOR RESIDENT HALL REMODEL AND PLANNING
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY
$2,500,000SUPPORT FOR BUFFALO RESTORATION AND LAND REMATRIATION
YMCA OF THE USA
$2,500,000SUPPORT FOR CAMP ACCESS
SAN DIEGO HUMANE SOCIETY & SPCA
$2,191,500SUPPORT FOR EXCEPTIONAL CARE FOR SHELTER ANIMALS
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY
$2,145,000SUPPORTING CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT IN NORTHERN AUSTRALIA
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION (NMAI)
$2,025,000SUPPORT TO INCREASE OUTREACH, ACCESS TO COLLECTIONS, AND COMMUNITY KNOWLEDGE
THE SALVATION ARMY NATIONAL CORPORATION
$2,000,000SUPPORT FOR ITS DIGITAL VOLUNTEERISM PLATFORM
AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS INTERNATIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT
$2,000,000STRENGTHENING DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE CAPACITY IN GUATEMALA
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY
$2,000,000SUPPORT FOR THE DAKOTA PARTNERSHIP
YMCA OF THE USA
$2,000,000SUPPORTING MEMBERSHIP EXPANSION
YMCA OF THE USA
$2,000,000SUPPORTING ITS CAMP BRAND INTEGRATION
SAN DIEGO HUMANE SOCIETY & SPCA
$1,875,000SUPPORT FOR INTAKE DIVERSION PROGRAMS
YMCA OF THE USA
$1,675,000SUPPORT FOR THE STRATEGIC INITIATIVES FUND
AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS INTERNATIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT
$1,545,000SUPPORT FOR BUILDING ENVIORNMENTAL RESILIENCE IN THE PACIFIC
AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS INTERNATIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT
$1,500,000SUPPORT FOR ENHANCING ENVIRONMENTAL RISK REDUCTION IN COX'S BAZAR CAMP SETTLEMENT
THE SALVATION ARMY A CALIFORNIA CORPORATION (CALIFORNIA SOUTH DIVISION)
$1,500,000SUPPORT FOR YOUTH CAMPS, ARTS AND LITERACY PROGRAMS
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY
$1,400,000SUPPORTING CONSERVATION IN CRITICAL GRASSLAND ECOSYSTEMS
AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS INTERNATIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT
$1,345,000STRENGTHENING DISASTER READINESS AND RESPONSE IN TIMOR-LESTE
AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS
$1,320,000SUSTAINABILITY AND ESG MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY
$1,300,000SUPPORTING CONSERVATION IN MONGOLIA
AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS
$1,300,000SUPPORT FOR LOW-ATTENTION DOMESTIC DISASTERS
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY
$1,280,000SUPPORTING COASTAL CONSERVATION IN INDONESIA
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY
$1,250,000SUPPORTING CONSERVATION, LIVELIHOODS AND RESILIENCE IN COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY
$1,200,000SUPPORTING CONSERVATION, LIVELIHOODS AND RESILIENCE IN THE HUMBOLDT CURRENT
PUBLIC BROADCASTING SERVICE (PBS)
$1,200,000SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMMING: WEATHER HUNTERS SERIES FOR PBS KIDS
AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS INTERNATIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT
$1,200,000SUPPORT FOR DISASTER READINESS AND RESPONSE IN THE PHILIPPINES
SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY - (KPBS)
$1,194,000SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMMING AT KPBS
PUBLIC BROADCASTING SERVICE (PBS)
$1,155,000SUPPORT FOR PBS KIDS BRAND REFRESH