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Foundations / Connecticut

The Rust Family Foundation

Preselected recipients only Fairfield, Connecticut · EIN 541925955

The Rust Family Foundation is a private foundation in Fairfield, Connecticut. In tax year 2025 it gave $255,000 in 20 grants; the typical grant was $10,000 and the largest $30,000. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.

From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.

Giving in 2025 was down from $280,299 the year before.

75% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a sign it is open to new organizations.

Giving by year

Tax yearGrants paidNumber of grantsAssets
2023$230,53934$5.7 million
2024$280,29939$6.2 million
2025$255,00020$7.0 million

How to apply

The Rust Family Foundation says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.

IRS filings on ProPublica

What The Rust Family Foundation funds

Where it gives

Its grants went to recipients in 9 states, the most to Connecticut.

StateGrantsAmount
Connecticut7$90,000
District of Columbia2$40,000
Tennessee1$30,000
New York3$25,000
Arkansas2$20,000
Texas2$20,000
Florida1$10,000
Georgia1$10,000
Virginia1$10,000

Grants paid in 2025

All 20 grants
RecipientPurposeAmount
Connecticut Humane Society
Newington, CT
Support work$30,000
St Jude Children's Research Hospita
Memphis, TN
Support work$30,000
World Central Kitchen
Washington, DC
Support work$25,000
Save the Children
Fairfield, CT
Support work$15,000
Blood Cancer United
Washington, DC
Support work$15,000
ASPCA
New York, NY
Support work$10,000
Mercy Ships
Garden Valley, TX
Support work$10,000
Fairfield County's Community Founda
Norwalk, CT
Support work$10,000
Tunnel to Towers Foundation
Staten Island, NY
Support work$10,000
Water for Good
Bentonville, AR
Support work$10,000
Operation Hope
Fairfield, CT
Support work$10,000
Save the Sound
New Haven, CT
Support owrk$10,000
Wounded Warrior Project
Jacksonville, FL
Support work$10,000
Habitat for Humanity
Americus, GA
Support work$10,000
Connecticut Foodshare
Wallingford, CT
Support work$10,000
Heifer International
Little Rock, AR
Support work$10,000
March of Dimes
Arlington, VA
Support work$10,000
Habitat for Horses
Alvin, TX
Support work$10,000
Pequot Library
Southport, CT
Support work$5,000
Northshore Animal League
Port Washington, NY
Support work$5,000

Officers and trustees

As listed in Part VIII of the 2025 filing.

Questions people ask

Does The Rust Family Foundation accept grant applications?

No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.

How much does The Rust Family Foundation give?

$255,000 in tax year 2025, across 20 grants, with a typical grant of $10,000.

Who runs The Rust Family Foundation?

Its 2025 filing lists Randi Rust (President) and Jeffrey D Mitchell (Director).

What does The Rust Family Foundation fund?

Based on its grants, mainly animals, health and youth programs.

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