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Foundations / Illinois

James T and Michelle A Ryan Foundation

Preselected recipients only Hawthorn Woods, Illinois · EIN 261619871

James T and Michelle A Ryan Foundation is a private foundation in Hawthorn Woods, Illinois. In tax year 2025 it gave $1.8 million in 10 grants; the typical grant was $21,500 and the largest $650,000. 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 $2.0 million the year before.

20% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a mix of repeat and new grantees.

Giving by year

Tax yearGrants paidNumber of grantsAssets
2023$910,84912$2.0 million
2024$2.0 million10$4.1 million
2025$1.8 million10$2.5 million

How to apply

James T and Michelle A Ryan 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 James T and Michelle A Ryan Foundation funds

Where it gives

Its grants went to recipients in 6 states, the most to Illinois.

StateGrantsAmount
Illinois5$736,944
Ohio1$650,000
Indiana1$373,500
Massachusetts1$40,000
Iowa1$1,000
South Dakota1$500

Grants paid in 2025

All 10 grants
RecipientPurposeAmount
Miami University
Oxford, OH
Scholarship$650,000
Chicago Jesuit Academy
Chicago, IL
Support students & alumni$532,944
Ball State University
Muncie, IN
Ball state university foundation support$373,500
Depaul University
Chicago, IL
Scholarship$200,000
Greenlight Fund Chicago
Boston, MA
General support for charitable programming$40,000
Lincoln Park Community Shelter
Chicago, IL
General support for charitable programming$3,000
University of Iowa Foundation
Iowa City, IA
General support for charitable programming$1,000
Biltmoredouglas Hudson Sr Scholarship Foundation
North Barrington, IL
General support for charitable programming$500
Jeffrey Pride Foundation
Barrington, IL
General support$500
Lakota Friends Circle
Wanblee, SD
To support programs providing resources to native americanled organizations on sioux reservations, including education, food security, housing, and support for women and children.$500

Officers and trustees

As listed in Part VIII of the 2025 filing.

Questions people ask

Does James T and Michelle A Ryan Foundation accept grant applications?

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

How much does James T and Michelle A Ryan Foundation give?

$1.8 million in tax year 2025, across 10 grants, with a typical grant of $21,500.

Who runs James T and Michelle A Ryan Foundation?

Its 2025 filing lists James T Ryan (Trustee) and Michelle A Ryan (Trustee).

What does James T and Michelle A Ryan Foundation fund?

Based on its grants, mainly education and housing and homelessness.

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