The Ralph C Wilson Jr Foundation
Accepts applications
The Ralph C Wilson Jr Foundation is a private foundation in Detroit, Michigan. In tax year 2024 it gave $141 million in 413 grants; the typical grant was $100,000 and the largest $10.0 million. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2024.
- Grants paid, 2024$141 million
- Number of grants413
- Typical grant$100,000
- Largest grant$10.0 million
- Assets$897 million
- New grantees40%
Giving in 2024 was up from $138 million the year before.
40% of its 2024 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a mix of repeat and new grantees.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $138 million | 528 | $1.0 billion |
| 2024 | $141 million | 413 | $897 million |
How to apply
| Contact | Ralph Wilson Jr Foundation 3101 East Grand Blvd Suite 200, Detroit, MI 48202 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (313) 885-1895, info@rcwrf.org |
| What to submit, restrictions | See website www.ralphcwilsonjrfoundation.org or email info@rcwjrf.org |
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What The Ralph C Wilson Jr Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 23 states, the most to New York.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| New York | 146 | $69.7 million |
| Michigan | 210 | $63.5 million |
| Massachusetts | 8 | $4.2 million |
| District of Columbia | 14 | $1.3 million |
| Minnesota | 2 | $850,000 |
| Virginia | 2 | $614,500 |
| Georgia | 2 | $525,000 |
| Florida | 4 | $249,581 |
| California | 3 | $112,870 |
| Oregon | 2 | $39,000 |
Grants paid in 2024
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo | City Within a Park Fund | $10.0 million |
| Southeast Michigan Foundation for Public Spaces | Detroit Riverfront Finishline Fund | $7.5 million |
| Detroit Riverfront Conservancy | Construction Support - Ralph Wilson Park | $6.5 million |
| Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan | RCWJRF Inclusive Arts & Culture Initiative | $5.0 million |
| Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo | RCWJRF Inclusive Arts & Culture Initiative | $5.0 million |
| Budc | Ralph Wilson Park: Phase 1 GMP Package 2 | $4.0 million |
| Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo | Support for the Arts and Culture Sector in WNY | $3.8 million |
| Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan | To sustain the Arts and Culture Sector | $3.8 million |
| Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper Inc | Ralph Wilson Park/ Shoreline Implementation & Capacity | $2.6 million |
| Budc | Phase 1 Expansion/ Ralph Wilson Park | $2.5 million |
| The Boston Foundation Inc (dba The Philanthropic Initiative) | Exhale, The Family Caregiver Initiative- Southeast Michigan Expansion | $2.4 million |
| Budc | Ralph Wilson Park: Play Garden + Phase 2 GMP Advance | $2.0 million |
| Invest Detroit Foundation | Strategic Neighborhood Fund 3 | $2.0 million |
| Greater Rochester Chamber Foundation (ROC2025 Fund) | Regional Revitalization Partnership's West Main Commercial Corridor Program | $2.0 million |
| Ralph Wilson Park Conservancy | Ralph Wilson Park Conservancy: Organizational Capacity & Future Sustainability | $2.0 million |
| PEDALS Michigan | PEDALS Michigan Expansion | $1.6 million |
| TechTown Detroit | Co.act Detroit: Accelerating Collaborative Action | $1.6 million |
| Michigan Trails & Greenways Alliance | Ralph Wilson Loop Trail on Belle Isle - Phase 2 | $1.6 million |
| Budc | Ralph Wilson Park Capacity Grant | $1.3 million |
| Natural Heritage Trust | WNY Southern Tier and Artpark State Park Trail Projects | $1.3 million |
| Macomb Community College Foundation | D3C3 implementation Phase I | $1.2 million |
| Oakland Community College | D3C3 Implementation Phase I | $1.1 million |
| Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan | Phase Two of Project Play: Southeast Michigan | $1.1 million |
| Buffalo State College Foundation | Great Lakes Center & Dart Street Study | $1.0 million |
| Central Terminal Restoration Corp | Central Terminal Restoration: Programming and Capacity | $1.0 million |
| Budc | Ralph Wilson Park/ Phase 1 Construction Cost Increase | $1.0 million |
| Economic Development Group DBA the Northland Workforce Training Center | WNY Advanced Manufacturing & Tech Coalition: Clean Tech Training | $1.0 million |
| Monroe County Community College | D3C3 Implementation Phase I | $1.0 million |
| TechTown Detroit | Driving Small Business Growth Via Equitable Economic Development in Detroit | $1.0 million |
| Launch NY | Ensuring a Mature, Sustainable Venture Development Organization | $1.0 million |
| Detroit Economic Growth Association | City of Detroit - Parks Lighting | $1.0 million |
| Rochester Area Community Foundation | Medina High Wall | $1.0 million |
| Friends of the Detroit River | Downriver linked greenways system improvements | $1.0 million |
| Detroit Regional Partnership Foundation | Detroit Regional Partnership Foundation general operations support. | $1.0 million |
| Invest Detroit Foundation | Advancing Inclusive High-Growth Entrepreneurship | $1.0 million |
| Friends of the Rouge | Connecting the Rouge: Rouge Gateway Trail Connectors | $1.0 million |
| Huron Waterloo Pathways Initiative | Iron Belle Trail Expansion in Washtenaw and Wayne Counties | $1.0 million |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan | BGCSM Sports Ecosystem | $1.0 million |
| Causewave Community Partners | NextWave Mission Accelerator | $985,347 |
| Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo | Project Play Western New York | $982,780 |
Officers and trustees
- David O Egner
- Norah M O'Brien
- Maura Dewan
- Elizabeth Woike-Ganga
- Jeffrey C Littmann
- Mary M Owen
- Mary M Wilson
- David J Colligan
- Gerard T Mazurikiewicz
- W Frank Fountain
- Howard Morris
- Dr Thomasina Stenhouse
- Ray Telang
- Monique Wells
Questions people ask
Does The Ralph C Wilson Jr Foundation accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications.
How much does The Ralph C Wilson Jr Foundation give?
$141 million in tax year 2024, across 413 grants, with a typical grant of $100,000.
Who runs The Ralph C Wilson Jr Foundation?
Its 2024 filing lists David O Egner (President/Chief Executive Officer), Norah M O'Brien (Treasurer), Maura Dewan (Secretary) and Elizabeth Woike-Ganga (Trustee) among 14 officers and trustees.
What does The Ralph C Wilson Jr Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly community development, environment and conservation and arts and culture.