Well Told Grants

Foundations / Ohio

The Brian Ratner Foundation

Preselected recipients only Shaker Heights, Ohio · EIN 205983302

The Brian Ratner Foundation is a private foundation in Shaker Heights, Ohio. In tax year 2025 it gave $307,250 in 45 grants; the typical grant was $1,250 and the largest $50,000. 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 $364,988 the year before.

11% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, so most of its money goes to organizations it already funds.

Giving by year

Tax yearGrants paidNumber of grantsAssets
2023$435,25067$1.4 million
2024$364,98855$1.1 million
2025$307,25045$802,167

How to apply

The Brian Ratner 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 Brian Ratner Foundation funds

Where it gives

Its grants went to recipients in 13 states, the most to New York.

StateGrantsAmount
New York9$91,250
Colorado11$80,500
Texas5$55,500
Ohio6$48,000
Minnesota1$10,000
District of Columbia3$7,000
Kentucky1$5,000
California4$4,000
Illinois1$2,000
Alabama1$1,000

Grants paid in 2025

The 40 largest of 45 grants
RecipientPurposeAmount
Dallas Symphony Association
Dallas, TX
Annual fund$50,000
International Rescue Committee
New York, NY
Annual fund$50,000
University of Colorado Foundation
Denver, CO
Cu-anschutz fund for excellence and uc health greatest needs fund$41,000
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum Inc
Cleveland, OH
Annual fund$30,000
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation
New York, NY
2025 rock hall induction ceremony$26,000
Boulder Community Health Foundation
Boulder, CO
Annual fund$10,000
Bravo Colorado at Vail-Beaver Creek
Vail, CO
Annual fund$10,000
International Rescue Committee Inc
Albert Lea, MN
Annual fund$10,000
Mile High United Way
Denver, CO
Annual fund$10,000
American Symphony Orchestra League
New York, NY
Annual fund$5,000
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Washington, DC
Annual fund$5,000
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH
Annual fund$5,000
Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation Inc
Lexington, KY
Annual fund$5,000
Planned Parenthood Federation of America
New York, NY
Annual fund$5,000
United Way of Greater Cleveland
Cleveland, OH
Annual fund$5,000
University School
Shaker Heights, OH
Annual fund$5,000
Visiting Nurse Association of Texas
Dallas, TX
Annual fund$2,500
Community Foundation Serving Boulder County
Boulder, CO
Annual fund$2,000
Cu Boulder Hillel Foundation
Boulder, CO
Annual fund$2,000
Food Bank of the Rockies
Denver, CO
Annual fund$2,000
Musical Arts Association
Cleveland, OH
Annual fund$2,000
Permanently Disabled Jockey Fund
Elmhurst, IL
Annual fund$2,000
Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation
Saratoga Springs, NY
Annual fund$1,250
Belmont Child Care Association Inc
Elmont, NY
Annual fund$1,000
Boulder Rural Firefighter Foundation
Boulder, CO
Annual fund$1,000
Brady Center to Prevent Gun Voilence
Washington, DC
Annual fund$1,000
Center for Constitutional Rights
New York, NY
Annual fund$1,000
Colorado Chautauqua Association
Boulder, CO
Annual fund$1,000
Del Mar Foundation
Del Mar, CA
Annual fund$1,000
Edwin J Gregson Foundation
Arcadia, CA
Annual fund$1,000
Greater Cleveland Food Bank Inc
Cleveland, OH
Annual fund$1,000
National Museum of Racing
Saratoga Springs, NY
Annual fund$1,000
One Laptop Per Child Foundation
Miami, FL
Annual fund$1,000
One Love Foundation Iho Yeardley Love
Baltimore, MD
Annual fund$1,000
Race Track Chaplaincy of America New York Division
Elmont, NY
Annual fund$1,000
Rex Foundation
San Anselmo, CA
Annual fund$1,000
Southern Methodist University
Dallas, TX
Annual fund$1,000
Southern Poverty Law Center Inc
Montgomery, AL
Annual fund$1,000
The Ryan Anthony Foundation
Dallas, TX
Annual fund$1,000
There With Care
Boulder, CO
Annual fund$1,000

Officers and trustees

As listed in Part VIII of the 2025 filing.

Questions people ask

Does The Brian Ratner Foundation accept grant applications?

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

How much does The Brian Ratner Foundation give?

$307,250 in tax year 2025, across 45 grants, with a typical grant of $1,250.

Who runs The Brian Ratner Foundation?

Its 2025 filing lists Brian Ratner (President), David Ratner (VP) and Emily Ratner (VP).

What does The Brian Ratner Foundation fund?

Based on its grants, mainly arts and culture, international and education.

Similar foundations in Ohio