Rice Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $4,052,558 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not applicable (preselected organizations only)
• Decision Time: Not applicable (no public application process)
• Grant Range: $1,000 - $1,000,000
• Geographic Focus: National, with emphasis on New York/Westchester County

Contact Details

Address: c/o Citrin Cooperman Advisors LLC, 100 Jericho Quadrangle, Suite 342, Jericho, NY 11753-2710

Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and works exclusively with preselected charitable organizations.

Overview

The Rice Family Foundation was established in 1989 and is led by stockbroker and financier Edward Hart Rice of Virginia and his sister, Eve Hart Rice, an author and psychiatrist based in Westchester County, New York. With assets totaling approximately $63.8 million, the foundation distributed $4,052,558 in grants across 95 awards in 2023. The foundation keeps a low profile and focuses its philanthropy on education, health, environment, and arts and culture. The foundation honors the legacy of their father, Henry Hart Rice, a prominent real estate broker who was instrumental in preserving Carnegie Hall and developing Lincoln Center Plaza. Key personnel include Edward Hart Rice and Eve Hart Rice as Co-Presidents, along with Timothy Mattison and Nancy A. Rice as Vice Presidents.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs but makes strategic grants to preselected organizations ranging from $1,000 to $1,000,000.

Priority Areas

Education: Strong supporters of Yale University, including the Henry Hart Rice Urban Policy Forum. Support includes building urban studies programs, fostering public service careers for women, supporting Yale University Art Gallery and library collections, and promoting international research experiences for students. Also supports Brandeis University, Rutgers University Foundation, Westchester Community College, and Chess in the Schools.

Health: Reproductive health and reproductive rights are top interests. Strong supporters of Planned Parenthood, Center for Reproductive Rights, Northern Westchester Hospital, Blythedale Children's Hospital, and The Hastings Center.

Environment & Historic Preservation: Grantees include The Nature Conservancy, National Trust for Historic Preservation, Westchester Land Trust, and North Castle Historical Society.

Arts & Culture: Supports major institutions including The Metropolitan Museum of Art, American Museum of Natural History, New York Botanical Gardens, Smithsonian Institution, Westchester Libraries, and public media outlets including WETA, WNYC, and WNET.

Social Justice: Supports the Southern Poverty Law Center.

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications from organizations outside their preselected network.

Governance and Leadership

Co-Presidents:

• Edward Hart Rice: Stockbroker and financier based in Virginia
• Eve Hart Rice: Author, artist of children's books, and psychiatrist based in Westchester County, New York. Yale graduate (B.A.) and trustee of her alma mater.

Vice Presidents:

• Timothy Mattison
• Nancy A. Rice

The foundation honors the legacy of Henry Hart Rice, who was a leader in residential and commercial real estate for six decades, an industry senior statesman, public servant, author, and lecturer instrumental in preserving Carnegie Hall and developing Lincoln Center Plaza.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The foundation has explicitly indicated it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Grants are made at the discretion of the foundation's leadership to organizations with which they have existing relationships.

Application Success Factors

As this foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, success depends entirely on being within the foundation's existing network of supported organizations. The foundation's giving patterns indicate strong support for:

• Educational institutions with urban studies or public service focus: Particularly Yale University and programs named after Henry Hart Rice
• Reproductive health and rights organizations: Consistent support for Planned Parenthood and Center for Reproductive Rights
• Major cultural institutions: Preference for established museums, botanical gardens, and public broadcasting
• Westchester County connections: Local institutions including hospitals, libraries, and land conservation
• Historic preservation and environmental conservation: Organizations protecting natural and cultural heritage

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process: This foundation works exclusively with preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited proposals
• Family legacy focus: Strong connection to Henry Hart Rice's legacy in real estate, urban development, and cultural preservation
• Educational emphasis: Particularly interested in Yale University and urban studies/public policy programs
• Reproductive rights priority: Consistent support for reproductive health and rights organizations
• Cultural institutions: Supports major established arts and cultural institutions
• Grant range flexibility: Awards range dramatically from $1,000 to $1,000,000, suggesting customized grants based on relationships and projects
• Westchester connections: Geographic proximity to the Rice family's Westchester County base appears advantageous

References

• Cause IQ: The Rice Family Foundation Profile. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/rice-family-foundation,133542090/
• Grantmakers.io: Rice Family Foundation Profile (EIN 133542090). https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/133542090-rice-family-foundation/
• Inside Philanthropy: Rice Family Foundation. https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant-places/new-york-grants/rice-family-foundation
• Inside Philanthropy: Edward Hart Rice donor profile. https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant/major-donors/edward-hart-rice
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: Rice Family Foundation (EIN 133542090). https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/133542090
• Foundation Directory (Candid): The Rice Family Foundation C/o Citrin Cooperman Advisors LLC. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=RICE021
• Accessed: January 16, 2026