Raether 1985 Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $17,966,075 (total historical)
• Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: $100 - $4,600,000
• Geographic Focus: National (23 states), with concentration in New York, Florida, and Connecticut

Contact Details

• Website: None available
• Email: Not publicly available
• Phone: Not publicly available
• Location: West Palm Beach, FL

Overview

The Raether 1985 Charitable Trust (also known as the Raether Family Charitable Trust) is a private non-operating foundation established in 1985 and granted charitable status in 1987. With total assets of approximately $52 million, the foundation has awarded 192 grants totaling nearly $18 million to organizations across 23 U.S. states. Founded by Paul E. Raether, a former KKR partner who joined the firm in 1980, the trust reflects the family's commitment to philanthropy, particularly in education. The foundation operates exclusively through preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited grant applications, maintaining a median grant size of $5,000 while occasionally making major gifts up to $4.6 million.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Education initiatives: Variable amounts (includes major gifts)
• Boys & Girls Clubs: Variable amounts
• Human services: Variable amounts
• Healthcare: Variable amounts
• No public application process - all grants by trustee discretion

Priority Areas

• Education (primary focus)
• Youth development through Boys & Girls Clubs
• Human services
• Healthcare initiatives
• Community organizations in New York, Florida, and Connecticut

What They Don't Fund

The foundation has not publicly disclosed specific exclusions, but as an invitation-only funder, they do not consider unsolicited proposals.

Governance and Leadership

Paul E. Raether serves as the foundation's principal, bringing extensive private equity experience from his 40+ year career at KKR. Raether has stated: "Over the last 30 years, education has been the biggest emphasis of charitable giving by my wife and me." His family, including wife Wendy and daughters, participates in foundation decisions. Raether also serves as Chairman of the Institute for Sports Medicine Research in New York and previously served 25 years on Trinity College's board, including 12 years as Chairman.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Grants are awarded at the discretion of the trustees to organizations with which they have established relationships.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - decisions are made internally for preselected organizations.

Success Rates

In 2023, the foundation made 61 awards, with 26 of 61 recipients (43%) being new grantees, suggesting the foundation does expand its giving to new organizations through trustee connections.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable due to invitation-only status.

Application Success Factors

As this foundation operates by invitation only, traditional application success factors don't apply. Organizations seeking support should focus on:

• Building authentic relationships with trustees through shared board service or community involvement
• Demonstrating excellence in education, youth development, or healthcare sectors
• Operating in the foundation's geographic priority areas (New York, Florida, Connecticut)
• Having connections through educational institutions where the Raether family has involvement (Trinity College, Dartmouth Tuck School)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is an invitation-only funder - do not submit unsolicited proposals
• The foundation has strong ties to Trinity College and Dartmouth's Tuck School of Business
• Education is the primary funding priority, as stated by Paul Raether
• Grant sizes vary dramatically from $100 to $4.6 million, with a median of $5,000
• Geographic focus centers on New York (24% of giving), Florida, and Connecticut
• The foundation added 43% new grantees in 2023, showing openness to expanding relationships
• Best pathway to funding is through existing relationships and shared institutional connections

References

• Cause IQ - Raether 1985 Charitable Trust Profile (accessed January 2025)
• Grantmakers.io - Raether 1985 Charitable Trust Profile (accessed January 2025)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Raether 1985 Charitable Trust Form 990-PF filings (accessed January 2025)
• KKR.com - Paul E. Raether executive profile (accessed January 2025)
• Dartmouth Tuck School of Business - "Raether Family Makes $15 Million Gift to Tuck for Scholarships" (February 2018)
• Private Equity International - The Raether Family Charitable Trust Institution Profile (accessed January 2025)
• Grant Bay - The Raether Family Charitable Trust Foundation Profile (accessed January 2025)