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Ralph S French Charitable Foundation Trust

Annual Giving
$1.3M
Grant Range
$10K - $0.1M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,314,274 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $25.1M (2024)
  • Grant Range: Estimated $10,000 - $85,920
  • Average Grant Size: ~$60,000
  • Geographic Focus: Bradenton/Manatee County, Florida region
  • Application Method: No public application process

Contact Details

Address: 3201 26th St W, Bradenton, FL 34205

Note: This is a private foundation that does not appear to have a website, public email, or telephone listed for grant inquiries. The foundation operates through its board of trustees.

Overview

The Ralph S French Charitable Foundation Trust was established in May 2011 as a private independent foundation serving the Bradenton, Florida community. With total assets of $25.1 million as of 2024, the foundation has awarded 181 individual grants totaling $11.88 million since 2015. The foundation distributed $1.43 million in charitable grants in 2024, maintaining a consistent giving pattern of approximately $1.3-$1.7 million annually. The foundation focuses primarily on local nonprofits in the Manatee County area, with demonstrated long-term commitment to organizations - such as providing 11 consecutive years of funding to Goodwill Manasota's GoodPartner Coach program. The foundation appears to prioritize education, workforce development, performing arts, and programs supporting individuals with disabilities and employment barriers.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through trustee-directed grantmaking rather than formal application cycles. Based on recent grants:

  • Education & Arts: $10,000 - $20,000 grants for educational institutions (State College of Florida received $80,000+ since 2016)
  • Workforce Development: Multi-year commitments up to $85,920 (Goodwill Manasota 2021 grant - largest ever from the foundation)
  • General Community Support: Average grants of approximately $60,000

Recent activity shows 22 grants awarded in 2023 and 23 grants in 2022.

Priority Areas

Based on documented grants:

  • Higher Education: Support for State College of Florida programs including performing arts facilities, music instrument depots, and nursing education (over $100,000 total since 2016)
  • Workforce Development & Employment Services: Multi-year support for programs serving individuals with disabilities and employment barriers
  • Performing Arts: Infrastructure and equipment for music education programs
  • Human Services: Programs providing employability skills training, case management, and financial literacy

What They Don't Fund

As a private foundation with trustee-directed grantmaking, specific exclusions are not publicly documented. The foundation appears focused on the Bradenton/Manatee County region.

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees (2024):

  1. James F Alderman - Co-Trustee (Lead trustee, compensated $36,000)
    • Primary address: 3201 26th St W, Bradenton, FL 34205
  2. Anna Gordie Straka - Co-Trustee (compensated $18,000)
  3. Steven Williams - Co-Trustee (compensated $18,000)
  4. Kathy Seibert - Co-Trustee (compensated $18,000)
  5. Mary Boykin - Co-Trustee (compensated $18,000)

The foundation works with Rebecca Hodge CPA for annual 990 filing preparation.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The Ralph S French Charitable Foundation Trust operates as a private foundation where grants are awarded through trustee discretion. There is no online portal, formal application form, or published guidelines for unsolicited proposals.

Grants appear to be made based on:

  • Trustee knowledge and discretion
  • Established relationships with local organizations
  • Multi-year commitments to proven programs (e.g., 11 consecutive years of funding to Goodwill Manasota)

Getting on Their Radar

The foundation has demonstrated specific patterns in identifying grantees:

  • Long-term relationships: The foundation has funded Goodwill Manasota for 11 consecutive years, with the 2021 grant of $85,920 being the largest ever awarded to that organization
  • Local institutional connections: State College of Florida has received consistent support since 2016, totaling over $100,000
  • Geographic proximity: All documented grants are to organizations in the Bradenton/Manatee County area where the trustees are based
  • Proven program track record: Organizations receive multi-year support after demonstrating impact (e.g., Goodwill's GoodPartner Coach program received increasing grant amounts over 11 years)

Organizations seeking support should focus on building local community presence and relationships in the Bradenton area, as the foundation appears to support organizations already known to the trustees through community involvement.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. As a trustee-directed foundation, decisions are made on the trustees' schedule rather than fixed deadlines.

Success Rates

Not available - no public application process.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable given the absence of a formal application process. However, the foundation's history shows strong support for multi-year funding relationships with organizations once a relationship is established.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, the following factors appear important for organizations that may be considered:

  • Local presence and impact: All documented grants are to Bradenton/Manatee County organizations
  • Measurable outcomes: Goodwill's GoodPartner Coach program was described as "award-winning," suggesting the foundation values recognized program excellence
  • Alignment with workforce and education: Documented grants emphasize employability skills, educational infrastructure, and programs serving vulnerable populations
  • Multi-year impact potential: The foundation has shown willingness to fund the same organization for over a decade when programs demonstrate sustained value
  • Specific, tangible needs: Grants to State College of Florida supported concrete needs like music instrument depots and neonatal simulators rather than general operating support

According to Margie Genter, VP of Mission Services at Goodwill Manasota (a repeat grantee): "The GoodPartner Coach Program has been essential in providing team members with a plethora of resources as well as soft skills and financial literacy training." This quote suggests the foundation values programs that provide comprehensive support and skill-building resources.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process - This foundation awards grants through trustee discretion and established relationships, not open applications
  • Geographic focus is hyperlocal - All documented grants serve the Bradenton/Manatee County area where the foundation and trustees are based
  • Multi-year commitments are the norm - The foundation has funded organizations like Goodwill for 11+ consecutive years and State College of Florida since 2016
  • Grant sizes vary significantly - From $10,000 (SCF music depot) to $85,920 (Goodwill workforce program), averaging around $60,000
  • Focus on workforce and education - Primary documented interests are workforce development, higher education, performing arts education, and programs serving individuals with disabilities
  • Relationship-driven grantmaking - Success appears to depend on trustees' knowledge of the organization through community connections rather than proposal quality
  • Strategic, specific funding - Grants support particular programs or equipment needs rather than general operating support

References

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