Ruby W And Lavon P Linn Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $2.8-3.5 million
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Quarterly review (3-4 months)
• Grant Range: $1,500 - $1,000,000
• Geographic Focus: National (with emphasis on Massachusetts)

Contact Details

Email: linnfoundation@choate.com
Website: https://www.rwlinnfoundation.org/
Mailing Address:
The Ruby W. and LaVon P. Linn Foundation
c/o Choate Hall & Stewart LLP
Two International Place
Boston, MA 02110

Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited calls or meetings

Overview

The Ruby W. and LaVon P. Linn Foundation is a Massachusetts-based private foundation established in 2001 with assets of approximately $69 million. Founded by Lieutenant Colonel Ruby Winslow Linn (1910-2011), a pioneering military dietitian who served 30 years in the Army Medical Specialist Corps, and her husband Colonel LaVon P. Linn, the foundation annually distributes between $2.8 and $3.5 million in grants. The foundation operates exclusively for charitable, scientific, educational, and religious purposes, with a particular focus on veterans' issues, higher education, and human services. Ruby Linn believed that "values were far more important than material possessions," a philosophy that continues to guide the foundation's strategic approach to philanthropy.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation awards grants on a quarterly basis with amounts ranging from $1,500 to $1,000,000. While specific named programs are not publicized, grants are awarded across multiple categories aligned with the founders' values and interests.

Priority Areas

• Veterans' Services and Support: Organizations supporting veterans and military families, including healthcare, legal services, and rehabilitation
• Education: Higher education institutions, particularly Ruby Linn's alma mater Simmons College, and schools for individuals with disabilities
• Human Services: Community organizations providing essential services
• Healthcare: Medical institutions and health-focused nonprofits, particularly those serving veterans
• Historic Preservation: Organizations maintaining historically significant sites

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation requires applicants to be publicly supported charities or governmental units with tax-exempt status under IRS 501(c)(3).

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by three compensated trustees:

• William A. Lowell, Esq. ($40,000 annual compensation)
• William D. Borek ($40,000 annual compensation)
• Scott G. Borek ($40,000 annual compensation)

Administrative support is provided through Choate Hall & Stewart LLP in Boston. The foundation maintains a lean governance structure focused on efficient grant distribution, with 95% of expenses going directly to charitable disbursements.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

1. Request Application Access: Contact the foundation at linnfoundation@choate.com to request access to the online application
2. Complete Online Form: Submit detailed information including:
   • Organization description
   • Project proposal
   • Referral information
   • Past grant recipient status
3. Prepare Required Attachments (in this order):
   • Formal proposal
   • Budget
   • Current board of directors list
   • Project manager's resume
   • Financial statements
   • Public charity status letter
   • IRS tax-exemption letter
   • Most recent Form 990
   • Additional relevant documents
4. Submit Application:
   • Complete online submission
   • Mail one hard copy (clipped, not bound or stapled) to the foundation's Boston address
   • Applications must be received by 5:00 PM on deadline dates

Decision Timeline

• Quarterly Review Schedule:
  • Spring deadline: April 1
  • Summer deadline: July 1
  • Fall deadline: October 1
  • Winter deadline: December 30
• Notification: 3-4 months after deadline via postal mail or email
• Confirmation: Automated email confirmation sent upon application receipt

Success Rates

The foundation typically awards 15-23 grants annually from its total distribution budget. Specific acceptance rates are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Not specified in available documentation. Applicants should contact the foundation directly for guidance on resubmitting proposals.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's giving patterns and priorities:

• Demonstrate Veterans Connection: Given Ruby Linn's 30-year military service and the foundation's consistent support for veterans' organizations, proposals that benefit veterans or military families receive strong consideration
• Show Clear Impact: The foundation funds organizations ranging from small community groups ($1,500 grants) to major institutions ($1,000,000 grants), indicating they value demonstrated impact over organizational size
• Align with Founder Values: Emphasize how your project embodies the belief that "values are more important than material possessions"
• Massachusetts Connection: While the foundation funds nationally, many recipients have Massachusetts ties
• Complete Documentation: Submit all required attachments in the specified order; incomplete applications may not be reviewed
• Respect Communication Preferences: Follow application instructions precisely and avoid contacting trustees directly

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The foundation has a formal quarterly application process with specific deadlines - plan submissions accordingly • Grant amounts vary widely ($1,500 to $1,000,000), suggesting openness to both small community projects and major institutional initiatives • Veterans' organizations and education institutions appear to receive priority consideration based on the founders' backgrounds • The foundation values efficiency - 95% of expenses go to grants, indicating careful stewardship of resources • Direct contact with trustees is discouraged; all communications should go through the designated email address • Despite some sources suggesting invitation-only funding, the foundation's website confirms a public application process • The foundation has demonstrated responsiveness to current needs, as shown by their $500,000 COVID-19 response donation

References

• The Ruby W. and LaVon P. Linn Foundation official website. Accessed February 2024. https://www.rwlinnfoundation.org/
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: Ruby W And Lavon P Linn Foundation. Accessed February 2024. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/316672883
• "An Unexpected Gift. A Fascinating Life." The Boston Foundation Blog, July 22, 2020. https://www.tbf.org/blog/2020/july/linn-foundation-covid-blog-07222020
• Candid Foundation Directory: Ruby W and Lavon P Linn Foundation. Accessed February 2024. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=LINN012
• "Trust receives $130,000 grant toward Wright Tavern restoration." Concord Bridge, December 11, 2023. https://concordbridge.org/index.php/2023/12/11/trust-receives-130000-grant-toward-wright-tavern-restoration/
• Grantmakers.io Profile: Ruby W and Lavon P Linn Foundation. Accessed February 2024. https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/316672883-ruby-w-and-lavon-p-linn-foundation/