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The Rhoads Family Environmental Fund

Annual Giving
$3.7M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $3,737,988 (2024)
  • Total Assets: $49,410,000 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not publicly available
  • Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
  • Geographic Focus: Not publicly disclosed

Contact Details

Mailing Address: PO Box 185 Pittsburgh, PA 15230-0185

Phone: 617-722-6908

Trustee: BNY Mellon N.A.

Note: This foundation does not maintain a public website or email for grant inquiries.

Overview

The Rhoads Family Environmental Fund was established in September 2007 as a 501(c)(3) private independent foundation focused on environmental causes. With total assets of approximately $49.4 million as of 2024, the foundation distributed $3.7 million in charitable grants during its most recent fiscal year. The foundation is administered by BNY Mellon N.A. as trustee, which is common for family foundations that rely on institutional management. The fund operates as a traditional private foundation, with revenue primarily derived from investment dividends (45.8%) and sales of assets (54.2%). The foundation maintains a strong commitment to environmental grantmaking, though specific programmatic priorities and geographic focus areas are not publicly disclosed.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

This foundation does not operate formal grant programs with published guidelines or application deadlines. Grantmaking decisions appear to be made at the discretion of the trustee.

Priority Areas

While the foundation's name indicates a focus on environmental causes, specific priority areas within environmental conservation, education, or advocacy have not been publicly disclosed. The foundation's classification as a philanthropy and grantmaking foundation focused on environmental matters suggests broad environmental interests.

What They Don't Fund

No specific exclusions have been publicly documented.

Governance and Leadership

Trustee: BNY Mellon N.A. serves as the institutional trustee and key officer of the foundation. In 2024, BNY Mellon received compensation of $269,902 for trustee services, representing standard institutional trustee fees for asset management and grant administration.

The foundation's governance structure is typical of family foundations with institutional trustees, where the bank manages day-to-day operations, investments, and grant distributions according to the donor's original intent and instructions.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The Rhoads Family Environmental Fund operates as a private foundation without open grant solicitations or published application guidelines. Grants are made at the discretion of the trustee (BNY Mellon N.A.), likely based on the founding family's philanthropic vision and predetermined beneficiaries.

Organizations seeking support from this foundation would need to be invited to submit proposals or have pre-existing relationships with the foundation's advisors or the Rhoads family.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - no public application process.

Success Rates

Not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process.

Application Success Factors

Given that this foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. Organizations that receive grants from this foundation are likely:

  • Pre-identified by the foundation or family advisors
  • Working in environmental areas aligned with the family's specific interests
  • Known to the foundation through sector relationships or previous philanthropic connections
  • Operating programs that align with the foundation's undisclosed strategic priorities

For foundations of this type, grants are typically directed rather than solicited, meaning the foundation identifies and approaches organizations rather than reviewing incoming applications.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application Process: This is a private foundation that does not accept unsolicited grant applications
  • Institutional Management: BNY Mellon N.A. serves as trustee, handling grant administration and asset management
  • Significant Resources: With nearly $50 million in assets and nearly $4 million in annual grantmaking, this is a well-resourced foundation
  • Environmental Focus: The foundation's name and classification indicate environmental causes are the primary focus
  • Discretionary Grantmaking: All grants appear to be made at trustee discretion rather than through competitive processes
  • Limited Transparency: The foundation maintains minimal public presence with no website, published guidelines, or grant recipient listings readily available
  • IRS Filings Available: Form 990-PF filings from 2007-2024 are available through ProPublica's Nonprofit Explorer and may provide insight into past grantees and funding patterns

References

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