Robert and Ardis James Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- The foundation accepts no unsolicited requests and makes contributions only to preselected organisations, so a small nonprofit should not send it an application or approach it cold.
- Its only stated theme is education, and no geographic focus is stated, so work in education is the fit to consider.
- About 8 in 10 of its 317 grants fall between $10,000 and $300,000, with a median of $50,000, though its largest grant was $2,500,000, so a modest request is the realistic size if an organisation is ever invited.
- Repeat giving is strong: 95% of grant dollars to organisations in the most recent filing went to organisations it had also funded in earlier filings, so the foundation appears relationship-led.
Overview
Robert and Ardis James Foundation is a US private foundation based in Wilmington, DE.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and web pages about the foundation (carleton.edu), with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The family foundation supports nonprofits and educational institutions. Its recorded grants go to colleges and universities, schools, cultural institutions, health providers, research organisations and policy groups. Many grants are listed as general and unrestricted support; specified gifts support scholarships and fellowships, endowments, capital campaigns, research and facilities. The records show grants to organisations across multiple states. The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organisations and does not accept unsolicited requests, so organisations cannot approach it through an open application route.
Themes
- Education
Geographic Focus
No geographic focus is stated; the filings show grants mainly in Massachusetts, Minnesota, District of Columbia, New York and Nebraska.
How to apply
It makes contributions only to preselected charitable organisations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 95% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 317 grants to organisations were $50,000 or less.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
6 other states: 2%
- The largest single recipient received 23% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 95% of grant dollars went to organisations Robert and Ardis James Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
- 3% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 110 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $50,000 (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Carleton College · Paglia Family Endowed Scholarship.$2,500,0002024 tax year
- Carnegie Endowment for International Peace · the Carnegie Endowment's capital campaign$2,000,0002024 tax year
- Carleton College · the Class of 1974 Student Health Center.$1,375,0002024 tax year
- Carleton College · The Paglia Family Post-Bac Research Fellowship.$1,250,0002024 tax year
- University of Nebraska Foundation · the International Quilt Museum Endowment Fund$1,000,0002024 tax year
- Carleton College · General & Unrestricted$685,0002024 tax year
- Harvard Business School · General & unrestricted$500,0002024 tax year
- President and Fellows of Harvard College · support of Religion and Public Life, to be added to the Public Life Program Fund.$500,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Catherine James Paglia — Director, President
- Robert James — Director, President
- Ralph James — Director, Secretary, Treasurer
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $23,888,944 | $19,185,767 | $208,136,354 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $22,350,008 | $17,539,400 | $200,098,355 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $22,292,572 | $18,194,400 | $223,189,182 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
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At a glance
Applying to Robert and Ardis James Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Wilmington, DE
Applying to Robert and Ardis James Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Wilmington, DE