The Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $8.4 million (varies year to year; $13.4 million combined with corporation in FY25)
• Total Assets: $36 million
• Grant Range: $5,000 - $4,700,000 (typical grants: $10,000 - $50,000)
• Geographic Focus: United States, with concentration in New York City area, but grants made nationwide
• Number of Grants: 42-60 awards annually
• Application Type: Invitation-only strategic partnerships; does NOT accept unsolicited applications
• EIN: 52-2316766

Contact Details

Address: The Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation c/o Ralph Lauren Corporation 650 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10022

Website: https://corporate.ralphlauren.com/foundation-2

Key Leadership Contacts:

• David Lauren, President of the Foundation (also Chief Branding and Innovation Officer, Ralph Lauren Corporation)
• Roseann Lynch, Chief People Officer & Head of the Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation
• Alyssa Youngerman, Head of Foundation Operations, Strategy and Advancement

Note: The Foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications. All grants are made through strategic partnerships initiated by the Foundation.

Overview

Established in 2001, The Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation works to make the dream of a better life a reality by championing equity and empowering underserved communities around the world. The Foundation has evolved from its initial focus on cancer care into a multi-faceted philanthropic organization with $36 million in assets and annual giving of approximately $8.4 million. The Foundation has supported over 140 nonprofit organizations and, combined with the corporation, donated $13.4 million in FY25.

In 2022, the Foundation made its largest single commitment in its history: $25 million to establish or expand five Ralph Lauren cancer centers across America. The Foundation's approach emphasizes deep, sustained partnerships rather than broad, shallow giving. As President David Lauren stated, "This isn't about just sending a check. This is our mission." In 2023, Ralph Lauren Corporation received UNCF's Corporate Partner Award for its support of HBCUs and their students. The Foundation's 2024 milestones include opening the third Ralph Lauren cancer center at USC Norris in Los Angeles and celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Pink Pony Campaign.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foundation operates through strategic, invitation-only partnerships across four core focus areas:

Cancer Care and Prevention (Pink Pony Fund)

• Ralph Lauren Cancer Centers: Multi-million dollar commitments ($5 million per center as part of $25 million initiative)
• Established centers in Harlem (Memorial Sloan Kettering, 2003), Georgetown Lombardi (2023), USC Norris (2024), and University of Chicago (2026)
• Focus on reducing disparities in cancer care in underserved communities
• Recent grants: Georgetown Lombardi ($4.7 million, 2023), Memorial Sloan Kettering ($1.5 million, 2023)
• Partners include Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Conquer Cancer, Nina Hyde Center for Breast Cancer Research

Education and Advocacy & Access

• HBCU Scholarships through UNCF: $2 million commitment supporting 30 students at 12 HBCUs
• Individual scholarships: $3,667 per year for two years
• UNCF partnership grants: $967,000 (2023)
• Focus on Black, African, and African American students pursuing retail industry careers
• Support for women's empowerment, belonging & equity initiatives, health & wellness programs

Environmental Protection

• U.S. Regenerative Cotton Fund: $5 million founding grant to Soil Health Institute (2021)
• Goal: Eliminate one million metric tons of CO2 equivalent from atmosphere by 2026
• Geographic focus: 10 states representing 85% of U.S. cotton production
• Water access: Multi-year commitments to DigDeep's Navajo Water Project (2020-2026)
• WaterAid America: $150,000 (2023)
• Recent impact: 350+ households received clean water in 2023; expanded from 19 to 31 Chapters on Navajo Nation

Community Resilience

• Disaster relief and emergency response (Hurricane Helene, Hurricane Milton, Los Angeles wildfires in FY25)
• Employee Matching Gift Program: up to $1 million annually, supporting 600+ nonprofits across 18 countries
• Crisis support through American Red Cross and similar organizations
• Typical grants: $10,000 - $50,000

Priority Areas

• Cancer care access for underserved communities, particularly patient navigation services, screenings, early diagnosis
• Educational equity for students at HBCUs with retail industry career pathways
• Environmental sustainability through regenerative agriculture and water access projects
• Community resilience through disaster relief, employee volunteerism, and matching gifts
• Health equity addressing disparities in healthcare access

What They Don't Fund

• The Foundation does NOT accept unsolicited grant applications
• Focus is on strategic, long-term partnerships rather than broad grantmaking
• Limited to U.S.-based organizations (though employee matching gifts extend to 18 countries)
• No evidence of funding for: general operating support for most organizations, capital campaigns (except strategic partners), individual assistance, political campaigns

Governance and Leadership

Foundation Leadership:

• David Lauren, President of the Foundation; Chief Branding and Innovation Officer, Ralph Lauren Corporation; Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors
• Roseann Lynch, Chief People Officer & Head of the Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation (joined company 2004)
• Alyssa Youngerman, Head of Foundation Operations, Strategy and Advancement

Philanthropic Philosophy:

David Lauren has articulated a distinctive approach to the Foundation's work that emphasizes authenticity, focus, and deep engagement:

"This isn't about just sending a check. This is about inspiring our leadership team, our customers, and all of our employees to join the fight with us."

"We didn't have 25 different causes. This was it, let's keep building on cancer, and we were very focused on that."

"It's no longer just doing it to have your name on the side of a building, but you are really invested personally, with a community to make a change."

"We didn't do it with a plan—there were no consultants, there were no best practices—we did it because we felt it was right."

On maintaining a low profile: "My father didn't want to put his name on the cancer center door, because he felt it was showing off. Very little of it has our name on it, not even the cards and invitations to events have our name on it."

This philosophy reflects an organic, mission-driven approach to philanthropy that prioritizes impact over recognition and sustained engagement over transactional giving.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications or requests for funding. All grants are made through strategic partnerships that are initiated by the Foundation through an invitation-only process.

For specific programs:

Cancer Center Grants: The Foundation selects cancer centers through an invitation-only RFP (Request for Proposals) process. For example, their collaboration with Conquer Cancer involves contacting eligible NCI-designated organizations to submit a Letter of Intent and Full Application. Organizations cannot apply directly.

Employee Matching Gifts: This program is available only to Ralph Lauren Corporation employees, who can submit their personal donations to eligible nonprofits for matching by the Foundation on a 1:1 basis, up to $1 million total per fiscal year.

Scholarships: Students (not organizations) apply directly through UNCF for the Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation Scholarship program supporting HBCU students.

Getting on Their Radar

The Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation operates through strategic partnerships rather than open applications, making it essential to understand how they identify and select partners:

Partnership Selection Process:

• The Foundation identifies potential partners that align with their four core focus areas: cancer care and prevention, environmental protection, advocacy & access, and community resilience
• For their major initiatives (such as the $25 million cancer center program), they work with intermediary organizations like Conquer Cancer (the ASCO Foundation) to identify eligible institutions
• Partners must typically have significant infrastructure and capacity (e.g., NCI designation for cancer centers)

Demonstrated Alignment with Foundation Values:

• Organizations that have successfully partnered with the Foundation demonstrate clear focus on reducing disparities and serving underserved communities
• The Foundation values authentic, long-term engagement over short-term projects
• Partners should align with the Foundation's emphasis on measurable impact and community-centered approaches

Existing Network Connections:

• Many grants flow through established intermediary organizations (UNCF for education, Conquer Cancer for cancer centers, Soil Health Institute for environmental work)
• The Foundation appears to leverage trusted partners to identify and vet additional grantees
• Geographic proximity to Ralph Lauren's U.S. operation centers can be a factor (noted in HBCU scholarship selection criteria)

Employee Connections:

• The robust Employee Matching Gift program (supporting 600+ nonprofits across 18 countries) suggests that organizations where Ralph Lauren employees are personally invested may have indirect pathways to foundation awareness
• Employee volunteerism and engagement are key components of the Foundation's approach

Visibility in Their Priority Sectors:

• Organizations leading innovative work in cancer health equity, regenerative agriculture, water access, or HBCU student success may attract attention
• Participation in sector-wide initiatives or collaborations that the Foundation already supports may create opportunities for relationship building

Important Note: Even if an organization successfully gets on the Foundation's radar, there is no guarantee of funding, and the Foundation maintains full discretion over all grant decisions. The Foundation's approach is highly selective and focused on a limited number of deep, sustained partnerships rather than broad grantmaking.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. Given the strategic partnership model:

• Major initiatives (like cancer centers) involve multi-year planning and commitments
• The Foundation appears to make funding decisions aligned with fiscal year planning
• Multi-year commitments are common (e.g., three-year commitment to DigDeep renewed for another three years in 2023)

Success Rates

Not applicable in traditional sense. Since the Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, there is no public success rate. The Foundation makes approximately 42-60 awards annually, all through invitation or strategic partnership.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable. The Foundation's model focuses on sustained, multi-year partnerships rather than single grants and reapplication cycles. Organizations that receive support often have multi-year commitments or renewed partnerships (as evidenced by the DigDeep partnership renewal).

Application Success Factors

Since The Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation operates exclusively through invitation-only strategic partnerships, the traditional application success factors don't apply. However, examining their funded partnerships reveals what the Foundation values:

Strategic Fit with Core Mission Areas

The Foundation has remained remarkably focused since its 2001 inception. David Lauren stated: "We didn't have 25 different causes. This was it, let's keep building on cancer, and we were very focused on that." Organizations that align with one of the four core areas—cancer care and prevention, environmental protection, advocacy & access, or community resilience—are the only ones considered.

Focus on Reducing Disparities in Underserved Communities

Every major Foundation initiative explicitly addresses equity and access:

• Cancer centers specifically target "reducing disparities in cancer care in underserved communities"
• HBCU scholarships support Black, African, and African American students
• Navajo Water Project serves communities without water infrastructure
• All programs emphasize reaching populations with limited access to resources

Organizations must demonstrate both the need in underserved communities and the capacity to effectively serve those communities.

Capacity for Significant Impact and Scale

The Foundation's partners typically have substantial infrastructure:

• Cancer centers must have NCI (National Cancer Institute) designation
• Environmental partners like Soil Health Institute work across 85% of U.S. cotton production
• Education partner UNCF has reach across multiple HBCUs

The Foundation appears to prefer partners who can achieve significant impact at scale rather than smaller, single-site operations.

Commitment to Long-Term Partnership

The Foundation's approach emphasizes sustained engagement. David Lauren noted their approach: "It's no longer just doing it to have your name on the side of a building, but you are really invested personally, with a community to make a change."

• DigDeep partnership: Initial three-year commitment (2020), renewed for another three years (2023)
• Cancer centers: Opened in 2003 (Harlem), still receiving support in 2024
• HBCU partnership: Five-year commitment announced in 2021

Organizations should be prepared for multi-year engagement, not one-off grants.

Measurable Outcomes and Accountability

Funded projects demonstrate clear metrics:

• Regenerative Cotton Fund: Goal to eliminate one million metric tons of CO2 equivalent by 2026
• Navajo Water Project: 350+ households received water in 2023; expansion from 19 to 31 Chapters tracked
• Cancer centers: Focus on measurable increases in screenings, early diagnosis, patient navigation

The Foundation values partners who can demonstrate and report concrete impact.

Organic, Mission-Driven Approach

David Lauren described their philosophy: "We didn't do it with a plan—there were no consultants, there were no best practices—we did it because we felt it was right." This suggests the Foundation values authentic mission alignment over polished proposals. Organizations should have genuine, demonstrated commitment to their cause rather than appearing to align for funding purposes.

Geographic and Industry Connections

While not exclusive, the Foundation shows preference for:

• Greater New York City area (though "not a hard and fast rule")
• Proximity to Ralph Lauren Corporation's U.S. operation centers (noted in HBCU selection criteria)
• Potential connections to the fashion/retail industry (HBCU scholarships focus on retail career pathways)

Humility and Focus on Impact Over Recognition

The Foundation maintains a low profile. David Lauren shared: "My father didn't want to put his name on the cancer center door, because he felt it was showing off." Partners should prioritize impact and community benefit over donor recognition or publicity.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The Foundation does NOT accept unsolicited applications—all grants are made through invitation-only strategic partnerships. Traditional grant writing will not result in funding from this foundation.

• Focus over breadth: The Foundation deliberately limits its focus to four core areas (cancer care, environmental protection, advocacy & access, community resilience). Organizations outside these areas have no pathway to funding.

• Equity and underserved communities are non-negotiable: Every Foundation initiative explicitly addresses disparities and serves underserved populations. This is not a box to check—it's central to their mission.

• Think multi-year partnership, not one-time grant: The Foundation seeks sustained engagement with significant partners. They prefer deep relationships with fewer organizations over many small grants.

• Scale and capacity matter: Major Foundation partners have substantial infrastructure (NCI-designated cancer centers, national education networks, multi-state environmental programs). The Foundation appears to seek partners who can achieve significant impact.

• Intermediary organizations provide access: The Foundation often works through established partners (Conquer Cancer, UNCF, Soil Health Institute) to identify additional grantees. Being known to these intermediaries may be more valuable than direct outreach.

• Employee connections may create awareness: With 600+ nonprofits funded through employee matching gifts across 18 countries, organizations where Ralph Lauren employees volunteer or donate may gain indirect visibility.

• Measurable impact is expected: All funded initiatives include concrete goals and metrics. Organizations should have strong evaluation frameworks and accountability systems.

• Geographic proximity can help: While the Foundation funds nationwide, grants concentrate in the New York City area and near Ralph Lauren operation centers. This is not absolute but is a factor.

• Humility and mission-focus over recognition: The Foundation avoids publicity and explicit naming opportunities. Organizations seeking prominent donor recognition or headline-making gifts may not be a cultural fit.

References

1. Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation Official Website. "Corporate Foundation." Ralph Lauren Corporation. Accessed February 6, 2026. https://corporate.ralphlauren.com/foundation-2 and https://corporate.ralphlauren.com/foundation-1

2. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. "The Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation - EIN 52-2316766." Accessed February 6, 2026. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/522316766

3. Candid (Foundation Center). "The Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation C/o Cbiz Mhm LLC | Foundation Directory." Accessed February 6, 2026. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?collection=grantmakers&key=LAUR037

4. Ralph Lauren Corporation. "Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation Announces $25 Million Commitment to Five Cancer Centers Across America with Goal of Reducing Disparities in Cancer Care in Underserved Communities." Press Release, May 11, 2022. https://corporate.ralphlauren.com/pr_220511_CorpFoundation_Donation.html

5. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. "Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation Announces $25 Million Commitment to Five Cancer Centers Across America With Goal of Reducing Disparities in Cancer Care in Underserved Communities." May 11, 2022. https://www.mskcc.org/news-releases/ralph-lauren-corporate-foundation-announces-25-million-commitment-five-cancer-centers-across-america-goal-reducing-disparities-cancer-care-underserved-communities

6. UNCF. "Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation Launches Scholarship Programs Supporting Historically Black Colleges and Universities." December 15, 2021. https://uncf.org/news/ralph-lauren-corporate-foundation-launches-scholarship-programs-supporting-historically-black-colleges-and-universities

7. Ralph Lauren Corporation. "Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation Launches Scholarship Programs Supporting Historically Black Colleges and Universities." Press Release, December 15, 2021. https://corporate.ralphlauren.com/pr_211215_HBCUDonation.html

8. Soil Health Institute. "Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation and Soil Health Institute Unveil New U.S. Regenerative Cotton Program." Press Release, October 26, 2021. https://soilhealthinstitute.org/news-events/usrcf-press-release/

9. Ralph Lauren Corporation. "Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation and Soil Health Institute Unveil New U.S. Regenerative Cotton Program." Press Release, October 26, 2021. https://corporate.ralphlauren.com/pr_211026_RegenerativeCotton.html

10. The Cancer Letter. "David Lauren: We're focused on cancer. This isn't about just sending a check. This is our mission." April 28, 2023. https://cancerletter.com/the-cancer-letter/20230428_3/

11. DigDeep. "Corporate Partners." Accessed February 6, 2026. https://www.digdeep.org/corporate-partners

12. Ralph Lauren Corporation. "Ralph Lauren's Pink Pony Initiative Marks 22 Years in the Fight Against Cancer." Press Release, October 4, 2022. https://corporate.ralphlauren.com/pr_221004_PinkPony.html

13. UNCF. "Ralph Lauren Corporation and The Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation Help Light the Way for HBCUs Students - UNCF Annual Report 2023." 2023. https://uncf.org/annual-report-2023/ralph-lauren-corporation-and-the-ralph-lauren-corporate-foundation-help-light-the-way-for-hbcus-students

14. Inside Philanthropy. "Polo Ralph Lauren Foundation." Accessed February 6, 2026. https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant/grants-p/polo-ralph-lauren-foundation

15. Ralph Lauren Corporation. "Champion Better Lives - Citizenship." Corporate website. Accessed February 6, 2026. https://corporate.ralphlauren.com/citizenship-champion-better-lives

16. Ralph Lauren Corporation. "Leadership." Accessed February 6, 2026. https://corporate.ralphlauren.com/leadership

17. Ralph Lauren Corporation Investor Relations. "David Lauren | Management." Accessed February 6, 2026. https://investor.ralphlauren.com/management/david-lauren

18. Ralph Lauren Corporation Investor Relations. "Roseann Lynch | Management." Accessed February 6, 2026. https://investor.ralphlauren.com/management/roseann-lynch

19. University of Chicago Medicine. "The Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation to Open Fourth Center in the US with the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center." Business Wire, January 21, 2026. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260121921630/en/

20. USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center. "USC Norris receives grant from Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation." HSC News, 2024. https://hscnews.usc.edu/usc-norris-receives-grant-from-ralph-lauren-corporate-foundation

21. Double the Donation. "Ralph Lauren Matching Gifts & Volunteer Info." Accessed February 6, 2026. https://doublethedonation.com/matching-gifts/ralph-lauren

22. Ralph Lauren Corporation. "Community." Corporate website. Accessed February 6, 2026. https://corporate.ralphlauren.com/community