James S And Gail P Riepe Charitable Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,386,191
• Success Rate: N/A (invitation-only)
• Decision Time: Not applicable
• Grant Range: $1,000 - $517,120
• Geographic Focus: Maryland, Florida, New York (primarily)

Contact Details

• Website: None available
• Phone: Not publicly listed
• Email: Not publicly listed
• Address: Wilmington, Delaware

Overview

The James S And Gail P Riepe Charitable Foundation is a private family foundation established in April 1987 with total assets of approximately $47.2 million as of 2024. The foundation distributes approximately $1.4 million annually through 45-53 grants to preselected organizations. Founded by James S. Riepe, retired Vice Chairman of T. Rowe Price Group and co-founder of The Vanguard Group alongside Jack Bogle, and his wife Gail, the foundation reflects their deep commitment to education and human services. The foundation operates exclusively through trustee discretion and does not accept unsolicited applications, focusing its giving on organizations where the family has established relationships, particularly in Maryland, Florida, and New York.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate specific grant programs but awards grants through trustee discretion:

• General Support Grants: $1,000 - $517,120 (awarded to preselected organizations)
• Approximately 45-53 grants awarded annually

Priority Areas

• Education (particularly higher education institutions)
• Human Services
• Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Foundations
• Arts and Culture (including museums)

What They Don't Fund

• Unsolicited requests
• Organizations outside their established network
• Individual requests

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is managed entirely by the Riepe family, all serving without compensation:

• James S. Riepe - Trustee and Founder: Former Vice Chairman of T. Rowe Price Group (1982-2006) and co-founder of The Vanguard Group with Jack Bogle (1975). Wharton graduate (B.S. 1965, M.B.A. 1967), past Chairman of University of Pennsylvania Board of Trustees, Johns Hopkins Medicine, and Baltimore Museum of Art.

• Gail P. Riepe - Trustee and Co-founder: University of Pennsylvania College for Women graduate (1968), Board Member of University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine Board of Overseers.

• Christina N. Riepe - Vice President

• James S. Riepe Jr - Vice President

• Allison B. Riepe - Vice President

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. According to their 990 filings, the foundation "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds." Grants are awarded exclusively through trustee discretion to organizations where the family has established relationships.

Getting on Their Radar

Given the foundation's connection to the Riepe family's extensive board service and philanthropic leadership, organizations most likely to receive funding are those where:

• James S. Riepe serves or has served in leadership roles (University of Pennsylvania, Johns Hopkins University and Medicine, Baltimore Museum of Art, Maryland Institute College of Art, Gilman School)
• The family has established philanthropic relationships through T. Rowe Price Program for Charitable Giving
• Located in key geographic areas: Baltimore region, Maryland, Florida, and New York
• Aligned with the family's demonstrated interests in higher education and human services

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are awarded at trustees' discretion

Success Rates

Not applicable - no public application process

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - invitation-only funding

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation operates through invitation-only funding, traditional application success factors do not apply. Organizations that receive funding typically:

• Have existing relationships with Riepe family members through board service or institutional connections
• Align with the family's demonstrated philanthropic priorities in education and human services
• Are located in regions where the family has strong ties (Baltimore/Maryland, Florida, New York)
• Include institutions where James S. Riepe has served in leadership capacities
• Demonstrate excellence in areas of personal interest to the trustees

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is a legitimate grant-making foundation distributing approximately $1.4 million annually
• There is no public application process - all grants are by invitation only
• The foundation's giving closely follows the Riepe family's personal philanthropic interests and board affiliations
• Strong connections to University of Pennsylvania, Johns Hopkins institutions, and Baltimore-area organizations
• James S. Riepe's background in investment management (T. Rowe Price, Vanguard) suggests appreciation for well-managed, financially sound organizations
• Focus areas remain consistent year-over-year: education, human services, and select arts/culture institutions
• Grant sizes vary widely ($1,000 to over $500,000) suggesting both major support for key institutions and smaller grants for community organizations

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - James S And Gail P Riepe Charitable Foundation (EIN: 526287385), accessed February 2025
• Cause IQ Nonprofit Database - Foundation Profile, accessed February 2025
• Maryland Philanthropy Network - Member Directory
• University of Pennsylvania Archives - "T. Rowe Price's James S. '65 and Gail Perkins Riepe W'68 Give $10 Million to Penn" (2004)
• Baltimore Museum of Art - Annual Reports and Board Leadership
• GuideStar/Candid Foundation Directory - Organization Profile
• Grantmakers.io - Foundation Analysis
• IRS Form 990-PF filings (2022-2024)