The Rauch Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $9,983,000 (2023)
• Number of Grants: 58 awards (2023)
• Grant Range: Varies widely - from smaller operational grants to multi-million dollar commitments
• Geographic Focus: Inland Empire of California (San Bernardino and Riverside Counties) and global health programs
• Application Method: Invitation only / no public application process

Contact Details

Website: https://www.therauchfamilyfoundation.org/

Contact Person: Heather L. Porter, Senior Program & Operations Manager Email: hporter@therauchfamilyfoundation.org

Note: Organizations are welcome to reach out if their work aligns with the foundation's focus areas, though the foundation does not accept unsolicited grant requests and works primarily with preselected organizations.

Overview

The Rauch Family Foundation was established in 1989 by Dudley and Cecilia (Ceci) Rauch, who met at Harvard Business School where Ceci was one of seven groundbreaking women in the inaugural class of women admitted to the Business School. After unexpected wealth from venture capital investments, the couple founded the foundation to "pay it forward." Both founders have since passed away, but their legacy continues through a four-member Board of Directors. In 2024, the foundation adopted a refined mission statement: "We seek to improve the health outcomes of vulnerable populations in the Inland Empire of California and across the developing world." The foundation provided $9,983,000 in grants in 2023 to 58 organizations. In 2024, they awarded $12.5 million to Inland Empire health initiatives, $4.2 million to global health programs, and $2.5 million to disaster relief. The foundation is known for its evidence-based, cost-effective approach and made the largest-ever financial aid commitment to Duke University School of Medicine—a $30 million pledge—honoring founder Dudley Rauch's legacy.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates three primary funding streams:

1. Health & Health Equity (Inland Empire)

• Focus on San Bernardino and Riverside Counties, California
• Grant range: Varies from operational support for clinics to multi-million dollar infrastructure projects
• Recent example: $2.1 million to Providence St. Mary Medical Center for a Graduate Medical Education residency program (the largest gift in the hospital's history)
• 2024 activity: Awarded $12.5M, distributed $7.2M

2. Global Health

• International health interventions in developing countries
• Focus on infectious diseases, nutrition, and water access
• Works through established organizations like Against Malaria Foundation, The Carter Center, Clinton Health Access Initiative, and World Food Program
• Recent emergency response: $5 million to GiveWell, $1 million to Doctors Without Borders, and $250,000 to GlobalGiving in response to 2025 U.S. foreign aid pause
• 2024 activity: Awarded $4.2M, distributed $5.8M

3. Disaster Relief & Preparedness

• Domestic and global disaster response
• Focus on underserved regions and capacity building
• Partners include American Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders, GlobalGiving, and Medical Teams International
• 2024 activity: Awarded $2.5M, distributed $1.2M

4. Arts (Discretionary)

• Small discretionary fund for legacy and local arts organizations in the Inland Empire
• Organizations include LA Opera, Riverside Arts Council, and San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra

Priority Areas

Inland Empire - Social Determinants of Health:

• Accessible and mobile clinics
• Healthcare workforce development (residency programs, training)
• Child welfare
• Educational access
• Healthcare quality and access
• Nutrition and food security
• Safe housing and homelessness prevention

Global Health:

• Malaria control
• Trachoma elimination
• Child malnutrition
• Clean water access
• Evidence-based interventions with proven cost-effectiveness

Key Strategic Priorities:

• Transformational programs with measurable impact
• Evidence-based interventions (often partners with GiveWell for identification)
• Cost-effective programs where funds can achieve maximum impact
• Start-up funding for programs that will eventually be sustained by federal or other funding
• Support for underrepresented and under-resourced communities
• Programs serving vulnerable populations

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation's focused mission means they likely do not fund:

• Programs outside the Inland Empire (for domestic U.S. grants, except disaster relief)
• Programs not related to health outcomes
• Organizations not aligned with evidence-based approaches
• General operating support for established, well-funded organizations (preference for start-up and scaling initiatives)

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors: Four-member board

Key Leadership:

• Dr. Sam Salen, President
• Heather Watkins, Vice President

Staff:

• Heather L. Porter, Senior Program & Operations Manager (joined 2022 as the foundation's first staff member, oversees operations, strategy, research, and programmatic expansion)

Foundation Values: "Trust, innovation, transparency, and programs that directly support underrepresented and under-resourced communities."

Strategic Evolution: The foundation underwent a strategic review in 2022 to refine their focus areas and increase impact. In 2024, they adopted a health-focused mission statement that serves as their "philanthropic compass," narrowing from broader charitable giving to health equity and outcomes specifically.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Rauch Family Foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited grant requests.

However, the foundation remains open to learning about innovative organizations:

• They appreciate hearing from "innovative and evidence-based non-profits aligned with our focus areas"
• Organizations are invited to review the foundation's focus areas on their website and reach out if their work aligns
• Contact Heather L. Porter at hporter@therauchfamilyfoundation.org to introduce your organization

Getting on Their Radar

Based on the foundation's documented approach, here are specific strategies:

1. Align with their evidence-based philosophy:

• The foundation works closely with GiveWell to identify giving opportunities with clear evidence of effectiveness
• Organizations that can demonstrate evidence-based approaches and cost-effectiveness data are more likely to be considered
• Consider whether your organization is listed or recommended by meta-charities like GiveWell, particularly for global health work

2. Focus on start-up and scaling support:

• The foundation explicitly seeks to provide "start-up funds for local programs that will eventually be sustained by federal funding"
• If your organization is launching a new program that will become federally sustainable (e.g., FQHC transitions, GME programs), this aligns with their strategy

3. Build relationships in the Inland Empire health ecosystem:

• The foundation supported 17 local service providers in 2024
• They work with clinics transitioning to Federally Qualified Health Centers
• They support organizations addressing social determinants of health in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties
• Active presence in the Inland Empire health and social services sector increases visibility

4. Demonstrate transformational potential:

• The Providence St. Mary residency program received the hospital's largest-ever gift because it would "change the trajectory of care" in the High Desert
• Show how your program will create lasting, transformational change

5. Contact Heather Porter with specific alignment:

• When reaching out, clearly articulate how your program aligns with their focus areas
• Emphasize evidence-base, cost-effectiveness, and impact on vulnerable populations
• Use their language: transformational, evidence-based, cost-effective

Decision Timeline

The Board meets regularly throughout the year to review and approve proposals. For invited proposals, the foundation aims to have "fair and reasonable turnaround times," though specific timeframes are not publicly stated.

Success Rates

Not publicly available. With 58 awards in 2023 and an invitation-only process, competition is limited to organizations the foundation proactively identifies or that successfully build relationships with foundation leadership.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable given the invitation-only structure. However, the foundation emphasizes building trust and deepening relationships with grantees, suggesting they prefer multi-year partnerships over one-time grants.

Application Success Factors

Key Success Factors Based on Foundation's Documented Priorities:

1. Evidence-Based Approach

• The foundation explicitly states they find GiveWell "to be a wonderful partner who identifies giving opportunities with clear evidence of effectiveness"
• Approximately 60% of their giving targets the world's most impoverished people based on evidence of impact
• Example: They funded a randomized controlled trial recommended by GiveWell to determine efficacy of distributing oral rehydration solution and zinc tablets

2. Cost-Effectiveness

• The foundation consistently emphasizes "cost-effective" as a core criterion
• They support programs where "large gains in health outcomes can be achieved with high cost effectiveness"
• This aligns with effective altruism principles

3. Transformational Impact

• Programs must be "transformational" not just incremental
• Example: The $2.1 million grant to Providence St. Mary was described as supporting a program that "will change the trajectory of care" in the community
• The residency program received over 2,000 applications for 10 positions, demonstrating the transformational nature of bringing specialty training to an underserved area

4. Sustainability Planning

• The foundation prefers to provide "start-up funds for local programs that will eventually be sustained by federal funding"
• Organizations should demonstrate how initial foundation investment will lead to long-term sustainability

5. Focus on Vulnerable Populations

• Every program must demonstrate direct benefit to "vulnerable populations" or "underrepresented and under-resourced communities"
• Examples include clinics for unhoused populations, mobile pantries for seniors, and healthcare in the underserved Inland Empire

6. Strategic Fit with Current Priorities

• The foundation underwent strategic refinement in 2022-2024, narrowing focus significantly
• Programs outside their three core areas (Inland Empire health equity, global health, disaster relief) are unlikely to be funded
• Even within arts, only legacy and local Inland Empire organizations receive discretionary support

7. Operational Excellence and Oversight

• The foundation values organizations with "proven oversight and effectiveness"
• They emphasize trust as a core value and seek to build relationships with grantees

Quote from Foundation Leadership: "Our hope for 2024 is to build on this progress, finding ever more effective ways to help."

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Invitation-only but not closed: While there's no open application process, the foundation welcomes contact from aligned organizations. The key is demonstrating clear alignment with their health-focused mission.

• Evidence is paramount: This foundation operates with an effective altruism mindset. Come prepared with data on cost-effectiveness, evidence of impact, and clear metrics. If your organization is GiveWell-recommended or uses similar rigorous evaluation, highlight this.

• Think transformational, not incremental: The foundation seeks programs that will "change the trajectory" of communities. A $2.1 million gift for 10 residency positions shows they invest significantly when impact is transformational.

• Sustainability matters: For Inland Empire grants, show how foundation start-up funding will lead to federal or other sustainable funding streams (FQHC designation, GME funding, etc.).

• Geographic focus is strict for domestic grants: U.S. grants focus almost exclusively on San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. If you're not in the Inland Empire, your domestic program likely won't fit unless it's disaster relief.

• Multi-year thinking: In 2024, they awarded $12.5M but distributed $7.2M for Inland Empire, indicating multi-year commitments. They're building a portfolio of long-term partnerships, not making one-off grants.

• Responsive to crises: The foundation's rapid $6.25 million emergency response to the 2025 foreign aid crisis shows flexibility and willingness to act quickly when aligned with their mission. They value being nimble and responsive.

References

1. The Rauch Family Foundation official website - https://www.therauchfamilyfoundation.org/ (Accessed January 2026)

2. "2024 Annual Letter," The Rauch Family Foundation - https://www.therauchfamilyfoundation.org/learning/2024-annual-letter (Accessed January 2026)

3. "2023 Annual Letter," The Rauch Family Foundation - https://www.therauchfamilyfoundation.org/learning/2023-annual-letter (Accessed January 2026)

4. "A Health-Focused Mission: The Rauch Family Foundation" - https://www.therauchfamilyfoundation.org/learning/2024-strategic-update (Accessed January 2026)

5. "Our Story," The Rauch Family Foundation - https://www.therauchfamilyfoundation.org/our-story (Accessed January 2026)

6. "Focus Areas," The Rauch Family Foundation - https://www.therauchfamilyfoundation.org/focus-areas (Accessed January 2026)

7. "Contact," The Rauch Family Foundation - https://www.therauchfamilyfoundation.org/contact (Accessed January 2026)

8. "2025 Q1 - The Rauch Family Foundation Global Aid Response Update," The Rauch Family Foundation - https://www.therauchfamilyfoundation.org/learning/2025-q1-the-rauch-family-foundation-global-aid-response-update-ybtbp (Accessed January 2026)

9. "Rauch Foundation Makes Historic Gift for School of Medicine Financial Aid," Duke Today, June 2021 - https://today.duke.edu/2021/06/rauch-foundation-makes-historic-gift-school-medicine-financial-aid

10. "Investing in Solutions," Providence St. Mary Foundation - https://supportstmaryfoundation.org/blog/investing-in-solutions/ (Accessed January 2026)

11. The Rauch Family Foundation, ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/581888280 (Accessed January 2026)

12. The Rauch Family Foundation, Instrumentl 990 Report - https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/rauch-family-foundation (Accessed January 2026)

13. The Rauch Family Foundation, Grantmakers.io Profile - https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/581888280-rauch-family-foundation/ (Accessed January 2026)