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Ray Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$10.3M
Grant Range
$5K - $2.5M
Decision Time
3mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $10,272,244 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $72,677,238
  • Number of Grants: 54 awards (2023)
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $2,500,000
  • Decision Time: Quarterly board review
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Florida, Colorado, and Wisconsin
  • Success Rate: 80% completion rate for aviation scholarship recipients

Contact Details

Address: 100 Aviation Drive South, Suite 203, Naples, FL 34104

Email: info@rayfoundation.us

Website: https://rayfoundation.us

EIN: 81-0288819

Overview

Founded in 1963 by James C. and Joan L. Ray, the Ray Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation with a distinctive mission to develop youth potential through aviation education. Initially focused on substance abuse rehabilitation programs, the foundation pivoted its strategy in the 1980s toward prevention and youth development through aviation training. With assets exceeding $72 million and annual giving of over $10 million, the foundation takes an active, metrics-driven approach to philanthropy. The Ray Foundation measures "Return on Philanthropic Investment" (RPI) by establishing clear goals and performance metrics with grant recipients. Their most significant partnership is with the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), to which they provide $2.25 million annually for the Ray Aviation Scholarship Fund, supporting youth flight training across the United States.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Ray Aviation Scholarship Fund (administered through EAA)

  • Private Pilot Training: $12,000 per scholarship
  • Sport Pilot Training: $9,000 per scholarship
  • Glider Pilot Training: $6,000 per scholarship
  • Annual commitment: $2,250,000 to EAA
  • Applications accepted through EAA chapters on a rolling basis

General Grant Program

  • Grant range: $5,000 - $2,500,000
  • 54 grants awarded in 2023
  • Quarterly review cycle by Board of Directors

Priority Areas

The foundation prioritizes organizations and programs that:

  • Develop life skills in youth through aviation and aerospace education
  • Build character attributes including self-discipline, self-confidence, honesty, and work ethic
  • Provide flight training and aviation education opportunities
  • Create alternatives to substance abuse through engaging youth activities
  • Focus on prevention and youth development strategies

Primary program areas include:

  • Education (particularly aviation-focused)
  • Youth development and human services
  • Philanthropy and voluntarism
  • Aviation and aerospace programs

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation's focus is clearly on aviation-related youth education programs, suggesting limited funding for programs outside this sphere.

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

Charles J. Ahearn, President

  • Former Vice President at Northern Trust Company
  • Education: BA Economics, MBA Finance, Chartered Financial Analyst
  • Responsible for day-to-day management, portfolio management of financial assets, and continuation of foundation philanthropy
  • Quote: "As James' Wingman, it is an honor and a privilege to carry on the mission."

Jeffery J. Tempas, Treasurer

  • CPA in Colorado for nearly 40 years
  • Education: BA Economics from Princeton, MBA Finance from University of Chicago
  • Has served as Ray Foundation Director for 25 years

Patti Arthur, Esq., Secretary

  • Lawyer, former airline pilot and flight instructor
  • Education: BS Biology, J.D., LL.M. in Tax
  • Specializes in nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations

Hon. Ted Brousseau, Jr., Director Emeritus

  • Retired Florida Circuit Court Judge with over 30 years on the bench
  • Well-known flight instructor at Naples Airport for nearly 50 years
  • Education: BA Economics, Juris Doctor from Stetson University
  • Passionate advocate for aviation education

The board's composition reflects deep expertise in aviation, finance, law, and tax-exempt organizations, positioning them to effectively evaluate both the programmatic and financial aspects of grant proposals.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Grant requests may be submitted via:

  • Email: info@rayfoundation.us
  • Mail: Ray Foundation, Inc., 100 Aviation Drive South, Suite 203, Naples, FL 34104

Required Application Components:

  1. Organization background information and website
  2. Copy of IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter
  3. Detailed description of the program to be funded and desired outcomes
  4. Financial information about your organization
  5. Pro forma financial information (for new programs)
  6. Federal Tax Return Form 990

Grant requests should be "clearly articulated" and include comprehensive organizational details demonstrating capacity to deliver on program goals.

Decision Timeline

  • Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year
  • The Board of Directors reviews grant requests quarterly
  • This suggests a decision timeline of approximately 3 months (one quarter) from submission to board consideration
  • Specific notification timelines are not publicly disclosed

Success Rates

While overall success rates for general grant applications are not published, the foundation's Ray Aviation Scholarship program demonstrates impressive results:

  • 80-85% completion rate for scholarship recipients who finish flight training and pass their checkride
  • This represents a significant improvement over the typical 20% completion rate in general flight training
  • In 2023, the foundation made 54 grants from its annual distribution of $10.2 million

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is stated on the foundation's website. Organizations should inquire directly if their initial application is unsuccessful.

Application Success Factors

Foundation's Approach

The Ray Foundation takes an active, engaged approach to grantmaking. As stated on their website: "Ray Foundation, Inc. takes an active role in developing the programs of grant recipients by defining goals and performance metrics to ensure the highest possible 'Return on Philanthropic Investment' (RPI)."

This indicates the foundation values:

  • Measurable outcomes: Be prepared to establish clear, quantifiable metrics
  • Partnership orientation: They don't just write checks; they actively work with grantees
  • Performance tracking: Demonstrate capacity to monitor and report on results
  • Strategic thinking: Show how your program timing, positioning, scale, and scope align with their mission

What Makes Applications Stand Out

Based on the foundation's mission and their successful EAA partnership:

1. Clear Connection to Life Skills Development The foundation emphasizes that aviation training develops "self-discipline, self-confidence, and ownership of one's own decisions." Applications should explicitly connect program activities to these character-building outcomes.

2. Youth Focus with Prevention Orientation The foundation's strategic pivot in the 1980s toward prevention shows they value proactive youth development over reactive intervention. Frame programs as providing positive alternatives and building resilience.

3. Measurable Performance Metrics Given their emphasis on RPI (Return on Philanthropic Investment), successful applications will include:

  • Specific, quantifiable goals
  • Clear timeline for achievement
  • Defined metrics for tracking progress
  • Demonstrated capacity for data collection and reporting

4. Aviation/Aerospace Connection While not all grants need to be aviation-focused (they fund education and human services broadly), showing how your program connects to aviation and aerospace will strengthen your application significantly.

5. Demonstrated Track Record The 80% completion rate in the scholarship program suggests they value programs with proven success. Include evidence of past performance, completion rates, and outcomes achieved.

6. Financial Transparency and Sustainability Requiring Form 990s and pro forma financials indicates they scrutinize financial management. Demonstrate fiscal responsibility and sustainability planning.

Application Quality Indicators

For the EAA chapter applications (which provide insight into the foundation's evaluation criteria), applications are scored based on:

  • Quality of answers provided
  • Youth activities and previous scholarship experiences
  • Overall organizational health and activity levels
  • Serious effort and attention to detail ("stand out from the pack")

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Align with aviation education focus: While the foundation supports education and human services broadly, aviation and aerospace programs receive the strongest support. If your program has any connection to aviation, make it prominent.

  • Emphasize life skills development: Frame your program outcomes around building self-discipline, self-confidence, self-reliance, and character development—the foundation's core values.

  • Prepare for active partnership: This foundation doesn't just fund and forget. Be ready to work collaboratively on setting goals, establishing metrics, and reporting on outcomes throughout the grant period.

  • Lead with metrics: Given their emphasis on "Return on Philanthropic Investment," quantify everything possible—participants served, completion rates, skill development measures, and long-term outcomes.

  • Submit complete, professional applications: With grants ranging from $5,000 to $2.5 million and only 54 awards made from $10.2 million in giving, competition is significant. Ensure all required documents are included and professionally presented.

  • Consider geographic priorities: While they fund nationally (especially through EAA), they show particular interest in Florida, Colorado, and Wisconsin. Geographic alignment may provide an advantage.

  • Time submissions strategically: With quarterly board reviews, consider submitting well before quarter-end to ensure your application is included in the next review cycle rather than pushed to the following quarter.

References

  1. Ray Foundation, Inc. Official Website - Homepage: https://rayfoundation.us/ (Accessed January 2026)

  2. Ray Foundation, Inc. - Grant Requests Page: https://rayfoundation.us/grant-requests/ (Accessed January 2026)

  3. Ray Foundation, Inc. - Our Mission & Board of Directors: https://rayfoundation.us/about-ray-foundation/ (Accessed January 2026)

  4. Instrumentl - Ray Foundation Inc 990 Report: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/ray-foundation-inc (Accessed January 2026) - Source for financial data including $10,272,244 in 2023 grants, 54 awards, and asset information

  5. GuideStar Profile - Ray Foundation Inc (EIN 81-0288819): https://www.guidestar.org/profile/81-0288819 (Accessed January 2026)

  6. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Ray Foundation Inc: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/810288819 (Accessed January 2026) - Source for Form 990 filings

  7. EAA Ray Aviation Scholarship Fund: https://www.eaa.org/eaa/eaa-chapters/eaa-chapter-resources/chapter-programs-and-activities/ray-aviation-scholarship-fund (Accessed January 2026) - Source for scholarship amounts, success rates, and program details

  8. Candid Foundation Directory - Ray Foundation Inc: https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=RAYF001 (Accessed January 2026)

  9. Cause IQ - Ray Foundation Profile: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/ray-foundation,810288819/ (Accessed January 2026)

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