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Rast Foundation

Annual Giving
$4.2M
Grant Range
$100K - $1.7M

Rast Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $4,227,443 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: Varies widely (from under $100,000 to over $1 million)
  • Geographic Focus: National (primarily supports projects in Maryland and across the United States)
  • Total Assets: $77.5 million (2023)

Contact Details

Foundation Address: Bethesda, MD

Note: The foundation does not publicly list contact information, website, phone, or email for grant inquiries.

Overview

The Rast Foundation was established in 2017 as a private independent foundation based in Bethesda, Maryland. Led by Robert L. Trone (President and Director) and Anna Marie Parisi-Trone (Vice President and Director), both of whom serve without compensation, the foundation manages approximately $77.5 million in assets. Since 2020, the Rast Foundation has awarded 64 individual grants totaling $20,568,472. The foundation's grantmaking has grown significantly, from 8 awards in 2021 to 16 awards in 2022 and 31 awards in 2023. Robert Trone is co-founder of Total Wine & More and has been recognized for his extensive philanthropy, with he and his wife Anna being named Philanthropists of the Year by The Community Foundation in Montgomery County in 2015.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Rast Foundation does not appear to have structured grant programs with specific application windows. Based on available Form 990-PF data, the foundation makes discretionary grants primarily through trustee-directed grantmaking.

Recent Grant Examples (2023):

  • Our Lady of Mercy Church and School: $1,700,000 (General Contribution)
  • Our Lady of Mercy Church and School: $1,300,000 (New Building Campaign)
  • Williams College: $950,000 (General Contribution)

Priority Areas

Based on publicly available tax filings and the foundation's classification, funding priorities include:

  • Catholic Education and Institutions: Major support for Catholic schools and churches, particularly capital campaigns
  • Higher Education: Support for colleges and universities
  • Educational Functions: The foundation's stated purpose includes "support education functions through the campaign for the school that works"
  • Catholic Charities: Support for Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington

The foundation does not have a specified focus on particular subject areas beyond education, but funds initiatives in various cities across the United States, including Bethesda, Boston, and New York.

What They Don't Fund

No specific exclusions are publicly documented. As a private foundation with discretionary grantmaking, funding decisions appear to be made based on the trustees' priorities and existing relationships.

Governance and Leadership

Robert L. Trone - President and Director (uncompensated)

  • Co-founder of Total Wine & More, the country's largest independently-owned alcohol retailer
  • Through his family foundation and personal giving, has donated extensively to local and national causes
  • Has served on the board of Catholic Charities of D.C.
  • Previously supported organizations including Washington School of Ballet, Imagination Stage, and Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart in Bethesda
  • Together with his brother David, through their stores and family foundations, they have donated $100 million to different philanthropies

Anna Marie Parisi-Trone - Vice President and Director (uncompensated)

  • Co-leads the foundation's grantmaking decisions
  • Named Philanthropist of the Year (with Robert) by The Community Foundation in Montgomery County in 2015

The foundation operates with zero employees, with all governance provided by the two trustees.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Rast Foundation operates as a private family foundation with trustee-discretionary grantmaking. Grants appear to be awarded based on the trustees' philanthropic priorities and existing relationships rather than through an open application process.

The foundation does not maintain a public website, application portal, or published grant guidelines. No application deadlines or submission procedures are publicly available.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Success Rates

Not applicable for public applications. The foundation made 31 grants in 2023, representing an increase from 16 grants in 2022 and 8 grants in 2021.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation does not have a public application process.

Application Success Factors

Given that the Rast Foundation operates through trustee discretion rather than a public application process, the following factors appear relevant based on observable grantmaking patterns:

Funding Patterns:

  • Large Capital Grants: Recent grants show the foundation makes substantial capital contributions, including multi-million dollar grants for building campaigns
  • Catholic Education Focus: The largest documented grants have gone to Catholic educational institutions, particularly Our Lady of Mercy Church and School
  • Higher Education: Support for selective institutions like Williams College suggests interest in higher education
  • Multi-Year Support: Multiple grants to the same organization (e.g., two grants to Our Lady of Mercy in the same year) indicate potential for ongoing support

Trustee Connections:

  • Robert Trone's past involvement with Washington D.C. and Montgomery County, Maryland organizations suggests geographic proximity and personal connections may influence funding decisions
  • Previous support for arts, education, and Catholic causes aligns with the foundation's current grantmaking focus

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application Process: This foundation does not accept unsolicited grant proposals and operates through trustee discretion
  • Substantial Grant Sizes: When the foundation does make grants, they can be very significant (ranging from under $100,000 to over $1 million)
  • Catholic Education Priority: Recent grantmaking heavily favors Catholic schools and religious institutions
  • Capital Campaign Support: The foundation has demonstrated willingness to support major building and capital campaigns
  • Relationship-Based: All grantmaking appears to flow from existing relationships and trustee priorities rather than competitive application processes
  • Growing Grantmaking: The foundation has substantially increased its number of grants year-over-year (from 8 in 2021 to 31 in 2023)
  • Limited Transparency: Detailed grant recipient lists are only available through Form 990-PF filings; the foundation maintains minimal public presence

References

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