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Philip E And Carole R Ratcliffe Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$8.0M
Grant Range
$25K - $2.5M
Decision Time
4mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $7,970,567 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $68.7 million (2023)
  • Decision Time: Approximately 3-4 months (review in Q1, notification in early April)
  • Grant Range: $25,000 - $2,500,000
  • Median Grant: $170,000
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware; selective national funding
  • Number of Grants: 21 grants annually (2023 data)
  • Total Distributed Since 2003: Approximately $78 million

Contact Details

Address: 275 West St, Suite 109, Annapolis, MD 21401

Phone: (667) 458-7991 or (667) 458-7990

Email:

Website: www.ratcliffefoundation.com

Overview

Founded in 2003 by Phil and Carole Ratcliffe, the Philip E. and Carole R. Ratcliffe Foundation has become one of the leading supporters of entrepreneurship education in the Mid-Atlantic region. With assets of $68.7 million, the foundation distributed nearly $8 million in grants in 2023 to colleges, universities, and nonprofits preparing the next generation of workers and entrepreneurs. Philip's entrepreneurial background—founding Metropolitan Maintenance Company and owning Maryland Management Company for over 39 years—shaped the foundation's practical, community-focused approach to grantmaking. The foundation emphasizes non-traditional entrepreneurship fields including skilled trades, arts and design, healthcare, aquaculture, and environmental sciences. Since its inception, the foundation has distributed close to $78 million to 31 direct grant partners, plus over 30 community colleges through competitive pitch competitions. The foundation's first grant in 2003 was a $1 million pledge to Anne Arundel Community College, the largest individual donation in the college's history at that time.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Major Institutional Grants (typically multi-year commitments):

  • Large institutional grants: $450,000 - $1,846,000 over three years
  • Recent examples include Anne Arundel Community College ($1.68M/3 years), Washington College ($1.846M), Salisbury University ($900K/3 years), Baldwin Wallace University ($675K/3 years), University of Delaware ($450K/3 years), and MICA ($5M for the Ratcliffe Center for Creative Entrepreneurship)
  • These grants typically support entrepreneurship centers, pitch competitions, scholarships, business incubators, and applied learning programs

NACCE Pitch for the Trades Competition:

  • Annual competitive grants for community colleges nationwide
  • Individual awards range from $17,500 to $50,000
  • Recent competitions offered $125,000-$135,000 in total prizes
  • Over 30 community colleges have received funding through this program
  • Three-year commitment of $900,000 to NACCE established this national program

Shore Hatchery Entrepreneurship Competition (Salisbury University):

  • Up to $200,000 available annually for business pitch competition
  • Shark Tank-style format where applicants pitch business ideas
  • Open to multiple geographic territories and business sectors

Project Opportunity (Fort Liberty):

  • Military spouse entrepreneurship training program
  • Includes 24-hour training curriculum, pitch competitions, business counseling, mentoring, and workshops
  • Ongoing support for graduates

Other Programs:

  • Scholarships for in-demand workforce programs in Allied Health and Skilled Trades
  • Innovation labs and maker spaces
  • Internship and apprenticeship programs

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses on programs that support:

  • Entrepreneurship in non-traditional fields: Skilled trades, arts, design, healthcare, aquaculture, environmental sciences
  • Job creation: Programs designed to support local and regional economies
  • Workforce development: Filling gaps in the labor market through hands-on training
  • Applied learning: Internships, apprenticeships, and practical business experience
  • Community integration: Programs involving local stakeholders and addressing regional economic needs
  • Business pitch competitions: Providing seed capital and mentorship for startups
  • Creative entrepreneurship: Supporting artists and designers in building sustainable businesses

Eligible Organizations:

  • U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations
  • Community colleges
  • Four-year colleges and universities
  • Organizations supporting entrepreneurship, innovation, and job creation

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated in grant guidelines, the foundation appears to exclusively fund:

  • Educational institutions and related entrepreneurship programs
  • Geographic focus on Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware (with selective national grants through NACCE competitions)
  • Programs directly tied to entrepreneurship, workforce development, and job creation

Governance and Leadership

CEO: Carlene M. Cassidy

  • Former founding Director of the Entrepreneurial Studies Institute at Anne Arundel Community College
  • Professor at AACC for 18 years before joining the foundation
  • Entrepreneur, coach, mentor, and educator
  • Recipient of NACCE's inaugural Wayfinder Award
  • Contact: cmcassidy@RatcliffeFoundation.com or (667) 458-7991

President: James D. Wright

  • Part-time position (5 hours per week)
  • Compensation: $75,000 annually

Trustees:

  • Tina Davenport (5 hours per week, $60,000 compensation)
  • James A. Clauson (1 hour per week, uncompensated)

Program Contact: David Thompson (DLThompson@RatcliffeFoundation.com)

Founders: Phil and Carole Ratcliffe (co-founders, 2003)

  • Phil had a long career in business and real estate development, founding Metropolitan Maintenance Company and owning Maryland Management Company for over 39 years
  • Carole passed away in November 2020; she was remembered as a servant leader who brought out the best in others and provided students with business advice and mentorship
  • Both were hands-on philanthropists who personally engaged with students and program participants

Leadership Quotes

Carlene Cassidy on Carole Ratcliffe's legacy: "One of Carole's superpowers was her commitment to setting others up for success. Her aim was to encourage students to set high standards for themselves and to give them the tools, training and defining experiences they need to achieve their dreams and goals."

Carlene Cassidy on lifelong learning: "You're never too old to learn something new, and you're never too old to dream."

Carlene Cassidy on entrepreneurship in skilled trades: "The Ratcliffe Foundation is pleased to join with NACCE on this important endeavor to encourage entrepreneurship in skilled trades."

Carlene Cassidy on receiving the Wayfinder Award: "I am deeply honored to receive the inaugural Wayfinder Award, which embodies the spirit of innovation, mentorship, and unwavering dedication to entrepreneurship. From the early days of NACCE, to the transformative work we continue to champion through the Ratcliffe Foundation, my journey has always been about empowering individuals to turn their ideas into action."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Standard Institutional Grants:

Required Application Materials:

  1. Written letter detailing the nature and use of requested grant
  2. Copy of IRS nonprofit determination letter (501(c)(3) status)
  3. Executive leadership commitment letter explaining how leadership will personally support and be involved with the project
  4. Proposal with cover page and executive summary
  5. Proposals should be "concise, specific, and persuasive" as this is a competitive process

Pre-Application Contact Encouraged: Applicants are encouraged to discuss their ideas or ask questions about requirements or the submission process before submitting. Contact Carlene Cassidy at cmcassidy@RatcliffeFoundation.com or (667) 458-7991.

NACCE Pitch for the Trades Competition:

  • Separate application process through NACCE
  • Typically announced annually with specific deadlines
  • Visit www.nacce.com for current competition information

Decision Timeline

  • Review Period: First quarter of the year (January-March)
  • Notification: Early April via email
  • Total Timeline: Approximately 3-4 months from submission to decision

Post-Award Requirements

  • Timely submission of grant reports
  • May require participation in surveys and interviews after the grant period for impact assessment studies
  • Ongoing communication with foundation staff about program progress

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants is publicly documented. Contact foundation staff to discuss reapplication possibilities.

Application Success Factors

What the Foundation Values

Executive Leadership Commitment: The foundation explicitly requires an executive leadership commitment letter detailing how leadership will personally support and be involved with the project. This reflects the founders' hands-on approach and suggests the foundation wants to see institutional commitment at the highest levels.

Community Integration: The foundation "strives to integrate its programs with the local communities through internships, apprenticeships and local stakeholder involvement." Successful applications should demonstrate how programs connect with local employers, community partners, and regional economic needs.

Filling Labor Market Gaps: Programs should address specific workforce shortages or gaps in the labor market, particularly in skilled trades and non-traditional entrepreneurship fields.

Applied Learning and Real-World Experience: The foundation favors programs offering hands-on training, internships, apprenticeships, and practical business experience over purely theoretical education.

Entrepreneurship Focus: Programs should foster entrepreneurship, business creation, and economic growth—not just job placement or workforce training without an entrepreneurial component.

Multi-Year Impact: Many recent grants are three-year commitments, suggesting the foundation values sustainable programs with long-term impact potential rather than one-time initiatives.

Pitch Competitions and Seed Funding: The foundation consistently supports programs that include business pitch competitions with actual seed funding for participants, reflecting their belief in learning-by-doing.

Recent Successful Projects

Recent grants provide insight into what the foundation funds:

  • Washington College Innovation Plant ($1.846M): Revitalizing historic property to create collaborative space for students, entrepreneurs, and community members to engage as makers and entrepreneurs
  • Anne Arundel Community College ($1.68M/3 years): Entrepreneurial Studies Institute scholarships, business pitch competition, applied entrepreneurial activities, plus scholarships for Allied Health and Skilled Trades programs
  • Salisbury University Shore Hatchery ($900K/3 years): Business pitch competitions with funding, resources, space, and mentoring for business startups
  • Baldwin Wallace University ($675K/3 years): Ratcliffe Innovation Consultants Program providing hands-on consulting experience
  • University of Delaware REEF@UD ($450K/3 years): Eco-entrepreneurship fellows program with training, mentorship, and funding for environmental entrepreneurs
  • MICA ($5M): Ratcliffe Center for Creative Entrepreneurship supporting artists and designers in building businesses
  • Harford Community College: Programs supporting aquaculture and environmental sciences entrepreneurship

Application Tips Based on Foundation Approach

  1. Be Specific About Economic Impact: Proposals should articulate how the program will create jobs and support local/regional economic development
  2. Show Community Partnership: Demonstrate partnerships with local businesses, industry groups, or economic development organizations
  3. Include Leadership Engagement: Don't just mention administrative support—show how college presidents, deans, or nonprofit executive directors will be personally involved
  4. Focus on Non-Traditional Fields: While business entrepreneurship is fine, the foundation shows particular interest in skilled trades, arts, aquaculture, environmental sciences, and healthcare
  5. Pitch Competition Model Works: Many successful grants include some form of business pitch competition with seed funding
  6. Multi-Year Thinking: Proposals should outline sustainable programs with potential for three-year growth, not just one-time events
  7. Pre-Application Conversation: Given that CEO Carlene Cassidy explicitly encourages pre-submission discussions, use this opportunity to gauge fit and get feedback

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Large grants are the norm: With a median grant of $170K and recent awards ranging from $450K to $1.8M over three years, this foundation makes substantial investments in fewer organizations rather than many small grants
  • Regional focus with national exceptions: While primarily funding Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware, the foundation supports national programs through partnerships with organizations like NACCE
  • Entrepreneurship is central: Every funded program must have entrepreneurship as a core component—workforce training alone is insufficient
  • Hands-on, practical learning: The foundation consistently supports applied learning over theoretical education, reflecting the founders' business backgrounds
  • Relationships matter: The foundation's history of deep, multi-year partnerships with institutions like Anne Arundel Community College, Salisbury University, and others suggests they value long-term relationships over one-off grants
  • Non-traditional fields are a sweet spot: Proposals focusing on entrepreneurship in skilled trades, arts, aquaculture, or environmental sciences align particularly well with foundation priorities
  • Use pre-application contact: CEO Carlene Cassidy explicitly welcomes conversations before submission—use this to strengthen your application and gauge fit
  • Rolling deadline requires strategic timing: While the foundation accepts applications year-round, they review in Q1 and notify in April, so applications should be submitted by late December/early January for the annual review cycle

References

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