Michael And Quirsis Riney Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,700,000
• Assets: $20+ million
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: $25,000 - $1,000,000
• Geographic Focus: Missouri (primarily St. Louis metropolitan area)

Contact Details

• Business Address: c/o Northern Trust, 50 S La Salle St B2, Chicago, IL 60603-1008
• Website: None
• Email: Not publicly available
• Phone: Not publicly available

Overview

The Michael And Quirsis Riney Family Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2018 by Michael W. Riney and his wife Quirsis V. (Kaisy) Riney. With over $20 million in assets, the foundation distributed approximately $1.7 million in grants in 2023. The foundation operates without a public website or application process, making strategic grants primarily to organizations in the St. Louis metropolitan area where the trustees have direct board involvement or personal connections. The Rineys are prominent St. Louis philanthropists who have made transformational gifts to Washington University, the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, and the Saint Louis Zoo, focusing on environmental conservation, scientific research, education, and community development.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs but makes discretionary grants ranging from:

• Major Grants: $600,000 - $1,000,000 (organizations where trustees serve on boards)
• Mid-level Grants: $25,000 (community organizations and educational initiatives)

Priority Areas

• Environmental Conservation & Botanical Sciences
• Zoological Conservation and Education
• Plant Science Research
• Higher Education (particularly Washington University)
• K-12 Education and Youth Development
• Community Development in St. Louis

What They Don't Fund

Based on grant history, the foundation does not appear to fund:

• Organizations outside Missouri
• Individual requests
• Religious organizations
• Political causes
• Healthcare/medical organizations

Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

• Michael W. Riney: Founder and Managing Director of QRM Capital, Washington University Board of Trustees member (2023-present), Board member of Donald Danforth Plant Science Center and Missouri Botanical Garden, Member of Zoological Park Subdistrict Commission (2024-2027), Part owner of the St. Louis Blues
• Quirsis V. Riney: Co-Managing Director of QRM Capital, Board member at Washington University, Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, and Missouri Botanical Garden

Both trustees serve without compensation and are deeply engaged in St. Louis civic leadership.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Grants are awarded through trustee discretion to organizations where the Rineys have existing relationships, board involvement, or demonstrated alignment with their philanthropic interests.

Getting on Their Radar

Given the Rineys' extensive board service and civic engagement, organizations may connect through:

• Washington University advancement and board activities
• Missouri Botanical Garden board events and initiatives
• Donald Danforth Plant Science Center research collaborations and board meetings
• Saint Louis Zoo conservation initiatives and board activities
• St. Louis civic and philanthropic leadership networks

The Rineys have demonstrated a pattern of supporting organizations where they serve on boards or have made major capital gifts, suggesting that meaningful engagement precedes funding consideration.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed

Success Rates

Not applicable - grants are made through trustee discretion

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's grant history and the trustees' involvement patterns:

• Board Connection: Every major grant recipient has at least one Riney serving on its board
• Mission Alignment: Organizations focused on environmental conservation, scientific research, or education align with demonstrated interests
• St. Louis Focus: All grants have been to Missouri organizations, primarily in the St. Louis metropolitan area
• Transformational Partnership: The Rineys favor organizations where they can make significant impact through both funding and board leadership
• Scientific Excellence: Strong preference for organizations advancing scientific research and conservation

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is a relationship-based funder requiring cultivation through board service or civic leadership connections
• Focus on organizations where the Rineys already serve on boards for best consideration
• Environmental conservation, plant science, and education are core funding priorities
• Geographic focus is exclusively Missouri, primarily St. Louis
• Pattern shows preference for fewer, larger grants to organizations of strategic importance
• The foundation complements major capital gifts with ongoing operational support
• No unsolicited proposals are accepted; all grants flow from existing relationships

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Form 990 filings for EIN 82-3809292 (accessed February 2024)
• Cause IQ - Michael And Quirsis Riney Family Foundation profile (accessed February 2024)
• Washington University Record - "Michael and Quirsis Riney elected to Board of Trustees" (May 2023)
• Washington University - "Groundbreaking ceremony held for Michael W. and Quirsis V. Riney Hall" (October 2024)
• Donald Danforth Plant Science Center - "Danforth Center celebrates opening of expanded greenhouse facility" (2022)
• Saint Louis Zoo - "Michael and Quirsis Riney Primate Canopy Trails opens" (July 2021)
• St. Louis Blues Official Announcement - Ownership group updates (2024)
• Missouri Botanical Garden Annual Report - Board of Trustees listing (2023)