Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: $513,940 (2024)
- Success Rate: N/A (no public application process)
- Decision Time: N/A (trustee discretion)
- Grant Range: Unknown
- Geographic Focus: Likely Michigan/Detroit area based on founders' history
Contact Details
- Website: None found
- Email: Not publicly available
- Phone: Not publicly available
- Location: Palm Beach, FL
Overview
The Amb John Rakolta Jr And Terry L Rakolta Foundation is a recently established private foundation (tax-exempt since June 2023) with assets of approximately $20 million as of 2024. Founded by former U.S. Ambassador to UAE John Rakolta Jr. and his wife Terry, the foundation made charitable disbursements of $513,940 in its 2024 fiscal year. The foundation operates as a private family foundation without a public application process, making grants at the trustees' discretion. Given the Rakoltas' extensive history of civic engagement in Detroit and Michigan, particularly in education reform, arts, and children's welfare, the foundation likely continues to support causes in these areas.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
Information about specific grant programs is not publicly available. The foundation distributed $513,940 in charitable funds in 2024 but does not publish details about grant recipients or programs.
Priority Areas
Based on the founders' known philanthropic interests:
- Education (particularly Detroit area schools)
- Arts and culture
- Children's welfare
- Community development in Michigan
What They Don't Fund
No public information available about funding exclusions.
Governance and Leadership
Trustees:
- John Rakolta Jr. - Former U.S. Ambassador to United Arab Emirates (2019-2021), former CEO of Walbridge construction company, extensive civic leader in Detroit
- Terry L. Rakolta - Trustee of Detroit Opera, art collector, philanthropist
The Rakoltas have a long history of civic engagement, including involvement with Detroit Public Schools reform, New Detroit Inc., and various Detroit cultural institutions.
Application Process & Timeline
How to Apply
This funder does not have a public application process. Grants appear to be made at the trustees' discretion to organizations they select based on their personal philanthropic priorities.
Decision Timeline
Not applicable - no public application process.
Success Rates
Not applicable - no public application process.
Reapplication Policy
Not applicable - no public application process.
Application Success Factors
As a private family foundation without a public application process, traditional application success factors do not apply. The foundation appears to support organizations and causes that align with the Rakoltas' established philanthropic interests, particularly in the Detroit/Michigan area focusing on education, arts, and children's welfare.
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- This is a private family foundation with no public application process
- Grants are made at trustee discretion
- Recently established (2023), limited track record available
- Strong connection to Detroit/Michigan causes based on founders' history
- Focus likely on education, arts, and children's welfare
- Not suitable for unsolicited grant applications
- Relationship-based giving model
References
- ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Amb John Rakolta Jr And Terry L Rakolta Foundation (EIN: 93-1516359), accessed February 2026
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search database, accessed February 2026
- Public records on John Rakolta Jr.'s civic engagement and philanthropic history
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