James And Shirley Rippey Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $3,910,000 (2023)
• Total Assets: $80.6 million (2023)
• Grant Range: Average ~$83,000 per award (47 awards in 2023)
• Decision Time: Applications reviewed in October, decisions by end of year
• Geographic Focus: Oregon, especially Portland metropolitan area
• Application Cycle: Annual (Letter of Inquiry deadline: May 31, Full Application deadline: September 1)

Contact Details

Website: http://rippeyfamilyfoundation.org

Application Portal: http://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=jfr

Note: The foundation indicates "We are not accepting new applications at this time" on their website. Prospective applicants should check current status before proceeding.

Overview

The James and Shirley Rippey Family Foundation was established in 1993 as the JFR Foundation by James F. Rippey, co-founder of Columbia Management (which grew to become the largest money management firm in the Pacific Northwest with $22 billion under management). The foundation was renamed in 2017 to honor both James and Shirley Rippey. With assets of approximately $80.6 million and annual giving of $3.9 million, the foundation focuses exclusively on supporting youth services and children's education throughout Oregon. The foundation takes a "quiet" approach to philanthropy but has had immense impact across Oregon communities. In 2019, the foundation was honored as the Outstanding Philanthropic Foundation by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Oregon and Southwest Washington Chapter.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates a single grant program focused on organizations serving children and youth in Oregon. Grants are awarded annually following an October board review, with 47 awards totaling $3.9 million distributed in 2023.

Priority Areas

Organizations most likely to receive funding serve children and focus on:

• Child safety and welfare
• Health services for children
• Academic success and educational programs
• Preparation for future success
• Youth development services

Sample Grant Recipients (based on historical funding patterns):

• St. Mary's Home for Boys (at-risk youth)
• New Avenues for Youth (homeless youth services)
• CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates)
• Friends of the Children
• Boys & Girls Club of Portland
• Oregon Symphony (youth programs)
• SMART Reading
• Saturday Academy
• College Possible
• Portland Youth Builders
• OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry)
• Oregon Zoo (education programs)
• Oregon Institute of Technology (scholarships and Finish Line Fund)

What They Don't Fund

The foundation explicitly states they are unlikely to fund:

• Organizations serving very small numbers of children
• New organizations with no established history
• Organizations that discriminate on the basis of race, ethnic origin, sex, or creed
• Private foundations
• Organizations where program expenses are less than 70% of total expenses
• Organizations without regular audited financial statements

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors:

• Jeff Rippey - President
• Tim Rippey - Board Member
• Robin Holman - Board Member
• Valerie Rippey - Board Member
• Mason Rippey - Board Member
• Eric Rippey - Board Member
• Sarah Holcomb - Board Member

The foundation is a family-run organization, with the second generation of the Rippey family continuing the philanthropic legacy established by founders James F. Rippey (1931-2016) and Shirley Rippey. James Rippey was a University of Oregon alumnus and successful business leader who believed in giving back to his home state.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The foundation uses a two-step application process:

Step 1: Letter of Inquiry (LOI)

• Required for organizations NOT funded in the previous year
• Deadline: May 31
• Submitted through online portal at http://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=jfr

Step 2: Full Grant Application

• Invited applicants submit full applications
• Deadline: September 1
• Must include financial statements and Form 990/990-EZ

Important Note: The foundation's website currently states "We are not accepting new applications at this time." Prospective applicants should verify current application status before beginning the process.

Decision Timeline

• Board of Directors reviews applications once annually in October
• Funding decisions made before the end of the calendar year
• Notification timeline: Typically 2-3 months from application deadline (applications submitted September 1, reviewed in October, decisions by December)

Success Rates

• 47 awards made in 2023
• 51 awards made in 2022
• 50 awards made in 2021

The foundation does not publicly disclose the total number of applications received, so a precise success rate percentage cannot be calculated. However, the foundation explicitly states that priority is given to organizations that have received grants in the past, which suggests that repeat grantees have significantly higher success rates than new applicants.

Reapplication Policy

Unsuccessful applicants can reapply, but must follow the full process:

• Organizations not funded in the previous year must submit a Letter of Inquiry by May 31
• No specific waiting period is mentioned, suggesting annual reapplication is permitted
• Given the preference for past grantees, building a relationship over multiple application cycles may be necessary

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's stated priorities and requirements, successful applicants should:

1. Demonstrate Financial Stability and Efficiency

   • The foundation requires that program expenses be at least 70% of total expenses
   • Regular audited financial statements are mandatory
   • Organizations must have established track records (new organizations unlikely to be funded)

2. Serve Significant Numbers of Children

   • The foundation explicitly states they are unlikely to fund organizations serving "very small numbers of children"
   • Applications should clearly quantify the number of children served

3. Focus on the Foundation's Core Priorities

   • Align programs with child safety, welfare, health, academic success, and future preparation
   • Clearly articulate how the program benefits Oregon children, especially in the Portland metropolitan area

4. Build Relationships Over Time

   • Priority is given to past grantees
   • New applicants may need to demonstrate sustained commitment through multiple application cycles
   • The foundation values long-term partnerships with proven organizations

5. Maintain 501(c)(3) Status

   • Non-negotiable requirement
   • Organizations must be able to provide documentation

6. Demonstrate Non-Discrimination

   • Organizations that discriminate on the basis of race, ethnic origin, sex, or creed will not be funded
   • Clear non-discrimination policies strengthen applications

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Established organizations strongly preferred: The foundation explicitly avoids funding organizations with no history, making this a challenging funder for new nonprofits to access initially.

• Repeat grantees have priority: If this is your first application, understand that you are competing at a disadvantage against organizations with existing relationships. Consider this a long-term relationship-building effort.

• Financial efficiency matters: Ensure your organization meets the 70% program expense threshold and has regular audited financial statements before applying.

• Scale is important: Demonstrate that your organization serves substantial numbers of Oregon children, not just a small population.

• Geographic focus on Portland metro: While the foundation supports organizations throughout Oregon, there is particular emphasis on the greater Portland metropolitan area.

• Annual review cycle: With only one decision point per year (October review), plan your application timeline carefully and ensure all materials are submitted by the September 1 deadline.

• Check application status: The website currently indicates they are not accepting new applications, so verify current status before investing time in an application.

References

• James and Shirley Rippey Family Foundation official website: http://rippeyfamilyfoundation.org (Accessed January 2026)
• Grant Information page: http://rippeyfamilyfoundation.org/grant-information/ (Accessed January 2026)
• Foundation History page: https://rippeyfamilyfoundation.org/history/ (Accessed January 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, EIN 94-3192331: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/943192331 (Accessed January 2026)
• Portland Tribune, "James and Shirley Rippey Family Foundation honored as the Outstanding Philanthropic Foundation by AFP," November 6, 2019
• Around the O (University of Oregon), "James Rippey, UO friend and advocate, passes away at age 84," 2016
• Oregon Institute of Technology News, "Gift from James and Shirley Rippey Family Foundation propels Oregon Tech to new heights in student scholarships and program excellence"
• Grantmakers.io Profile for James and Shirley Rippey Family Foundation (Accessed January 2026)