Private foundation · EIN 20-8004503 · Shaker Hts, Ohio · Philanthropy & grantmaking

James and Susan Ratner Family Foundation

Should you approach them?

Don't send a cold proposal. The foundation reports that it only gives to preselected organizations; an introduction through a current grantee or board member is the realistic route.

From the 2025 Form 990-PF: 70 grants paid, $1.0M total, median $5,000. 64% of grants stayed in Ohio.

Accepts applications
No
per 990-PF Part XV
Grants paid, 2025
70
$1.0M
Median grant
$5,000
Stays in OH
64%
of grants
Deadline
—
Assets
$2.1M

Grants paid in 2025

Top 60 of 70 grants by amount · from Form 990-PF Part XV

RecipientPurposeAmount
University Hospitals of ClevelandBeachwood, OHJames & susan ratner scholarship$250K
Cleveland Museum of ArtCleveland, OHLobby renovation project fund$100K
Park SynagoguePepper Pike, OHOperating support fund$60K
United Way of Greater ClevelandCleveland, OHAnnual fund$35K
Jewish Federation of ClevelandCleveland, OHHumanitarian relief in gaza fund$31K
Playhouse Square FoundationCleveland, OHTrustee appeal / chairman's challenge / dazzle challenge fund$29K
Cleveland Museum of ArtCleveland, OHTrustee fund$25K
Health Equity Fund of Greater OhioAkron, OHAnnual fund$25K
J Street Education FundWashington, DCAnnual fund$25K
Mq FoundationNew York, NYAnnual fund$25K
Musical Arts AssociationCleveland, OHAnnual fund$25K
New Israel FundPhiladelphia, PACampaign support$25K
Park SynagoguePepper Pike, OHAnnual fund$25K
University Circle IncCleveland, OHThe circle fund$25K
Playhouse Square FoundationCleveland, OHCenter stage benefit$22K
Jewish Federation of ClevelandCleveland, OHHumanitarian relief in gaza fund$21K
Case Western Reserve UniversityCleveland, OHTrustee annual campaign fund$20K
Medwish InternationalCleveland, OHMedbash sponsorship fund$20K
Hammer MuseumLos Angeles, CAAnnual fund$17K
Greater Cleveland Food Bank IncCleveland, OHAnnual fund$15K
Save the Children Federation IncFairfield, CTAnnual fund$15K
Ht MinistriesBurton, OHAnnual fund$10K
Israaid USBeverly Hills, CAAnnual fund$10K
J Street Education FundWashington, DCAnnual fund$10K
Ohio Contemporary BalletShaker Heights, OHSpring fund$10K
Physicians for Human Rights IncNew York, NYAnnual fund$10K
US Holocaust Memorial MuseumWashington, DCBeyond our walls fund$10K
University Hospitals of ClevelandBeachwood, OHAnnual fund$10K
Park SynagoguePepper Pike, OHAnnual fund$8,333
Values-In-Action FoundationMayfield, OHValues matter sponsorship$5,500
Bethany Baptist ChurchCleveland, OHAnnual fund$5,000
Cleveland Kids' Book BankCleveland, OHAnnual fund$5,000
Cleveland Music School SettlementCleveland, OHAnnual fund$5,000
Hopewell InnChagrin Falls, OHAnnual fund$5,000
Legal Aid Society of ClevelandCleveland, OHAnnual fund$5,000
Maltz Museum of Jewish HeritageBeachwood, OHHeritage award sponsorship fund$5,000
Park SynagoguePepper Pike, OHIlana skoff memorial fund$5,000
Pef Israel Endowment Funds IncNew York, NYCommanders for israel's security fund$5,000
Pef Israel Endowment Funds IncNew York, NYCommanders for israel's security fund$5,000
Sparkyouth NYC IncNew York, NYSparkyouth awards benefit$5,000
The Ellen P Hermanson FoundationEast Hampton, NYAnnual fund$5,000
Uli FoundationWashington, DCAnnual fund$5,000
Cleveland State University Foundation IncCleveland, OHLee fisher student success fund$3,000
Park SynagoguePepper Pike, OHAnnual fund$2,677
ACLU of OhioCleveland, OHAnnual fund$2,500
American Jewish CommitteeNew York, NYCommunity leadership award$2,500
American Jewish World Service IncNew York, NYAnnual fund$2,500
Drink Local Drink Tap IncCleveland, OHAnnual fund$2,500
Facing History & Ourselves National FndnBoston, MAAnnual fund$2,500
Hanna Perkins SchoolShaker Heights, OHAnnual fund$2,500
Independence Initiative IncWashington, DCDemocracy rising collaborative fund$2,500
ORT AmericaNew York, NYAnnual fund$2,500
Shaker Schools FoundationShaker Heights, OHAnnual fund$2,500
Global ClevelandCleveland, OHAnnual meeting sponsorship$2,000
Ideastream Public MediaCleveland, OHAnnual fund$2,000
Bikur Cholim of Greater ClevelandCleveland Heights, OHAnnual fund$1,800
Park SynagoguePepper Pike, OHAnnual fund$1,800
Hebrew Free Loan AssociationCleveland, OHAnnual fund$1,500
Park SynagoguePepper Pike, OHAnnual fund$1,397
Ohio Contemporary BalletShaker Heights, OHSpring fund$1,100

By state: Ohio 45 · New York 14 · District of Columbia 5 · California 2 · Pennsylvania 1 · Connecticut 1

About this foundation

James and Susan Ratner Family Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation in Shaker Hts, Ohio, administered in care of Foundation Source, tax-exempt since 2008. Private foundations must pay out roughly 5% of their assets each year, mostly as grants to 501(c)(3) public charities.

All filings on ProPublica

Does James and Susan Ratner Family Foundation accept grant applications?

No. On its 2025 Form 990-PF the foundation checked that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations. Look for an introduction through a current grantee.

How much does James and Susan Ratner Family Foundation give each year?

In tax year 2025 it paid $1.0M across 70 grants, a median of $5,000.

Where does James and Susan Ratner Family Foundation give?

Ohio (45 grants), New York (14 grants), District of Columbia (5 grants) and elsewhere, per its latest filing.

More foundations near Shaker Hts that accept applications

All in Ohio
FoundationBased inGrants paidMedian grantAccepts applicationsAssets
Louise H and David S Ingalls Foundation Incsince 1955 Shaker Hts, OH $2.6M46 grants · 2025 $30KYes $40M
Justice for Animals Fundsince 1996 Shaker Hts, OH $314K9 grants · 2025 $8,000Yes $4.8M
Wood Foundation of Chambersburg Pasince 1989 Shaker Hts, OH $398K20 grants · 2024 $10KYes $3.1M
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