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Ranger Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

Ranger Foundation

Its FY2024 filing reports that it funds preselected organizations and did not take unsolicited requests; check the foundation's own site before ruling it out.

$320k
Granted FY2024still arriving
4
Grants FY2024still arriving
1
States reached
$125k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
05Through PlinthRead
01What it funds
01100% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2017 to 2024.

Health$970kYouth Development$625kArts & Culture$290kRecreation & Sports$290kHousing & Shelter$200kPhilanthropy$85kEducation$60kAnimals$50kOther$0
02FY2024 · 4 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2024

  • $10k–50k1 grant · $45k
  • $50k–250k3 grants · $275k
$100,000
Median grant
1
States reached
$5.6M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
MAIN STREET PARK ALLIANCE$125,000
UMRC PORTER HILLS FOUNDATION INC$100,000
UMRC PORTER HILLS FOUNDATION INC$50,000
ST LOUIS CENTER$45,000
02The need
03

Does the money reach high-need areas?

Each grant placed by the hardship in its grantee’s ZIP, against the area’s typical level.

show:

Dollar for dollar, its grants (FY17–24) land where the poverty rate runs at 14%, against an area that typically sits at 8%. 100% of its dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 8%NATIONAL DISASTER SEARCH DOG FOUNDATION: $25k → 10%THE CHILDREN'S HEALING CENTER IN GRAND RAPIDS: $50k → 11%ELE'S PLACE: $200k → 14%CHELSEA AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION: $25k → 21%THE CHILDREN'S HEALING CENTER IN GRAND RAPIDS: $50k → 11%ANN ARBOR AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION: $30k → 14%CHELSEA AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION: $20k → 21%ELE'S PLACE INC: $175k → 14%YANKEE AIR MUSEUM CAPITAL CAMPAIGN: $40k → 21%THE SISTER YVONNE GELLISE FUND - AA AREA COMMUNITY FDN: $30k → 14%CHELSEA AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION: $10k → 21%ELE'S PLACE: $150k → 14%REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN: $10k → 14%ELE'S PLACE - 2018 CAPITAL CAMPAIGN: $150k → 14%REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN: $10k → 14%U OF M: $40k → 14%MAIN STREET PARK ALLIANCE: $125k → 14%MAIN STREET PARK ALLIANCE: $125k → 14%ST LOUIS CENTER FOR EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN & ADULTS: $100k → 14%UMRC PORTER HILLS FOUNDATION INC: $100k → 14%UMRC PORTER HILLS FOUNDATION INC: $100k → 14%UMRC HERITAGE FOUNDATION: $100k → 14%ST LOUIS CENTER FOR EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN & ADULTS: $100k → 14%ST LOUIS CENTER: $100k → 14%UMRC PORTER HILLS FOUNDATION INC: $50k → 14%UMRC PORTER HILLS FOUNDATION INC: $50k → 14%UMRC HERITAGE FOUNDATION: $50k → 14%UMRC HERITAGE FOUNDATION: $50k → 14%UMRC HERITAGE FOUNDATION: $50k → 14%UMRC- HOWARD HOLMES ENDOW FUND: $50k → 14%ST LOUIS CENTER: $50k → 14%ST LOUIS CENTER: $45k → 14%HURON WATERLOO PATHWAYS INITIATIVE: $40k → 14%ST LOUIS CENTER: $40k → 14%CHELSEA AREA FIRE AUTHORITY - MIKKAYLA VISH: $25k → 14%ST JOSEPH MERCY HOSPITAL CHELSEA: $25k → 14%HUMANE SOCIETY OF HURON VALLEY: $50k → 14%WASHTENAW COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE: $45k → 14%WASHTENAW COMMUNITY COLLEGE: $10k → 14%SAFEHOUSE CENTER: $5k → 14%CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY: $5k → 14%REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN: $75k → 14%REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN: $15k → 14%U OF M REACH OUT READ: $5k → 14%NORTH STAR REACH: $50k → 14%NORTH STAR REACH: $40k → 14%NORTH STAR REACH: $10k → 14%0%20%40%50%more need →
grant to an above-average-need area below average· circle size = grant amount
How this is measured
Matched: human-services grants are those whose grantee’s IRS cause code is Human Services. Placed by people below the poverty line in the grantee’s ZIP, averaged from the tracts in that ZIP.
How this is measured
US grants placed by each grantee’s ZIP, which can differ from where services are delivered. Need from public data (U.S. Census/ACS, CDC PLACES, Eviction Lab, USDA), shown as context about the area, never attributed to the funder’s giving.
03Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

Organizations funded in more than one year, against those funded once.

79%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$2.1M · 10 repeat orgs$575k to everyone else

10 repeat relationships: 3 still active in FY2024, 7 since wound down.

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

10
17

Total granted

$2.1M
$575k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

-27%
+6%

Still filing today

50%
29%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2024, 100% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $0 went to new ones.

50%100%’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24
RenewedFirst-time

Where new relationships form · theme of each grantee’s first grant

’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24
Youth DevelopmentHealthReligionRecreation & SportsEnvironmentPublic BenefitOther
How this is measured
First-time means a grantee’s first year in the filing window; renewed means funded in an earlier year too. The renewed share climbs naturally as a portfolio matures, so the signal is a year that bucks it (a wave of new grantees). The earliest year is left-censored: relationships that predate the data read as new. Theme is the grantee’s IRS cause.

Backed again, and grew

  • EP
    ELE'S PLACE INC
    3× · 2017–2019 · $525k · revenue -46%
  • SL
    ST LOUIS CENTER
    6× · 2019–2024 · $435k
  • UH
    UMRC-PORTER HILLS FOUNDATION
    3× · 2022–2024 · $300k · revenue -27%

Funded once

  • EP
    ELE'S PLACE - 2018 CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
    one grant, 2018 · $150k
  • UH
    UMRC- HOWARD HOLMES ENDOW FUND
    one grant, 2017 · $50k
  • HS
    HUMANE SOCIETY OF HURON VALLEY
    one grant, 2020 · $50k · revenue +6%
How this is measured

Repeat means funded in two or more distinct years. Growth and survival are read from each grantee’s own subsequent IRS filings.

04Its field

Closest unfunded matches

The nonprofits that most resemble its grantees but are not funded by it, scored along the direction from the rest of the field toward the portfolio. A resemblance in what they say they do, not a recommendation.

1
Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan

Humane society of southwestern michigan exists to provide shelter and care for sick, homeless and unwanted animals. in addition, the organization provides adoption services for the animals in its care.

Animals
2
Humane Society of West Michigan

Our mission is to promote the humane treatment and responsible care of animals in west michigan through education, example, placement and protection.

Animals
3
Business Leaders for Michigan

Business leaders for michigan is a nonprofit, nonpartisan statewide organization driven by ceos from the state's leading employers, all working toward a shared goal: making michigan a top 10 state for jobs, talent and a thriving economy.…

—
4
Michigan Health Leadership Fund

To advance the well-being of michigan residents through the promotion of sound public policies and responsible legislation. the purpose of these activities is to promote policies that strengthen the michigan health care system.

—
5
Michigan Humane Society

To improve and save lives through compassionate care, community engagement and advocacy for animals.

Animals
6
Michigan Animal Health Foundation

To provide financial assistance to individuals and institutions for educational and scientific purposes in order to advance science to benefit the health and welfare of animals.

Animals
7
Humane Society of South Central Mi

Animal shelter - provide a safe haven for animals without homes.

Animals
8
Business Leaders for Michigan Foundation

Business leaders for michigan is a nonprofit, nonpartisan statewide organization driven by ceos from the state's leading employers, all working toward a shared goal: making michigan a top 10 state for jobs, talent and a thriving economy.…

Community Improvement
9
Michigan Animal Rescue League

The mission of the michigan animal rescue league is to provide the highest quality of life to dogs and cats through rescue, medical care, socialization and behavioral support, short- and long-term sanctuary, adoption, and community…

Animals
10
Michiana Humane Society Inc

To enhance the community by giving animals, and the people who love them, a second chance.

Animals
11
Elder Law of Michigan

To advocate for, educate, and assist our target populations. our services address the needs of many different people, but we continue to target our services to older adults and persons with disabilities.

Human Services
12
The Northern Michigan University Foundation

The nmu foundation will establish and foster relationships to generate resources that benefit the strategic goals of northern michigan university.

Education
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Fisher House Michigan; the most unlike its peers is St Louis Center. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
04the grantee network

11 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2025.

Each grant beside the grantee’s revenue from every source, year by year.

How this is measured

Counted here: distinct organizations funded across 2017 to 2025, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 11 of the 28 grantees resolved in that span have returns of their own we could reconcile.

Each grantee is resolved to its own IRS returns. Association, dated; never a causal claim.

1
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
2
Early backer (in before they grew)
11/11
Grantees still filing
7/11
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

ST LOUIS CENTER: $435,000 · OtherST LOUIS CENTERUMRC HERITAGE FOUNDATION: $250,000 · OtherUMRC HERITAGE FOUNDATIONELE'S PLACE - 2018 CAPITAL CAMPAIGN: $150,000 · OtherELE'S PLACE - 2018 CAPITAL CAMPAIGNREGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN: $110,000 · OtherREGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGANTHE CHILDREN'S HEALING CENTER IN GRAND RAPIDS: $100,000 · OtherTHE CHILDREN'S HEALING CENTER IN GRAND RAPIDSCHELSEA AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION: $55,000 · OtherUMRC- HOWARD HOLMES ENDOW FUND: $50,000 · Other+13 more: $280,000 · Other+13 moreELE'S PLACE INC: $525,000 · Youth DevelopmentELE'S PLACE INCNORTH STAR REACH: $100,000 · Youth DevelopmentNORTH STAR REACHUMRC-PORTER HILLS FOUNDATION: $300,000 · HealthUMRC-PORTER H…NATIONAL DISASTER SEARCH DOG FOUNDATION: $25,000 · HealthNATIONAL DISA…MAIN STREET PARK ALLIANCE: $250,000 · Recreation & SportsMAIN STREE…HUMANE SOCIETY OF HURON VALLEY: $50,000 · AnimalsHURON WATERLOO PATHWAYS INITIATIVE: $40,000 · EnvironmentANN ARBOR AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION: $30,000 · Philanthropy
Other$1,430,000Youth Development$625,000Health$325,000Recreation & Sports$250,000Animals$50,000Environment$40,000Philanthropy$30,000

Each grantee by its size and the funder’s share of it; top left is load-bearing

25%50%75%100%$1.0M$10Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetELE'S PLACE INC: $525,000 over 3y, 5.0% of budgetST LOUIS CENTER: $435,000 over 6y, 0.7% of budgetUMRC-PORTER HILLS FOUNDATION: $300,000 over 3y, 1.1% of budgetMAIN STREET PARK ALLIANCE: $250,000 over 2y, 13% of budgetNORTH STAR REACH: $100,000 over 3y, 3.8% of budgetHUMANE SOCIETY OF HURON VALLEY: $50,000 over 1y, 0.4% of budgetHURON WATERLOO PATHWAYS INITIATIVE: $40,000 over 1y, 1.6% of budgetANN ARBOR AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION: $30,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetGRASS LAKE SANCTUARY: $25,000 over 1y, 26% of budgetNATIONAL DISASTER SEARCH DOG FOUNDATION: $25,000 over 1y, 0.4% of budgetFISHER HOUSE MICHIGAN: $5,000 over 1y, 0.3% of budget
Grantee by grantee: a decade per organization, before and after funding

A decade per grantee: revenue shaded, grants as bars, all rows on one timeline.

  • Who funds ELE'S PLACE INC ↗
  • Who funds ST LOUIS CENTER ↗
  • Who funds UMRC-PORTER HILLS FOUNDATION ↗
  • Who funds MAIN STREET PARK ALLIANCE ↗
  • Who funds NORTH STAR REACH ↗
  • Who funds HUMANE SOCIETY OF HURON VALLEY ↗
  • Who funds HURON WATERLOO PATHWAYS INITIATIVE ↗
  • Who funds ANN ARBOR AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ↗
  • Who funds GRASS LAKE SANCTUARY ↗
  • Who funds NATIONAL DISASTER SEARCH DOG FOUNDATION ↗
  • Who funds FISHER HOUSE MICHIGAN ↗

Co-funders

Grantmakers whose grantees overlap with this funder’s far more than size alone predicts. Closer means stronger alignment; arcs show where they also fund each other. Here they form a tightly interlocked group: most of these funders back each other's grantees too.

Ann Arbor Area Commun…Community Foundation …Herrick FoundationHarry a and Margaret …The Buhr FoundationUnited Way of Washten…The Ralph C Wilson Jr…Donor Advised Charita…Fidelity Investments …Amazonsmile Foundation
Ann Arbor Area Community FoundationMI19.9× affinity7 shared granteesties to 9 of 9Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation · Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan · Herrick Foundation · Harry a and Margaret D Towsley Foundation · The Buhr Foundation · United Way of Washtenaw County · The Ralph C Wilson Jr Foundation · Donor Advised Charitable Giving Inc · Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund · Amazonsmile Foundation

How this is measured
Affinity is a Gamma-Poisson posterior co-funding rate, re-centered on the typical rate, so thin evidence shrinks toward no signal. Overlap is association, not proof of shared intent.

How much its grantees rely on government

Each dot is one organization Ranger Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from Ranger Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 00%1%4%8%15%funder's share of their income ↑0%1%3%4%5%share of the org’s income from government →
    no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
    0get no government money at all
    4report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
    0rely on government for over half their income
    ⤢ axis zoomed · 0–5%
    typical government reliance, FY20–25
    How this is measured
    Government income is each org’s traced federal awards (USASpending grants and contracts) plus state payments (open checkbooks) as a share of its total revenue (IRS Form 990); the self-reported government-grant line (990 line 1e) is carried for cross-check: a grantee that reports government grants we could not trace to a source is left off the chart rather than shown as receiving none. An association, not a claim that a grant caused the public funding. Coverage is precision-first, a floor rather than a census; state records exist for 9 states, so a grantee outside them shows no state figure (dimmed) rather than a false zero. Federal award amounts are obligations, which can span years, so a single-year share is indicative. 990 filings lag 12 to 24 months.
    05Through Plinth

    Warm introductions · Powered by PlinthPlus

    How do I get to Ranger Foundation?

    Find your warmest path to Ranger Foundation through trustees and officers whose names appear on both boards. Search for your organization and Plinth traces the shortest route it can evidence.

    Each link is a name appearing on two organizations’ public IRS 990 filings, matched on that name and, where the filings support it, on location. A same-state match has geographic support, which is a second matching feature rather than confirmation that the two are one person; a cross-state one is the likeliest to be two people who share a name. Every hop shows its tier, low-confidence and distant paths are held back rather than guessed, and it is worth confirming the person before you use the introduction.

    On method. Every financial figure here is read from IRS e-file XML, the funder’s own 990/990-PF, and from the multi-year returns of the 28 grantees we resolved, each linked to its source. Grantee outcomes are each organization’s own program-service reporting (Form 990, Part III), read as association with funding, never as caused by it. Low-confidence name matches are suppressed rather than guessed. How we build these →

    How this is measured
    Each figure carries one of six labels. Filed is what the funder reported on its return. Official is another government record about an organization, such as a federal award or a charity register, joined by name where no shared identifier exists. Resolved is an identity we worked out where the filing named a recipient without an EIN, kept only above a measured confidence threshold. Computed is arithmetic over those, like themes, portfolio clusters and co-funder strength. Context is a statistic about a place rather than about an organization, which is what the need overlay is: it describes the area a grantee’s address sits in, not where its work lands. Inferred is drawn by a model from text, like the partnerships read out of public news and organization websites. Each is labeled where it appears.

    Generated from the IRS Form 990-PF e-file return for fiscal year 2024, released 2024. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

    Source object · view filing

    Play a game based on Ranger’s filings →

    More from the funding graph

    The unnamed billions
    grants reported with no recipient in the public record
    The regranting layer
    51% of grant dollars land in the regranting layer
    The DAF merry-go-round
    $9.7B circulates between donor-advised funds
    The endowment market
    who holds foundation money, and what just moved
    The camps
    funders cluster by geography, not ideology
    By state
    where grant money is based, and what stays home