Payne Family Foundation

Approach Strategy

The Payne Family Foundation is a newly formed, bank-administered private family foundation with approximately $2 million in assets. Its grant history is entirely faith-based, with both documented 2022 grants going to Christian ministry organizations in New Jersey (Medford United Methodist Church and UrbanPromise Ministries in Camden). This strongly suggests the founding family has personal ties to the Camden/South Jersey faith community.

Given the Citizens Bank trust structure and the absence of a public website or stated grant guidelines, applicants should approach this foundation as a relationship-driven funder rather than a competitive open-call grantor.

1. Relationship First: The foundation has no publicly accessible application process. Grants to date went to organizations with pre-existing family relationships. Cold applications are unlikely to succeed.

2. Faith-Based Alignment: Both known grantees are faith-rooted (a United Methodist congregation and an urban Christian ministry). Secular organizations should not expect alignment without strong relationships.

3. Citizens Bank Contact: Since Citizens Bank NA administers the trust, inquiries may be directed through the bank's charitable trust team at One Citizens Bank Way, Johnston, RI, or via phone: (401) 454-2323.

4. Geographic Flexibility: Despite the Rhode Island address, all 2022 grants went to New Jersey nonprofits. Do not limit outreach to RI-based organizations.

Funding Patterns

Based on IRS Form 990-PF data for tax years 2022 and 2023:

GRANTMAKING VOLUME - 2022 (founding year): $68,084 distributed across at least 2 grants - 2023: $99,702 total distributed (46% increase from year 1) - Foundation is in growth phase, increasing grantmaking as it matures

GRANT SIZE - Documented range: $27,000 to $40,850 (2022 data) - Average documented grant: approximately $33,925 - Very few but substantial grants per cycle

FOCUS AREAS (inferred from grant recipients) - Faith-based ministries and congregations - Urban youth development and community services - Christian ministry organizations serving underserved communities - Likely preference for organizations addressing poverty through a faith lens

GEOGRAPHIC REACH - Administrative base: Johnston, Rhode Island - Known grantees: New Jersey (Medford, Camden) - Multi-state scope; not Rhode Island-limited

MINIMUM DISTRIBUTION - 2022 required: approximately $9,071; actual: $67,850 (7.4x minimum -- strong philanthropic intent) - 2023 required: approximately $103,134; total expenses: $99,702 (near minimum as assets stabilize)

STRUCTURE - No paid staff in 2022; $22,428 compensation in 2023 (likely Citizens Bank fee) - No application form or public RFP process - Invitation-only grantmaking model

Peer Comparison: Rhode Island Private Foundations (~$1M-$4M Assets)

Key Observations: - Payne's documented average grant (~$33,925) is among the highest per-grant in its asset tier - Most RI foundations in this tier make 5-30+ grants/year across diverse sectors; Payne is highly concentrated (2-3 grantees, faith-only) - Payne's 2022 grantmaking rate far exceeded the 5% minimum -- demonstrating genuine philanthropic intent - Bank-trustee structure means founding family retains advisory control while Citizens Bank handles administration

Recent Activity

TAX YEAR 2022 (Founding Year) - Foundation established via $2,100,000 initial contribution from founding family - Two grants totaling $67,850 to faith-based New Jersey organizations: * Medford United Methodist Church (Medford, NJ) -- $27,000 for General Support * UrbanPromise Ministries Inc (Camden, NJ) -- $40,850 as Unrestricted Gift - Investment income: $16,331 (dividends); investment gain: $174 - Total assets year-end: $2,048,041 - Excise tax paid: $226

TAX YEAR 2023 (Second Year) - Total distributions: $99,702 (46% increase over 2022) - Net investment income: $62,201 (strong portfolio performance) - Assets year-end: $1,979,397 (book); fair market value $2,193,123 (unrealized gains present) - Compensation: $22,428 (likely Citizens Bank trustee/management fee) - Excise tax: $865 - No public website or RFP process has emerged

NOTABLE TRENDS - Rapid grantmaking growth from year 1 to year 2 (+46%) - Investment portfolio generating meaningful income (~3% net yield) - No staff additions; continues as bank-administered charitable trust - Foundation c/o address (One Citizens Bank Way, Johnston, RI) confirms bank-administered structure

Application Tips

Given the foundation's structure and grant history, direct grant applications are not the recommended approach. Consider these steps instead:

1. Do Not Apply Cold: There is no public application portal, no grants manager, and no RFP schedule. Unsolicited applications will almost certainly not be reviewed.

2. Identify the Founding Family Connection: Research the Payne family's community ties in Rhode Island and New Jersey. Both 2022 grantees (Medford UMC and UrbanPromise) suggest active involvement with faith communities in Camden County, NJ. A trusted introduction from a mutual contact is the most viable path.

3. Contact Citizens Bank Charitable Trust: Citizens Bank NA administers this trust. Their charitable trust officers may share whether the foundation is accepting proposals. Contact the Johnston, RI headquarters at (401) 454-2323 and ask for the charitable trust or philanthropic services department.

4. Align Your Mission: Proposals should emphasize faith-based mission, community development, or Christian ministry. Secular organizations without a strong faith-community relationship are unlikely to match this funder's priorities.

5. Timing: No funding cycle data is publicly available. Given the bank-trustee model, grant decisions are likely made annually, possibly in Q4 aligning with the December fiscal year-end.