Ritzenthaler Family Foundation

The Ritzenthaler Family Foundation (EIN: 36-4120167) is a private family foundation incorporated in 1999 and headquartered at 29W120 Calumet Ave E, Warrenville, Illinois 60555. It operates as a 501(c)(3) private grantmaking foundation (NTEE code T20) in the Chicago suburban corridor. As a private foundation with no public application portal or dedicated grantmaking website, it operates through direct relationships with grantee organizations. The foundation's assets have grown substantially from approximately $1.7M in 2011 to nearly $5M by 2023, reflecting strong investment performance and ongoing family contributions. The website ritzenthaler.org appears to be a family genealogy site unrelated to the foundation's grantmaking activities.

The foundation's 990-PF filings indicate consistent annual distributions ranging from approximately $75,000 (2011) to $720,000+ (2022), with a typical annual distribution level in the $300,000–$400,000 range in recent years. In 2023, the foundation distributed approximately $309,727 in qualifying distributions. The foundation reports no grants to individuals and functions purely as a grantmaking entity. Investment income is primarily from corporate stock dividends and capital gains, with net investment income of approximately $305,000 in 2023. In 2022, total distributions were $362,571, and in 2021 approximately $388,467. Grant sizes historically have ranged from small community grants ($2,500) to larger awards of $50,000+. No specific named programs or focus areas are publicly disclosed in IRS filings.

The Ritzenthaler foundation falls squarely within the typical range for small Illinois private family foundations: assets under $10M, annual distributions of $200K–$500K, no public-facing grantmaking infrastructure, and officer-directed grantmaking. Its consistent giving trajectory and growing asset base indicate a stable, actively managed philanthropic vehicle.

Based on IRS 990-PF data through December 2023, the foundation maintains approximately $4.95M in total assets with $4.83M in investment securities. The fair market value of assets was reported at $6.7M in 2023. Recent years show consistent activity: 2023 distributions $309,727; 2022 distributions $362,571; 2021 distributions $388,467; 2020 distributions $339,188. The foundation continues to receive small family contributions ($7,000–$11,000/year) indicating ongoing family engagement. No significant changes in grantmaking focus have been identified from public records. The foundation was last updated in the ProPublica database on March 10, 2026.

As a private family foundation with no public website or application guidelines, the Ritzenthaler Family Foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications through any known public channel. Grants are made at the discretion of foundation officers and directors. Organizations seeking support should: (1) Research foundation officers via 990-PF Part VIII disclosures filed with the IRS; (2) Seek introductions through community networks in western Chicago suburbs (DuPage County area); (3) Focus outreach on human services, education, or general community benefit organizations given typical Illinois family foundation giving patterns; (4) Be prepared for a relationship-based, multi-year cultivation process; (5) Typical grant sizes for foundations of this profile range from $5,000 to $50,000 per award. Geographic proximity to Warrenville, IL is likely an advantage.