The Raphael Family Foundation

The Raphael Family Foundation operates as a classic founder-led family philanthropy: all grantmaking decisions flow through the personal values and relationships of Asher Raphael (Co-CEO, Power Home Remodeling Group) and Ilysa Raphael (VP of Marketing, Power Home Remodeling Group), with no public application process, no published guidelines, and no formal grant cycles. The foundation received its 501(c)(3) ruling in December 2023, making it one of the newer private foundations in the Miami/Philadelphia corridor, and its website remains in 'Launching Soon' status as of mid-2026 — a reliable signal that unsolicited cold outreach will not succeed.

Despite its youth, the foundation has grown at a striking pace: total assets expanded from $3.0M (FY2022) to $13.6M (FY2023) to $25.2M (FY2024), driven by $10.7M and $12.0M in annual contributions from the Raphael family in successive years. This trajectory suggests the Raphaels are building a substantial philanthropic vehicle, likely to reach $40–50M in assets within two to three years if current contribution patterns continue.

Known FY2024 grantees offer the clearest window into the foundation's values: AIM Academy in Malvern, PA received $250,000 for a performing arts amphitheater serving students with learning differences — a strong signal of personal connection to innovative, inclusive education. Creative Visions received $250,000 for a Regenerative Media Lab, reflecting an interest in media as a social change platform. It's Bigger Than Us, a youth community organization, received $50,000 in general support, indicating openness to unrestricted gifts for trusted partners.

First-time applicants should understand that this foundation does not operate on a programmatic model with open application windows. The pathway to funding runs through the Raphael family's personal and professional networks: Power Home Remodeling Group's civic engagement initiatives, the AIM Academy alumni and parent community, Philadelphia-area education reformers, and creative/media entrepreneurs who share the founders' values. Organizations should invest in building authentic relationships within these circles over 12–24 months rather than pursuing direct solicitation. The foundation is administered by Foundation Source, a third-party professional foundation management firm — the administrative address is a commercial mailbox and should not be confused with a staffed grantmaking office.

The Raphael Family Foundation's grantmaking has accelerated sharply across its three years of operation. In FY2022, the foundation made a single $10,000 grant in its startup year. By FY2023, total giving reached $376,109 across approximately 4 grants, averaging $76,000 each, with $304,000 explicitly classified as grants paid. In FY2024, giving expanded to an estimated 24 grants totaling approximately $854,000, with total charitable disbursements of $925,995 (93.1% of all expenses).

Grant size distribution in FY2024 shows a two-tier structure. At the top, at least two flagship project-specific grants were awarded at $250,000 each: AIM Academy's Power Amphitheater and Creative Visions' Regenerative Media Lab. A third documented grant of $50,000 went to It's Bigger Than Us as unrestricted general support. The remaining approximately 21 grants totaled roughly $304,000, implying an average of approximately $14,500 each for the broader portfolio — a mix of smaller relationship-driven gifts and possibly multi-year installments.

Geographically, the Greater Philadelphia region (Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware) is the primary anchor based on AIM Academy's Malvern, PA location and the founders' professional headquarters at Power Home Remodeling Group in Chester, PA. The Miami mailing address reflects administrative convenience rather than a southern geographic priority. Creative Visions' California base suggests the foundation is willing to fund nationally for causes of personal significance.

By program area, education and creative/media arts account for the two largest known grants ($500,000 combined). Youth development and community organizations appear in the general support tier. There is no evidence of health, housing, environmental, or international grantmaking in the publicly available record.

The foundation's investment income has grown from $1,102 (FY2022) to $234,192 (FY2023) to $586,201 (FY2024), suggesting a maturing endowment strategy. At current asset levels of $25.2M and the foundation's 93%+ payout efficiency, total annual grantmaking could reach $1.2–1.5M within two years without requiring additional family contributions.

The five peer foundations identified by asset size (~$25M, Philanthropy & Grantmaking NTEE) provide useful context for where the Raphael Family Foundation sits within the private family foundation landscape.

Among foundations at this asset level, the Raphael Family Foundation is notable for the speed of its capitalization — reaching $25M in just two years — and for its 3.4% annual payout rate in FY2024, which exceeds the IRS-required 5% floor when measured against average assets. Most peer foundations at this size with no public-facing grant programs operate similarly: boards of volunteer directors, no staff, and relationship-based giving. The Raphael foundation is distinguished by its use of Foundation Source for professional back-office management and by the relative size of its flagship grants ($250,000), which punch above the typical family foundation median at this asset level.

The Raphael Family Foundation is in active expansion mode across every measurable dimension. Its FY2024 990-PF, filed with the IRS in November 2025, documents total assets of $25,179,659 — a 86% year-over-year increase from $13,557,148 in FY2023. Annual contributions from the Raphael family reached $12,000,000 in FY2024 (up from $10,700,000 in FY2023), representing 95% of all revenue.

The most significant recent development is the jump from 4 grants in FY2023 to 24 grants in FY2024, with total charitable disbursements rising from $376,109 to $925,995. The two flagship FY2024 grants — $250,000 to AIM Academy for its Power Amphitheater and $250,000 to Creative Visions for its Regenerative Media Lab — are the largest the foundation has made to date and suggest the Raphaels are developing anchor relationships with organizations that share their values in education and media-driven impact.

The board has remained stable since the foundation's December 2023 ruling: Asher Raphael (President), Ilysa Raphael (Secretary), Jonathan Diskin (Treasurer), and four additional uncompensated directors — Ross Borneman, Vanessa Braxton-Veloski, Cassidy Neal, and Nancy Rein Raphael. No leadership changes or new program announcements have been made public. The foundation's website remained in 'Launching Soon' status as of mid-2026, with no grant guidelines or application portal published.

Because the Raphael Family Foundation awards grants exclusively through board discretion and pre-existing relationships, conventional grant-writing tactics are largely irrelevant. The following tips are tailored specifically to this funder's actual operating model.

Build genuine relationships first. Asher Raphael's role as Co-CEO of Power Home Remodeling Group (Chester, PA) provides the clearest network entry point. Organizations that have collaborated with Power Home Remodeling on employee volunteer programs, community partnerships, or company philanthropy days are far better positioned than cold applicants. Ilysa Raphael's VP of Marketing background suggests a resonance with brand storytelling, visual media, and communications-forward organizations.

Align with AIM Academy's orbit. The $250,000 Power Amphitheater grant signals deep personal connection to AIM Academy, which serves students with learning differences in the Philadelphia suburbs. Education organizations, disability advocates, or performing arts programs that operate in or collaborate with AIM Academy's community should lead with that connection in any relationship-building conversation.

Lead with mission values, not financials. The foundation has made grants ranging from $14,500 (estimated small grants) to $250,000, and it has given both restricted project support and unrestricted general support. Don't assume a project-specific pitch is required — the It's Bigger Than Us unrestricted grant suggests the Raphaels will fund organizations they trust for general operations.

Media and storytelling competence matters. The Creative Visions grant for a Regenerative Media Lab is a strong signal. Organizations that use media, documentary, or digital storytelling as part of their program model — or that can articulate their impact through compelling narrative — appear well matched to this funder's aesthetic.

Avoid premature solicitation. A cold grant inquiry letter, email to the Foundation Source administrative address, or unsolicited LOI will almost certainly be ignored. Use the 12–24 months before any formal ask to attend shared events, engage in mutual introductions, and demonstrate impact without asking for money.

Watch the website. When theraphaelfamilyfoundation.org launches publicly, it may signal the board is ready to accept broader inquiries. Set a quarterly reminder to check its status.