Private foundation · Chicago, IL (gives in Tennessee from out of state)
Ryerson Foundation
Invitation only: it picks who to fund. Don't send a proposal. Look for a connection through its board. See its board and officers below: do you or your board know any of them?
Key facts
- Grants in Tennessee
- 2 totaling $4,000 · 1 in Hamilton County
- Typical grant
- $2,000
- A realistic first ask
- About $2,000, its middle Tennessee grant. First-time winners usually get less than repeat ones.
- Where it gives
- Knox County, Hamilton County · plus 55 grants outside Tennessee
- Buildings & equipment
- None of its Tennessee grants in this filing were for buildings or equipment
- Funds new groups?
- 50% of the Tennessee groups it funded in 2025 were new (not funded in 2023–2024): 1 of 2.
- Total giving that year
- $103,000
Giving by year
| Tax year | Total grants paid | To Tennessee | Tennessee grants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $103K | $4,000 | 2 |
| 2024 | $96K | $3,000 | 2 |
| 2023 | $77K | $2,000 | 1 |
How to apply
The foundation's filing doesn't describe how to apply. Look for a website, or send a short letter asking whether it accepts requests.
Board and officers
Does your board know anyone here?
Checked in your browser only. The names are kept on this device for other foundation pages and are never sent to GrantMe.
- Edward J LehnerPresident & chief executive officer
- Mark SilverExecutive vice president & director
- Tricia KellyTreasurer
- Molly KannanAssistant secretary
- Andrea C OkunAssistant secretary & director
- James ClaussenExecutive vice president chief financial officer & director
- Camilla Rykke MerrickSecretary
As listed in its 2025 IRS filing. Many foundations decide through their board, so a personal connection often matters more than a perfect application.
What it funds most often
- Education
Tennessee organizations it funded
Hamilton County grants are listed first, then the largest. Past winners are good people to ask what the foundation looks for. Select a group to see who else funds it.
| Past winner | Where | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Tennesseechattanooga | Chattanooga, Hamilton County | Education | $2,000 |
| Johnson University | Knoxville, Knox County | Education | $2,000 |