The Ralph C Wilson Jr Foundation
Detroit, Michigan · EIN 450921232 · Private foundation
Based in Detroit, Michigan, The Ralph C Wilson Jr Foundation has awarded $550.4M across 2,044 grants in our index of public IRS filings, with giving recorded as recently as 2024. Its largest grant on record went to Detroit Riverfront Conservancy. This profile covers its focus areas, top grant recipients, year-by-year giving, and how a nonprofit should approach it.
What The Ralph C Wilson Jr Foundation funds
The Ralph C Wilson Jr Foundation's giving carries a documented focus on adult education, arts & culture, civil rights & social justice, community improvement, disability services, and related causes.
Populations it has supported include black communities, children, disabled, families, low-income communities, men boys.
Grant history
The largest grants Bespoke Grants has on record for The Ralph C Wilson Jr Foundation, by amount:
| Recipient | Location | Grant | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit Riverfront Conservancy TO SUPPORT THE TRANSFORMATION OF WEST RIVERFRONT PARK INTO THE RALPH C. WILSON, JR. CENTENNIAL PARK. | Detroit, MI | $14.0M | 2020 |
| Budc TO ENSURE THE EXECUTION OF THE FIRST PHASE OF CONSTRUCTION FOR RALPH C. WILSON, JR. CENTENNIAL PARK IN BUFFALO, NEW YORK. | Buffalo, NY | $12.0M | 2023 |
| Budc TO SUPPORT THE EXECUTION OF AN EXPANDED FIRST PHASE OF CONSTRUCTION FOR RALPH C. WILSON, JR. CENTENNIAL PARK IN BUFFALO. | Buffalo, NY | $11.0M | 2023 |
| Budc TO SUPPORT AN EXPANDED 1ST PHASE OF CONSTRUCTION FOR RALPH WILSON PARK IN BUFFALO. | Buffalo, NY | $11.0M | 2022 |
| Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo City Within a Park Fund | Buffalo, NY | $10.0M | 2024 |
| Detroit Riverfront Conservancy TO TRANSFORM WEST RIVERFRONT PARK INTO THE RALPH C. WILSON, JR. CENTENNIAL PARK. | Detroit, MI | $10.0M | 2023 |
| Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo TO SUPPORT THE CITY WITHIN A PARK INITIATIVE. | Buffalo, NY | $10.0M | 2023 |
| Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo SEE PART XV, SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATIONRECIPIENT 14TO ESTABLISH THE RALPH WILSON PARK ENDOWMENT FUND TO SUPPORT THE LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY | Buffalo, NY | $10.0M | 2020 |
| Southeast Michigan Foundation for Public Spaces Detroit Riverfront Finishline Fund | Detroit, MI | $7.5M | 2024 |
| Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo TO ENHANCE AND SUSTAIN THE ARTS AND CULTURE SECTOR IN WESTERN NEW YORK | Buffalo, NY | $7.5M | 2022 |
| Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan TO ENHANCE AND SUSTAIN THE ARTS AND CULTURE SECTOR IN SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN | Detroit, MI | $7.5M | 2022 |
| Detroit Riverfront Conservancy Construction Support - Ralph Wilson Park | Detroit, MI | $6.5M | 2024 |
| Budc TO SUPPORT PHASE 1 CONSTRUCTION OF RALPH C. WILSON CENTENNIAL PARK. | Buffalo, NY | $6.3M | 2022 |
| Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper Inc TO SUPPORT THE SHORELINE RESTORATION OF RALPH WILSON PARK. | Buffalo, NY | $5.2M | 2022 |
| Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan TO SUPPORT THE RCWJRF INCLUSIVE ARTS & CULTURE INITIATIVE. | Detroit, MI | $5.0M | 2022 |
The Ralph C Wilson Jr Foundation giving by year
Total grants Bespoke Grants has indexed for each filing year:
How to apply for funding from The Ralph C Wilson Jr Foundation
The Ralph C Wilson Jr Foundation's public IRS filing does not spell out a formal application process. Foundations of this size often give primarily to organizations they already know, so a concise letter of inquiry or a warm introduction is usually the best first contact — not a full proposal. You can review the foundation directly at ralphcwilsonjrfoundation.org.
Is The Ralph C Wilson Jr Foundation the right funder for your nonprofit?
This page shows what The Ralph C Wilson Jr Foundation has funded. Bespoke Grants tells you whether it fits your mission — and finds every other foundation that does. Free, no credit card.
Match my nonprofit to funders →Frequently asked questions about The Ralph C Wilson Jr Foundation
- Does The Ralph C Wilson Jr Foundation accept grant applications?
- The Ralph C Wilson Jr Foundation's public filing does not specify an application process. A brief letter of inquiry or a warm introduction is usually the best first step with a private foundation of this size.
- What does The Ralph C Wilson Jr Foundation fund?
- The Ralph C Wilson Jr Foundation's grants focus on adult education. Recent recipients include Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, Budc, Budc. Its full grant history is listed above.
- How much does The Ralph C Wilson Jr Foundation give in grants?
- The Ralph C Wilson Jr Foundation reported $115.8M in grants in its most recent IRS filing (FY2020). Across all years in our data it has awarded $550.4M over 2,044 grants.
- Where is The Ralph C Wilson Jr Foundation located?
- The Ralph C Wilson Jr Foundation is based in Detroit, Michigan. Its IRS employer identification number (EIN) is 450921232.
- How can I find foundations similar to The Ralph C Wilson Jr Foundation?
- Bespoke Grants matches your nonprofit against 225,000+ foundations like The Ralph C Wilson Jr Foundation, ranking each by how well it fits your mission, location, and budget — with the reasoning shown. It is free to search.
Find more funders like The Ralph C Wilson Jr Foundation
Foundations similar to The Ralph C Wilson Jr Foundation
Other Michigan grantmakers with overlapping priorities: