Risser Family Foundation
The organization is a private foundation dedicated to supporting various charitable causes. Its mission reflects a commitment to social services, animal welfare, education, and the performing arts, indicating a broad interest in enhancing community welfare and quality of life. The foundation primarily serves organizations involved in social services, wildlife rescue, and conservation efforts. It has a notable focus on animal welfare, supporting shelters and rescue organizations, as well as educational initiatives. The foundation's funding activities are diverse, with grants awarded to a range of nonprofit organizations across different sectors.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
Small-to-midsize charities or community organizations focused on animal welfare, social services, wildlife rescue, education, or local arts that fit the foundation's history of modest, single-year awards and have a local or trustee-based connection.
Good Fit
- • Located in Florida or in one of the states funded historically (FL, NY, OH, IL).
- • Programs in animal welfare, wildlife rescue, social services, education, or performing arts.
- • Request size in the range of a few thousand to around $10,000 for program or operating support.
- • Existing relationship, nomination, or introduction from a trustee, local leader, or intermediary.
- • Ability to be considered for an invitation-style, rolling decision process rather than a public grant competition.
Geography
Observed grants span four states rather than a single city or county, but nearly half of dollars were concentrated in the home state (Florida), indicating a regional/multi-state footprint rather than national reach.
Recipient Variety
The latest year shows ten distinct recipients across several mission areas (animal welfare, social services, education, performing arts), which is a meaningful breadth for a micro-foundation, though dollars are concentrated with the top five recipients receiving about 75%.
New Applicants
The foundation explicitly notes it funds only preselected organizations and no public application or contact route is provided; while the observed recipient set is varied, the invitation-only policy and lack of public submission mechanics make entry by an unfamiliar applicant unlikely.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
