About
The Jeannette Rankin Foundation is a national nonprofit based in Athens, Georgia, that provides unrestricted Scholar Grants to students who identify as women, nonbinary, or Two-Spirit, are 35 and older, and demonstrate financial need. The foundation honors the legacy of Jeannette Rankin, the first woman elected to the United States Congress, and its vision is to inspire a better world by empowering women through education.
Mission
The foundation provides unrestricted Scholar Grants to students who identify as women, nonbinary, or Two-Spirit, are 35 and older, and demonstrate financial need, working toward its vision of empowering women through education.
What they do
- National Scholar Grant — the foundation's flagship unrestricted grant program for low-income students age 35 and older pursuing their education
- Emerge Grant — an additional grant program for eligible scholars
- Tribal Scholar Grant — a grant program serving Tribal students
History
The foundation was founded in 1976 by Reita Rivers (Jeannette Rankin's personal assistant), Sue Bailey, Gail Dendy, Margaret Holt, and Heather Kleiner, seeded with $16,000 from Jeannette Rankin's Georgia estate. It was established to honor Rankin's bequest supporting "mature unemployed women workers." The first scholarship, of $500, was awarded in 1978. The IRS issued the organization's tax exemption in December 1976.
Scale and impact
According to the foundation, it has awarded over $4 million in total and more than 1,300 women have received scholarships since the program began. The organization is headquartered at 1 Huntington Rd, Suite 701, Athens, GA 30606.
Financials
Per the organization's Form 990 for the fiscal year ending May 2025 (via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer): total revenue of $2,969,559 (94.5% from contributions), total expenses of $2,152,398, net income of $817,161, and net assets of $4,579,046. The foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity (EIN 58-1273122), and donations are tax deductible.
Governance
Karen Sterk serves as Chief Executive Officer. The board of directors, per the fiscal year 2025 Form 990, includes Rozy Park (Chair), Vashti Canty (Vice Chair), Jane Hale Hopkins (Secretary), and Tracy Cosgrove (Treasurer), along with more than a dozen additional directors, all of whom serve without compensation.
