SOURCE OF WEALTH: Stockbroker, investor
FUNDING AREAS: Education & Youth, Health, Environment & Historic Preservation, Arts & Culture
OVERVIEW: Edward Hart Rice and his sister, the author and psychiatrist Eve Rice, conduct their philanthropy through the Rice Family Foundation, which according to available tax filings, gave around $3.1 million in 2017. The family are strong supporters of Yale University. Other interests include the arts, education, health, and the environment.
BACKGROUND: Edward Hart Rice is the son of real estate broker Henry Hart Rice. Edward is a stockbroker and major Democratic donor. He keeps a low profile and is based in Virginia.
ISSUES:
EDUCATION & YOUTH: Eve Rice graduated with a B.A. from Yale before working as a freelance author and artist of children’s books and a psychiatrist. She is a trustee of her alma mater. The Rice family’s support of Yale includes helping to build an urban studies program, fostering public service careers for women, supporting collections at the Yale University Art Gallery and libraries, and promoting international research experiences for students. The Rices have also supported Westchester Community College, Brandeis University, NYU, Rutgers University Foundation, and Chess in the Schools. NYU is home to the Henry Hart Rice Urban Policy Forum.
HEALTH: Despite Eve’s background in psychiatry, the Rices have not made significant gifts in related fields. Rather, reproductive health and reproductive rights appear to be a top interest: the Rices are strong supporters of Planned Parenthood. Other grantees include Center for Reproductive Rights, Northern Westchester Hospital, and Blythedale Children’s Hospital.
ENVIRONMENT & HISTORIC PRESERVATION: Grantees include The Nature Conservancy, National Trust for Historic Preservation, Westchester Land Trust, and North Castle Historical Society.
ARTS & CULTURE: Grantees include The Met, American Museum of Natural History, Westchester Libraries, and Smithsonian Institution, which received a seven-figure gift recently. The family seems to have an interest in public media: Edward sits on the board of WETA in the Washington, D.C., area. The family has supported WETA, as well as WNYC and WNET.
OTHER: Grantees include civil rights organization Southern Poverty Law Center and The Hastings Center, which deals with bioethics.
LOOKING FORWARD: Expect the family’s steady giving to continue.
CONTACT:
Rice Family Foundation
256 Bedford Banksville Rd.
Bedford, NY 10506
