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Kenneth Rainin Foundation
The Kenneth Rainin Foundation was established in 2007 by the estate of Kenneth Rainin. Jennifer Rainin serves as CEO. The foundation directs grants toward...
Kenneth Rainin Foundation
The Kenneth Rainin Foundation was established in 2007 by the estate of Kenneth Rainin. Jennifer Rainin serves as CEO. The foundation directs grants toward three program areas: arts, education, and health research, with cumulative arts funding exceeding $64 million and education funding exceeding $56 million since 2009. Capital is allocated across private equity, venture capital, hedge funds, and real estate. Confirmed commitments include Vertex Special Opportunities Fund II, Par Investment Partners, Obvious Ventures, Elephant Partners, Renovus Capital Partners, RA Capital Nexus Fund, Kayne Anderson Real Estate Partners II, and BlueBay Direct Lending. Geographic exposure centers on the United States with additional holdings in global private credit. The foundation also participates in the Community Arts Stabilization Trust to acquire and hold properties such as 80 Turk Street and 1007 Market Street in San Francisco. The foundation maintains a headquarters at 155 Grand Avenue in Oakland. Ross DeMont serves as Chief Investment Officer for both the foundation and The Rainin Group. In January 2025 the foundation participated as a speaker at the Creative Land Trust Summit on real estate strategies for arts organizations. Jennifer Rainin holds board roles with Women Moving Millions. The foundation maintains a hybrid structure that combines traditional grantmaking with direct real estate acquisitions through the Community Arts Stabilization Trust. This model allows permanent ownership of cultural spaces rather than reliance on annual rental subsidies. Governance remains within the Rainin family through board seats held by Jennifer Rainin and Dashiell Patterson.
General information
Firm type
Endowment / Foundation
Year founded
2007
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Oakland
Corporate office
155 Grand Avenue Suite 1000, Oakland, CA 94612, United States
Principals
Jennifer Rainin
CEO
Ross DeMont
Chief Investment Officer
Dashiell Patterson
Board Member
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at Kenneth Rainin Foundation?
Ross DeMont serves as Chief Investment Officer. He oversees allocations across private equity, venture, and real estate vehicles for both the foundation and The Rainin Group.
Does Kenneth Rainin Foundation participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?
The foundation acts as a limited partner in multiple external funds including Vertex Special Opportunities Fund II, Obvious Ventures, and Kayne Anderson Real Estate Partners II.
Where does the underlying wealth come from?
The foundation was seeded by the estate of Kenneth Rainin, founder of Rainin Instrument Company, a maker of scientific instruments.
How is Kenneth Rainin Foundation related to The Rainin Group?
The Rainin Group manages assets for both the family office and the foundation. Ross DeMont serves as Chief Investment Officer for both entities.
What investment stages does Kenneth Rainin Foundation typically target?
Commitments span early-stage venture through buyout and real estate strategies via fund vehicles.
Does Kenneth Rainin Foundation maintain philanthropic structures, and how are they separated?
The foundation itself functions as the primary grantmaking vehicle. Jennifer Rainin separately co-founded The Curve Foundation in 2020 to support lesbian, queer women, and nonbinary stories in the arts.
How does Kenneth Rainin Foundation source proprietary deal flow?
The foundation works with Meketa Investment Group as investment advisor and participates in industry networks including Grantmakers in the Arts and PEAK Grantmaking.
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