# Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation

Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation is an Endowment / Foundation based in Detroit, United States.

## Overview

- **Organization type:** Endowment / Foundation
- **Headquarters:** Detroit, United States
- **Region:** North America
- **Address:** 3101 E. Grand Blvd., Suite 200, Detroit, MI, United States
- **Founded:** 2015
- **Assets under management:** 1200 (Altss estimate)
- **Website:** ralphcwilsonjrfoundation.org
- **LinkedIn:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/ralph-c-wilson-jr-foundation

## Regulatory record

- **Reports private funds:** No

## About

The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation was created in 2015 following the death of its namesake NFL owner. It operates as a 20-year spend-down entity focused on quality-of-life improvements in two specific U.S. regions. The foundation has committed $100 million each to waterfront park projects in Detroit and Buffalo. Its balance sheet includes a diversified portfolio of corporate stocks, bonds, and government obligations valued near $897 million alongside the park assets. Geographic scope remains limited to Southeast Michigan and Western New York. David O. Egner serves as President and CEO. The foundation maintains memberships in the Council of Michigan Foundations and Grantmakers In Health. In May 2024 it participated as a speaker at the Mackinac Policy Conference on regional economic development. The foundation structure ties grant decisions to community foundations in both regions for long-term legacy funds after the 2035 sunset.

## Sectors

- Philanthropy
- Community Development

## People

- David O. Egner — President and CEO
- Mary M. Wilson — Life Trustee and Chairwoman
- Mary M. Owen — Life Trustee
- Jeffrey C. Littmann — Life Trustee

## Questions

### Who runs investment decisions at the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation?

David O. Egner serves as President and CEO. Life trustees Mary M. Wilson, Mary M. Owen, and Jeffrey C. Littmann provide oversight.

### What is the foundation's geographic focus?

All grantmaking targets Southeast Michigan and Western New York.

### Does the foundation make direct investments or only grants?

It funds grants and has committed $100 million each to two specific park projects in Detroit and Buffalo.

### When will the foundation close?

The 20-year limited-life structure ends in 2035.

## Related profiles

- [Quartet Investment Managers](https://altss.com/profile/quartet-investment-managers)
- [SeaCrest Wealth Management](https://altss.com/profile/seacrest-wealth-management)

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Last updated: 2026-06-03T20:00:00.000Z

Canonical page: https://altss.com/profile/ralph-c-wilson-jr-foundation-rcwjrf

Maintained by Altss — https://altss.com — methodology: https://altss.com/methodology