About us
Building brighter futures for New York City Youth
Established nearly 40 years ago by philanthropist William “Bill” Ruane, we are proud to carry forward his legacy and invest in New York City youth by supporting youth literacy and mental health initiatives.
Our mission
We invest in the future and wellbeing of youth growing up in New York City by championing efforts that improve mental health and literacy outcomes, rooted in positive, affirming and supportive relationships.
Our vision
We envision a New York City where youth find power in reading and their mental health and wellbeing is prioritized.
Our goal
Our goal is to fund programs and partner with organizations working to create opportunities and rich experiences that improve literacy skills, nurture a love of reading and provide access to mental health programming rooted in wellbeing and comprehensive support. We choose to engage with grantees as partners and co-creators in finding solutions that address these interconnected and complex issues.
Our values
As a foundation, we strive to show up each day ready to learn, listen, collaborate, and contribute. Our values reflect the work we do and the impact we aim to achieve through every grant, partnership, and interaction.
Humility & Accountability
Humility involves an honest understanding of one’s strengths, limitations, and openness for learning. We strive to remain open to new perspectives, listen and welcome feedback, build trust and achieve impact. By prioritizing empathy and respect for others, we hold ourselves accountable for our approach and actions. We embrace transparency and aim to continuously learn by and with our partners, in order to achieve shared goals.
Co-creation & Action
We value co-creation and being action-forward, recognizing that change depends on the actions we take today as individuals and as a team. We don’t just envision a better future for youth in New York City – we actively work to create it by being responsive to the evolving needs of youth today. By investing in new ideas, systems thinking and dynamic strategies for improvement, we seek to engage our peers, grantees, and the young people we serve to inform and shape our priorities.
Joy & Curiosity
Joy and curiosity are essential to our mission. We see curiosity as a critical driver for growth and adaptability, while joy is an internal state that leads to a deeper sense of purpose. As a team, we strive to create positive and supportive environments where curiosity is encouraged and joy is embraced.
Access & Transformation
We believe that challenging the status quo is critical to creating lasting impact. We invest in collaborative partnerships and solutions that aim to break down barriers to quality education and mental health services. As a funder, our goal is to explore every opportunity that can reshape current systems and positively impact the future of young people living in New York City.
Human-centered & Holistic
As a human-centered organization, we honor our founder’s foresight by putting youth at the heart of everything we do, taking a holistic approach to our decision-making and placing the needs, experiences and voices of young people and their caring adults at the center of every decision.
Co-creating impact through a relationship-centered approach
Mental health and literacy are complex, and making a meaningful, long-term impact requires collaboration, trust, and shared learning. Our approach is deeply rooted in relationships – learning with and alongside youth and partners, being responsive to community needs, and co-creating change every step of the way.
Meet our team
We are a passionate team of experienced industry professionals who care deeply about youth growing up in New York City and the challenges that prevent them from thriving.
Explore our history
Bill Ruane was a successful businessman and an even more remarkable human being. From co-founding the highly successful Sequoia Fund to championing educational equity and breakthroughs in mental health research across the U.S., Bill brought intelligence, compassion, and humor to everything he did. Explore more about his remarkable life and the lasting impact of his work as a philanthropist.
Let’s partner
Reach out today to learn more about our grantmaking and to explore potential opportunities.