NET WORTH: Unknown
SOURCE OF WEALTH: Schooner Capital
FUNDING AREAS: Human Rights, Progressive Media & Policy, Environment, Education, Health
OVERVIEW: In 1996, Vin Ryan established the Schooner Family Foundation, which he steers with his wife Carla, and family. Schooner is a progressive foundation focused internationally on human rights, peace and security, and economic opportunity issues. At home, the foundation supports progressive media, campaign finance reform, the green economy, investigative reporting and judicial reform.
BACKGROUND: Vincent J. Ryan graduated from Boston University. In 1971, he founded Schooner Capital. He also serves as a director of Iron Mountain, a $5 billion global records management company which he acquired and grew.
ISSUES:
HUMAN RIGHTS: The Schooner Foundation gives to a range of organizations both in the United States and abroad. Ryan serves on such boards as Physicians for Human Rights and Survivor Corps. Trustee Cynthia Ryan worked at the U.N. and serves as the Senior Africa Advisor of The Schooner Foundation, where she focuses on human rights, economic opportunity, and peace and security.
Grantees have included African Food and Peace Foundation, Fund for Global Human Rights, Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti, International Justice Mission, and Ploughshares Fund, “a public grantmaking foundation that supports initiatives to prevent the spread and use of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons and other weapons of war.”
PROGRESSIVE MEDIA & POLICY: The Schooner Foundation supports progressive media outfits such as Foundation for National Progress. It also supports policy organizations Brennan Center for Justice, Center for Social Inclusion, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, and The Nation Institute.
ENVIRONMENT: Grantees have included Alternatives for Community and Environment; Beyond Benign, which is “dedicated to providing future and current scientists, educators and citizens with the tools to teach and learn about green chemistry in order to create a sustainable future”; Environmental Learning Center; Maasai Wilderness Conservation; Nature Conservancy; and Silent Spring Institute, “a partnership of scientists and citizens concerned about environmental links to breast cancer.”
EDUCATION: The Ryans are heavily involved with Harvard and through their foundation recently underwrote a $1 million program at Harvard's Kennedy School to educate professionals working in technology and governance in African nations. Other grantees have included Dana Hall School, Oak Hill School, and Boston University (the couple’s mutual alma mater and where Carla is a trustee).
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES: The family via Schooner has supported Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Indian River Medical Center, and Brock Island Health Services.
LOOKING FORWARD: Expect the Ryan family’s progressive-oriented philanthropy to continue.
CONTACT: