and What we Do
The Ryan Foundation was established in October 2017 in Cape Town (South Africa) by Gavan and Brendan Ryan in memory of their parents, Benjamin and Patricia Ryan. The foundation is completely financed by the Ryan family and is not a fund-raising entity.
The objective of The Ryan Foundation is to provide financial support to worthy institutions, programs and projects. Specific areas of interest include human and social services, education, job training, social research and child services. The Ryan Foundation is particularly interested in supporting projects involving members of previously disadvantaged groups. Our primary area of concentration is South Africa, but we have provided support to suitable projects outside South Africa and will continue to do so.
The Ryan Foundation does not provide financial support to individuals but rather to programs and projects. Given the strong Catholic faith of Benjamin and Patricia Ryan, The Ryan Foundation is highly desirous of supporting projects of a Catholic ethos both in South Africa and abroad.
and what we don't
Since 2018 the Ryan Foundation has been pleased to provide over R27 million in funding to a wide variety of institutions, projects and programs. These include the following:
Pinotage Youth Development Academy
St Josephs Home for Chronically Ill Children
Woodside Special Care Center
The Soul Provider Trust
Open Door Community Foundation
Salesian Institute Youth Project
De La Salle Holy Cross College
Khayelitsha Hospital
Love of Christ Children’s Home
Bags of Love Christmas Campaign
Garden Route Children’s Home
Archdiocese of Cape Town
The SAME Foundation
Empilweni
Struisbaai SOS Funding trust
Holy Cross Provincialate (Holy Cross Sisters)
Catholic Institute of Education (CIE)
Linmeyer Catholic Community (St John Paul II Catholic Church)
Diocese Keimoes-Upington
Sisters of Nazareth
Oudtshoorn Cathedral belltower
Learning Empowerment Network
We do not fund private individuals, bursaries or scholarships for students.
What we've done so far
View Detail
The Foundation sponsored the building of the belfry at St. Saviour Cathedral, Oudtshoorn. Here are some photos from the official blessing day of the newly constructed belfry on 18 December 2022.
View Detail
PYDA is a year-long work readiness programme for historically disadvantaged South Africans focussing on Wine and Tourism and the Fruit Sector. https://www.pyda.co.za/
View Detail
The Gavan Ryan Aquatic Centre at De La Salle Holy Cross College was opened on 29 November 2019. The Aquatic Centre boasts a 25m heated pool, a ‘Learn to Swim’ pool, change room facilities, covered grandstands, an indoor viewing area, …
Get in touch
Cape Town
South Africa
If you require further information about The Ryan Foundation, please send us a message and we will reply as soon as possible.