Ellen Osborne Ray Email & Phone Number

With more than 200 grantees and assets exceeding $140M, Still Water is a private family foundation that supports the arts, education, the environment, social services, and rural communities. As the foundation's first-ever CEO, my responsibilities include:- Management of $7+M annual grants budget, with significant additional funding dedicated to capital and endowment projects. - Oversight of operations including budget development, direction of internal program staff, community relations, accounting/auditing, controlling, insurance and legal counsel. External representation of Still Water’s mission and related activities. - Development of strategies to fulfill the visionary goals of the Board – informed by curation, cultivation and consultation of grantees.- Oversight of a diversified portfolio, including investments in traditional and green energy; monitoring and evaluating the performance of domestic, UK and Swiss-based investment managers; development of financial growth strategies in consultation with the Board. - Identification and mobilization of funding partners to form coalitions that drive transformational change – resulting in the creation of influential organizations like Texas Rural Funders, Digital Texas, MINDPOP, and Connected Nation Texas.

Austin, Texas

Austin, Tx

Austin, Texas

I co-founded this statewide network of 40+ funders committed to addressing systemic issues in rural communities across Texas. I identified broadband as its signature issue and co-created the overarching TRF vision, plus governance, action, and communications plans. Outcomes include 50+ communities with technology action plans, as well as greater mapping accuracy across all 254 Texas counties.

Comprised of 35+ partners, Digital Texas seeks to ensure equitable access to reliable and affordable digital connectivity across Texas. On behalf of Texas Rural Funders, I co-founded this statewide “coalition of coalitions” with the Greater Houston Partnership and Texas 2036, and have played a key role in helping to bridge the digital divide in Texas. Outcomes include the passage of House Bill 5, the omnibus broadband bill signed by Governor Greg Abbott in 2021; establishment of the Texas Broadband Development Office; and creation of a dedicated state funding mechanism on the ballot in 2023.

Austin, Texas

I co-founded this breakthrough non-profit which has revolutionized creative teaching and learning in public schools. By connecting the Austin Independent School District with local arts organizations, and by developing new, creative teaching methods, MINDPOP has become a national model for improving learning through the arts. Since 2012, MindPOP has provided 1.3M hours of creative teaching in the Austin Independent School District alone.

Austin, Texas

In my three years as Executive Chair, I oversaw the search for a new Head of School, the completion of the Strategic Plan, revision of the Master Site Plan, completion of capital projects, long-term management of finances, endowment, and governance. I also managed the on-boarding process for a new Head of School, as well as his first-year transition. I served on the Board of Trustees for a total of 12 years, and as Chair of Advancement Committee, I played an integral role in fundraising for a $27 million comprehensive campaign, the school’s largest at that time.

Houston, Tx

Houston, Tx

New York, New York