Private foundation · EIN 30-0214078 · Cincinnati, Ohio · Health care

Building Healthy Lives Foundation

Should you approach them?

Don't send a cold proposal. The foundation reports that it only gives to preselected organizations; an introduction through a current grantee or board member is the realistic route.

From the 2025 Form 990-PF: 55 grants paid, $295K total, median $1,000. 75% of grants stayed in Ohio.

Accepts applications
No
per 990-PF Part XV
Grants paid, 2025
55
$295K
Median grant
$1,000
Stays in OH
75%
of grants
Deadline
—
Assets
$29M

Grants paid in 2025

55 grants, all shown · from Form 990-PF Part XV

RecipientPurposeAmount
University of CincinnatiCincinnati, OHGeneral charitable purpose$81K
Cleveland Clinic FoundationCleveland, OHGeneral charitable purpose$45K
Cincinnati BalletCincinnati, OHGeneral charitable purpose$30K
Cincinnati Symphony OrchrestraCincinnati, OHGeneral charitable purpose$15K
HermedicineCincinnati, OHGeneral charitable purpose$15K
YWCA of CincinnatiCincinnati, OHGeneral charitable purpose$15K
CetCincinnati, OHGeneral charitable purpose$10K
ArtswaveCincinnati, OHGeneral charitable purpose$9,000
Hospice of CincinnantiCincinnati, OHGeneral charitable purpose$5,500
Central Clinic Behavioral HealthCincinnati, OHGeneral charitable purpose$5,000
Christ Hospital FoundationCincinnati, OHGeneral charitable purpose$5,000
Cincinnati Museum CenterCincinnati, OHGeneral charitable purpose$5,000
Circle Tail IncPleasant Plains, OHGeneral charitable purpose$5,000
De LA Dance CompanyCincinnati, OHGeneral charitable purpose$5,000
Hope Help Live 2 Radnor Corp CenterWayne, PAGeneral charitable purpose$3,500
Contemporary Arts CenterCincinnati, OHGeneral charitable purpose$3,300
Breast Cancer OrgArdmore, PAGeneral charitable purpose$3,000
Cincinnati State FoundationCincinnati, OHGeneral charitable purpose$3,000
Junior AchievementCincinnati, OHGeneral charitable purpose$2,750
American Heart AssociationColumbus, OHGeneral charitable purpose$2,500
Cincinnati USA Regional ChamberCincinnati, OHGeneral charitable purpose$2,500
Pro-Youth HeartVisalia, CAGeneral charitable purpose$2,400
Cincinnati Art MuseumCincinnati, OHGeneral charitable purpose$2,000
Linder Center of HopeMason, OHGeneral charitable purpose$1,800
Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually ImparedCincinnati, OHGeneral charitable purpose$1,500
Miami UniversityOxford, OHGeneral charitable purpose$1,300
American Red CrossCincinnati, OHGeneral charitable purpose$1,000
BeechacresCincinnati, OHGeneral charitable purpose$1,000
Karen Wellington FoundationCincinnati, OHGeneral charitable purpose$1,000
Our Lady of VictoryCincinnati, OHGeneral charitable purpose$1,000
Tree of Life Christian Schools - Clintonville CampusColumbus, OHGeneral charitable purpose$1,000
United WayCincinnati, OHGeneral charitable purpose$1,000
Zonta Service FundCincinnati, OHGeneral charitable purpose$1,000
New River Middle SchoolFort Lauderdale, FLGeneral charitable purpose$750
American Legion Auxiliary Post 194Mason, OHGeneral charitable purpose$700
Audubon ElementaryOwensboro, KYGeneral charitable purpose$500
City of Paramount Star Afterschool ProgramParamount, CAGeneral charitable purpose$500
North Star ElementaryEl Paso, TXGeneral charitable purpose$500
Ottawa - Glandorf Local SchoolOttawa, OHGeneral charitable purpose$500
Ottoville City Elementary School DistrictOroville, CAGeneral charitable purpose$500
Our Lady of Grace Catholic SchoolCincinnati, OHGeneral charitable purpose$500
Sonora Elementary SchoolSpringdale, ARGeneral charitable purpose$500
South Allegheny Middle SchoolMcKeesport, PAGeneral charitable purpose$500
St Boniface SchoolCincinnati, OHGeneral charitable purpose$500
Sts Peter and Paul AcademyCincinnati, OHGeneral charitable purpose$500
Taft Museum of ArtCincinnati, OHGeneral charitable purpose$300
East Portsmouth ElementarySciotoville, OHGeneral charitable purpose$250
Obion County Board of EducationUnion City, TNGeneral charitable purpose$250
Beechwood HomeCincinnati, OHGeneral charitable purpose$200
Cincinnati Parks FoundationCincinnati, OHGeneral charitable purpose$125
Elizabethtown City Schools Extended School ProgramElizabethtown, TNGeneral charitable purpose$100
Holy Name SchoolHenderson, KYGeneral charitable purpose$100
League of Women Voters Cincinnati Area Education FundCincinnati, OHGeneral charitable purpose$100
Pro SeniorsCincinnati, OHGeneral charitable purpose$100
Sfmh 21st CclcSouth Fulton, TNGeneral charitable purpose$100

By state: Ohio 41 · Pennsylvania 3 · California 3 · Florida 1 · Kentucky 2 · Texas 1

About this foundation

Building Healthy Lives Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation in Cincinnati, Ohio, administered in care of Dianne Dunkelman, tax-exempt since 2003. Private foundations must pay out roughly 5% of their assets each year, mostly as grants to 501(c)(3) public charities.

Foundation websiteAll filings on ProPublica

Does Building Healthy Lives Foundation accept grant applications?

No. On its 2025 Form 990-PF the foundation checked that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations. Look for an introduction through a current grantee.

How much does Building Healthy Lives Foundation give each year?

In tax year 2025 it paid $295K across 55 grants, a median of $1,000.

Where does Building Healthy Lives Foundation give?

Ohio (41 grants), Pennsylvania (3 grants), California (3 grants) and elsewhere, per its latest filing.

More foundations near Cincinnati that accept applications

All in Ohio
FoundationBased inGrants paidMedian grantAccepts applicationsAssets
Farmer Family Foundationsince 1990 Cincinnati, OH $50M181 grants · 2024 $15KYes $1.2B
Jewish Foundation of Cincinnatisince 1996 Cincinnati, OH $23M37 grants · 2024 $58KYes $474M
Austin E Knowlton Foundation Incsince 1982 Cincinnati, OH $12M46 grants · 2024 $30KYes $237M
Millstone Fundsince 2019 Cincinnati, OH $7.0M95 grants · 2024 $35KYes $131M
Rea Charitable Trustsince 2009 Cincinnati, OH $5.3M208 grants · 2024 $15KYes $119M
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