Updated Oct 28, 2026
Private foundations based in Ohio
1,477 grantmaking foundations headquartered in Ohio, holding $21B in assets. Ranked by grants paid in their latest 990-PF; 33 on this page say they accept applications. For foundations ranked by where their grants went, see local funders.
| Foundation | Based in | Grants paid | Median grant | Accepts applications | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jack Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundationsince 2020 | Cleveland, OH | $77M284 grants · 2024 | $11K | Yes | $2.3B |
| The Wexner Family Charitable Fundsince 1991 | New Albany, OH | $72M33 grants · 2025 | $250K | Preselected only | $155M |
| Farmer Family Foundationsince 1990 | Cincinnati, OH | $50M181 grants · 2024 | $15K | Yes | $242M |
| John J & Mary R Schiff Foundationsince 1984 | Cincinnati, OH | $48M43 grants · 2024 | $400K | Preselected only | $177M |
| Nationwide Foundationsince 1961 | Columbus, OH | $34M3 grants · 2024 | $446K | Preselected only | $114M |
| George Gund Foundationsince 1953 | Cleveland, OH | $30M334 grants · 2024 | $50K | Yes | $556M |
| Howley Foundation Ua 05192016since 2016 | Cleveland, OH | $29M60 grants · 2024 | $181K | Preselected only | $132M |
| Jewish Foundation of Cincinnatisince 1996 | Cincinnati, OH | $23M37 grants · 2024 | $58K | Yes | $370M |
| Timken Foundation of Cantonsince 1938 | Canton, OH | $19M111 grants · 2024 | $65K | Yes | $145M |
| Mathile Family Foundationsince 1989 | Dayton, OH | $17M144 grants · 2023 | $20K | Yes | $292M |
| Robert and Adele Schiff Family Foundation Incsince 2003 | Cincinnati, OH | $16M1 grants · 2023 | $16M | Preselected only | $223M |
| The Lozick Family Foundationsince 2016 | Pepper Pike, OH | $15M334 grants · 2024 | $5,250 | Preselected only | $279M |
| Osteopathic Heritage Foundationsince 2004 | Dublin, OH | $12M65 grants · 2025 | $50K | Preselected only | $331M |
| Austin E Knowlton Foundation Incsince 1982 | Cincinnati, OH | $12M46 grants · 2024 | $30K | Yes | $267M |
| Wilson Sheehan Foundationsince 2014 | Springfield, OH | $11M79 grants · 2024 | $38K | Yes | $66M |
| Covenant Foundationsince 1988 | Cincinnati, OH | $11M1 grants · 2025 | $11M | Preselected only | $112M |
| Lift a Life Foundation Incsince 2000 | Mayfield Hts, OH | $10M52 grants · 2024 | $50K | Preselected only | $64M |
| Nord Family Foundationsince 1988 | Amherst, OH | $10M314 grants · 2024 | $25K | Yes | $178M |
| Kelvin and Eleanor Smith Foundationsince 1957 | Cleveland, OH | $9.3M77 grants · 2024 | $30K | Yes | $159M |
| James J and Joan a Gardner Family Foundationsince 1995 | Cincinnati, OH | $8.7M101 grants · 2024 | $25K | Yes | $84M |
| Margaret M and Robert D Walter Foundationsince 2015 | Columbus, OH | $8.5M1 grants · 2025 | $8.5M | Preselected only | $104M |
| Saint Lukes Foundation of Cleveland Ohiosince 1990 | Cleveland, OH | $7.9M147 grants · 2024 | $25K | Yes | $207M |
| Hcs Foundationsince 1961 | Westlake, OH | $7.8M75 grants · 2024 | $40K | Yes | $105M |
| Albert J Weatherhead Estate Trust Uw Item IV National City Bk of Clesince 1971 | Mayfield Hts, OH | $7.6M1 grants · 2024 | $7.6M | Preselected only | $174M |
| Scripps-Howard Foundationsince 2018 | Cincinnati, OH | $7.3M820 grants · 2024 | $1,250 | Yes | $69M |
| Firstenergy Foundationsince 1963 | Akron, OH | $7.2M151 grants · 2024 | $1,375 | Yes | $125M |
| Kettering Family Foundationsince 1967 | Dayton, OH | $7.1M164 grants · 2024 | $20K | Yes | $91M |
| Millstone Fundsince 2019 | Cincinnati, OH | $7.0M95 grants · 2024 | $35K | Yes | $235M |
| Veale Foundationsince 1965 | Pepper Pike, OH | $6.9M57 grants · 2024 | $10K | Preselected only | $122M |
| Samuel H and Maria Miller Foundationsince 1985 | Cleveland, OH | $6.3M46 grants · 2024 | $18K | Preselected only | $119M |
| Cardinal Health Foundationsince 2001 | Dublin, OH | $6.0M212 grants · 2024 | $3,500 | Yes | $62M |
| J William & Mary Helen Straker Charitable Foundationsince 1994 | Zanesville, OH | $5.9M118 grants · 2025 | $10K | Yes | $90M |
| Burton D Morgan Foundation Incsince 1968 | Hudson, OH | $5.8M166 grants · 2024 | $19K | Yes | $203M |
| Charles H Dater Foundation Incsince 1986 | Cincinnati, OH | $5.4M144 grants · 2024 | $30K | Yes | $102M |
| William J & Dorothy K Oneill Foundation Incsince 1987 | Cleveland, OH | $5.3M185 grants · 2024 | $7,500 | Yes | $104M |
| L and L Nippert Charitable Foundation Incsince 1992 | Blue Ash, OH | $5.3M81 grants · 2025 | $50K | Yes | $63M |
| Rea Charitable Trustsince 2009 | Cincinnati, OH | $5.3M208 grants · 2024 | $15K | Yes | $119M |
| Jacob G Schmidlapp Tr Uwsince 1973 | Cincinnati, OH | $5.1M116 grants · 2024 | $25K | Yes | $58M |
| Huntington Charitable Foundationincsince 2007 | Cincinnati, OH | $5.0M28 grants · 2025 | $83K | Preselected only | $62M |
| The@joseph and Florence Mandel Family Foundation-Michele M andsince 2019 | Cleveland, OH | $5.0M85 grants · 2024 | $18K | Yes | $165M |
| Joseph & Florence Mandel Family Foundation - Weinberg Family Fundsince 2019 | Cleveland, OH | $4.9M157 grants · 2024 | $5,000 | Yes | $165M |
| Kroger Co Foundationsince 1987 | Cincinnati, OH | $4.8M253 grants · 2024 | $10K | Yes | $111M |
| Christ Foundationsince 1971 | Hartville, OH | $4.4M189 grants · 2024 | $10K | Yes | $71M |
| The Humble Heart - Gentle Soul Foundationsince 2021 | Parma, OH | $4.3M23 grants · 2025 | $100K | Preselected only | $60M |
| Stranahan Foundationsince 1949 | Perrysburg, OH | $4.0M65 grants · 2024 | $35K | Preselected only | $124M |
| Milliron Foundationsince 1998 | Mansfield, OH | $3.9M50 grants · 2024 | $20K | Preselected only | $118M |
| Fred a Lennon Charitable Tr Private Foundationsince 1994 | Pepper Pike, OH | $3.8M133 grants · 2024 | $5,000 | Preselected only | $77M |
| The Schiewetz Foundation Incsince 2002 | Moraine, OH | $3.7M20 grants · 2024 | $100K | Preselected only | $89M |
| John Henry Eldred Jr Foundationsince 2012 | Toledo, OH | $3.6M147 grants · 2025 | $13K | Preselected only | $60M |
| Joanie C Bernard Foundationsince 2022 | Cincinnati, OH | $3.6M25 grants · 2024 | $100K | Preselected only | $85M |
| Reinberger Foundationsince 1966 | Dublin, OH | $3.5M140 grants · 2024 | $20K | Preselected only | $61M |
| Martha Holden Jennings Foundationsince 1964 | Cleveland, OH | $3.5M294 grants · 2024 | $10K | Yes | $79M |
| Jane and Jon Outcalt Foundationsince 1987 | Novelty, OH | $2.9M33 grants · 2025 | $7,500 | Preselected only | $75M |
| The Paul and Carol David Foundationsince 1980 | Canton, OH | $2.9M85 grants · 2024 | $10K | Yes | $62M |
| Raymond John Wean Foundationsince 1950 | Warren, OH | $2.7M94 grants · 2024 | $5,000 | Yes | $92M |
| Margaret Clark Morgan Foundationsince 2001 | Hudson, OH | $2.5M45 grants · 2024 | $15K | Yes | $111M |
| Deaconess Foundationsince 1993 | Cleveland, OH | $2.0M41 grants · 2025 | $30K | Preselected only | $65M |
| Stream and Wetlands Foundationsince 1992 | Lancaster, OH | $218K4 grants · 2025 | $459 | Preselected only | $56M |
| Geauga Amish Loan Fundsince 2009 | Burton, OH | $40K8 grants · 2024 | $5,000 | Preselected only | $109M |
| Gar Foundationsince 1967 | Akron, OH | — | — | Not stated | $153M |
Sources: IRS Business Master File (assets), ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer and IRS 990-PF e-file (grants paid, application policy). "Accepts applications" reflects the foundation's own Part XV checkbox.
Open grant programs in Ohio
All 3| Deadline | Grant | Funder | Award ceiling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rollingno deadline | Ohio Arts Council — Organizational GrantsStateOhio Arts Council | Ohio Arts Council | Not listed |
| Rollingno deadline | Ohio Humanities — Humanities GrantsStateOhio Humanities | Ohio Humanities | Not listed |
Common questions
How many private foundations are based in Ohio?
Our directory lists 1,477 private grantmaking foundations in Ohio with at least $1 million in assets, holding a combined $21B. The data comes from the IRS Exempt Organizations Business Master File and Form 990-PF.
How do I get a grant from a private foundation?
Start with foundations that already fund organizations like yours nearby. Read the grantee list on each profile, check whether the foundation accepts applications (it says so on its 990-PF), and lead with a short letter of inquiry. Many family foundations fund only organizations they already know; an introduction through a shared grantee or board member works better than a cold proposal.
Can you help us approach foundations?
Yes. Our grant writers research foundation prospects, write letters of inquiry, and build a foundation fundraising plan. Request a free consultation.