Foundations that fund arts and culture in Ohio
These 25 foundations made grants to arts and culture in Ohio in the most recent IRS filing I have for each. None of them ticked the box for giving only to preselected organizations, and each filing gives application instructions or a website. That doesn't prove a foundation takes applications, and some on this list may not. The text below is copied from the filings, most of them for tax year 2024, so check a foundation's website or call before you apply.
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The George Gund Foundation
- $150,000 to Cleveland International Film Festival Inc, Cleveland: Operating support.
- $125,000 to Cleveland Public Theatre Inc, Cleveland: Operating support, cultural ensembles, strategic planning and consultants.
- $100,000 to Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland, Cleveland: Operating support.
How to apply: The filing names a contact. Use the filings link above.
Deadlines: 3/15 (for summer meeting); 7/15 (for fall meeting); and 11/15 (for winter/spring meeting).
Restrictions: Grant application guide available on the website at www.gundfoundation.org. See statement 21 for additional grant program information, including the foundation's funding priorities.
Martha Holden Jennings Foundation
- $40,000 to Musical Arts Association, Cleveland: A-21-24 cleveland orchestra youth orchestra
- $35,000 to Playhouse Square Foundation, Cleveland: A-151-24 virtual classroom connections workshops
- $30,000 to Cleveland Play House, Cleveland: A-10-24 care in 13 cmsd schools
How to apply: Detailed application form and information is available on the website @ mhjf.com
Deadlines: There are six application deadlines during the calendar year: 2/15, 4/15, 6/15, 8/15, 10/15, 12/15
Restrictions: Grants are limited to projects and programs that provide support for public school teachers and students throughout the state of ohio.
The Nord Family Foundation
- $60,000 to The Mad Factory, Oberlin: Continued general operating support
- $55,000 to Cleveland Public Theatre Inc, Cleveland: Continued support of new play development program and playwright fellowship, over two...
- $50,000 to Wilson Bruce Evans Home Historical Society, Oberlin: Continued support of capital improvements to the historic wilson bruce evans home
How to apply: Applications should be submitted in written form and should contain: 1) name of the applicant agency and a statement of the agency's function 2) a list of current board members 3) a statement of objectives of the proposed project 4) a budget showing expenditures and income from...
Deadlines: Trustees usually meet in feb, jun and oct and proposals should be submitted 10 weeks prior.
Restrictions: The foundation awards grants to non-profit agencies and organizations that have qualified with the internal revenue service as publicly supported sec 501(c)(3) organizations and to governmental units described in sec 170(c)(1). The...
John P Murphy Foundation
- $243,000 to The Musical Arts Association, Cleveland: Programmatic support
- $70,000 to Cleveland Public Theatre, Cleveland: Programmatic support
- $60,500 to Playhouse Square Foundation, Cleveland: Programmatic support
How to apply: Applicants must submit 6 copies of grant application, copies of tax-exempt certificates & letters from the treasury dept certifying that the applicant is a publicly supported tax-exempt organization, not a private foundation.
Deadlines: Trustees meet, usually quarterly, to consider grant applications.
Restrictions: John p. Murphy foundation confines its grants primarily to community educational, arts, health, social service and religious institutions in the greater cleveland area.
Robert H Reakirt Fdn Equities
- $50,000 to Contemporary Arts Center, Cincinnati: General operating
- $50,000 to Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati: Look around
- $20,000 to Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Cleveland: Enhancing science learning
How to apply: See footnote
Deadlines: See footnote
Restrictions: See footnote
Charles H Dater Foundation Inc
- $175,000 to Cincinnati Public Radio, Cincinnati: Supporting Children's Programming
- $60,000 to Taft Museum of Art, Cincinnati: Youth, School, and Family Education and Outreach Programming
- $50,000 to Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, Cincinnati: Education, Engagement & Inclusion Programs
How to apply: Applications are submitted electronically www.daterfoundation.org
Restrictions: Grants are primarily for the benefit of children in the Greater Cincinnati Area.
The Shubert Foundation Inc
- $155,000 to Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Cincinnati: General operating support for theatrical productions and activities
- $120,000 to Cleveland Play House the, Cleveland: General operating support for theatrical productions and activities
- $90,000 to Ballet Metropolitan Inc, Columbus: General operating support for dance productions and activities
How to apply: All requests must be submitted on the foundation's application form and include a copy of the applicant's letter from the u.s. Treasury department granting federal tax exemption under section 501(c)(3) of the u.s. Internal revenue code. To be eligible for a grant and if audited...
Deadlines: See general explanation attachment
Restrictions: The shubert foundation exclusively provides funds for general operating support. Funds are not provided for project support, nor allocated for capital or endowment campaigns, nor to individuals or conduit organizations.
The Margaret Clark Morgan Foundation
- $36,000 to Summit Artspace, Akron: Cultivating connection: artist-centered galleries
- $30,000 to Artsnow, Akron: Artsforward, a funding initiative 2024-2025
- $25,000 to Ballet Theatre of Ohio, Munroe Falls: Spa 2022-2025
How to apply: Applicant must submit a one page preliminary letter that includes the organization's contact information and a description of the organization, the project and the amount requested. If the foundation determines the letter of inquiry falls within its interest areas the applicant...
Deadlines: Letter of inquiry deadline: october 1, february 1 application deadline: november 1, may 1
Restrictions: Tax exempt organizations described as public charities.
Kulas Foundation
- $235,000 to The Musical Arts Association, Cleveland: Programmatic support
- $150,000 to Playhouse Square Foundation, Cleveland: Programmatic support
- $60,000 to Great Lakes Theater Festival, Cleveland: Programmatic support
How to apply: Applicants must submit copies of grant application, copies of tax-exempt certificates & letters from the treasury dept certifying that the applicant is a publicly supported tax exempt organization, not a private foundation.
Deadlines: Trustees meet, usually quarterly, to consider grant applications.
Restrictions: Kulas foundation confines its grants primarily to music therapy, community, education, arts and culture and social service institutions in the greater cleveland area.
John S and James L Knight Foundation
- $1,335,000 to Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition, Akron: To redesign and rebuild lock 3 as an excellent special event space and an inviting...
- $1,000,000 to Ohio Local Information Initiative Inc, Columbus: To provide the catalytic investment in signal akron, a new nonprofit digital news site...
- $1,000,000 to Akron Art Museum, Akron: To support digital integration throughout the museum via implementation of the digital...
How to apply: Throughout the year, knight foundation issues open challenges or calls for proposals focused on specific funding priorities. You can receive updates and notifications about upcoming opportunities by going to our website, www.kf.org, and subscribing to our newsletter.
Deadlines: Each funding opportunity will have its own application criteria and deadlines.
Restrictions: Any restrictions or limitations on awards, such as by geographical areas, charitable fields, kind of institutions or other factors: -medical research, organizations or projects whose mission is to prevent, eradicate and/or alleviate the...
Lehner Family Foundation
- $140,000 to Akron Art Museum, Akron: Centennial
- $40,000 to Akron History Center, Akron: The rubber capital of the world
- $30,000 to Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, Akron: Strategic plan & operational funding
How to apply: One page summary containing: purpose of the organization purpose of the grant request, total project cost, project timetable, amount requested from this and other foundations and major supporters. Your most recent year- end financial statements and most recent form 990, a list...
Deadlines: March 31, june 30, september 30 and december 31.
Restrictions: 501(c)(3) organizations serving primarily summit county ohio.
Cardinal Health Foundation
- $50,000 to Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Columbus: Cardinal health communities\central ohio
- $25,000 to Columbus Museum of Art, Columbus: Cardinal health communities\central ohio
- $3,500 to Dublin Arts Council, Dublin: Employee engagement\volunteer leadership grant
How to apply: Only electronic submissions will be accepted.
Deadlines: None none n/a
Restrictions: The cardinal health foundation supports regional and national health care initiatives, volunteerism, and healthy and livable communities.
Farmer Family Foundation
- $15,000,000 to Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati: Exempt purpose of organization
- $10,000 to Taft Museum of Art, Cincinnati: Exempt purpose of organization
- $10,000 to Cincinnati Museum Association, Cincinnati: Exempt purpose of organization
How to apply: Letter stating purpose and amount of grant/general information on organization
Louise Taft Semple Foundation
- $100,000 to Manifest Creative Research Gallery & Drawing Center, Cincinnati: General
- $75,000 to Contemporary Arts Center, Cincinnati: General
- $75,000 to Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, Cincinnati: General
How to apply: Please refer to the website: http://ignitephilanthropy.com/grant-seekers/louise-taft-semple-foundation/ for specific grant guidelines and deadlines
Deadlines: Website: http://ignitephilanthropy.com/grant-seekers/louise-taft-semple-foundation/
Restrictions: Please refer to the website: http://ignitephilanthropy.com/grant-seekers/louise-taft-semple-foundation/ for specific grant guidelines and deadlines
The Joseph and Florence Mandel Family- Michele M and Lawrence R Beyer Family Fund
- $59,000 to Heights Arts Collaborative, Cleveland Heights: Project designated support
- $35,000 to No Exit New Music Association, Cleveland Heights: General
- $32,700 to Heights Arts Collaborative, Cleveland Heights: Project designated support
How to apply: No formal application form is used. The following information should accompany any request: 1) description of project and justification for grant. 2) amount of grant requested and term of grant. 3) pertinent financial information. 4) irs exemption status including copy of...
Deadlines: See response on line 2b above
Restrictions: See response on line 2b above
The Kelvin & Eleanor Smith Foundation
- $2,000,000 to The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland: Chair's challenge
- $1,200,000 to Musical Arts Association, Cleveland: "we believe" campaign&gen'l op.supp.
- $1,000,000 to The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland: Decorative arts curator, special exhibits, gen'l support
How to apply: (1) written application; (2) current audited financial statements; and (3) irs tax exemption letter
Restrictions: Application may be made only by internal revenue code section 509(a)(1), (2), or (3) organizations. Preference is given to the greater cleveland area.
The Frances R Luther Charitable Trust
- $300,000 to Cincinnati Institute of Fine Arts, Cincinnati: Annual fund
- $150,000 to Cincinnati Museum Center, Cincinnati: Project/program support
- $150,000 to Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati: Project/program support
How to apply: Letter
The Nordson Corporation Foundation
- $500,000 to National Inventors Hall of Fame Inc, North Canton: Stem program
- $25,000 to Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Cleveland: Education program
- $15,000 to The Mad Factory, Oberlin: General operating support
How to apply: Electronic request including type of program and specific use of funds
Deadlines: Every february 15th, may 15th, august 15th, and november 15th
Restrictions: Must be a charitable organization which provides for charitable, scientific, or education purposes for community benefit
The Wohlgemuth Herschede Foundation Co Fifth Third Bank Na Agent
- $25,000 to Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati: Program support
- $5,000 to Visionaries Voices, Cincinnati: Program support
- $5,000 to Cincinnati Public Radio, Cincinnati: Program support
How to apply: Letter
Restrictions: Recipients will be primarily located in the greater cincinnati area.
Harry C Moores Foundation
- $10,000 to Contemporary Theatre of Ohio, Columbus: General operations
- $10,000 to Cosi Columbus, Columbus: General operations
- $7,500 to Ohio History Connection, Columbus: General operations
How to apply: Detail is available through the grant application instructions which can be obtained upon request.
Deadlines: June 1 for grants made in august/september
Restrictions: Grants are not made to individuals or private foundations.
Charles E and Mabel M Ritchie Memorial
- $10,000 to Tuesday Musical Association, Akron: General operating
- $10,000 to Musical Arts Association, Columbus: General operating
- $7,500 to Stan Hywet Hall Gardens, Columbus: General operating
How to apply: No specific form
Deadlines: No deadline
Restrictions: Organizations of summit county per terms of the document
Lloyd L & Louise K Smith Foundation
- $12,000 to Musical Arts Association, Columbus: General operating
- $10,000 to Tuesday Musical Association, Akron: General operating
- $7,000 to Magical Theatre Company, Barberton: General operating
How to apply: No specific form. Applications should be in writing.
Restrictions: Any public educational institution, hospital, religious organization may apply
Turrell Fund
- $1,000 to Djapo Cultural Arts Institute Inc, Cleveland: Program support
- $1,000 to Kings and Queens of Art, Cleveland: Program support
- $1,000 to Association of African American Cultural Gardens, Cleveland: Program support
How to apply: All grant applications must be submitted on-line. The following attachments are to be included with the grant application: irs determination letter of the organization (tax exemption) form 990 for the most recent year available organization's operating budget for the coming year...
Deadlines: February 1 and august 1
Restrictions: Grants are given to organizations in new jersey (union, essex, hudson passaic counties) & vermont.
Virginia W Kettering Foundation Xxxxx3003
- $165,000 to Dayton Performing Arts Alliance, Dayton: General
- $75,000 to Dayton Art Institute, Dayton: General
- $30,000 to Greater Dayton Public Television, Dayton: General
How to apply: www.jpmorgan.com/onlinegrants
Agt August A Rendigs Jr and Helen Rendigs Fdn
- $50,000 to Cincinnati Museum Association, Cincinnati: Project/ program support
- $25,000 to Fotofocus Cincinnati, Cincinnati: Project/program support
- $25,000 to Cincinnati Museum Center, Cincinnati: Project/ program support
How to apply: Available on request
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