Foundations that fund environmental groups in Ohio
These 25 foundations made grants to environmental groups 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
- $440,000 to Ohio Environmental Council, Columbus: Operating support
- $150,000 to Citizens Utility Board of Ohio, Columbus: Operating support.
- $150,000 to West Creek Conservancy, 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.
Frank J & Jacqueline D Kloenne Foundation
- $40,000 to Great Parks Forever, Cincinnati: Project/program support
- $30,000 to Western Wildlife Corridor Inc, Cincinnati: Project/program support
- $25,000 to Green Umbrella, Cincinnati: Project/program support
How to apply: Letter
Restrictions: Promote, encourage, or aid religious, charitable, scientific, literary, and educational activities
L & L Nippert Charitable Foundation Inc Attn Carter F Randolph Phd
- $56,047 to Mill Creek Alliance, Cincinnati: Organization's charitable purpose
- $38,200 to Little Miami Conservancy, Loveland: Organization's charitable purpose
- $35,000 to Keep Cincinnati Beautiful Inc, Cincinnati: Organization's charitable purpose
How to apply: Applications should be submitted through the online grant application submission portals. Full directions for applications are available on www.lnlcharitable.org.
Deadlines: Applications must be received by august 1st.
Restrictions: Grants are only granted to local 501(c)(3) organizations.
The Kelvin & Eleanor Smith Foundation
- $50,000 to Western Reserve Land Conservancy, Novelty: General operating support
- $30,000 to West Creek Conservancy, Cleveland: General operating support
- $30,000 to Conservancy Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Peninsula: General operating 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.
William P Anderson Foundation Central Trust
- $5,000 to The Hillside Trust, Cincinnati: Conservation fund
- $5,000 to Great Parks Forever, Cincinnati: Nature education
- $5,000 to Imago, Cincinnati: Outdoor explorers
How to apply: Applicant must submit completed william p anderson foundation grant application and a copy of applicant's irs 501(c)(3) tax exemption letter. See application guidelines.
Deadlines: October 1 of each year.
Restrictions: See application guidelines.
The Joyce Foundation
- $196,000 to Ohio Environmental Council, Columbus: Environment
- $112,500 to Environmental Health Watch Inc, Cleveland: Environment
- $100,000 to Black Environmental Leaders Association, Solon: Environment
How to apply: See attachment
Restrictions: See attachment
Rockefeller Brothers Fund Inc
- $150,000 to Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis Inc, Lakewood: For general support
- $50,000 to Legaseas Inc, New Richmond: For its documentary unearth on transition minerals
- $25,000 to Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis Inc, Lakewood: For its puerto rico electric system reform project
The Nord Family Foundation
- $40,000 to Greater Ohio Policy Center Inc, Columbus: Continued support of revitalization in ohios small legacy cities initiative
- $30,000 to Western Reserve Land Conservancy, Chagrin Falls: Continued support of thriving communities program in lorain county
- $25,000 to City Fresh, Oberlin: Continued support of fresh stops program for low-income lorain county residents
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...
Charles H Dater Foundation Inc
- $30,000 to Ohio River Foundation, Cincinnati: River Explorer and Mussels in the Classroom
- $30,000 to Keep Cincinnati Beautiful Inc, Cincinnati: Environmental Education & Community Engagement Program
- $25,000 to Great Parks Forever, Cincinnati: 2024 Great Parks Free Programs and Events
How to apply: Applications are submitted electronically www.daterfoundation.org
Restrictions: Grants are primarily for the benefit of children in the Greater Cincinnati Area.
Elizabeth Ring Mather William Gwinn Mather Fund
- $15,000 to Western Reserve Land Conservancy, Novelty: Unrestricted operating support
- $10,000 to Owl Creek Conservancy, Mount Vernon: Unrestricted operating expenses
- $10,000 to Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, Cleveland: Annual fund
How to apply: Application can be made in letter form and include detail of organization, financial information, and request. Request should include an annual report or audited financial statements and information regarding the expected outcomes for the money received.
Deadlines: January 31 april 30 july 31 october 1
Restrictions: No grants are made to individuals. No limitations to geographical area; however, grants are generally made to qualifying organizations in the cleveland, ohio area, and other locations where trustees reside.
The Bruce & Erica Greer Family Foundation
- $2,000 to Summit Metro Parks Foundation, Akron: General Fund
- $1,750 to Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Peninsula: General Fund
- $1,000 to Ohio Environmental Council, Columbus: General Fund
How to apply: Written requests must include the organizations mission statement as well as general financial information
Deadlines: Requests must be received by December 15th
Restrictions: Limited to organizations in Northeastern Ohio focused on giving back to the community, both locally and the larger community of man.
The Mcknight Foundation
- $500,000 to Power A Clean Future Ohio, Columbus: for general operating support
- $100,000 to Environmental Health Watch, Cleveland: for general operating support
How to apply: Please see the end of the return for the additional attachments containing the information for Lines 2b - 2d.
Hcs Foundation C/O - L Thomas Hiltz
- $75,000 to Joy Outdoor Education Center Foundation Inc, Clarksville: First installment to support the underserved program
- $50,000 to Great Parks Forever, Cincinnati: Second annual installment in support of the go big campaign for great parks capital...
How to apply: Grant requests are sent to the attention of trustee listed in line 2a.
The Frances R Luther Charitable Trust
- $50,000 to Joy Outdoor Education Center Foundation, Clarksville: Project/program support
- $25,000 to Ohio River Foundation, Cincinnati: Program/project support
How to apply: Letter
Sauerland Foundation
- $40,000 to Cardinal Land Conservancy, Milford: Donation
- $25,000 to Western Reserve Land Conservancy, Moreland Hills: Donation
How to apply: Pcp
Restrictions: No restrictions on limitations on awards exist except applicant must be a qualified charity.
Sutphin Family Foundation Ica
- $30,000 to Great Parks Forever, Cincinnati: General support
- $10,000 to Joy Outdoor Education Center Foundation, Clarksville: 2021 grant distribution
How to apply: See the sutphin family foundation "information for grant applicants" available from contact listed above. Applications must be submitted using the greater cincinnati common grant application.
Deadlines: See "information for grant applicants"
Restrictions: See "information for grant applicants"
National Machinery Foundation Inc
- $25,000 to East Green Foundation, Tiffin: Beautification and community develop
- $3,909 to Fact, Tiffin: Pound out cancer
How to apply: Written letter describing nature, need and qualifications of educational or charitable purpose
Deadlines: None although many will require time for board approval
Restrictions: Seneca county in ohio for charitable or educational purposes
Harold & Marjorie Rosenberry Foundation C/O Huntington National Bank Trustee
- $20,000 to Twin City Parks & Waterways Inc, Uhrichsville: Lighting for panhandle park
- $7,154 to Zoar Wetland Arboretum, Bolivar: Zoar wetlands improvements
How to apply: Request application form from the selection committee
Restrictions: Only tuscarawas county ohio 501(c)(3) organizations are eligible to receive grants
Martha Holden Jennings Foundation
- $14,530 to Cleveland Botanical Garden, Kirtland: A-103-24 sprouting young scientists
- $12,500 to Shaker Lakes Regional Nature Center, Cleveland: A-25-24 experiential science programs for cmsd
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 Cleveland-Cliffs Foundation
- $15,000 to Western Reserve Land Conservancy, Moreland Hills: General support
- $10,000 to Cleveland Water Alliance, Cleveland: General support
How to apply: THE CLEVELAND-CLIFFS FOUNDATION'S ONLINE APPLICATION IS AVAILABLE VIA OUR WEBSITE https://www.clevelandcliffs.com/sustainability/social/cleveland-cliffs-foundation
Deadlines: Deadline dates are typically march 1, june 1 and september 1
Restrictions: Funding priorities include education, environment and healthy lifestyles.
The Abington Foundation
- $20,000 to Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, Cleveland: For cle4sci programming for cmsd preschool, kindergarten, and first-grade students in...
- $3,000 to Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation, Cleveland: To create an educator's guide for the cleveland cultural gardens
How to apply: All applications should be made online at www.abingtonfoundation.org
Deadlines: Applications are reviewed three times a year; deadlines are december 1; april 1 and september 1
Restrictions: See website for full details. Eligibility is limited to organizations that are exempt under 501(c)(3); provide programming or services in one of four focus areas (education; pathways to economic independence; healthcare or cultural...
The Sears Swetland Family Foundation
- $10,000 to Ohio Environmental Council, Columbus: Conservation
- $10,000 to Western Reserve Land Conservancy, Moreland Hills: Conservation/parks
Robert H Reakirt Fdn Equities
- $12,500 to Holden Arboretum, Kirtland: General operating
- $5,000 to Inc Western Wildlife Corridor, Cincinnati: General operating
How to apply: See footnote
Deadlines: See footnote
Restrictions: See footnote
Perkins Charitable Foundation
- $8,000 to Lake Erie Foundation, Lakeside: Philanthropic purposes.
- $8,000 to Western Reserve Land Conservancy, Moreland Hills: Philanthropic purposes.
How to apply: No specific guidelines
Nisource Charitable Foundation
- $10,000 to Columbus Recreation and Parks Foundation, Columbus: Corporate donation
- $5,300 to Green Columbus, Columbus: Corporate donation
How to apply: See nisource charitable foundation mission statement & administrative guidelines
Deadlines: See nisource charitable foundation mission statement & administrative guidelines
Restrictions: See nisource charitable foundation mission statement & administrative guidelines
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