B Charles and Jay G Ames Foundation
The B Charles and Jay G Ames Foundation is a private foundation based in Mayfield Heights, Ohio. Its 2025 filing reports grants to charitable organizations, including organizations in education, health care, human services, arts and culture, and science and nature.
Key facts about B Charles and Jay G Ames Foundation
In short: B Charles and Jay G Ames Foundation gave $716K across 36 grants in 2025 (avg $20K), mostly in Ohio. 26% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 34-1809978
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $715,686
- Grants made (2025)
- 36
- Average grant
- $19,880
- Median grant
- $9,197
- New grantees (estimate)
- 26% first-time grantees (9 of 34, 2025)
- Total assets
- $16,423,068
- Primary geography
- Ohio (94% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to apply
- The foundation states on its 2025 filing that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$16.4M
+2.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$716K
-0.7% YoY
Grant Count
36
-10.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$20K
+10.3% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, B Charles and Jay G Ames Foundation reported a distributable amount of $953K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is B Charles and Jay G Ames Foundation open to new grantees?
26%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 9 of 34 grantees (26%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $15K; repeat grants $18K. How we count
Medians: $1K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 68% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−10%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 75% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The available information does not state a mission for the foundation. Its 2025 grants included support for educational institutions and scholarships, health-related programs, human services, performing arts, and a natural history museum. These examples describe the kinds of organizations it supported, rather than a stated set of foundation priorities.
Among its grantees, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History describes its mission as inspiring a passion for nature through science and education and supporting natural diversity, health, and a sustainable future. Cleveland State University Foundation says it raises and manages private gifts to benefit the university and its students and faculty, including financial aid and grants. Playhouse Square Foundation describes its work as presenting and producing performing arts, advancing arts education, and strengthening the region’s economic vitality.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 36 grants totaling $715,686. Grant amounts ranged from $100 to $140,000, with a median of $9,196.
The largest reported awards included $140,000 to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, including $130,000 for its Transforming the World of Discovery campaign and $10,000 for its annual fund; $108,000 to an individual recipient Reserve University for Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition at the Weatherhead School of Management and the Ames Family Principle Scholarship; and $102,046 to Cleveland Clinic Foundation for several purposes, including its Children’s Signature Event and Ames Family Philanthropic Fund. Other grants included $61,397 to Hope Ignites Northeastern OH (Boys Hope Girls Hope), $50,000 to Fieldstone Farm Therapeutic Riding Center, and $25,000 each to Partnership Schools, University Hospitals, and Cleveland State University Foundation.
How to Apply
The foundation states on its 2025 filing that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
Ready to take the next step with B Charles and Jay G Ames Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In filing year 2025, 94% of grant dollars went to recipients in Ohio, 4% to Florida, 2% to North Carolina, and less than 1% to New York.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 36 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $613K (2020) to $938K (2023). In 2025 it made 36 grants totaling $716K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Cleveland Museum of Natural History ($140K). Together the top 10 received $466K.
Organizations only. It also paid 2 individual scholarships ($133,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
168 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 148 grants of 168 (88%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Cleveland Museum of Natural History Cleveland, OH | $130,000 transforming the world of discovery campaign$10,000 annual fund | $140,000 |
| 2 individual scholarships Recipients not named | — | $133,000 |
| Cleveland Clinic Foundation Cleveland, OH | Cleveland clinic children's signature event: $1,046.33ames family philanthropic fund: $100,000velosano: $1,000 | $102,046 |
| Hope Ignites Northeastern Oh (Boys Hope Girls Hope) Garfield HTS, OH | $42,900 drive fore hope$4,000 evening of hope$2,826 velosano$11,671 general | $61,397 |
| Fieldstone Farm Therapeutic Riding Center Chagrin Falls, OH | Fieldstone Farm Programs | $50,000 |
| Partnership Schools Cleveland, OH | General | $25,000 |
| University Hospitals Cleveland, OH | $25,000 Palliative Care and Hospice Fund | $25,000 |
| Rescue Village Novelty, OH | General | $17,000 |
| Hathaway Brown School Shaker HTS, OH | $1,000 unrestricted fund$1,250 faculty excellence fund$1,400 infant & toddler center$2,000 playground fund - lighting the way$10,000 ames principle scholarship fund | $15,650 |
| Hillcrest YMCA Lyndhurst, OH | $15,000 Capital Improvements to the Roof | $15,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $16,423,068 | $1,444,975 | $966,523 | $715,686 |
| 2024 | $16,095,065 | $702,469 | $876,692 | $720,779 |
| 2023 | $16,282,537 | $144,257 | $1,115,109 | $938,372 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $16,423,068 | $16,095,065 | $16,282,537 |
| Revenue | $1,444,975 | $702,469 | $144,257 |
| Expenses | $966,523 | $876,692 | $1,115,109 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $715,686 | $720,779 | $938,372 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,303,625 | $574,429 | $215,669 |
| Distributable Amount | $953,299 | $866,735 | $869,385 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 29, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Richard S Ames as president, Cynthia Ames Huffman as vice president and secretary, and Camille Tighe as trustee.
B Charles and Jay G Ames Foundation is led by Richard S. Ames, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Richard S. Ames
President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Camille Tighe
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
No compensation reported
Cynthia Ames Huffman
Vice President & Secretary
Vice President → Vice President & Secretary, 2021
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Preston Ames Hoge (2023–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Hunter Ames Hoge (2022) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Contact
Mailing address: 5900 Landerbrook Drive 200, Mayfield Heights, OH 44124
Phone: (440) 460-0460
Frequently asked questions about B Charles and Jay G Ames Foundation
How much does B Charles and Jay G Ames Foundation give each year?
B Charles and Jay G Ames Foundation gave $716K across 36 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $721K across 40 grants.
What is B Charles and Jay G Ames Foundation's typical grant size?
B Charles and Jay G Ames Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $9,197, and its average grant was $19,880, across 36 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from B Charles and Jay G Ames Foundation that year got $15K on average.
Where does B Charles and Jay G Ames Foundation give grants?
B Charles and Jay G Ames Foundation gives mostly in Ohio: 94% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Cleveland, OH (9 grants), Chagrin Falls, OH (2 grants), Shaker HTS, OH (2 grants) and Vero Beach, FL (2 grants).
Does B Charles and Jay G Ames Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 50% of B Charles and Jay G Ames Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (18 of 36) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are B Charles and Jay G Ames Foundation's largest grantees?
B Charles and Jay G Ames Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Cleveland Museum of Natural History ($140,000), Cleveland Clinic Foundation ($102,046) and Hope Ignites Northeastern Oh (Boys Hope Girls Hope) ($61,397), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 2 individual scholarships ($133,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 42% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is B Charles and Jay G Ames Foundation?
B Charles and Jay G Ames Foundation reported $16.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $716K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $953K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does B Charles and Jay G Ames Foundation fund?
The available information does not state a mission for the foundation. Its 2025 grants included support for educational institutions and scholarships, health-related programs, human services, performing arts, and a natural history museum. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from B Charles and Jay G Ames Foundation?
The foundation states on its 2025 filing that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is B Charles and Jay G Ames Foundation's EIN?
B Charles and Jay G Ames Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 34-1809978. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does B Charles and Jay G Ames Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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