Cedar Fair Charities Inc is a private corporate foundation based in Sandusky, Ohio. The organization was established in 2015 and holds 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. As a corporate foundation, Cedar Fair Charities is connected to Cedar Fair, L.P., an amusement park operator headquartered in Sandusky.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$676K
+62.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.3M
+50.2% YoY
Grant Count
11
+10.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$304K
+36.6% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Cedar Fair Charities Inc reported a distributable amount of $27K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
Cedar Fair Charities focuses its grantmaking on education, human services, and philanthropy. The foundation supports nonprofit organizations through cash donations and donations of amusement park tickets. Primary funding areas include:
- Human and social services
- Poverty alleviation
- Food security
- Nonprofit support
Grantmaking
Cedar Fair Charities makes grants through a combination of cash donations and in-kind contributions of amusement park tickets. Recent grant activity shows the foundation made 19 grants in 2023.
Ready to take the next step with Cedar Fair Charities Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Cedar Fair Charities primarily funds organizations in Ohio, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, with particular emphasis on local Sandusky and Erie County organizations.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $415,000
- Total Revenue: $2,520,592
- Total Expenses: $2,229,608
- Total Liabilities: $0
Revenue Growth: Total grants and contributions increased 31.2% from 2022 ($1,921,885) to 2023 ($2,520,592).
Contact Information:
- Address: 1 Cedar Point Drive, Sandusky, OH 44870-5259
- Phone: 419-609-5741
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $675,734 | $415,000 | $124,016 |
| Revenue | $3,609,762 | $2,520,592 | $1,921,885 |
| Expenses | $3,349,028 | $2,229,608 | $1,868,567 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $3,349,028 | $2,229,608 | $1,868,567 |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | $26,783 | $11,325 | $3,964 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
58 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include American Red Cross ($2,652,000), A Kid Again ($333,000), Eric County Community Foundation ($95,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| American Red Cross Cleveland, OH | Assistance to people | $2,652,000 |
| A Kid Again Columbus, OH | Assistance to people | $333,000 |
| JDRF Michigan and Northern Ohio Chapter Southfield, MI | Assistance to People | $55,250 |
| Prayers from Maria Rocky River, OH | Assistance to People | $84,000 |
| Eagles Autism Foundation Philadelphia, PA | Assistance to People | $36,201 |
| Eric County Community Foundation Sandusky, OH | Assistance to People | $95,000 |
| Council on Intl Education Exchange South Portland, ME | Assistance to People | $15,000 |
| North Central State College Mansfield, OH | Assistance to People | $22,500 |
| JDRF Mid Atlantic Chapter Hagerstown, MD | Assistance to People | $15,000 |
| Hanover Education Foundation Ashland, VA | Assistance to People | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richard A Zimmerman | Director and President | 1 | — |
| Brian C Witherow | Director and VP | 1 | — |
| Brian Nurse | Director and Secretary | 1 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Cedar Fair Charities Inc fund?
Cedar Fair Charities focuses its grantmaking on education, human services, and philanthropy. The foundation supports nonprofit organizations through cash donations and donations of amusement park tickets. Primary funding areas include: • Human and social services • Poverty alleviation • Food security • Nonprofit support
How do I apply for a grant from Cedar Fair Charities Inc?
Cedar Fair Charities makes grants through a combination of cash donations and in-kind contributions of amusement park tickets. Recent grant activity shows the foundation made 19 grants in 2023. **Grant Examples (2023):** • A Kid Again: $384,775 • Erie County Community Foundation: $100,000 • Feeding America: $30,863 The foundation has also supported the American Red Cross through donations of park tickets. **Total Giving:** $3,348,758 (based on most recent data)
Where does Cedar Fair Charities Inc make grants?
Cedar Fair Charities primarily funds organizations in Ohio, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, with particular emphasis on local Sandusky and Erie County organizations.
What size grants does Cedar Fair Charities Inc award?
In 2024, Cedar Fair Charities Inc awarded 11 grants totaling $3.3M — an average of about $304K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Cedar Fair Charities Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Cedar Fair Charities Inc reported a distributable amount of $27K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Cedar Fair Charities Inc's EIN?
Cedar Fair Charities Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 61-1751812. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Cedar Fair Charities Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Cooper Tire Foundation Inc
AKRON, OH
Assets
$71K
Grants
2
Total Given
$67K
Auburn Education Foundation
CONCORD TOWNSHIP, OH
Assets
$352K
Grants
2
Total Given
$214K
Galpin-white Ta
BROOKLYN, OH
Assets
$16K
Grants
1
Total Given
$887
The Cleveland Superior Arts
CLEVELAND, OH
Assets
$5K
Grants
1
Total Given
$251K
Mary E H Rutter Tr Para 28
BROOKLYN, OH
Assets
$401K
Grants
1
Total Given
$26K
Carrie Peska Memorial Scholarship Fund
ANDOVER, OH
Assets
$19K
Grants
1
Total Given
$4K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Cedar Fair Charities Inc on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching Cedar Fair Charities Inc to a real strategy.