Cise
Cise is a public charity based in Cincinnati, Ohio, that supports access to values-based Catholic education for students in Cincinnati’s inner-city communities. It funds tuition assistance and works with schools to provide student supports from elementary school through high school.
Cise at a glance
In short: Cise gave $2.7M across 11 grants in 2025 (avg $242K), mostly in Ohio. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $2,659,078
- -21.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 11
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $241,734
- -21.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $276,000
- Total assets
- $12,016,161
- -3.2% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Ohio (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Cise
- How to Apply
-
The available information describes school funding allocations based on meetings with schools and an application process for high school financial aid. It does not specify an application process for other outside applicants.
- Contact
Mailing address: 100 East Eighth Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Phone: (513) 263-3479
Website: https://cisekids.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Cise
Who Cise funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 8 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was CISE Foundation ($408K). Together the top 8 received $1.7M.
Organizations only. It also paid 3 individual scholarships ($917,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
55 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $250–500K range: 26 grants of 55 (47%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Cise is based in Cincinnati and describes its work as serving inner-city communities across the Cincinnati region. Its 2025 filing shows that 100% of grant dollars went to recipients in Ohio. The high school scholarship program is described as supporting students at Catholic high schools in Greater Cincinnati.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 11 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Cise gives
- Giving fell 74% from 2022 to 2025. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.7M (2020) to $14.3M (2023). In 2025 it made 11 grants totaling $2.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| CISE Foundation Cincinnati, OH | Mission support | $408,078 |
| Holy Family School Cincinnati, OH | Tuition support | $396,000 |
| 3 individual scholarships Recipients not named | — | $917,000 |
| St Boniface School Cincinnati, OH | Tuition support | $284,000 |
| St Williams Cincinnati, OH | Tuition support | $254,000 |
| Romero Academy at Annunciation Cincinnati, OH | Tuition support | $100,000 |
| St Lawrence School Cincinnati, OH | Tuition support | $100,000 |
| Romero Academy at Resurrection Cincinnati, OH | Tuition support | $100,000 |
| St Cecilia Cincinnati, OH | Tuition support | $100,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $12,016,161 | $6,376,655 | $7,026,047 | $2,659,078 | 11 | $659,625 |
| 2024 | $12,407,090 | $6,044,364 | $7,252,983 | $3,393,200 | 11 | $672,450 |
| 2023 | $13,284,560 | $6,786,203 | $17,547,344 | $14,334,314 | 12 | $505,586 |
| 2022 | $27,165,119 | $13,021,340 | $12,847,795 | $10,092,629 | 11 | $320,783 |
| 2021 | $26,854,331 | $7,324,023 | $4,486,805 | $1,890,400 | 10 | $309,534 |
| 2020 | $24,218,013 | $20,247,206 | $4,273,319 | $1,714,730 | 10 | $376,357 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Cise’s stated mission is to transform the lives of urban children by providing access to a strong Catholic education at designated inner-city schools and Catholic high schools. Its filing describes an emphasis on collaboration with schools, excellence, and learning environments grounded in respect, safety, and discipline.
Its reported programs include elementary and high school tuition assistance, math coaching, school nursing, mental health and family support, high school student advocates, teacher development, athletics, weekend food support, and a reading program. Its 2025 annual report also describes work on career and technical education, support for educators, and a Parent Academy.
The 2025 grants went to an individual recipient schools and related organizations. Cise Foundation, one recipient, states that it supports educational opportunities offered by Catholic schools for children and families in need of financial support. Romero Academy describes its mission as partnering with families to develop students’ intellect, character, and faith.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, Cise reported 11 grants totaling $2,659,078. Grant amounts ranged from $100,000 to $408,078, with a median of $276,000. The largest listed grants were $408,078 to Cise Foundation for mission support; $396,000 to Holy Family School for tuition support; $341,000 to an individual recipient de Sales School for tuition support; $300,000 to an individual recipient Elementary School for tuition support; and $284,000 to St. Boniface School for tuition support. The other listed grants ranged from $100,000 to $276,000 and supported Cincinnati schools, primarily for tuition.
The 2023 filing says the Finance Committee determines funding allocations for supported elementary schools after meeting with schools to understand their budgets and needs. It also says Cise requires an application for high school financial aid but does not require a formal application from the ten elementary schools described in that filing. The high school scholarships are for graduates of Cise-supported elementary schools and support the students’ own education; they are not grants for outside organizations. Cise’s scholarship program is listed as currently open, with awards of $4,000 per year, renewable for four years.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists these trustees: Sam Burchenal, Pat Burke, Kelly Dehan, Scott Enders, Andy Farsing, Tom Finn, Bob Flick, Scott Golan, Leon Hampton, and Trish Headley.
Cise’s website lists Phil McHugh as President and Executive Director, Kelly Camm as Director of Development, Cate O’Brien, Ed.D., as Director of Grade School Programs, Debi Haines as Director of Marketing & Communication, and Mari K. Thomas, PhD, in High School Programs and Career Pathways.
Cise is led by Philip McHugh, President on every filing since 2024; 2 of 30 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Philip McHugh
President
On filings since 2024
33 hrs/week
$169K (2024) → $199K (2025)
David Williams
Chairperson
Treasurer → Vice Chair, 2022
Vice Chair → Chairperson, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Catherine M O'Brien
Director of School Programs
New on the 2025 filing
35 hrs/week
$102K (2025)
Andrew Williamson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ann Schoen
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bill Shula
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bob Flick
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christopher Rueve
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jane Knudson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Larry Kyte
Trustee
Secretary → Trustee, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Louise Stakelin
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Pat Burke
Trustee
Trustee - Started → Trustee, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Paul Naberhaus
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sam Burchenal
Trustee
Trustee - Started → Trustee, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Scott Golan
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tom Finn
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Trish Headley
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Deacon Royce Winters
Trustee
Trustee - Started → Trustee, 2022
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Diane Tarvardian
Trustee
Trustee - Started → Trustee, 2022
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kelly Dehan
Trustee
Trustee - Started → Trustee, 2022
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Leon Hampton
Trustee
Trustee- Started → Trustee, 2022
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Penny Pomeranz
Trustee
Trustee Started → Trustee, 2022
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Scott Enders
Trustee
Trustee- Started → Trustee, 2022
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Timothy Reilly
Trustee
Trustee - Started → Trustee, 2022
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Andy Farsing
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Paul Moore
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Allison Kropp
Vice Chair
Trustee → Secretary, 2022
Secretary → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Don Mellott
Immediate Past Chair
Treasurer → Chairperson, 2022
Chairperson → Immediate Past Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Matt Fellerhoff
Secretary
Trustee → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ryan Alleman
Treasurer
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (37)
- Former: Bob Hodge (2020–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Cynthia Kenny (2020–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Elizabeth Niehaus (2020–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Harry Santen (2020–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Jim Hagerty (2020–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Matt Grever (2020–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Nick Ragland (2020–2024) — Emeritus
- Former: Patricia Armstrong (2020–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Robert Greiwe (2020–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Susan Pichler (2020–2024) — Trustee
- Former: William Baechtold (2021–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Matthew Stautberg (2023–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Jay Vollmer (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Joe Bride (2020–2023) — Trustee Exited
- Former: Lelia Kramer (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Miguel Chavez (2020–2023) — Trustee Exited
- Former: Phil McHugh (2020–2023) — Executive Director
- Former: Steve Angi (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Susan Gibbons (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Tom Jennings (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Blake Roe (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Eddie Tyner (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Katelyn Smith (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Maria Rodriguez (2020–2022) — Executive Director-Exit
- Former: Samantha Marx (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Donald Mellott Jr. (2021) — Board Chair
- Former: Patricia Headley (2021) — Trustee
- Former: Robert Flick (2021) — Trustee
- Former: Robert Hodge (2021) — Trustee
- Former: Alex Kummer (2020) — Trustee - Started
- Former: Brian Brockhoff (2020)
- Former: Dick Greiwe (2020) — Emeritus
- Former: Gene Contadiono (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Jack Bunker (2020) — Emeritus
- Former: John Jones (2020) — Trustee - Started
- Former: Rodney Johnson (2020)
- Former: Sr Catherine Kriby (2020)
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $199K, to Philip McHugh (President). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Cise
How much does Cise give each year?
Cise gave $2.7M across 11 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $3.4M across 11 grants.
What is Cise's typical grant size?
Cise's median grant in 2025 was $276,000, and its average grant was $241,734, across 11 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Cise give grants?
Cise gives mostly in Ohio: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Cincinnati, OH (8 grants).
Does Cise give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 11 grants with a stated purpose on Cise's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Tuition support" (10 grants).
Who are Cise's largest grantees?
Cise's largest 2025 grantees include CISE Foundation ($408,078), Holy Family School ($396,000) and St Boniface School ($284,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. It also paid 3 individual scholarships ($917,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 41% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Cise?
Cise reported $12.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $6.4M.
What does Cise fund?
Cise’s stated mission is to transform the lives of urban children by providing access to a strong Catholic education at designated inner-city schools and Catholic high schools. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Cise?
The available information describes school funding allocations based on meetings with schools and an application process for high school financial aid. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Cise's EIN?
Cise's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 82-0977523. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 12, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS April 24, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 7, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 2, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS March 10, 2026)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS September 22, 2022)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Live grants for the work Cise funds
Religion Related Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Cise's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Cise funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/cise-morg_5c4d906eb06246bbba99a9dab49afaa8
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_820977523_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Cise funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/cise-morg_5c4d906eb06246bbba99a9dab49afaa8},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-20. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Cise's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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