Community Foundation of Lorain County
The Community Foundation of Lorain County is a public charity based in Elyria, Ohio. It makes grants to local nonprofit organizations, awards scholarships to local students, works with donors to build community endowment, and provides leadership on community issues.
Community Foundation of Lorain County at a glance
In short: Community Foundation of Lorain County gave $4.6M across 141 grants in 2024 (avg $33K), mostly in Ohio. 13% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $4,587,939
- -9.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 141
- -4.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $32,539
- -4.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $22,011
- Total assets
- $167,885,452
- +8.0% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 13% first-time grantees (18 of 141, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Ohio (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Community Foundation of Lorain County
- How to Apply
-
Applications are submitted through the foundation’s online grant portal. The foundation says it can assist applicants who have difficulty submitting online. Scholarship applications use a separate Universal Application; scholarships are for individual students pursuing education beyond high school and are paid to accredited educational institutions.
- Review Cycle
- The Lorain County Rapid Response Fund deadline is November 1, 2026. The foundation’s website says applications for its grant cycles are due by 11:59 p.m. on the specified date.
- Deadline
- The Lorain County Rapid Response Fund deadline is November 1, 2026.
- Contact
Mailing address: 9080 Leavitt Road, Elyria, OH 44035
Phone: (440) 984-7390
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
10 open opportunities from Community Foundation of Lorain County
African American Community Fund Grant
Community Foundation of Lorain County
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Arts & Culture and Strengthening Lorain County Community Grants Cycle
Community Foundation of Lorain County
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
CFLC: Women's Fund Grant
Community Foundation of Lorain County
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Community Foundation of Lorain County funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Common Ground-the Cindy Nord Center for Renewal ($210K). Together the top 10 received $1.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
653 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 527 grants of 653 (81%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s grant eligibility covers organizations located in or providing services to residents of Lorain County, Ohio. Applicants based outside the county must provide information about the Lorain County residents they serve. The 2024 grants reported in the filing all went to Ohio recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 141 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Community Foundation of Lorain County open to new grantees?
13%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 18 of 141 grantees (13%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $21K; repeat grants $34K. How we count
Medians: $9K first-time, $24K repeat.
- 79% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+2%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $3.8M (2020) to $5.0M (2023). In 2024 it made 141 grants totaling $4.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Common Ground-the Cindy Nord Center for Renewal Oberlin, OH | Program Support | $209,703 |
| Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio Lorain, OH | Program Support | $143,549 |
| Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish Lorain, OH | Program Support | $135,000 |
| Neighborhood Alliance Elyria, OH | Program Support | $124,762 |
| The Salvation Army Elyria Elyria, OH | Program Support | $113,853 |
| Lorain Civic Center Committee Lorain, OH | Program Support | $112,722 |
| Lorain County Historical Society Elyria, OH | Program Support | $102,766 |
| Blessing House Elyria, OH | Program Support | $95,982 |
| Lorain County Free Clinic Inc Lorain, OH | Program Support | $78,716 |
| El Centro De Servicios Sociales Inc Lorain, OH | Program Support | $78,518 |
Ready to take the next step with Community Foundation of Lorain County?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $167,885,452 | $7,606,198 | $7,962,148 | $4,587,939 | 141 | $4,008,292 |
| 2023 | $155,503,428 | $7,945,858 | $8,320,617 | $5,046,978 | 148 | $2,173,487 |
| 2022 | $140,093,745 | $4,276,372 | $8,387,928 | $4,859,408 | 137 | $2,096,767 |
| 2021 | $163,012,004 | $27,165,624 | $8,345,790 | $4,490,661 | 112 | $23,370,418 |
| 2020 | $155,684,626 | $9,715,594 | $7,592,855 | $3,767,134 | 115 | $3,706,106 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is to respond to changing community needs through grants to local nonprofits, scholarships for local students, work with donors to build community endowment, and leadership on key community issues. Its website also describes its mission as “Connecting People Who Care with Causes that Matter.”
The foundation’s 2024 filing says competitive grants supported work in areas including animals and the environment, arts and culture, education, health, human services, and public benefit. In 2024, it also awarded more than 190 scholarships for education beyond high school, including for technical programs, creative writing, journalism, and medical programs.
Examples of supported organizations include Common Ground–The Cindy Nord Center for Renewal, whose mission is to promote conscious living through innovative learning experiences, and Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio, whose mission is to create pathways to nutritious food. Neighborhood Alliance describes its work as meeting basic needs and offering pathways to improve lives; Lorain Civic Center Committee says its mission is to bring arts and culture to Lorain. These are the grantees’ own descriptions of their missions.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 141 grants totaling $4,587,939. Individual grants ranged from $5,011 to $209,703, with a median grant of $22,011. All reported grant dollars went to recipients in Ohio.
The largest reported grants included $209,703 to Common Ground–The Cindy Nord Center for Renewal, $143,549 to Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio, $135,000 to Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, $124,762 to Neighborhood Alliance, and $113,853 to The Salvation Army Elyria. Each was listed as program support.
The foundation’s website says eligible nonprofits can apply through community grant cycles, affiliate fund cycles, and a monthly rolling mini-grant cycle. Its stated priorities include accountability, program sustainability, diversified funding, innovation, responsiveness to community needs, partnerships, and collaboration. Lower priority is given to capital and equipment requests, services required by state law, and duplication of existing services. Applicants must be located in or serve Lorain County residents and be IRS-classified 501(c)(3) charities; organizations without their own tax-exempt ruling may use a fiscal sponsor. Grant seekers may apply once per calendar year for Community Grant Cycles, and prior grant reporting must be complete before applying again. Grants are not made to individuals, for debt reduction or loans, to for-profit businesses, for tickets to benefits, annual appeals, tours, telephone solicitations, political campaigns, or religious activities.
The website lists the Lorain County Rapid Response Fund as currently open, with applications due November 1, 2026. The fund was established by the Community Foundation of Lorain County, Nord Family Foundation, Nordson Corporation Foundation, and Stocker Foundation to help ease financial pressures on local nonprofit organizations. Applications are reviewed by a panel of program staff from emergency-assistance nonprofits.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Charlita Anderson-White as chairperson and Preethi Tina Kishman as secretary. Directors listed on that filing are Isabella Barb, Lee Belardo, Elizabeth Bosela-Bullock, Keith Brown, Brian Burke, Veronica Gilbert, Maria Grega, and Paul Gregory.
The foundation’s grants webpage identifies Jamie Simoneau as Chief Impact Officer and Lynn Wrice-Head as Program Manager.
Community Foundation of Lorain County is led by Cynthia H. Andrews, President & CEO on every filing since 2020; 2 of 23 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Cynthia H. Andrews
President & CEO
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$158K (2020) → $184K (2024)
Charlita Anderson-White
Chairperson
Director → Chairperson, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ag Miller
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brian Burke
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Judith Recknagel
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Maria Grega
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Shebak
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Veronica Gilbert
Director
Treasurer → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Keith Brown
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ann Schloss
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Donna Rivera-Wells
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Paul Gregory
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lee Belardo
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth Bosela-Bullock
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Isabella Barb
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jacob Morris
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kandis Taylor
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kionna McIntosh-Pharms
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Maggie Ellis
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James A. Stobe
CFO
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$119K (2020) → $133K (2024)
Nick Ross
Vice Chairperson
Director → Vice Chairperson, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Preethi Tina Kishman
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Eileen Torres
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (15)
- Former: Randy Wagner (2020–2023) — Secretary
- Former: Regan Phillips (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Reynaldo Carrion (2020–2023) — Vice Chairperson
- Former: A. G. Miller (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Evan Bellamy (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Michelle Barb (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Kevin Wm Donovan Esq. (2020–2022) — Chairperson
- Former: Brenda Norton (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Chris Bellamy (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Sadie Goble (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Annelise Broome (2021) — Director
- Former: Duane Whitely (2021) — Director
- Former: Albert Calo (2020) — Director
- Former: Katie McNulty (2020) — Director
- Former: Susan Bowers (2020) — Chairperson
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $184K, to Cynthia H Andrews (President & CEO). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Community Foundation of Lorain County
How much does Community Foundation of Lorain County give each year?
Community Foundation of Lorain County gave $4.6M across 141 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $5.0M across 148 grants.
What is Community Foundation of Lorain County's typical grant size?
Community Foundation of Lorain County's median grant in 2024 was $22,011, and its average grant was $32,539, across 141 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Community Foundation of Lorain County that year got $21K on average.
Where does Community Foundation of Lorain County give grants?
Community Foundation of Lorain County gives mostly in Ohio: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Elyria, OH (34 grants), Lorain, OH (29 grants), Cleveland, OH (15 grants) and Oberlin, OH (13 grants).
Does Community Foundation of Lorain County give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 141 grants with a stated purpose on Community Foundation of Lorain County's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Program Support" (131 grants) and "Educational" (10 grants).
Who are Community Foundation of Lorain County's largest grantees?
Community Foundation of Lorain County's largest 2024 grantees include Common Ground-the Cindy Nord Center for Renewal ($209,703), Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio ($143,549) and Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish ($135,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 11% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Community Foundation of Lorain County?
Community Foundation of Lorain County reported $167.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $7.6M.
What does Community Foundation of Lorain County fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to respond to changing community needs through grants to local nonprofits, scholarships for local students, work with donors to build community endowment, and leadership on key community issues. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Community Foundation of Lorain County?
Applications are submitted through the foundation’s online grant portal. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Community Foundation of Lorain County's EIN?
Community Foundation of Lorain County's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 34-1322781. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS July 28, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS August 23, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS August 26, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 6, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Community Foundation of Lorain County's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
The Nord Family Foundation
Amherst, OH
The Nord Family Foundation funds arts and culture, civic affairs, education, and health and social services, including operating, program, and capital support; most grants serve Lorain County, Ohio, or work that directly affects it. In 2024, grants ranged from $100 to $175,000, with a median of $25,000. It accepts applications through its online grant portal, beginning with an eligibility quiz.
Assets
$178.3M
Grants
314
Total Given
$10.1M
The Nordson Corporation Foundation
Westlake, OH
The Nordson Corporation Foundation primarily funds education, especially programs that build job readiness and pathways to higher education, while also supporting arts, culture, and human welfare. Its 2025 grants ranged from $7,500 to $601,500, with a median of $20,000, and focused on communities near Nordson facilities, particularly in Ohio. It accepts applications by invitation only and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$35.9M
Grants
159
Total Given
$5.5M
The Cleveland Foundation
Cleveland, OH
The Cleveland Foundation funds education, human services, neighborhoods and housing, health, arts and culture, the environment, economic development, and other community priorities, primarily through grants to nonprofits in Cuyahoga, Lake and Geauga counties. Its 2024 grants ranged from about $5,000 to $17.5 million, with a median of about $30,700. It accepts applications year-round through its standard grant process, with deadlines determining which cycle an application enters.
Assets
$3.3B
Grants
1,016
Total Given
$184.2M
The Stocker Foundation
Elyria, OH
The Stocker Foundation funds literacy, project-based STEAM learning, and a limited amount of student safety-net services through 501(c)(3) organizations serving specified communities in Ohio, Arizona, California, New Mexico, Washington, and Connecticut. In 2025, grants ranged from $100 to $500,000, with a median award of $5,000. It states that it funds preselected organizations only and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$34.6M
Grants
208
Total Given
$2.9M
The George Gund Foundation
Cleveland, OH
The George Gund Foundation supports U.S. 501(c)(3) organizations working in climate and environmental justice, arts and culture, democracy, economic justice, public education, and family and social well-being, with a central focus on Cleveland and most 2024 grant dollars going to Ohio. Its 2024 grants ranged from $1,200 to $2.75 million, with a median of $50,000. The profile describes an online application process but does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$555.9M
Grants
334
Total Given
$29.8M
Firstenergy Foundation
Akron, OH
The FirstEnergy Foundation supports eligible nonprofits working on community needs such as housing stability, hunger relief, workforce development, education, safety and STEM in FirstEnergy’s service area and other places where it does business. Its 2024 grants ranged from $25 to $5.3 million, with a median of $1,375. It does not accept unsolicited grant applications.
Assets
$124.9M
Grants
151
Total Given
$7.2M
More similar funders
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Community Foundation of Lorain County funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 5, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/community-foundation-of-lorain-county-morg_d39c036d6fc341f883f10f76c9f71357
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_341322781_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Community Foundation of Lorain County funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/community-foundation-of-lorain-county-morg_d39c036d6fc341f883f10f76c9f71357},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-05. 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 Community Foundation of Lorain County'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.
Community Foundation of Lorain County down — hundreds of funders to go?