Crane Family Foundation
The Crane Family Foundation is a public charity based in Columbus, Ohio. Formed in 2004, it makes grants to charitable organizations; its 2025 filing describes a mission of giving back to its communities and the world and inspiring philanthropic stewardship among future generations of Crane family members.
Crane Family Foundation at a glance
In short: Crane Family Foundation gave $695K across 13 grants in 2025 (avg $53K), mostly in Ohio. 69% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $695,000
- -42.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 13
- -51.9% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $53,462
- +19.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $28,979,518
- +12.7% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 69% first-time grantees (9 of 13, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Ohio (88% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Crane Family Foundation
- Contact
Mailing address: 1234 East Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43205-1405
Phone: (614) 251-4000
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Crane Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Arc of Appalachia Preserve System ($100K). Together the top 10 received $645K.
Grant Size Distribution
60 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 39 grants of 60 (65%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 88% of grant dollars went to organizations in Ohio, 7% to Illinois, and 4% to California.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 13 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Crane Family Foundation open to new grantees?
69%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 9 of 13 grantees (69%) were first-time recipients. With only 13 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. First grants averaged $47K; repeat grants $69K. How we count
Medians: $50K first-time, $75K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 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.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $103K (2021) to $1.2M (2024). In 2025 it made 13 grants totaling $695K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Arc of Appalachia Preserve System Bainbridge, OH | Conservation | $100,000 |
| Kaleidoscope Youth Center Inc Columbus, OH | Social Services | $100,000 |
| The Buckeye Ranch Whitehall, OH | Social Services | $100,000 |
| Unverferth House Inc Columbus, OH | Social Services | $75,000 |
| Community Shelter Board Columbus, OH | Social Services | $50,000 |
| Ohio Local Information Initiative DBA Signal Ohio Cleveland, OH | Arts and Humanities | $50,000 |
| Wosu Public Media Columbus, OH | Education | $50,000 |
| Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights Chicago, IL | Social Services | $50,000 |
| I Know I Can Columbus, OH | Education | $40,000 |
| Odyssey Charter Schools Altadena, CA | Education | $30,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Crane Family Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $28,979,518 | $793,922 | $952,862 | $695,000 | 13 | $747,714 |
| 2024 | $25,710,690 | $1,046,207 | $1,437,474 | $1,212,000 | 27 | $1,038,470 |
| 2023 | $22,439,848 | $66,195 | $635,550 | $485,000 | 5 | $47,755 |
| 2022 | $18,531,410 | $16,643,147 | $396,196 | $298,335 | 9 | $94,530 |
| 2021 | $5,674,447 | $1,984,953 | $146,697 | $102,500 | 6 | $615,618 |
| 2020 | $3,758,285 | $670,213 | $188,834 | $154,000 | 14 | $669,777 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is to give back to its communities and the world in appreciation of what they have given the Crane family, and to inspire philanthropic passion in future generations by teaching community stewardship. Its filing also describes goals that include making the community and world better places and teaching future generations to be good community stewards.
The 2025 grants show support for organizations in areas including social services, conservation, education, arts and humanities, and neighborhood work. Among the recipients, Arc of Appalachia says it protects the diversity of life in the Great Eastern Forest through wildland acquisition, stewardship, and education. The Buckeye Ranch describes its work as providing family-focused mental health treatment and alcohol and drug services for children and families. Kaleidoscope Youth Center says it serves and supports LGBTQIA+ youth and young adults. Community Shelter Board describes its work as ending homelessness through collaboration, solutions, and investment in programs.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 13 grants totaling $695,000. Grant amounts ranged from $10,000 to $100,000, with a median of $50,000.
Among the listed grants were $100,000 each to Arc of Appalachia Preserve System, Kaleidoscope Youth Center, and The Buckeye Ranch; $75,000 to Unverferth House; and $50,000 each to Community Shelter Board, Ohio Local Information Initiative (dba Signal Ohio), WOSU Public Media, and the Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights. Other listed recipients included I Know I Can ($40,000), Odyssey Charter Schools ($30,000), ProMusica Chamber Orchestra ($25,000), and Sea Change Incorporated ($15,000).
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Sally Cox as chair/director; M Jameson Crane as director/vice chair; and Natalie C Wolff as director/president. Other listed directors are Mary K Lazarus, Hope M Sharett, Gina Olsen, and William G Porter II. Timothy T Miller is listed as assistant secretary, Douglas F Kridler as secretary, and Scott Heitkamp as treasurer.
Crane Family Foundation is led by Natalie C. Wolff, Director & President on every filing since 2022; none of the 10 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Natalie C. Wolff
Director & President
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sally Cox
Chair & Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mary K. Lazarus
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
M. Jameson Crane
Director & Vice Chair
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gina Olsen
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Hope M. Sharett
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
William G. Porter II
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Douglas F. Kridler
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Scott Heitkamp
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Timothy T. Miller
Assistant Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (6)
- Former: Charles R. Saxbe Esq. (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Grant L. Douglass (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Thomas J. Katzenmeyer (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Paige D. Crane (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Jameson Crane (2020–2021) — Vice Chair, President & Director
- Former: Loann W. Crane (2020–2021) — Chair & Director
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.
Frequently asked questions about Crane Family Foundation
How much does Crane Family Foundation give each year?
Crane Family Foundation gave $695K across 13 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $1.2M across 27 grants.
What is Crane Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Crane Family Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $50,000, and its average grant was $53,462, across 13 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Crane Family Foundation that year got $47K on average.
Where does Crane Family Foundation give grants?
Crane Family Foundation gives mostly in Ohio: 88% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Illinois (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Columbus, OH (7 grants).
Does Crane Family Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 13 grants with a stated purpose on Crane Family Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Social Services" (5 grants) and "Education" (3 grants).
Who are Crane Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Crane Family Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Arc of Appalachia Preserve System ($100,000), Kaleidoscope Youth Center Inc ($100,000) and The Buckeye Ranch ($100,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 43% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Crane Family Foundation?
Crane Family Foundation reported $29.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $794K.
What does Crane Family Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to give back to its communities and the world in appreciation of what they have given the Crane family, and to inspire philanthropic passion in future generations by teaching community stewardship. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Crane Family Foundation?
Crane Family Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Crane Family Foundation's EIN?
Crane Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-2138379. 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 2022 (received by the IRS October 25, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 13, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 10, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 11, 2022)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 5, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Crane Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Ohio
Columbus Foundation
Columbus, OH
The Columbus Foundation supports a broad range of nonprofit work, including arts, education, health, basic needs, neighborhoods, and capacity building, primarily in central Ohio. Its 2024 grants had a median of $21,471, though amounts varied widely. Most grants are directed by donors and aren’t made through an application process, but some specific programs accept applications.
Assets
$2.8B
Grants
1,747
Total Given
$242.7M
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Mountain View, CA
Silicon Valley Community Foundation funds work in areas such as housing, economic security, education, health, the environment, arts and culture, and civic engagement, with Community Action Grants supporting local, community-led organizations in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of $51,716, though amounts varied widely; applications depend on the program, and SVCF states that it does not accept unsolicited proposals for advised funds.
Assets
$12.3B
Grants
3,576
Total Given
$3.2B
Aetna Foundation Inc
Hartford, CT
Aetna Foundation supported health and wellness, access to health care, and related community needs; its 2021 grants ranged from $5,000 to $1 million, with a median of $40,000, and went to organizations across multiple states, especially in D.C. and Connecticut. Its 2021 filing was marked final, so it appears to have ended or be winding down grantmaking; that filing said there were no restrictions on who could apply and pointed applicants to its website for application materials.
Assets
—
Grants
65
Total Given
$7.2M
The Greater Cincinnati Foundation
Cincinnati, OH
The Greater Cincinnati Foundation funds nonprofits working on education, housing, community and cultural vibrancy, and related regional needs, with responsive grants focused on its eight-county Greater Cincinnati service area. Its 2024 median grant was $20,000, though amounts vary widely; specific opportunities include awards of up to $35,000 for Resilient Communities and up to $450,000 through the Neighborhood Development Fund. It lists RFP and letter-of-intent opportunities but does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.0B
Grants
1,408
Total Given
$184.4M
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 Scripps Howard Foundation
Cincinnati, OH
The foundation supports journalism education and related programs that foster informed, engaged communities, including journalism fellowships and environmental and technology-focused journalism initiatives. In 2024, grants ranged from $25 to $675,706, with a median of $1,250; funding was concentrated in Maryland and Washington, D.C., followed by Arizona, Ohio, and Colorado. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$69.4M
Grants
819
Total Given
$7.4M
More similar funders
More Funders in Ohio
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Crane Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 13, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/crane-family-foundation-morg_ee571b7fd9d641e7aa2917880b355d76
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_412138379_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Crane Family Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/crane-family-foundation-morg_ee571b7fd9d641e7aa2917880b355d76},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-13. 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 Crane Family Foundation'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.
Crane Family Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?