David N and Ann Early Foundation

Private foundation · Grantmaker Cincinnati, OH EIN: 83-1848071

The David N and Ann Early Foundation is a private foundation based in Cincinnati, Ohio. It made 19 grants totaling $241,120 in 2024 to charitable organizations in Ohio and Kentucky.

Key facts about David N and Ann Early Foundation

In short: David N and Ann Early Foundation gave $241K across 19 grants in 2024 (avg $13K), mostly in Ohio. 21% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

EIN
83-1848071
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2024
Annual giving (2024)
$241,120
Grants made (2024)
19
Average grant
$12,691
Median grant
$5,000
New grantees (estimate)
21% first-time grantees (4 of 19, 2024; small sample)
Total assets
$2,941,487
Primary geography
Ohio (66% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Accepts unsolicited proposals
No
How to apply
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Full details ↓

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; 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 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$2.9M

-6.7% YoY

Annual Giving

$241K

+16.1% YoY

Grant Count

19

+11.8% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$13K

+3.9% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, David N and Ann Early Foundation reported a distributable amount of $276K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Is David N and Ann Early Foundation open to new grantees?

21%

first-time grantees, 2024

In 2024, 4 of 19 grantees (21%) were first-time recipients. With only 19 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 5 points. First grants averaged $3K; repeat grants $15K. How we count

Medians: $3K first-time, $10K repeat.

  • 79% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
  • Giving grew 31% from 2021 to 2024. Method
  • In 2024 it paid out 97% 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 (2021–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants went to organizations including an animal-welfare organization, a library foundation, universities, a children’s hospital, and humanitarian and social-service organizations.

Among the grantees described in their own words, Thomas More University says it is a Catholic liberal arts university that challenges students to consider life’s meaning and their responsibilities to others. Matthew 25 Ministries describes work providing food, clean water, clothing, shelter, medical care, and humanitarian supplies to people in need. ProKids says it advocates for abused and neglected children, and the Save the Animals Foundation says it provides shelter, medical care, and adoption services for animals.

Grantmaking

In 2024, the foundation gave 19 grants totaling $241,120. Grant amounts ranged from $1,200 to $44,960, with a median of $5,000. Notable grants included $44,960 each to the League for Animal Welfare and the Library Foundation of Cincinnati & Hamilton County; $30,000 to Thomas More University; $25,000 to the University of Kentucky Family Sciences Department; and $21,000 to Ronald McDonald House of Cincinnati. Other 2024 recipients included Matthew 25 Ministries ($10,000), ProKids ($4,000), and the Save the Animals Foundation ($2,000).

How to Apply

The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.

Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with David N and Ann Early Foundation?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

In 2024, 66% of grant dollars went to recipients in Ohio and 34% to recipients in Kentucky.

Grant Distribution by State

2states

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 19 itemized grants.

States

Cities

CincinnatiCovingtonBataviaBlue AshCrestview HillsLexingtonNewportFlorenceMilford

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$100K$200K$300K12 grants2021 15 grants2022 17 grants2023 19 grants2024

From 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $184K (2021) to $241K (2024). In 2024 it made 19 grants totaling $241K.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

League for Animal Welfare Batavia Ohio: $45KLeague for Animal WelfareBatavia Ohio$45KLibrary Foundation of Cincinnati & Hamilton County: $45KLibrary Foundation ofCincinnati & Hamilton County$45KThomas More University: $30KThomas More University$30KUniversity of Kentucky Family Sciences Dept: $25KUniversity of Kentucky FamilySciences Dept$25KRonald McDonald House of Cincinnati: $21KRonald McDonald House ofCincinnati$21KAlliance of Catholic Urban Education: $10KAlliance of Catholic UrbanEducation$10KCincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden: $10KCincinnati Zoo & BotanicalGarden$10KMatthew 25 Ministries: $10KMatthew 25 Ministries$10KNotre Dame of Northern Kentucky Urban Education: $10KNotre Dame of NorthernKentucky Urban Education$10KBrighten Center: $5KBrighten Center$5K

The largest 2024 recipient was League for Animal Welfare Batavia Ohio ($45K). Together the top 10 received $211K.

Grant Size Distribution

63 grants across all recorded years

63<$50K$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 63 grants of 63 (100%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
League for Animal Welfare Batavia Ohio Batavia, OHIn Support of Its Mission$44,960
Library Foundation of Cincinnati & Hamilton County Cincinnati, OHIn Support of Its Mission$44,960
Thomas More University Crestview Hills, KYIn Support of Its Mission$30,000
University of Kentucky Family Sciences Dept Lexington, KYIn Support of Its Mission$25,000
Ronald McDonald House of Cincinnati Cincinnati, OHIn Support of Its Mission$21,000
Alliance of Catholic Urban Education Covington, KYIn Support of Its Mission$10,000
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden Cincinnati, OHIn Support of Its Mission$10,000
Matthew 25 Ministries Blue Ash, OHIn Support of Its Mission$10,000
Notre Dame of Northern Kentucky Urban Education Covington, KYIn Support of Its Mission$10,000
Brighten Center Newport, KYIn Support of Its Mission$5,000

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Filing year Assets Revenue Expenses Grants
2024 $2,941,487 $119,391 $323,910 $241,120 (19 grants)
2023 $3,151,727 $144,395 $267,387 $207,678 (17 grants)
2022 $3,007,605 $107,048 $245,308 $215,778 (15 grants)
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$100K$200K$300K$400K2021 2022 2023 2024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$2,941,487$3,151,727$3,007,605
Revenue$119,391$144,395$107,048
Expenses$323,910$267,387$245,308
Qualifying Distributions$268,351$207,678$215,778
Net Investment Income$69,811$109,147$106,445
Distributable Amount$276,069$224,825$207,652

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2024 filing lists D Bruce Ross Jr as managing trustee and James A Dressman III as trustee.

David N and Ann Early Foundation is led by D. Bruce Ross Jr., Managing Trustee on every filing since 2021; all 2 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • D. Bruce Ross Jr.

    Managing Trustee

    On filings since 2021

    5 hrs/week

    $16K (2021) → $28K (2024)

  • James A. Dressman III

    Trustee

    On filings since 2021

    2 hrs/week

    $5K (2021) → $14K (2024)

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2024. "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

D Bruce Ross Jr — Managing Trustee: $28KD Bruce Ross JrManaging Trustee$28KJames a Dressman III — Trustee: $14KJames a Dressman IIITrustee$14K

The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $28K, to D Bruce Ross Jr (Managing Trustee). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.

Contact

Mailing address: 7455 Algonuin Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45243
Phone: (513) 509-1598

Frequently asked questions about David N and Ann Early Foundation

How much does David N and Ann Early Foundation give each year?

David N and Ann Early Foundation gave $241K across 19 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $208K across 17 grants.

What is David N and Ann Early Foundation's typical grant size?

David N and Ann Early Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $5,000, and its average grant was $12,691, across 19 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from David N and Ann Early Foundation that year got $3K on average.

Where does David N and Ann Early Foundation give grants?

David N and Ann Early Foundation gives mostly in Ohio: 66% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Kentucky (34%). The most frequent recipient cities were Cincinnati, OH (11 grants) and Covington, KY (2 grants).

Does David N and Ann Early Foundation give general operating support?

Not in 2024: none of the 19 grants with a stated purpose on David N and Ann Early Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "In Support of Its Mission" (19 grants).

Who are David N and Ann Early Foundation's largest grantees?

David N and Ann Early Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include League for Animal Welfare Batavia Ohio ($44,960), Library Foundation of Cincinnati & Hamilton County ($44,960) and Thomas More University ($30,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 50% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.

How large is David N and Ann Early Foundation?

David N and Ann Early Foundation reported $2.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $268K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $276K (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 David N and Ann Early Foundation fund?

No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants went to organizations including an animal-welfare organization, a library foundation, universities, a children’s hospital, and humanitarian and social-service organizations. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from David N and Ann Early Foundation?

The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑

What is David N and Ann Early Foundation's EIN?

David N and Ann Early Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 83-1848071. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.

Does David N and Ann Early 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.

Your AI grants department

Here's the math on researching David N and Ann Early Foundation by hand.

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in David N and Ann Early Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Funders that support many of the same organizations

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

Duke Energy Foundation

Charlotte, NC

The Duke Energy Foundation funds workforce and local economic development, disaster resilience, conservation, clean water, and economic opportunity in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000; applications for grants of $20,000 or less are accepted year-round, after applicants discuss proposals with a state representative.

Assets

$1.9M

Grants

41

Total Given

$25.6M

American Modern Foundation

Amelia, OH

The American Modern Foundation funds fundraising efforts for preselected charitable organizations, with 2025 grants ranging from $3,021 to $10,000 (median $4,750). Its listed 2025 grants all went to organizations in Ohio, and it does not accept unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$8K

Grants

4

Total Given

$23K

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.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$69.4M

Grants

819

Total Given

$7.4M

The Wohlgemuth Herschede Foundation CO

Cincinnati, OH

The Wohlgemuth Herschede Foundation supported a range of charitable organizations, including arts and culture, education, housing, hunger relief, and animal welfare, primarily in the greater Cincinnati area. In 2022, it made 126 grants totaling about $1.03 million, typically $5,000 (with awards from $1,000 to $40,000). Its 2022 filing said it accepted letters and did not limit grants to preselected organizations; this is historical information, and no later filing is reported.

Assets

$11.7M

Grants

126

Total Given

$1.0M

L & L Nippert Charitable Foundation Inc

Blue Ash, OH

The L & L Nippert Charitable Foundation supports 501(c)(3) public charities serving the Greater Cincinnati Tri-State Area of Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky, with grants for cultural arts, education, the environment, and health. In 2025, grants ranged from $7,500 to $300,000, with a median of $50,000. It accepts applications through an online portal during its annual June 1–August 1 application period.

Assets

$62.7M

Grants

81

Total Given

$5.3M

Carol Ann and Ralph V Haile Jr

Cincinnati, OH

The foundation funds arts and culture, civic and community initiatives, education, and human services in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, with a typical grant around $25,000 (2024 grants ranged from $5,000 to $1 million). It says it funds preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets

$283.2M

Grants

167

Total Given

$11.8M

Horizon Community Funds of Northern Kentucky

Covington, KY

Horizon Community Funds supports nonprofits addressing poverty, arts, innovation, children’s education, health and wellness, community development, and affordable housing, with its Community Impact Fund focused on Boone, Campbell, and Kenton counties in Northern Kentucky. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000, though amounts varied widely; the 2026 Community Impact Fund offered one $115,000 award. The fund accepted letters of intent for that cycle, with full applications by invitation; the stated deadlines have passed.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$51.2M

Grants

136

Total Given

$11.4M

Josephine S Russell Charitable

Pittsburgh, PA

The Josephine S Russell Charitable Foundation supports organizations in areas including arts, behavioral health, community services, HIV/AIDS, youth, early childhood, and family support. Its 2025 grants ranged from $2,000 to $74,000, with a median of $20,000; nearly all funding went to Ohio, primarily the Cincinnati area, with some to Kentucky. The available information does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Assets

$12.1M

Grants

27

Total Given

$611K

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.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$2.8B

Grants

1,747

Total Given

$242.7M

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.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$3.3B

Grants

1,016

Total Given

$184.2M

More Funders in Ohio

David N and Ann Early Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?