Farmer Family Foundation
The Farmer Family Foundation is a private foundation established in 1988 by Richard T. Farmer, Chairman Emeritus of the Cintas Corporation, and Joyce Farmer, along with their children. Based in Cincinnati, Ohio, the foundation is one of the region's most significant philanthropic institutions. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization and has been tax-exempt since April 1990.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$242.2M
+50.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$49.6M
+12.3% YoY
Grant Count
181
+67.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$274K
-33.0% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Farmer Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $66.7M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's original purpose was to provide funding for charities assisting and protecting primarily children through education, healthcare, and assistance to the handicapped, as well as programs to help individuals enter the workforce.
In 2006, the foundation shifted its strategic priorities to emphasize:
- Support for veterans
- Investments in education for at-risk populations
- Programs promoting economic self-sufficiency
- Healthcare research
Current program areas include:
- Education: Substantial investments in K-12 education for at-risk students, including establishing Accelerate Great Schools, which provides funding to recruit, launch, create, and replicate kindergarten through 12th grade programs
- Parkinson's Research Initiative
Grantmaking
The foundation does not maintain a public website or email for grant inquiries. Applicants should submit a letter stating the purpose and amount of grant request along with general information about the organization.
Grant Range
$500 to $11.2 million
Average Grant
$336,000
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily supports organizations in Ohio, with particular emphasis on the Cincinnati area. Additional geographic focus includes Florida and Michigan. Grantmaking reaches organizations across 16 states, with Ohio, Florida, and California accounting for 78% of all grants.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023
- Total Assets: $160,988,351
- Total Revenue: $21,439,271
- Total Expenses: $46,120,921
- Total Liabilities: $834,000
- Investment Income and Dividends: $8,529,403
- Total Grants and Contributions: $656,730
Historical Growth
- Total assets have grown from $138.7 million in 2011 to over $160 million by 2023
- Annual giving has ranged from $24 million in 2020 to approximately $44 million in 2023
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $242,185,397 | $160,988,351 | $185,691,399 |
| Revenue | $133,613,350 | $21,439,271 | $62,973,458 |
| Expenses | $52,436,759 | $46,120,921 | $42,309,790 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $50,843,203 | $45,080,794 | $40,603,180 |
| Net Investment Income | $101,127,003 | $19,777,798 | $60,597,624 |
| Distributable Amount | $66,718,748 | $48,755,346 | $42,996,916 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra ($15,000,000), Accelerate Great Schools ($5,000,000), Children's Hospital Medical Center ($1,000,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ABILITIES TENNIS ASSOCIATION OF NORTH CAROLINA RALEIGH, NC | EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION | $2,500 |
| ACCELERATE GREAT SCHOOLS CINCINNATI, OH | EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION | $5,000,000 |
| ACCELERATE GREAT SCHOOLS CINCINNATI, OH | EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION | $340,089 |
| AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION CINCINNATI, OH | EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION | $7,500 |
| ARMED FORCES TICKET ASSOCIATION - CINCINNATI INC CINCINNATI, OH | EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION | $2,500 |
| ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF GREATER CINCINNATI CINCINNATI, OH | EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION | $1,000 |
| ATHENS COUNTY FOOD PANTRY ATHENS, OH | EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION | $50,000 |
| AULT PARK ADVISORY COUNCIL INC CINCINNATI, OH | EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION | $10,000 |
| BLOC MINISTRIES INC CINCINNATI, OH | EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION | $350,000 |
| BONEFISH & TARPON TRUST INC MIAMI, FL | EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION | $12,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board and Staff:
- Joyce E. Farmer — Trustee
- Brynne F. Coletti — President, Co-Chairman, Trustee
- Robert E. Coletti — Co-Chairman, Trustee
- Scott D. Farmer — Trustee
- Mary J. Farmer — Trustee
- Amy F. Joseph — Trustee
- George R. Joseph — Trustee
- Mary Beth Martin — Executive Director
- Jennifer P. Wilson — Secretary, Treasurer
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOYCE E FARMER | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| BRYNNE F COLETTI | PRESIDENT, CO-CHAIRMAN, TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| ROBERT E COLETTI | CO-CHAIRMAN, TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| SCOTT D FARMER | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| MARY J FARMER | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| AMY F JOSEPH | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| GEORGE R JOSEPH | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| MARY BETH MARTIN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | — |
| JENNIFER P WILSON | SECRETARY, TREASURER | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has received national recognition for transformational gifts, including the largest philanthropic commitment to the arts in Cincinnati history—a $60 million gift for The Farmer Music Center announced in 2025.
The Brighter Future Fund Awards Over $1 Million to Farmers and Ranchers\Frequently Asked Questions
What does Farmer Family Foundation fund?
The foundation's original purpose was to provide funding for charities assisting and protecting primarily children through education, healthcare, and assistance to the handicapped, as well as programs to help individuals enter the workforce. In 2006, the foundation shifted its strategic priorities to emphasize: • Support for veterans • Investments in education for at-risk populations • Programs promoting economic self-sufficiency • Healthcare research Current program areas include: • **Educatio…
How do I apply for a grant from Farmer Family Foundation?
**Grant Activity (2023)** • Number of grants: 109 awards • Total annual giving: Approximately $44 million • Grant range: $500 to $11.2 million • Median grant: $25,000 • Average grant: $336,000 **Recent Major Grants (2023)** • Miami University Foundation: $11,156,384 • Accelerate Great Schools: $5,000,000 • Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati: $3,010,000 **Application Process** The foundation does not maintain a public website or email for grant inquiries. Applicants should submit a lette…
Where does Farmer Family Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily supports organizations in Ohio, with particular emphasis on the Cincinnati area. Additional geographic focus includes Florida and Michigan. Grantmaking reaches organizations across 16 states, with Ohio, Florida, and California accounting for 78% of all grants.
What size grants does Farmer Family Foundation award?
In 2024, Farmer Family Foundation awarded 181 grants totaling $49.6M — an average of about $274K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Farmer Family Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Farmer Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $66.7M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Farmer Family Foundation's EIN?
Farmer Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 31-1256614. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Farmer Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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