Gardiner Family Foundation

Private foundation · Grantmaker Hunting Valley, OH EIN: 34-1633714

The Gardiner Family Foundation is a private foundation located in Hunting Valley, Ohio. Its 2025 filing lists grants to charitable organizations, including education, religious, arts, youth, and community organizations.

Key facts about Gardiner Family Foundation

In short: Gardiner Family Foundation gave $95K across 31 grants in 2025 (avg $3K), mostly in Ohio. 6% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

EIN
34-1633714
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2025
Annual giving (2025)
$94,505
Grants made (2025)
31
Average grant
$3,049
Median grant
$1,000
New grantees (estimate)
6% first-time grantees (2 of 31, 2025)
Total assets
$52,452
Primary geography
Ohio (68% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Accepts unsolicited proposals
No
How to apply
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Full details ↓

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 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 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$52K

-45.9% YoY

Annual Giving

$95K

+6.1% YoY

Grant Count

31

+3.3% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$3K

+2.7% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Gardiner Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $8K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Is Gardiner Family Foundation open to new grantees?

6%

first-time grantees, 2025

In 2025, 2 of 31 grantees (6%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $550; repeat grants $3K. How we count

Medians: $550 first-time, $1K repeat.

  • 84% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
  • Giving grew 30% from 2022 to 2025. Method
  • In 2025 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method

Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF 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.

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

Mission & Focus Areas

No foundation mission statement is provided. Its 2025 grants show support for a range of organizations. For example, University School received a grant for K–12 education; Friends of Breakthrough Schools describes its mission as fundraising and advocacy for the operations and growth of Breakthrough Public Schools; and the Cleveland Museum of Art says it seeks to bring the pleasure and meaning of art to the broadest possible audience. Other 2025 recipients include the Big Brothers Big Sisters, which describes its work as creating and supporting one-to-one youth mentoring relationships, and the Rowfant Club, which describes itself as a bibliophilic society dedicated to books.

Grantmaking

In 2025, the foundation made 31 grants totaling $94,505. Grants ranged from $250 to $25,000, with a median of $1,000. The largest grants included $25,000 to ATO for Gamma Upsilon ISU, $13,000 to Church of the Western Reserve, $12,500 to University School, and $12,000 to Ronald McDonald House of Cleveland. Other notable grants included $4,500 to Friends of Breakthrough Schools, $4,000 to Ronald House Birdie Challenge, $3,000 to Greater Cleveland Squash, and $2,500 to the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with Gardiner Family Foundation?

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

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

In 2025, 68% of grant dollars went to recipients in Ohio and 28% to recipients in Indiana. Pennsylvania, Florida, and Illinois each accounted for 2% or less of grant dollars.

Grant Distribution by State

12states

Share of all 31 itemized 2025 grant dollars.

Cities

ClevelandHunting ValleyIndianapolisRock SpringsLewisburgAvon LakeCincinnatiLakewoodAkronNorth CantonBeachwoodBowling GreenHoustonKey LargoPhiladelphiaAtlantaBarstowBethesdaChagrin FallsChicago

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$25K$50K$75K$100K13 grants202025 grants202126 grants202227 grants202330 grants202431 grants2025

From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $73K (2022) to $96K (2020). In 2025 it made 31 grants totaling $95K.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2025

Ato for Gamma Upsilon Isu: $25KAto for Gamma Upsilon Isu$25KChurch of the Western Reserve: $13KChurch of the Western Reserve$13KUniversity School: $13KUniversity School$13KRonald McDonald House of Cleveland: $12KRonald McDonald House ofCleveland$12KFriends of Breakthrough Schools: $5KFriends of BreakthroughSchools$5KRonald House Birdie Challenge: $4KRonald House Birdie Challenge$4KGreater Cleveland Squash: $3KGreater Cleveland Squash$3KCleveland Museum of Art: $3KCleveland Museum of Art$3KBlue Coats: $2KBlue Coats$2KThe Rowfant Club: $1KThe Rowfant Club$1K

The largest 2025 recipient was Ato for Gamma Upsilon Isu ($25K). Together the top 10 received $79K.

Grant Size Distribution

139 grants across all recorded years

139<$50K$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 139 grants of 139 (100%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Ato for Gamma Upsilon Isu Indianapolis, INTo Fund and Support Exempt Purposes$25,000
Church of the Western Reserve Cleveland, OHTo Fund and Support Exempt Purposes$13,000
University School Hunting Valley, OHTo Support K-12 Education$12,500
Ronald McDonald House of Cleveland Cleveland, OHTo support religious progress in local community by performing religious dramas$12,000
Friends of Breakthrough Schools Cleveland, OHTo Fund and Support Exempt Purposes$4,500
Ronald House Birdie Challenge Akron, OHTo Fund and Support Exempt Purposes$4,000
Greater Cleveland Squash Cleveland, OHTo Fund and Support Exempt Purposes$3,000
Cleveland Museum of Art Cleveland, OHTo Fund and Support Exempt Purposes$2,500
Blue Coats North Canton, OHTo Fund and Support Exempt Purposes$1,500
The Rowfant Club Cleveland, OHTo Fund and Support Exempt Purposes$1,200

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Filing year Assets Revenue Expenses Grants
2025 $52,452 $55,988 $100,584 $94,505
2024 $96,889 $57,562 $94,382 $89,080
2023 $132,884 $14,417 $86,354 $80,620
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$50K$100K$150K202020212022202320242025
Metric202520242023
Total Assets$52,452$96,889$132,884
Revenue$55,988$57,562$14,417
Expenses$100,584$94,382$86,354
Qualifying Distributions$96,105$90,655$82,195
Net Investment Income$52,658$53,469$9,279
Distributable Amount$8,218$12,886$16,112

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 7, 2026)
  2. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2025 filing lists William H Gardiner as president, Gary A Gardiner as secretary, Todd E Gardiner as treasurer, and David A Schaefer as assistant secretary.

Gardiner Family Foundation is led by William H. Gardiner, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 4 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • William H. Gardiner

    President

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • David A. Schaefer

    Assistant Secretary

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Gary A. Gardiner

    Secretary

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Todd E. Gardiner

    Treasurer

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (1)
  • Former: Barbara L. Gardiner (2020–2024) — Vice President

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.

Contact

Mailing address: 2925 Som Center Road, Hunting Valley, OH 44022
Phone: (216) 861-3388

Frequently asked questions about Gardiner Family Foundation

How much does Gardiner Family Foundation give each year?

Gardiner Family Foundation gave $95K across 31 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $89K across 30 grants.

What is Gardiner Family Foundation's typical grant size?

Gardiner Family Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $1,000, and its average grant was $3,049, across 31 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Gardiner Family Foundation that year got $550 on average.

Where does Gardiner Family Foundation give grants?

Gardiner Family Foundation gives mostly in Ohio: 68% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Indiana (28%). The most frequent recipient cities were Cleveland, OH (16 grants), Indianapolis, IN (2 grants) and Hunting Valley, OH (2 grants).

Who are Gardiner Family Foundation's largest grantees?

Gardiner Family Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Ato for Gamma Upsilon Isu ($25,000), Church of the Western Reserve ($13,000) and University School ($12,500), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 53% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.

How large is Gardiner Family Foundation?

Gardiner Family Foundation reported $52K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $96K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $8K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).

What does Gardiner Family Foundation fund?

No foundation mission statement is provided. Its 2025 grants show support for a range of organizations. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from Gardiner Family Foundation?

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

What is Gardiner Family Foundation's EIN?

Gardiner Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 34-1633714. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.

Does Gardiner Family Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?

No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.

Your AI grants department

Here's the math on researching Gardiner Family Foundation by hand.

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in Gardiner Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Funders that support many of the same organizations

The Lozick Family Foundation

Pepper Pike, OH

The Lozick Family Foundation funds charitable organizations in areas including health care, education, housing, and community support, with most 2024 grant dollars going to Ohio and Florida. Its 334 grants ranged from $100 to $3,532,500, with a median of $5,250. It does not accept unsolicited requests and gives only to preselected organizations.

Assets

$278.7M

Grants

334

Total Given

$15.0M

The Chicago Community Trust

Chicago, IL

The Chicago Community Trust funds nonprofits addressing economic mobility, wealth gaps, and urgent community needs, with priorities including homeownership, small businesses, education, quality jobs, and investment in underinvested communities. Its 2025 itemized grants had a median of $26,500, though awards vary widely; grants generally benefit Chicago-region residents, and the Trust directs applicants to open opportunities but does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Assets

$7.1B

Grants

4,316

Total Given

$1.2B

Columbus Foundation

Columbus, OH

The Columbus Foundation supports nonprofits and community initiatives in areas including arts and culture, education, youth, neighborhoods, basic needs, and capacity building, with a median 2024 grant of about $21,500. Its focus is Central Ohio, though it also funds organizations elsewhere; most grants are donor-directed and not application-based, but some programs accept applications.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$2.8B

Grants

1,747

Total Given

$242.7M

The Greater Cincinnati Foundation

Cincinnati, OH

The Greater Cincinnati Foundation supports education, affordable housing, arts and culture, community well-being, neighborhood development, and basic needs, with responsive grants focused on its eight-county Greater Cincinnati service area. Its 2024 grants had a median of $20,000, while specific opportunities range from small awards to grants of up to $450,000. It offers open RFP and LOI opportunities; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests outside those opportunities.

Assets

$1.0B

Grants

1,408

Total Given

$184.4M

The Cleveland Foundation

Cleveland, OH

The Cleveland Foundation funds nonprofits working on community needs and long-term priorities, including education, health, arts and culture, economic development, neighborhoods, and human services in Cuyahoga, Lake, and Geauga counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of about $30,700, though amounts varied widely. Its general application is open year-round, so it accepts unsolicited requests through that process.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$3.3B

Grants

1,016

Total Given

$184.2M

The Scripps Howard Foundation

Cincinnati, OH

The Scripps Howard Foundation supports journalism education and related programs, including fellowships and investigative and open-source reporting, with 2024 grants concentrated in Maryland, Washington, D.C., Arizona, Ohio, and Colorado. Its median 2024 grant was $1,250, though awards ranged widely; the profile does not state whether the Foundation accepts unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$69.4M

Grants

819

Total Given

$7.4M

Nisource Charitable Foundation

Columbus, OH

The NiSource Charitable Foundation supports nonprofits addressing safety, workforce and economic development, environmental stewardship, STEM and energy education, and basic needs in communities across Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Its 2024 grants ranged from $60 to $2.1 million, with a median of $3,000. The filing directs applicants to contact the Foundation for application materials and deadlines; it does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.

Assets

$43.0M

Grants

683

Total Given

$7.5M

Dayton Foundation Depository

Dayton, OH

The Dayton Foundation supports eligible nonprofits working in arts and culture, health, education, human services and community building, including capacity building, capital projects and program expansions, primarily in Greater Dayton and nearby counties. Its 2025 itemized grants ranged from $5,020 to $1,792,990, with a median of $12,000. It accepts applications for its discretionary grant program through an online portal.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$42.3M

Grants

677

Total Given

$22.7M

The Dayton Foundation

Dayton, OH

The Dayton Foundation supports nonprofit projects in areas such as education, arts and culture, health, human services and the environment that benefit Greater Dayton. Greenlight grants range from $500 to $7,500, discretionary grants are above $7,500 and up to $75,000, and its 2025 grant median was $14,550. Organizations can apply through its grants portal; the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$771.2M

Grants

589

Total Given

$32.6M

Timken Co Charitable & Educational Fund

North Canton, OH

The Fund supports approved nonprofits delivering measurable, lasting improvements in communities where Timken operates, including community services, housing, food access, education, and workforce programs. Typical grants are $500–$10,000, with larger requests requiring board preapproval; eligible communities include locations in Ohio, North Carolina, Colorado, Illinois, and South Carolina. It says it gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Education

Assets

$4.1M

Grants

436

Total Given

$2.5M

Jewish Federation of Cleveland

Cleveland, OH

The Jewish Federation of Cleveland funds social-welfare, religious, educational, security, and community programs, with a focus on Cleveland and Ohio as well as Jewish needs in Israel and around the world. Its 2025 grants had a median of $22,250, though amounts varied widely; the available information does not specify whether it accepts unsolicited institutional requests.

Assets

$680.2M

Grants

425

Total Given

$72.7M

Toledo Community Foundation Inc

Toledo, OH

Greater Toledo Community Foundation funds a broad range of community programs, including education, health, social services, arts and culture, and environmental work, mainly in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan. Its 2024 grants had a median award of $15,500, though amounts varied widely; whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.

Assets

$246.9M

Grants

406

Total Given

$17.8M

More Funders in Ohio

Gardiner Family Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?