Justin R Niklas Family Foundation
The Justin R Niklas Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Cincinnati, Ohio. Its 2025 filing lists award restrictions covering religious and educational purposes and assistance to homeless individuals and families. Its grants that year went to organizations in Ohio and Kentucky.
Justin R Niklas Family Foundation at a glance
In short: Justin R Niklas Family Foundation gave $317K across 51 grants in 2025 (avg $6K), mostly in Ohio. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $316,500
- +11.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 51
- +24.4% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $6,206
- -10.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $4,618,051
- +9.8% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Ohio (97% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Justin R Niklas Family Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Contact Paul F Wenker with a letter and attachments. The filing lists religious, educational, and assistance to homeless individuals and families as restrictions on awards.
- Review Cycle
- October 31.
- Deadline
- October 31.
- Contact
Application contact: Paul F Wenker
Mailing address: PO Box 9885 3874 Paxton Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45209
Phone: (513) 378-3075
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Justin R Niklas Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Our Lady of Light Ministries ($35K). Together the top 10 received $160K.
Grant Size Distribution
196 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 192 grants of 196 (98%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 97% of grant dollars went to recipients in Ohio and 3% to recipients in Kentucky.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 51 itemized grants.
Cities
How Justin R Niklas Family Foundation gives
- 63% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 20% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 111% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $130K (2019) to $317K (2025). In 2025 it made 51 grants totaling $317K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Our Lady of Light Ministries Cincinnati, OH | Promote Charitable Purpose | $35,000 |
| Xavier Jesuit Academy Cincinnati, OH | Promote Charitable Purpose | $35,000 |
| Springer School & Center Cincinnati, OH | Promote Charitable Purpose | $17,500 |
| The Athenaeum of Ohio Cincinnati, OH | Promote Charitable Purpose | $15,000 |
| St Stephen Church Cincinnati, OH | Promote Charitable Purpose | $12,500 |
| Autism Connections Milford, OH | Promote Charitable Purpose | $10,000 |
| Bethany House Services Cincinnati, OH | Promote Charitable Purpose | $10,000 |
| St Martin of Tours Cincinnati, OH | Promote Charitable Purpose | $10,000 |
| CASA De Paz Cincinnati, OH | Promote Charitable Purposse | $7,500 |
| Catholic Inner School Education Cincinnati, OH | Promote Charitable Purpose | $7,500 |
Ready to take the next step with Justin R Niklas Family Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $4,618,051 | $856,960 | $441,154 | $316,500 | 51 | $355,170 | $770,976 | $319,413 |
| 2024 | $4,204,252 | $497,694 | $400,837 | $285,000 | 41 | $325,641 | $415,297 | $298,576 |
| 2023 | $4,107,945 | $353,872 | $341,289 | $239,000 | 33 | $266,135 | $277,306 | $255,333 |
| 2022 | $4,100,344 | $91,211 | $372,474 | $263,500 | 34 | $294,564 | $54,172 | $261,522 |
| 2021 | $4,376,530 | $265,774 | $380,805 | $277,000 | 37 | $301,885 | $183,454 | $290,389 |
| 2020 | $4,494,051 | $56,370 | $356,518 | $262,500 | 31 | — | $41,949 | $252,835 |
| 2019 | $4,793,189 | $4,938,899 | $220,210 | $130,000 | 10 | — | $140,454 | $243,256 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Justin R Niklas Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $319K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement is provided. The foundation’s filing identifies religious, educational, and assistance to homeless individuals and families as restrictions on awards.
Its 2025 grantees included organizations serving different needs. Autism Connections describes its mission as uplifting the Southwest Ohio autism community through education, resources, connections, and lifelong support. Bethany House Services says it empowers homeless and at-risk families toward housing stability and long-term self-sufficiency. Casa de Paz describes its work as providing shelter for women and children subject to domestic abuse.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation made 51 grants totaling $316,500. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $35,000, with a median grant of $5,000. The largest awards were $35,000 each to Our Lady of Light Ministries and Xavier Jesuit Academy, followed by $17,500 to Springer School & Center and $15,000 to The Athenaeum of Ohio. Other grants included $12,500 to St Stephen Church and $10,000 each to Autism Connections, Bethany House Services, and St Martin of Tours.
The foundation states that it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Paul Wenker, E Thomas Arnold, and Anne M Niehaus as trustees.
Justin R Niklas Family Foundation's 2025 filing lists 3 officers; all 3 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Anne M. Niehaus
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1.5 hrs/week
$11K (2019) → $19K (2025)
E. Thomas Arnold
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1.5 hrs/week
$14K (2019) → $19K (2025)
Paul Wenker
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1.5 hrs/week
$11K (2019) → $19K (2025)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $19K, to Paul Wenker (Trustee). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Justin R Niklas Family Foundation
How much does Justin R Niklas Family Foundation give each year?
Justin R Niklas Family Foundation gave $317K across 51 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $285K across 41 grants.
What is Justin R Niklas Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Justin R Niklas Family Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $5,000, and its average grant was $6,206, across 51 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Justin R Niklas Family Foundation give grants?
Justin R Niklas Family Foundation gives mostly in Ohio: 97% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Cincinnati, OH (42 grants) and Covington, KY (2 grants).
Who are Justin R Niklas Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Justin R Niklas Family Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Our Lady of Light Ministries ($35,000), Xavier Jesuit Academy ($35,000) and Springer School & Center ($17,500), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 28% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Justin R Niklas Family Foundation?
Justin R Niklas Family Foundation reported $4.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $355K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $319K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Justin R Niklas Family Foundation fund?
No mission statement is provided. The foundation’s filing identifies religious, educational, and assistance to homeless individuals and families as restrictions on awards. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Justin R Niklas Family Foundation?
Contact Paul F Wenker with a letter and attachments. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Justin R Niklas Family Foundation's EIN?
Justin R Niklas Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 83-2610559. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 9, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 11, 2026)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS June 27, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 13, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 12, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 14, 2024)
Live grants for the work Justin R Niklas Family Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Justin R Niklas Family 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
Robert a & Marian K Kennedy
Cincinnati, OH
The foundation supports a range of charitable organizations, including education, community, arts, and health-related groups. In 2025, it made 57 grants of $500 to $17,500, with a median grant of $2,000; most funding went to Ohio, followed by Kentucky and South Carolina. It accepts letters as application materials and lists an October 31 deadline.
Assets
$1.2M
Grants
57
Total Given
$139K
Charles H Dater Foundation Inc
Cincinnati, OH
The Charles H. Dater Foundation supports programs and projects benefiting children and young people in Greater Cincinnati, especially in arts and culture, education, healthcare, and social services. It makes about 150 grants a year, typically ranging from $20,000 to over $100,000; applications are submitted electronically, but the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$101.9M
Grants
144
Total Given
$5.4M
Agnes Nordloh Charitable Trust
Cincinnati, OH
The Agnes Nordloh Charitable Trust supports a broad range of charitable work, including education, youth, and community services, mainly in Ohio, with some giving in Kentucky and Illinois. Its 2025 grants ranged from $500 to $4,000, with a median of $1,000. The filing says a letter is required and that giving is not limited to preselected organizations; it does not explicitly state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$776K
Grants
36
Total Given
$38K
Spaulding Foundation
Cincinnati, OH
The foundation supports charitable organizations improving community life, particularly in mental health, disabilities, substance use and addiction, and domestic or other abuse. It serves Hamilton County, Ohio, and contiguous counties; 2025 grants ranged from $7,500 to $500,000, with a median of $21,165. It accepts requests from eligible 501(c)(3) organizations; request an application, with quarterly deadlines of January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1.
Assets
$35.6M
Grants
47
Total Given
$1.5M
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
More similar funders
More Funders in Ohio
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Justin R Niklas Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/justin-r-niklas-family-foundation-morg_f30ee56706c044d9aed15f656778bfdb
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_832610559_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Justin R Niklas Family Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/justin-r-niklas-family-foundation-morg_f30ee56706c044d9aed15f656778bfdb},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-24. 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 Justin R Niklas 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.
Justin R Niklas Family Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?