Local Initiative for Excellence Foundation
The Local Initiative for Excellence (L.I.F.E.) Foundation is a private foundation based in Blue Ash, Ohio. Established in 2014 by George J. Wile, it supports research intended to improve health outcomes for patients with brain and neurodegenerative disease.
Local Initiative for Excellence Foundation at a glance
In short: Local Initiative for Excellence Foundation gave $2.2M across 7 grants in 2025 (avg $316K), mostly in Ohio. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $2,210,000
- +112.5% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 7
- -30.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $315,714
- +203.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $100,000
- Total assets
- $33,899,639
- +3.4% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Ohio (86% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated November 2026.
How to apply to Local Initiative for Excellence Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation’s website instructs eligible research applicants to submit a one-page letter of intent describing the problem, its significance, and the proposed approach, along with an NIH biographical sketch. The filing directs applicants to the website for detailed application materials and restrictions. The website says research grants are provided in two $50,000 installments in years one and two, with a detailed progress report due 11 months after funding begins; the second installment is subject to Scientific Advisory Committee review of that report.
- Review Cycle
- The filing directs applicants to the website for deadline details; no specific date is stated in the available information.
- Deadline
- The filing directs applicants to the website for deadline details; no specific date is stated in the available…
- Contact
Application contact: Carter Randolph
Mailing address: 4200 Malsbary Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45242
Phone: (513) 891-7144
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Local Initiative for Excellence Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was The University of Cincinnati Founda ($1.4M). Together the top 7 received $2.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
28 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 13 grants of 28 (46%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 filing’s grant-dollar distribution was 62% to Ohio, 24% to Kentucky, and 5% each to California, Virginia, and Massachusetts.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 7 itemized grants.
Cities
How Local Initiative for Excellence Foundation gives
- Giving grew 386% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 89% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $201K (2023) to $2.2M (2025). In 2025 it made 7 grants totaling $2.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The University of Cincinnati Founda Cincinnati, OH | Medical Research | $1,450,000 |
| University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, OH | Medical Research | $305,000 |
| NKU Foundation Inc Highland Heights, KY | Undergraduate Fellowship Program | $205,000 |
| Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medi Cincinnati, OH | Medical Research | $100,000 |
| University of Virginia Charlottesville, VA | Medical Research | $50,000 |
| Massachusetts General Hospital Boston, MA | Medical Research | $50,000 |
| Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, OH | Medical Research | $50,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Local Initiative for Excellence 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 | $33,899,639 | $3,617,163 | $2,503,985 | $2,210,000 | 7 | $2,215,405 | $3,343,583 | $2,483,343 |
| 2024 | $32,786,461 | $724,174 | $1,276,988 | $1,040,000 | 10 | $1,050,064 | $749,873 | $2,221,850 |
| 2023 | $33,339,275 | $13,420,110 | $311,807 | $201,000 | 3 | $213,366 | $435,939 | $1,163,922 |
| 2022 | $20,230,972 | $16,760,403 | $522,047 | $455,000 | 4 | $459,666 | $300,754 | $806,745 |
| 2021 | $3,992,616 | $388,497 | $596,383 | $555,000 | 4 | $561,142 | $96,475 | $318,755 |
| 2020 | $4,200,502 | $706,964 | $343,845 | $315,000 | 4 | — | $180,062 | $243,517 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Local Initiative for Excellence Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.5M 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
L.I.F.E.’s stated mission is to support research to achieve better health outcomes for patients with brain and neurodegenerative disease. Its website describes research grants as supporting innovative research, productive research teams, and investigators early in their careers.
The website says eligible applicants include University of Cincinnati faculty with at least 80% FTE, including faculty based at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, and outside researchers at nonprofit organizations with novel approaches. The foundation also partners with NKU’s College of Informatics on scholarships for students pursuing brain-research careers; those scholarships are for students, rather than grants to outside applicants.
The 2024 filing lists a $250,000 grant to NKU Foundation Inc. for an undergraduate fellowship program and five $50,000 medical-research grants. Among other recipients, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra describes its mission as seeking and sharing inspiration; Cincinnati Museum Center says it inspires people to learn about science and regional history; and Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park describes itself as Cincinnati’s national theater, committed to bringing diverse, engaging works to the community. These are the recipient organizations’ stated missions.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, L.I.F.E. gave $1,040,000 through 10 grants. Grant amounts ranged from $50,000 to $250,000, with a median of $92,500. The largest awards included $250,000 to NKU Foundation Inc. for an undergraduate fellowship program and $135,000 each to Planned Parenthood in Cincinnati, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Cincinnati Museum Center, and Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. The filing lists the four $135,000 grants’ purpose as “charity.” It also lists $50,000 medical-research grants to the University of Cincinnati, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, University of Virginia, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. Its 2025 filing, the latest on this page, reports 7 grants totaling $2.2 million.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Carter F. Randolph as president and treasurer, Carter L. Randolph and Patty Brockman as secretaries, and Garrett Wayne as trustee.
Local Initiative for Excellence Foundation is led by Carter L. Randolph, President, Treasurer & Secretary since 2021 (on filings since 2020); none of the 2 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Carter L. Randolph
President, Treasurer & Secretary
Treasurer → President, Treasurer & Secretary, 2021
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Patty Brockman
Secretary
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Garrett Wayne (2024) — Trustee
- Former: George Wile (2020) — 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.
Frequently asked questions about Local Initiative for Excellence Foundation
How much does Local Initiative for Excellence Foundation give each year?
Local Initiative for Excellence Foundation gave $2.2M across 7 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $1.0M across 10 grants.
What is Local Initiative for Excellence Foundation's typical grant size?
Local Initiative for Excellence Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $100,000, and its average grant was $315,714, across 7 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Local Initiative for Excellence Foundation give grants?
Local Initiative for Excellence Foundation gives mostly in Ohio: 86% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Kentucky (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were Cincinnati, OH (3 grants).
Does Local Initiative for Excellence Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 7 grants with a stated purpose on Local Initiative for Excellence Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Medical Research" (6 grants).
Who are Local Initiative for Excellence Foundation's largest grantees?
Local Initiative for Excellence Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include The University of Cincinnati Founda ($1,450,000), University of Cincinnati ($305,000) and NKU Foundation Inc ($205,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 89% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Local Initiative for Excellence Foundation?
Local Initiative for Excellence Foundation reported $33.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.5M (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 Local Initiative for Excellence Foundation fund?
L.I.F.E.’s stated mission is to support research to achieve better health outcomes for patients with brain and neurodegenerative disease. Its website describes research grants as supporting innovative research, productive research teams, and investigators early in their careers. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Local Initiative for Excellence Foundation?
The foundation’s website instructs eligible research applicants to submit a one-page letter of intent describing the problem, its significance, and the proposed approach, along with an NIH biographical sketch. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Local Initiative for Excellence Foundation's EIN?
Local Initiative for Excellence Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-4081852. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated November 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS September 14, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Local Initiative for Excellence Foundation funds
Health Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Local Initiative for Excellence Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
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
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
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
HCS Foundation
Westlake, OH
HCS Foundation supports a broad range of nonprofit work, including education, youth, health, arts, and community projects. Its 2024 grants ranged from $2,500 to $2 million, with a median of $40,000; 95% of grant dollars went to Ohio recipients, with smaller amounts to New York and Michigan. The filing says requests are sent to the attention of the trustee listed in line 2a, but does not explicitly state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$105.4M
Grants
75
Total Given
$7.8M
Friedlander Family Fund
Cincinnati, OH
The Friedlander Family Fund primarily supports human services, mostly in the Greater Cincinnati area, though its grants also cover food assistance, journalism, and the arts. In 2024, it made 68 grants ranging from $400 to $185,000, with a median grant of $10,000. It does not restrict giving to preselected organizations; it invites a simple one-page letter to Melissa LaCorte and lists no application deadlines.
Assets
$12.7M
Grants
68
Total Given
$1.2M
Diane J and Robert a McDonald
Windmere, FL
The foundation funds project and program support for public charities, including arts, religious, health, and other organizations. Its 2025 grants ranged from $1,000 to $600,000, with a median of $7,500; most funding went to Ohio organizations. It gives only to preselected charities and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$13.9M
Grants
25
Total Given
$886K
More similar funders
More Funders in Ohio
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Local Initiative for Excellence 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.
Local Initiative for Excellence Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?