Louise Taft Semple Foundation
The Louise Taft Semple Foundation is a private foundation based in Cincinnati, Ohio. Its stated purpose is to support charitable artistic, cultural, educational, civic, and social service enterprises to enhance quality of life.
Louise Taft Semple Foundation at a glance
In short: Louise Taft Semple Foundation gave $1.8M across 56 grants in 2024 (avg $33K), mostly in Ohio. 36% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,830,750
- -5.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 56
- -5.1% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $32,692
- -0.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $25,257,406
- +4.9% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 36% first-time grantees (20 of 56, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Ohio (95% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Louise Taft Semple Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The 2024 filing directs applicants to the foundation’s grant guidelines for application materials, deadlines, and award restrictions. It lists Teresa Hoelle of Ignite Philanthropy as the contact.
- Contact
Application contact: Teresa Hoelle Ignite Philanthropy
Mailing address: 308 E 8Th Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Phone: (513) 381-1848
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Louise Taft Semple Foundation
Who Louise Taft Semple Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Boys & Girls Club of Greater Cincinnati ($260K). Together the top 10 received $1.0M.
Grant Size Distribution
297 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 238 grants of 297 (80%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation is based in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 2024, 95% of grant dollars went to recipients in Ohio, 4% to Kentucky, and 1% to New Mexico; the filing also lists recipients in Connecticut and Maine, each accounting for 0% when rounded. Many of the largest listed recipients are in Cincinnati.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 56 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Louise Taft Semple Foundation open to new grantees?
36%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 20 of 56 grantees (36%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $20K; repeat grants $40K. How we count
Medians: $15K first-time, $20K repeat.
- 25% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+20%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 99% 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 (2020–2024). 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.5M (2020) to $1.9M (2023). In 2024 it made 56 grants totaling $1.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Boys & Girls Club of Greater Cincinnati Cincinnati, OH | General | $260,000 |
| Artworks Cincinnati, OH | General | $150,000 |
| Ladd - Living Arrangements for the Developmentally Disabled Cincinnati, OH | General | $100,000 |
| Manifest Creative Research Gallery & Drawing Center Cincinnati, OH | General | $100,000 |
| Contemporary Arts Center Cincinnati, OH | General | $75,000 |
| Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati Cincinnati, OH | General | $75,000 |
| Mercantile Library Cincinnati, OH | General | $75,000 |
| Artswave Cincinnati, OH | General | $70,000 |
| United Way of Greater Cincinnati Cincinnati, OH | General | $65,000 |
| Cincinnati Memorial Hall Society Cincinnati, OH | General | $50,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $25,257,406 | $3,372,721 | $2,202,326 | $1,830,750 | 56 | $1,919,553 | $3,151,277 | $1,947,058 |
| 2023 | $24,086,826 | $2,692,757 | $2,216,109 | $1,942,750 | 59 | $2,019,265 | $2,511,565 | $1,576,238 |
| 2022 | $23,608,131 | $2,656,540 | $2,310,837 | $1,939,500 | 72 | $2,016,059 | $2,436,812 | $1,729,435 |
| 2021 | $23,259,097 | $3,808,735 | $1,843,148 | $1,531,500 | 51 | $1,601,717 | $3,601,951 | $1,841,032 |
| 2020 | $21,295,806 | $2,634,306 | $1,779,547 | $1,497,745 | 59 | — | $2,480,489 | $1,452,146 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Louise Taft Semple Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.9M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated purpose is to provide financial support for worthy charitable artistic, cultural, educational, civic, and social service enterprises as a means of enhancing the community’s quality of life. Its grant-program description says it considers project and program requests, capital improvements, and, rarely, endowment requests. It also says it does not support general operating expenses, individual scholarships, or projects already completed.
The grantee missions illustrate the range of organizations receiving support. United Way of Greater Cincinnati Foundation says it provides a flexible vehicle for financial support of United Way of Greater Cincinnati, its initiatives, agencies, and the human services they provide. WAVE Foundation says it fosters environmental stewardship of aquatic life through education, conservation, and volunteerism. Cincinnati Public Radio describes itself as a source of journalism, music, and culture for the community. Cincinnati Memorial Hall Society says it works to preserve and restore Memorial Hall as a place for public gatherings and performances. Springer School and Center says it empowers students with learning disabilities to lead successful lives. Other recipients include Freestore Foodbank, whose mission is to eliminate hunger in partnership with the community, and Art Academy of Cincinnati, which operates an independent college of art and design.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation awarded $1,830,750 across 56 grants. Grant amounts ranged from $750 to $260,000, with a median grant of $15,000. The largest listed awards were $260,000 to Boys & Girls Club of Greater Cincinnati; $150,000 to ArtWorks; $100,000 each to LADD and Manifest Creative Research Gallery & Drawing Center; and $75,000 each to Contemporary Arts Center, Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, and Mercantile Library. These grants were listed with a general purpose.
Other listed 2024 awards included $70,000 to ArtsWave, $65,000 to United Way of Greater Cincinnati, and $50,000 each to Cincinnati Memorial Hall Society, Cincinnati Nature Center, and Cincinnati Public Radio.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Dudley S. Taft as chairman and trustee; Mrs. Robert A. Taft II as trustee; John T. Lawrence III as treasurer and trustee; Michael S. McGraw and Robert Lawrence as trustees; and Thomas W. Taft as secretary and trustee.
Louise Taft Semple Foundation is led by Dudley S. Taft, Chairman & Trustee on every filing since 2020; none of the 6 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Dudley S. Taft
Chairman & Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John T. Lawrence III
Treasurer & Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael S. McGraw
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert A. Taft II
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert Lawrence
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Thomas W. Taft
Secretary & Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "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 Louise Taft Semple Foundation
How much does Louise Taft Semple Foundation give each year?
Louise Taft Semple Foundation gave $1.8M across 56 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.9M across 59 grants.
What is Louise Taft Semple Foundation's typical grant size?
Louise Taft Semple Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $15,000, and its average grant was $32,692, across 56 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Louise Taft Semple Foundation that year got $20K on average.
Where does Louise Taft Semple Foundation give grants?
Louise Taft Semple Foundation gives mostly in Ohio: 95% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Cincinnati, OH (43 grants), Newport, KY (2 grants) and Hamilton, OH (2 grants).
Does Louise Taft Semple Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Louise Taft Semple Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (56 of 56) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Louise Taft Semple Foundation's largest grantees?
Louise Taft Semple Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Boys & Girls Club of Greater Cincinnati ($260,000), Artworks ($150,000) and Ladd - Living Arrangements for the Developmentally Disabled ($100,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 28% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Louise Taft Semple Foundation?
Louise Taft Semple Foundation reported $25.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.9M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.9M (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 Louise Taft Semple Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated purpose is to provide financial support for worthy charitable artistic, cultural, educational, civic, and social service enterprises as a means of enhancing the community’s quality of life. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Louise Taft Semple Foundation?
The 2024 filing directs applicants to the foundation’s grant guidelines for application materials, deadlines, and award restrictions. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Louise Taft Semple Foundation's EIN?
Louise Taft Semple Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 31-0653526. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Louise Taft Semple Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Louise Taft Semple Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/louise-taft-semple-foundation-morg_7cfcf13b508c45ef9420cdc2d36ec0fa
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_310653526_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Louise Taft Semple Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/louise-taft-semple-foundation-morg_7cfcf13b508c45ef9420cdc2d36ec0fa},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. 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 Louise Taft Semple 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.
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