Martha Holden Jennings Foundation
The Martha Holden Jennings Foundation is a private foundation based in Cleveland, Ohio. It supports Ohio’s PK–12 public education system, with a mission centered on student development, teacher creativity, and recognition of the teaching profession.
Martha Holden Jennings Foundation at a glance
In short: Martha Holden Jennings Foundation gave $3.5M across 284 grants in 2024 (avg $12K), mostly in Ohio. 34% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $3,529,754
- -6.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 284
- +2.2% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $12,429
- -8.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $11,102
- Total assets
- $79,273,864
- +5.9% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 34% first-time grantees (74 of 219, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Ohio (96% 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 Martha Holden Jennings Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Apply through the online portal, beginning with the eligibility quiz; eligible applicants are directed to submit a Letter of Inquiry. The Foundation requires final educational and financial reports from prior grants before an organization or district may apply again.
- Review Cycle
- The Foundation’s 2026 schedule lists Open Grant Letters of Inquiry and Grants-to-Educators applications due October 15, Open Grant applications due October 22, and grant review at the end of November.
- Deadline
- The Foundation’s 2026 schedule lists Open Grant Letters of Inquiry and Grants-to-Educators applications due October…
- Contact
Application contact: Martha Holden Jennings Foundation O
Mailing address: 1228 Euclid Avenue Ste 240, Cleveland, OH 44115
Phone: (216) 589-5700
Website: https://www.mhjf.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
4 open opportunities from Martha Holden Jennings Foundation
Jennings - Fund for Teachers Grant
Martha Holden Jennings Foundation
Amount
US $5,000 - US $10,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Martha Holden Jennings Foundation Teacher Awards Grant
Martha Holden Jennings Foundation
Amount
US $7,500
Deadline
Deadline not published
Martha Holden Jennings Foundation- Superintendent Award Grant
Martha Holden Jennings Foundation
Amount
US $10,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Martha Holden Jennings Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Fund for Teachers ($82K). Together the top 10 received $563K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($15,082), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
1,130 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 1,091 grants of 1,130 (97%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation’s stated focus is Ohio’s PK–12 public schools, and its website says eligible Open Grant applicants may be located in any Ohio county. In 2024, 96% of grant dollars went to recipients in Ohio; the remaining reported shares went to Texas (2%), New York (1%), Pennsylvania (0%), and Oregon (0%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 284 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Martha Holden Jennings Foundation open to new grantees?
34%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 74 of 219 grantees (34%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $12K; repeat grants $18K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $15K repeat.
- 56% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+14%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 117% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 $3.0M (2020) to $3.8M (2023). In 2024 it made 284 grants totaling $3.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Fund for Teachers Houston, TX | 2024 Teacher Professional Development Awards | $81,565 |
| Young Mens Christian Assn Lake County Painesville, OH | A-97-24 Arthur Holden Leadership Institute | $55,000 |
| Rise up - Northeast Ohio Cleveland, OH | D-12-24 Immersive Scientific Learning | $50,700 |
| Literacy Cooperative of Greater Cleveland Cleveland, OH | D-5-24 Professional Excellence Series | $50,000 |
| Say Yes Cleveland Scholarship Inc Cleveland, OH | D-1-24 Say Yes Scholarship Fund | $50,000 |
| Jennings Educators Summit Cleveland, OH | Annual Retreat for Educational Leaders | $49,144 |
| East Central Ohio Educational Service Ctr New Philadelphia, OH | D-26-24 Engaging Educators to Lead Students | $40,000 |
| Granville Exempted Village Schools Granville, OH | A-84-24 Students Lead the Way '24-'25 | $40,000 |
| Musical Arts Association Cleveland, OH | A-21-24 Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra | $40,000 |
| Cleveland Clinic Foundation Cleveland, OH | A-77-24 Middle School Health Career Program (Reissue) | $35,000 |
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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 | $79,273,864 | $5,870,048 | $4,655,833 | $3,529,754 | 284 | $4,434,273 | $5,192,527 | $3,802,521 |
| 2023 | $74,884,018 | $3,857,589 | $5,049,426 | $3,754,207 | 278 | $4,708,427 | $3,816,464 | $3,506,660 |
| 2022 | $68,717,475 | $1,872,599 | $4,614,389 | $3,614,840 | 192 | $4,453,082 | $2,216,647 | $3,706,854 |
| 2021 | $86,623,340 | $12,453,710 | $4,169,286 | $3,094,084 | 184 | $3,967,389 | $12,733,191 | $4,098,454 |
| 2020 | $80,500,137 | $3,361,864 | $4,065,150 | $3,017,870 | 192 | — | $3,933,637 | $3,495,270 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Martha Holden Jennings Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.8M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s stated mission is to foster the development of young people in Ohio’s PK–12 public schools and to provide greater means for teachers’ accomplishment by encouraging creativity in teaching and bringing greater recognition to the teaching profession. Its 2024 filing describes work with teachers, school leaders, and partners to create enriching learning environments and support students’ growth and learning.
The Foundation’s website prioritizes projects that strengthen teacher leadership, innovation, professional development, and retention; deepen subject-matter expertise and teaching skills; and support collaboration among educators. Its grantmaking also aims to strengthen Ohio public education through partnerships and programs intended to improve student outcomes.
The Foundation says public school districts, non-religious private schools, and nonprofit organizations working with public schools in any Ohio county may apply for Open Grants. Its 2024 grants show support for a range of education-related work. For example, the Literacy Cooperative of Cleveland describes its mission as improving literacy in Greater Cleveland, while College Now Greater Cleveland describes its work as providing college and career access advising, financial aid counseling, and scholarship and retention services. Say Yes Cleveland describes its mission as partnering with the Cleveland Metropolitan School District and mobilizing community resources, including to address postsecondary affordability.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the Foundation reported 284 grants totaling $3,529,754. Grant amounts ranged from $347 to $81,565, with a median of $11,102. Its website says Open Grants average $15,000 and range from $4,000 to $55,000; grants are approved for one year.
Among the largest 2024 grants were $81,565 to Fund for Teachers for teacher professional development awards; $55,000 to the Young Mens Christian Association of Lake County for the Arthur Holden Leadership Institute; $50,700 to Rise Up - Northeast Ohio for immersive scientific learning; and $50,000 each to the Literacy Cooperative of Greater Cleveland for a professional excellence series and Say Yes Cleveland Scholarship for its scholarship fund. Other awards included $40,000 to the Musical Arts Association for the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra and $35,000 to Cleveland Clinic Foundation for a middle school health career program.
The Foundation’s website says applicants begin by logging in to or creating an account in its online application portal and completing an eligibility quiz. Eligible organizations are directed to submit a Letter of Inquiry. Applications are reviewed for alignment with the Foundation’s strategic focus areas. Previously funded organizations or districts must submit final educational and financial reports before applying again. The Foundation says it does not fund capital improvements or construction, indirect costs, overhead or fringe benefits, endowment or capital campaigns, facility fees, or storage units. Certain expenses—including travel, field trips, curriculum writing, supplies, technology, and equipment—may be considered only as part of a broader aligned project, not as stand-alone requests.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The Foundation’s 2024 filing lists Anne C. Juster as chair and president; Debra H. Guren as vice president; Jon H. Outcalt as treasurer and director; Renee T. Willis as executive director; and John M. Gherlein, George B. Milbourn, Thomas A. Richlovsky, Leigh H. Carter, and Koyen P. Shah as directors.
Martha Holden Jennings Foundation is led by Renee T. Willis, Executive Director on the 2024 filing; 1 of 9 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Renee T. Willis
Executive Director
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$208K (2024)
Anne C. Juster
Chair & President
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
George B. Milbourn
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John M. Gherlein
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jon H. Outcalt
Treasurer & Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Koyen P. Shah
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Leigh H. Carter
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Thomas A. Richlovsky
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Debra H. Guren
Vice President
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (5)
- Former: Daniel J. Keenan (2020–2023) — Executive Director
- Former: Jawanza Colvin (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Mary Lynn Laughlin (2020) — Secretary & Director
- Former: Peter E. Raskind (2020) — Director
- Former: William A. Young Jr. (2020) — Director
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $208K, to Renee T Willis (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Martha Holden Jennings Foundation
How much does Martha Holden Jennings Foundation give each year?
Martha Holden Jennings Foundation gave $3.5M across 284 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $3.8M across 278 grants.
What is Martha Holden Jennings Foundation's typical grant size?
Martha Holden Jennings Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $11,102, and its average grant was $12,429, across 284 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Martha Holden Jennings Foundation that year got $12K on average.
Where does Martha Holden Jennings Foundation give grants?
Martha Holden Jennings Foundation gives mostly in Ohio: 96% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Cleveland, OH (78 grants), Columbus, OH (17 grants), Cincinnati, OH (16 grants) and Wooster, OH (7 grants).
Does Martha Holden Jennings Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 284 grants with a stated purpose on Martha Holden Jennings Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are Martha Holden Jennings Foundation's largest grantees?
Martha Holden Jennings Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Fund for Teachers ($81,565), College Now Greater Cleveland Inc ($60,000 across 2 grants) and Kent State University Foundation ($59,535 across 3 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($15,082), which are not listed by name. Together they received 6% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Martha Holden Jennings Foundation?
Martha Holden Jennings Foundation reported $79.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $4.4M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $3.8M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Martha Holden Jennings Foundation fund?
The Foundation’s stated mission is to foster the development of young people in Ohio’s PK–12 public schools and to provide greater means for teachers’ accomplishment by encouraging creativity in teaching and bringing greater recognition to the teaching profession. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Martha Holden Jennings Foundation?
Apply through the online portal, beginning with the eligibility quiz; eligible applicants are directed to submit a Letter of Inquiry. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Martha Holden Jennings Foundation's EIN?
Martha Holden Jennings Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 34-0934478. 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 October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Browse active grant opportunities in Martha Holden Jennings Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Martha Holden Jennings Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/martha-holden-jennings-foundation-morg_56295ca1d25b40b9b36bc851d7734bcd
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_340934478_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Martha Holden Jennings Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/martha-holden-jennings-foundation-morg_56295ca1d25b40b9b36bc851d7734bcd},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. 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 Martha Holden Jennings 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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