Neediest Kids of All

Jack J Smith Jr Charitable Trust

Pittsburgh, PA

The trust supports year-round direct-service projects addressing community needs, including family stability, child advocacy, behavioral health, and youth services, with a focus on the Greater Cincinnati area. Recent grants ranged from $2,500 to $30,000, with a median of $10,000. Its 2023 filing says it does not limit giving to preselected organizations, but does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Duke Energy Foundation

Charlotte, NC

The Duke Energy Foundation funds workforce and local economic development, disaster resilience, conservation, clean water, and economic opportunity in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000; applications for grants of $20,000 or less are accepted year-round, after applicants discuss proposals with a state representative.

The Thomas J Emery Memorial

Cincinnati, OH

The Thomas J. Emery Memorial funds capital and program needs that improve Greater Cincinnati residents’ social, cultural, educational, civic, and physical conditions, typically awarding $1,500–$175,000, with a 2024 median of $15,000. It usually supports organizations in designated counties in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana, and accepts letters of inquiry from 501(c)(3) organizations.

Millstone Fund

Cincinnati, OH

Millstone Fund supports established nonprofits in health, education, and the arts, with priorities including equity, health care and mental health, child development, educational equity, and arts access for under-resourced communities and people with disabilities. It focuses primarily on Greater Cincinnati, and its 2025 grants ranged from $10,000 to $500,000, with a median of $35,000. It accepts unsolicited requests through an online letter of intent; those requests generally should not exceed $50,000.

Pfau Charitable Foundation

Pittsburgh, PA

The foundation supports organizations working in areas including youth mentoring, early childhood education, housing stability, youth mental health, hunger relief, and disability inclusion, with most of its giving going to Ohio. Its 2025 grants ranged from $10,000 to $100,000, with a median of $25,000. It requires a letter of inquiry submitted through its online form; submission deadlines and any restrictions are in its application instructions.

J Cromer Mashburn Family Foundation

Cincinnati, OH

Maxwell C Weaver Foundation

Eagan, MN

The foundation funds a range of charitable organizations, with 2025 grants listed for general operating support. Its typical grant was $5,000, primarily to organizations in Ohio, with some funding in Kentucky. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Andrew Jergens Foundation

Cincinnati, OH

The Andrew Jergens Foundation supports children’s health, education, cultural experiences, and social welfare, with a primary focus on Greater Cincinnati. Its 2025 grants ranged from $300 to $20,000, with a median of $12,000; most funding went to Ohio, with some grants in Kentucky, New York, and Washington, D.C. It requires a letter of inquiry submitted through an online form.

Williams Foundation

Cincinnati, OH

The Williams Foundation supports charitable organizations, including arts, child advocacy, human services, and mental health groups, with most of its giving going to Ohio. In 2024, grants ranged from $500 to $100,000, with a median of $15,000. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

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.

Sutphin Family Foundation ICA

Pittsburgh, PA

The foundation supports social-service, cultural, educational, and health programs, primarily in Greater Cincinnati; recent grants have addressed youth services, housing, disability inclusion, and health. In 2024, grants ranged from $5,000 to $220,000, with a median of $25,000. It provides application instructions and accepts applications through the Greater Cincinnati Common Grant Application.

The James J and Joan a Gardner

Cincinnati, OH

The James J. and Joan A. Gardner Family Foundation supports organizations and projects in healthcare, education, parks and trails, and social services, with priority for communities where its trustees live, especially in the Cincinnati region. Its 2024 grants ranged from $1,000 to $1.5 million, with a median of $25,000. It accepts online applications from eligible 501(c)(3) organizations and considers requests of $5,000 or more.