Ohio Christian Education Network Scholarship Granting Organization logo

Ohio Christian Education Network Scholarship Granting Organization

Public charity · Grantmaker Columbus, OH EIN: 31-1787824 Website

Ohio Christian Education Network (OCEN) is a public charity based in Columbus, Ohio. It advocates for school choice and religious freedom in education and funds scholarships for students attending participating Christian schools in Ohio.

Key facts about Ohio Christian Education Network Scholarship Granting Organization

In short: Ohio Christian Education Network Scholarship Granting Organization gave $1.2M across 16 grants in 2025 (avg $74K), mostly in Ohio. 25% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.

EIN
31-1787824
Latest 990 filing
Form 990, 2025
Annual giving (2025)
$1,176,226
Grants made (2025)
16
Average grant
$73,514
Median grant
$63,435
New grantees (estimate)
25% first-time grantees (4 of 16, 2025)
Total assets
$3,345,583
Primary geography
Ohio (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).

Financial Overview

From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing

Total Assets

$3.3M

+125.2% YoY

Annual Giving

$1.2M

-56.9% YoY

Grant Count

16

-65.2% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$74K

+23.9% YoY

Is Ohio Christian Education Network Scholarship Granting Organization open to new grantees?

25%

first-time grantees, 2025

In 2025, 4 of 16 grantees (25%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $17K; repeat grants $92K. How we count

Medians: $17K first-time, $69K repeat.

  • 75% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method

Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2023–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

OCEN’s stated mission is to protect the religious liberty of Christian schools and ensure every Ohio family has access to a Gospel-centered education. Its stated principles include parents’ rights, education funding that follows the child, and school-choice programs with minimal restrictions.

The 2024 filing describes its program as granting scholarships to individual students to attend private schools. Its website says the OCEN Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO) awards scholarships to students attending participating schools, with donors able to designate a school and priority given to students in financial need.

The organizations receiving 2025 grants include Christian schools and a child-development center. For example, Heritage Classical Academy describes its mission as developing students in partnership with parents through a Christ-centered curriculum and classical education. The Garden Christian Academy says it provides youth with a distinguished, Christ-centered education; Mansfield Christian School describes itself as an educational and religious institution serving students from pre-kindergarten through high school. Weaver Child Development Center says it provides developmentally appropriate education in a Christian atmosphere for toddlers through fifth grade.

Grantmaking

In filing year 2025, OCEN reported 16 grants totaling **$1,176,226**. Grant amounts ranged from **$7,600 to $320,400**, with a median of **$63,434**. The largest listed awards included **$320,400** to Heritage Classical Academy, **$147,500** to Worthington Christian School, **$130,000** to Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy, **$79,360** to The Garden Christian Academy, and **$71,289** to Charis Classical Academy. The filing describes these awards as grants to students, with payments sent to schools on their behalf.

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

All reported 2025 grant dollars went to recipients in Ohio.

Grant Distribution by State

1state

Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 16 itemized grants.

States

Cities

ColumbusCincinnatiCantonNorth EatonChagrin FallsGahannaGrove CityGroveportMansfieldRichfieldWorthingtonAkronBay VillageBlacklickBowling GreenBurtonClevelandCuyahoga FallsFindlayGranville

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$1M$2M$3M31 grants2023 46 grants2024 16 grants2025

From 2023 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.2M (2025) to $2.7M (2024). In 2025 it made 16 grants totaling $1.2M.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2025

Heritage Classical Academy: $320KHeritage Classical Academy$320KWorthington Christian School: $148KWorthington Christian School$148KCincinnati Hills Christian Acadmeny: $130KCincinnati Hills ChristianAcadmeny$130KThe Garden Christian Academy: $79KThe Garden Christian Academy$79KCharis Classical Academy: $71KCharis Classical Academy$71KGrove City Christian School: $71KGrove City Christian School$71KSt Peregrine Academy: $66KSt Peregrine Academy$66KChapel Hill Christian School: $64KChapel Hill Christian School$64KMansfield Christian School: $62KMansfield Christian School$62KMadison Christian School: $39KMadison Christian School$39K

The largest 2025 recipient was Heritage Classical Academy ($320K). Together the top 10 received $1.1M.

Grant Size Distribution

93 grants across all recorded years

55<$50K22$50–100K13$100–250K3$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 55 grants of 93 (59%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Heritage Classical Academy Chagrin Falls, OHGrants were made to students, payments sent to schools on behalf of students$320,400
Worthington Christian School Worthington, OHGrants were made to students, payments sent to schools on behalf of students$147,500
Cincinnati Hills Christian Acadmeny Cincinnati, OHGrants were made to students, payments sent to schools on behalf of students$130,000
The Garden Christian Academy Cleveland, OHGrants were made to students, payments sent to schools on behalf of students$79,360
Charis Classical Academy Mason, OHGrants were made to students, payments sent to schools on behalf of students$71,289
Grove City Christian School Grove City, OHGrants were made to students, payments sent to schools on behalf of students$70,750
St Peregrine Academy Richfield, OHGrants were made to students, payments sent to schools on behalf of students$66,416
Chapel Hill Christian School Akron, OHGrants were made to students, payments sent to schools on behalf of students$64,389
Mansfield Christian School Mansfield, OHGrants were made to students, payments sent to schools on behalf of students$62,480
Madison Christian School Groveport, OHGrants were made to students, payments sent to schools on behalf of students$38,700

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Filing year Assets Revenue Expenses Grants
2025 $3,345,583 $3,310,060 $1,450,366 $1,176,226 (16 grants)
2024 $1,485,889 $3,269,898 $2,933,855 0 grants reported
2023 $1,202,303 $1,786,354 $1,581,838 0 grants reported
Revenue
Expenses
Net Investment Income
$0$1M$2M$3M$4M2023 2024 2025
Metric202520242023
Total Assets$3,345,583$1,485,889$1,202,303
Revenue$3,310,060$3,269,898$1,786,354
Expenses$1,450,366$2,933,855$1,581,838
Net Investment Income$48,624$20,465—

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS January 24, 2025)
  2. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 14, 2025)
  3. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS November 14, 2025)
  4. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2023–2025

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2025 filing lists Aaron Baer as president, Al Caperna as chairman, Rich Johnson as vice chairman, Brian Spires as treasurer, Paul Kalmbach as secretary, and Margaret Hartshorn as a board member. OCEN’s website identifies Troy McIntosh as executive director.

Ohio Christian Education Network Scholarship Granting Organization is led by Aaron Baer, President on every filing since 2023; none of the 6 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • Aaron Baer

    President

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Al Caperna

    Chairman

    Vice Chairman → Chairman, 2025

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Brian Spires

    Treasurer

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Margaret Hartshorn

    Board Member

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Paul Kalmbach

    Secretary

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Rich Johnson

    Vice Chairman

    New on the 2025 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (1)
  • Former: David Myhal (2023–2024) — Chairman

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2023–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.

Contact

Mailing address: 62 E Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: (513) 733-5775
Website: https://ohiocen.org

Frequently asked questions about Ohio Christian Education Network Scholarship Granting Organization

How much does Ohio Christian Education Network Scholarship Granting Organization give each year?

Ohio Christian Education Network Scholarship Granting Organization gave $1.2M across 16 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $2.7M across 46 grants.

What is Ohio Christian Education Network Scholarship Granting Organization's typical grant size?

Ohio Christian Education Network Scholarship Granting Organization's median grant in 2025 was $63,435, and its average grant was $73,514, across 16 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Ohio Christian Education Network Scholarship Granting Organization that year got $17K on average.

Where does Ohio Christian Education Network Scholarship Granting Organization give grants?

Ohio Christian Education Network Scholarship Granting Organization gives mostly in Ohio: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there.

Does Ohio Christian Education Network Scholarship Granting Organization give general operating support?

Not in 2025: none of the 16 grants with a stated purpose on Ohio Christian Education Network Scholarship Granting Organization's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.

Who are Ohio Christian Education Network Scholarship Granting Organization's largest grantees?

Ohio Christian Education Network Scholarship Granting Organization's largest 2025 grantees include Heritage Classical Academy ($320,400), Worthington Christian School ($147,500) and Cincinnati Hills Christian Acadmeny ($130,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 51% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.

How large is Ohio Christian Education Network Scholarship Granting Organization?

Ohio Christian Education Network Scholarship Granting Organization reported $3.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $3.3M.

What does Ohio Christian Education Network Scholarship Granting Organization fund?

OCEN’s stated mission is to protect the religious liberty of Christian schools and ensure every Ohio family has access to a Gospel-centered education. Its stated principles include parents’ rights, education funding that follows the child, and school-choice programs with minimal restrictions. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from Ohio Christian Education Network Scholarship Granting Organization?

Ohio Christian Education Network Scholarship Granting Organization has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check ohiocen.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.

What is Ohio Christian Education Network Scholarship Granting Organization's EIN?

Ohio Christian Education Network Scholarship Granting Organization's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 31-1787824. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2023–2025.

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.

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