Ohio State Bar Foundation
The Ohio State Bar Foundation is a public charity based in Columbus, Ohio. Founded in 1951, it is a membership organization of attorneys and judges that supports projects promoting public understanding of the rule of law and improvements in Ohio’s justice system.
Ohio State Bar Foundation at a glance
In short: Ohio State Bar Foundation gave $985K across 21 grants in 2024 (avg $47K), mostly in Ohio. 29% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $984,763
- -9.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 21
- -38.2% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $46,893
- +46.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $35,000
- Total assets
- $61,522,112
- +15.2% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 29% first-time grantees (6 of 21, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Ohio (97% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Ohio State Bar Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Ohio nonprofits apply through the Foundation’s grant process. A pre-submission conference is required, and applications must include organizational and project information and a project budget. Grants are project-based rather than operational.
- Review Cycle
- The next listed spring-cycle deadline is **February 15, 2027**. The listed fall-cycle deadline of **August 15, 2026**, and the Racial Justice Initiative deadline of **May 15, 2026**, have passed.
- Deadline
- The next listed spring-cycle deadline is February 15, 2027.
- Next open deadline
- February 15, 2027 (Spring Grant Cycle)
- Contact
Mailing address: 1700 Lake Shore Drive 230, Columbus, OH 43204
Phone: (614) 487-4444
Website: https://osbf.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Ohio State Bar Foundation
Ohio State Bar Foundation Grants
Ohio State Bar Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
OSBF: Racial Justice Initiative Grant
Ohio State Bar Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Spring Grant Cycle
Ohio State Bar Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Expected ~February
Based on past cycles
Who Ohio State Bar Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Law and Leadership Institute ($160K). Together the top 10 received $749K.
Grant Size Distribution
137 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 89 grants of 137 (65%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation’s grant programs are for Ohio nonprofits and projects addressing legal needs in Ohio. In 2024, 97% of grant dollars went to recipients in Ohio and 3% to recipients in Washington, DC.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 21 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Ohio State Bar Foundation open to new grantees?
29%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 6 of 21 grantees (29%) were first-time recipients. With only 21 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 5 points. First grants averaged $32K; repeat grants $53K. How we count
Medians: $27K first-time, $35K repeat.
- 48% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−18%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 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 $985K (2024) to $1.4M (2022). In 2024 it made 21 grants totaling $985K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Law and Leadership Institute Columbus, OH | Diversity in Leadership Fellowship | $160,000 |
| Ohio Center for Law Related Education Columbus, OH | Civic Education: Programs, Teacher Training & Outreach | $128,500 |
| Summer Work Experience in Law Inc Cincinnati, OH | Summer Work Experience in Law (Swel) | $100,000 |
| Ohio Victim Witness Association Columbus, OH | Enhancing Access to Justice for Ohio's Homicide Co-Victims | $66,111 |
| The Ohio State University Foundation Columbus, OH | Collaborating on educational approaches to enhancing broad representation in the Ohio legal profession, other professions, and leadership following the scotus rulings on affirmative action | $63,832 |
| Pro Bono Partnership of Ohio Cincinnati, OH | Expanding Attorney Volunteer Engagement | $60,145 |
| Ohio Alliance of Ymcas Foundation Columbus, OH | Ohio YMCA Youth and Government | $50,000 |
| Frederick Douglass Project for Justic Washington, OH | Ohio Prison Visitation Program | $50,000 |
| Catholic Charities Corporation Cleveland, OH | Cleveland Asylum Clinic | $35,000 |
| Mid-Ohio Psychological Services Inc Lancaster, OH | Mops Ethics, Legal, & Diversity Training Expansion | $35,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Ohio State Bar Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $61,522,112 | $3,922,457 | $2,486,822 | $984,763 | 21 | $3,688,168 |
| 2023 | $53,393,708 | $1,988,238 | $2,513,987 | $1,086,135 | 34 | $1,771,211 |
| 2022 | $51,214,097 | $7,851,950 | $2,765,348 | $1,360,995 | 30 | $7,651,205 |
| 2021 | $58,293,469 | $3,008,399 | $2,323,833 | $1,202,127 | 27 | $2,822,408 |
| 2020 | $49,771,927 | $3,135,088 | $2,361,003 | $1,111,408 | 25 | $2,870,851 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s stated mission is to promote public understanding of the rule of law and improve the justice system throughout Ohio. Its website identifies funding priorities that include dismantling injustices in Ohio’s legal system, strengthening the attorney pipeline to support access to justice, advancing racial justice, investing in community-based legal support, and empowering civic education and participation.
Its grants support projects addressing specific unmet legal needs; examples include legal materials, websites, campaigns, clinics, conferences, trainings, and presentations. The Foundation says its grants are project-based, not operational. Examples of supported organizations include the Law and Leadership Institute, whose stated mission is to prepare students from underserved communities for post-secondary and professional success, and Ohio Legal Help, which says it uses technology and innovation to improve justice and fairness for Ohioans. The Ohio Victim Witness Association describes its mission as promoting best practices for crime victims, advocates, and allied professionals.
Grantmaking
The Foundation’s 2024 filing reports 21 grants totaling $984,763. Grant amounts ranged from $7,500 to $160,000, with a median grant of $35,000. Among the largest awards were $160,000 to Law and Leadership Institute for a diversity in leadership fellowship; $128,500 to Ohio Center for Law Related Education for civic education programs, teacher training, and outreach; $100,000 to Summer Work Experience in Law for its SWEL program; and $66,111 to Ohio Victim Witness Association for work supporting homicide co-victims’ access to justice.
The Foundation awards grants in spring and fall. Its application materials describe a required pre-submission conference with Foundation staff and request organizational background, a project description, and a project budget. The project description should address need, the population served, goals and activities, evaluation, collaborators, timeline, and plans for continuation or replication. The Foundation may award partial grants. Its website also describes a separate Racial Justice Initiative for project-based work addressing systemic racism and barriers to justice; the listed May 15, 2026 deadline is past.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Belinda Barnes as president, Thomas Guillozet as treasurer, and Hon. David A. Hejmanowski as immediate past president. Trustees listed include Barbara Friedman Yaksic, Reginald S. Jackson, Joseph E. Wenger IV, Jonathan Hollingsworth, Michael Flowers, Hilary Damaser, and Tabitha D. Justice.
Ohio State Bar Foundation is led by Carol Marx, Interim Executive Director on the 2024 filing; 2 of 23 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Carol Marx
Interim Executive Director
New on the 2024 filing
20 hrs/week
$50K (2024)
Belinda S. Barnes
President
Treasurer → President-Elect, 2023
President-Elect → President, 2024
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Drew Odum
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jonathan Hollingsworth
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marley C. Nelson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mary Amos Augsburger
Trustee Serving Ex-Officio
Ex-Officio → Trustee Serving Ex-Officio, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
R. Benjamin Franz
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tabitha D. Justice
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joseph E. Wenger IV
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Reginald S. Jackson
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Barbara Friedman Yaksic
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Hilary Damaser
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Flowers
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ron Kahn
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carla J. Baldwin
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Daniel R. Griffith
Trustee Serving Ex-Officio
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Denise A. McColley
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Merle Wilberding
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
William G. Chris
Trustee Serving Ex-Officio
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lori L. Keating
Former Executive Director
Executive Director & Corporate Se → Executive Director, 2022
Executive Director → Former Executive Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$161K (2020) → $175K (2024)
David A. Hejmanowski
Immediate Past President
President-Elect → President, 2023
President → Immediate Past President, 2024
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sarah K. Skow
President-Elect
Trustee → President-Elect, 2024
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Thomas Guillozet
Treasurer
Trustee → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (15)
- Former: J. Kristin Burkett (2020–2023) — Immediate Past President
- Former: Janet L. Green Marbley (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: John D. Holschuh Jr. (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Michelle L. Kranz (2021–2023) — Trustee Serving Ex-Officio
- Former: Dean L. Wilson (2022–2023) — Trustee Serving Ex-Officio
- Former: Martin E. Mohler (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Ronald L. Kahn (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Velda K. Hofacker (2020–2022) — Immediate Past President
- Former: David H. Lefton (2021–2022) — Trustee Serving Ex-Officio
- Former: John S. Stith (2020–2021) — Treasurer
- Former: Linda T. Teodosio (2020–2021) — Officer Serving Ex-Officio
- Former: Mark Kitrick (2020–2021) — Immediate Past President
- Former: William K. Weisenberg (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Eleni Drakatos (2020) — Officer Serving Ex-Officio
- Former: Robert F. Ware (2020) — Immediate Past President
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 $175K, to Lori L Keating (Former Executive Director). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Ohio State Bar Foundation
How much does Ohio State Bar Foundation give each year?
Ohio State Bar Foundation gave $985K across 21 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $1.1M across 34 grants.
What is Ohio State Bar Foundation's typical grant size?
Ohio State Bar Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $35,000, and its average grant was $46,893, across 21 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Ohio State Bar Foundation that year got $32K on average.
Where does Ohio State Bar Foundation give grants?
Ohio State Bar Foundation gives mostly in Ohio: 97% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Columbus, OH (11 grants), Cincinnati, OH (3 grants) and Cleveland, OH (2 grants).
Does Ohio State Bar Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 21 grants with a stated purpose on Ohio State Bar Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
Who are Ohio State Bar Foundation's largest grantees?
Ohio State Bar Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Law and Leadership Institute ($160,000), Ohio Center for Law Related Education ($128,500) and Summer Work Experience in Law Inc ($100,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 39% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Ohio State Bar Foundation?
Ohio State Bar Foundation reported $61.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $3.9M.
What does Ohio State Bar Foundation fund?
The Foundation’s stated mission is to promote public understanding of the rule of law and improve the justice system throughout Ohio. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Ohio State Bar Foundation?
Ohio nonprofits apply through the Foundation’s grant process. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Ohio State Bar Foundation's EIN?
Ohio State Bar Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 31-6054093. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 3, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS September 23, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 25, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Ohio State Bar Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
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.
Assets
$1.9M
Grants
41
Total Given
$25.6M
Ohio Access to Justice Foundation
Columbus, OH
The Ohio Access to Justice Foundation funds civil legal aid and access-to-justice work for low-income Ohioans, including legal services, information and referral, and pro bono initiatives. Its 2025 grants ranged from $7,000 to $1.72 million, with a median of about $440,000, and all went to Ohio recipients. It accepts requests through open funding opportunities; applicants must be Ohio-registered nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, and the guidance encourages an introductory meeting with staff.
Assets
$42.2M
Grants
21
Total Given
$11.5M
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
The Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports charitable and educational nonprofits in communities where Enterprise Mobility operates, focusing on health, education, arts, and disaster relief; applicants must be actively supported by an Enterprise Mobility team member, spouse, or domestic partner. Giving varies widely: it reported 9,499 grants in 2024, but its 2025 filing showed one grant of $101.4 million, so that amount is not a typical award. Applications are accepted at any time through eligible Enterprise-affiliated applicants; the Foundation does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$594.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$101.4M
The George Gund Foundation
Cleveland, OH
The George Gund Foundation supports U.S. 501(c)(3) organizations working in climate and environmental justice, arts and culture, democracy, economic justice, public education, and family and social well-being, with a central focus on Cleveland and most 2024 grant dollars going to Ohio. Its 2024 grants ranged from $1,200 to $2.75 million, with a median of $50,000. The profile describes an online application process but does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$555.9M
Grants
334
Total Given
$29.8M
Murray and Agnes Seasongood Good Government Foundation
Cincinnati, OH
The Murray and Agnes Seasongood Good Government Foundation funds civic engagement, elections, accountable and transparent local government, public-service initiatives, and efforts to foster fact-based reporting and civil discourse in the Greater Cincinnati Region. Its 2025 grants ranged from $2,000 to $50,000, with a median of $15,000; it accepts applications through an online portal and encourages new applicants to contact its program officer before applying.
Assets
$7.0M
Grants
28
Total Given
$466K
Healthpath Foundation of Ohio
Cincinnati, OH
HealthPath Foundation of Ohio funds health-equity work, including oral health, safety-net care, healthcare workforce equity, and emerging community health needs, across its 36-county Ohio service area. In 2024, grants ranged from $8,000 to $200,000, with a median of $8,000; it says most grants are awarded through RFPs and may invite aligned organizations to apply, but does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$39.5M
Grants
32
Total Given
$1.1M
More similar funders
More Funders in Ohio
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Ohio State Bar Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/ohio-state-bar-foundation-morg_5dac1dd755814867a06b3a2c4be9cec2
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_316054093_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Ohio State Bar Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/ohio-state-bar-foundation-morg_5dac1dd755814867a06b3a2c4be9cec2},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. 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 Ohio State Bar 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.
Ohio State Bar Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?