Ottenheimer Brothers Foundation
The Ottenheimer Brothers Foundation is a private, non-operating family foundation established in 1965 in Arkansas. Based in Little Rock, the foundation carries the name of its founders and maintains a focus on supporting educational and health-related initiatives in central Arkansas and surrounding regions.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$5.7M
-1.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$248K
+9.7% YoY
Grant Count
10
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$25K
+9.7% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Ottenheimer Brothers Foundation reported a distributable amount of $278K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation gives primarily in the health and higher education fields. According to its stated purpose, it focuses on funding scholarships, educational buildings, health centers, and other charitable causes. The foundation was established by Gus Ottenheimer, working with his brother Leonard, and their sister and brother-in-law, Gladys and Joe Hirsch.
Grantmaking
The foundation distributes grants ranging from $1,200 to $140,000, with recent annual giving totaling approximately $248,200 to $346,069. Grant-making priorities include education, human services, and philanthropic initiatives. The foundation has demonstrated sustained commitment to major projects, including multiple significant gifts to educational institutions over time.
Ready to take the next step with Ottenheimer Brothers Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Arkansas and Mississippi, with particular emphasis on the Little Rock area and surrounding regions.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
- Total Assets: $5,672,058
- Total Annual Giving: $248,200 to $346,069
- EIN: 71-6059988
- Tax-Exempt Status: Unconditional exemption since September 1966
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $5,672,058 | $5,735,035 | $5,789,060 |
| Revenue | $255,399 | $233,174 | $691,988 |
| Expenses | $315,859 | $288,545 | $356,616 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $255,715 | $246,616 | $325,030 |
| Net Investment Income | $221,631 | $133,711 | $125,607 |
| Distributable Amount | $278,359 | $269,287 | $258,564 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
48 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include Urj Henry S Jacobs Camp ($111,000), Congregation B'nai Israel ($62,500), Boy Scouts of America ($56,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ARKANSAS FOOD BANK LR, AR | TO FURTHER EXEMPT PURPOSE | $5,200 |
| BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA LITTLE ROCK, AR | TO FURTHER EXEMPT PURPOSE | $56,000 |
| CONGREGATION B'NAI ISRAEL LR, AR | TO FURTHER EXEMPT PURPOSE | $62,500 |
| OUR HOUSE LR, AR | TO FURTHER EXEMPT PURPOSE | $1,200 |
| PARK LITTLE ROCK, AR | TO FURTHER EXEMPT PURPOSE | $3,700 |
| POTLUCK LR, AR | TO FURTHER EXEMPT PURPOSE | $1,200 |
| THE SALVATION ARMY LITTLE ROCK, AR | TO FURTHER EXEMPT PURPOSE | $1,200 |
| UNION RESCUE MISSION LR, AR | TO FURTHER EXEMPT PURPOSE | $1,200 |
| URJ HENRY S JACOBS CAMP UTICA, MS | TO FURTHER EXEMPT PURPOSE | $111,000 |
| WORLD SERVICES FOR THE BLIND LITTLE ROCK, AR | TO FURTHER EXEMPT PURPOSES | $5,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Gus Ottenheimer (1897–1985) was the founder and driving force behind the foundation. An industrialist and women's garment manufacturer, Ottenheimer placed high value on education, particularly after witnessing his eldest brother Leonard forgo his own schooling to support the family. Ottenheimer graduated from Washington & Lee University School of Law in 1918 and later headed a task force in the mid-1950s that successfully transformed Little Rock Junior College into a four-year institution. He served on the University of Arkansas at Little Rock's Board of Visitors from 1969 to 1972 and received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from UALR in 1978.
Gus Blass III is listed as a contact person for the foundation.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| STEVE BAUMAN | SECRETARY | — | $6,000 |
| LARRY ALMAN | FINANCE CHAI | — | $6,000 |
| GUS BLASS III | PROJECTS CHA | — | $6,000 |
| JULIANNE D GRUNDFEST | CHAIRMAN | — | $6,000 |
| JOE SELZ | BOARD MEMBER | — | $6,000 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has maintained active grant-making in support of higher education infrastructure:
In 2010, the foundation awarded $250,000 to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock's Ottenheimer Library for exterior improvements, including new landscaping and lighted signs.
Foundation bestows $70,000 gift to namesake library - University News ArchiveIn 2013, the foundation provided an additional $70,000 gift to the same library for exterior improvements to the west and south entrances, completing the final phase of exterior renovation and modernization.
Foundation bestows $70,000 gift to namesake library - University News ArchiveThe Ottenheimer Library at UALR, opened in 1976, was named in honor of the Ottenheimer family in recognition of their contributions to higher education in central Arkansas.
Ottenheimer Foundation Gives UALR $250,000 for Library RepairsContact Information
- Address: PO Box 3783, Little Rock, AR 72203-3783 (or 425 West Capitol Avenue, Suite 1516, Little Rock, AR 72201)
- Telephone: 501-372-6167
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Ottenheimer Brothers Foundation fund?
The foundation gives primarily in the health and higher education fields. According to its stated purpose, it focuses on funding scholarships, educational buildings, health centers, and other charitable causes. The foundation was established by Gus Ottenheimer, working with his brother Leonard, and their sister and brother-in-law, Gladys and Joe Hirsch.
How do I apply for a grant from Ottenheimer Brothers Foundation?
The foundation distributes grants ranging from $1,200 to $140,000, with recent annual giving totaling approximately $248,200 to $346,069. Grant-making priorities include education, human services, and philanthropic initiatives. The foundation has demonstrated sustained commitment to major projects, including multiple significant gifts to educational institutions over time.
Where does Ottenheimer Brothers Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Arkansas and Mississippi, with particular emphasis on the Little Rock area and surrounding regions.
What size grants does Ottenheimer Brothers Foundation award?
In 2025, Ottenheimer Brothers Foundation awarded 10 grants totaling $248K — an average of about $25K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Ottenheimer Brothers Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2025, Ottenheimer Brothers Foundation reported a distributable amount of $278K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Ottenheimer Brothers Foundation's EIN?
Ottenheimer Brothers Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 71-6059988. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Ottenheimer Brothers Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Arkansas Values Institute Inc
LITTLE ROCK, AR
Assets
$588K
Grants
2
Total Given
$430K
Friends of Christlike Kenya
EL DORADO, AR
Assets
$6K
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Carter Grace Foundation Inc
HARRISON, AR
Assets
$282K
Grants
7
Total Given
$27K
The Mason Foundation
EL DORADO, AR
Assets
$17K
Grants
6
Total Given
$2K
North Little Rock Public
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR
Assets
$32.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$293K
Arkansas Humanities Council
LITTLE ROCK, AR
Assets
$339K
Grants
11
Total Given
$106K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Ottenheimer Brothers Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching Ottenheimer Brothers Foundation to a real strategy.