Pfau Charitable Foundation
The Daniel and Susan Pfau Charitable Foundation is a private family foundation established in 1994 by local businessman Daniel A. Pfau and his wife, Susan Laufer Pfau, a community volunteer. The foundation has been supporting community programs for over 30 years with a focus on helping young people realize their full potential. The foundation is administered through the Greater Cincinnati Foundation's Grantmaking Services for Private Foundations.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$22.6M
+13.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.5M
+7.7% YoY
Grant Count
55
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$27K
+7.7% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Pfau Charitable Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.4M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary focus is on the education, health, cultural experience, and social welfare of disabled and disadvantaged children, adolescents, and young adults (to age 30) and their families. There is a special interest in programs that help clients realize their full potential. An additional area of interest for the foundation is the support of arts and cultural organizations as well as recreation areas.
Grantmaking
Grant Range
s & Activity:**
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with Pfau Charitable Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in the greater Cincinnati area, including:
- Ohio: Hamilton, Butler, Clermont, and Warren counties
- Kentucky: Boone, Campbell, and Kenton counties
- Indiana: Dearborn County
Grants have also been distributed to organizations in Ohio, Kentucky, and New York.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total assets: $22,576,073
- Total giving: $1,462,000
- Total revenues: $4,313,448
- Total expenses: $1,680,090
- Annual income: $10.1 million
- Number of employees: 1
Asset Growth:
- Total assets have grown from $13.2 million in 2011 to $19.9 million in 2023 to $22.6 million in 2024
Tax Status:
- IRS ruling year: 1994
- Organization type: Non-Operating Foundation
- Contributions are tax-deductible
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $22,576,073 | $19,946,343 | $19,980,279 |
| Revenue | $4,313,448 | $1,483,301 | $862,908 |
| Expenses | $1,680,090 | $1,537,813 | $1,518,022 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,568,601 | $1,449,948 | $1,438,970 |
| Net Investment Income | $4,254,383 | $1,412,348 | $790,638 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,393,597 | $1,285,574 | $1,319,081 |
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 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include East Tennessee Foundation ($50,000), Cincinnati Institute of Fine Arts ($50,000), Cincinnati Museum Association ($42,500).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| PROKIDS CINCINNATI, OH | CASA UNIVERSITY | $30,000 |
| CHURCHES ACTIVE IN NORTHSIDE CINCINNATI, OH | EARN & LEARN SUMMER EMP | $10,000 |
| TALBERT HOUSE CINCINNATI, OH | SUPPORT PASSAGES | $25,000 |
| EPILEPSY ALLIANCE OHIO CINCINNATI, OH | SUPPORT COUNSELING PROGRAM | $20,000 |
| HAMILTON LIVING WATER MINISTRY CINCINNATI, OH | SUPPORT BUILDING SUCCESS | $17,000 |
| BREAKTHROUGH CINCINNATI INC CINCINNATI, OH | BRING BREAKTHROUGH SUMMER | $40,000 |
| EAST TENNESSEE FOUNDATION KNOWVILLE, TN | GENERAL OPERATING | $50,000 |
| CINCINNATI CENTER FOR AUTISM CINCINNATI, OH | SUPPORT THE SENSORY | $30,000 |
| WESTERN WILDLIFE CORRIDOR INC CINCINNATI, OH | GENERAL OPERATING | $10,000 |
| ION CENTER FOR VIOLENCE COVINGTON, KY | GENERAL OPERATING | $25,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Principal Officer: PNC Bank
- Jennifer A. Geisheimer: Senior Grants Manager
- Lisa Davis Roberts: Grants staff
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| PNC BANK N A | TRUSTEE | 16 | $79,262 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Pfau Charitable Foundation fund?
The foundation's primary focus is on the education, health, cultural experience, and social welfare of disabled and disadvantaged children, adolescents, and young adults (to age 30) and their families. There is a special interest in programs that help clients realize their full potential. An additional area of interest for the foundation is the support of arts and cultural organizations as well as recreation areas.
How do I apply for a grant from Pfau Charitable Foundation?
**Grant Sizes & Activity:** • Annual giving: $1,462,000 (2024) • Number of grants: 55 awards (2024) • Individual grants have ranged from $10,000 to $50,000 • Average award: $27,000 • Median grant: $25,000 • The foundation has supported 50 unique organizations **Application Process:** • Letter of inquiry required • Online form available through www.gcfdn.org (select Grants, Private Foundation Grants from menu) • Decision time: Approximately 5 months from full proposal to decision • Primary conta…
Where does Pfau Charitable Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in the greater Cincinnati area, including: • **Ohio:** Hamilton, Butler, Clermont, and Warren counties • **Kentucky:** Boone, Campbell, and Kenton counties • **Indiana:** Dearborn County Grants have also been distributed to organizations in Ohio, Kentucky, and New York.
What size grants does Pfau Charitable Foundation award?
In 2024, Pfau Charitable Foundation awarded 55 grants totaling $1.5M — an average of about $27K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Pfau Charitable Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Pfau Charitable Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.4M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Pfau Charitable Foundation's EIN?
Pfau Charitable Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 31-1411794. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Pfau Charitable Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
The Wolf Creek Operating Foundation
WEST CONSHOHOCKEN, PA
Assets
$7.1M
Grants
0
Total Given
—
The Best Little Cat House in PA
HARRISBURG, PA
Assets
$281K
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Willis and Elsie Shenk Foundation
LANCASTER, PA
Assets
$9.4M
Grants
35
Total Given
$304K
The Irene P Sorbara Charitable Foundation
PITTSBURGH, PA
Assets
$2.5M
Grants
2
Total Given
$131K
Howmet Aerospace Foundation
PITTSBURGH, PA
Assets
$141.5M
Grants
209
Total Given
$8.4M
Penn and Lisa Seiple Conservancy
SUNBURY, PA
Assets
$1.5M
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Pfau Charitable 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 Pfau Charitable Foundation to a real strategy.