Robert A Johnston Foundation
The Robert A Johnston Foundation is a private foundation based in Cincinnati, Ohio. Its 2025 filing reports grants to organizations working in areas that include fire department support, environmental conservation, wildlife, faith-based activities, and library support.
Robert A Johnston Foundation at a glance
In short: Robert A Johnston Foundation gave $45K across 28 grants in 2025 (avg $2K), top state Ohio. 29% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $45,000
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 28
- +33.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $1,607
- -25.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $1,000
- Total assets
- $140,805
- +7.4% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 29% first-time grantees (8 of 28, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Ohio (37% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Robert A Johnston Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. It states that it contributes only to preselected charitable organizations. Its filing lists a letter as the form and materials, no deadline, and no restrictions on awards.
- Contact
Application contact: Laura F Johnston
Mailing address: 431 Ohio Pike, Cincinnati, OH 45255
Phone: (513) 271-0486
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Robert A Johnston Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Creston Firefighters Association ($10K). Together the top 10 received $30K.
Grant Size Distribution
99 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 99 grants of 99 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s 2025 grant dollars went to recipients in multiple states. Ohio received 37% and Montana 31%; the next largest shares were Washington, DC, and Tennessee at 7% each, followed by Texas at 4%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 28 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Robert A Johnston Foundation open to new grantees?
29%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 8 of 28 grantees (29%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $2K; repeat grants $1K. How we count
Medians: $1K first-time, $1K repeat.
- 57% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 36% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 74% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $24K (2020) to $45K (2025). In 2025 it made 28 grants totaling $45K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Creston Firefighters Association Kalispell, MT | Fire preventionprotection and control | $10,000 |
| Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden Cincinnati, OH | Daily operations fund | $3,000 |
| World Wildlife Fund Washington, DC | Sustain natural world forthe benefit of peopleand animals | $3,000 |
| First Priority of America Nashville, TN | To take the hope of Christ to every student | $3,000 |
| Ohio Environmental Council Columbus, OH | Secure healthy air,land and water for Ohio. | $2,000 |
| The Nature Conservancy Dublin, OH | Combat Climate Change and Preserve Natural Areas | $2,000 |
| Lloyd Library and Museum Cincinnati, OH | Library support | $2,000 |
| CRU Foundation Orlando, FL | Enabling ministry partners supportkingdom work through goodstewardship | $1,500 |
| Fellowship of Christian Athletes Kansas City, MO | To see the world transformed by Jesus Christ through the influence of coaches and athletes | $1,500 |
| Citizens for a Better Flathead Kalispell, MT | To keep Flatheadecologically andeconomically healthy | $1,500 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $140,805 | $62,073 | $48,706 | $45,000 | 28 | $45,805 | $38,029 | $61,754 |
| 2024 | $131,143 | $38,314 | $48,025 | $45,000 | 21 | $45,745 | $45,687 | $49,451 |
| 2023 | $121,618 | $30,510 | $39,264 | $35,500 | 18 | $37,015 | $22,908 | $41,126 |
| 2022 | $130,372 | $50,416 | $35,654 | $33,000 | 19 | $33,887 | $31,379 | $37,588 |
| 2021 | $115,610 | $28,006 | $27,241 | $24,000 | 13 | $24,888 | $19,726 | $30,195 |
| 2020 | $114,816 | $51,011 | $26,618 | $24,000 | 16 | — | $37,247 | $20,470 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Robert A Johnston Foundation reported a distributable amount of $62K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants show support for a range of organizations. For example, the Creston Firefighters Association describes itself as a volunteer organization supporting the Creston Fire Department, while the World Wildlife Fund says its mission is to conserve nature and reduce threats to life on Earth. First Priority of America describes its mission as uniting local Christians to influence middle and high schools with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Other supported organizations describe work in conservation and civic participation. Citizens for a Better Flathead says it champions sustainable solutions to keep the Flathead ecologically and economically healthy; Flathead Land Trust describes its work as conserving northwest Montana’s land and water through voluntary agreements with private landowners.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 28 grants totaling $45,000. Grants ranged from $500 to $10,000, with a median of $1,000. The largest award was $10,000 to the Creston Firefighters Association in Kalispell, Montana. Other notable grants included $3,000 each to the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, World Wildlife Fund, and First Priority of America; and $2,000 each to the Ohio Environmental Council, The Nature Conservancy, and Lloyd Library and Museum.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Robert A Johnston as President, Amy Waller and Jack Johnston as Trustees, and Laurie F Johnston as Secretary.
Robert A Johnston Foundation is led by Robert A Johnston, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 4 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Robert A Johnston
President
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Amy Waller
Trustee
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jack Johnston
Trustee
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Laurie F Johnston
Secretary
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Robert A Johnston Foundation
How much does Robert A Johnston Foundation give each year?
Robert A Johnston Foundation gave $45K across 28 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $45K across 21 grants.
What is Robert A Johnston Foundation's typical grant size?
Robert A Johnston Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $1,000, and its average grant was $1,607, across 28 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Robert A Johnston Foundation that year got $2K on average.
Where does Robert A Johnston Foundation give grants?
Robert A Johnston Foundation's top state is Ohio, with 37% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Montana (31%) and District of Columbia (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Cincinnati, OH (10 grants) and Kalispell, MT (3 grants).
Does Robert A Johnston Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 4% of Robert A Johnston Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 28) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Robert A Johnston Foundation's largest grantees?
Robert A Johnston Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Creston Firefighters Association ($10,000), Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden ($3,000) and World Wildlife Fund ($3,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 36% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Robert A Johnston Foundation?
Robert A Johnston Foundation reported $141K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $46K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $62K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Robert A Johnston Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants show support for a range of organizations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Robert A Johnston Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Robert A Johnston Foundation's EIN?
Robert A Johnston Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 31-1579143. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Robert A Johnston Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 9, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 4, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 7, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 12, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 12, 2026)
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