Robert Gould Foundation Inc
Robert Gould Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Milford, Ohio. Its 2025 filing reports grants to public charities, including organizations in Ohio and Colorado.
Robert Gould Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Robert Gould Foundation Inc gave $309K across 24 grants in 2025 (avg $13K), mostly in Ohio. 21% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $308,500
- -2.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 24
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $12,854
- -2.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $5,983,328
- -3.9% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 21% first-time grantees (5 of 24, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Ohio (72% 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 Gould Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Requests should be directed to Laura Beckman Sheldon and include an IRS determination letter and a statement of charitable purpose for the request. All recipients must be public charities.
- Contact
Application contact: Laura Beckman Sheldon
Mailing address: PO Box 225, Milford, OH 45150
Phone: (513) 831-8400
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Robert Gould Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was CET ($55K). Together the top 10 received $230K.
Grant Size Distribution
113 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 108 grants of 113 (96%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, grant dollars went to recipients in Ohio (72%), Colorado (21%), Wyoming (4%), and Rhode Island (3%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 24 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Robert Gould Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
21%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 5 of 24 grantees (21%) were first-time recipients. With only 24 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 4 points. First grants averaged $10K; repeat grants $14K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 75% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−11%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 100% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 $211K (2020) to $346K (2022). In 2025 it made 24 grants totaling $309K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| CET Cincinnati, OH | Charitable Purpose | $55,000 |
| Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club Aspen, CO | Charitable Purpose | $45,000 |
| Cincinnati Nature Center Milford, OH | Charitable Purpose | $30,000 |
| Imani Family Learning Center Cincinnati, OH | Charitable Purpose | $25,000 |
| Aspen Center for Physics Aspen, CO | Charitable Purpose | $20,000 |
| Cincinnati Museum Center Cincinnati, OH | Charitable Purpose | $15,000 |
| Cardinal Land Conservancy Milford, OH | Charitable Purpose | $10,000 |
| Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden Cincinnati, OH | Charitable Purpose | $10,000 |
| Creature Conserve Barrington, RI | Charitable Purpose | $10,000 |
| Freestore Foodbank Cincinnati, OH | Charitable Purpose | $10,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Robert Gould Foundation Inc?
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 | $5,983,328 | $352,928 | $595,757 | $308,500 | 24 | $534,693 | $243,530 | $533,440 |
| 2024 | $6,226,157 | $466,195 | $575,937 | $314,900 | 24 | $518,280 | $219,501 | $517,754 |
| 2023 | $6,335,899 | $291,865 | $530,791 | $276,000 | 19 | $479,562 | $187,825 | $470,019 |
| 2022 | $6,574,825 | $738,382 | $596,012 | $346,025 | 25 | $540,661 | $296,455 | $482,363 |
| 2021 | $6,432,455 | $513,049 | $538,403 | $293,000 | 21 | $470,375 | $209,318 | $516,943 |
| 2020 | $6,457,809 | $246,360 | $435,399 | $211,000 | 18 | — | $177,390 | $427,874 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Robert Gould Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $533K 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 foundation mission is stated. Its grants include support for organizations whose own missions span different fields. For example, Cincinnati Museum Center says it inspires learning about science and regional history through engaging experiences; Freestore Foodbank says it works to eliminate hunger in partnership with its community; and Cardinal Land Conservancy says it preserves natural lands and significant habitats for public benefit.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 24 grants totaling $308,500. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $55,000, with a median of $10,000. Its largest reported awards included $55,000 to CET, $45,000 to Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club, $30,000 to Cincinnati Nature Center, and $25,000 to Imani Family Learning Center. Each grant’s stated purpose was “charitable purpose.”
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Susan Beckman and Elizabeth Barteld as trustees, and Laura Beckman Sheldon, Tom Beckman, and Robert Beckman as board members.
Robert Gould Foundation Inc's 2025 filing lists 5 officers; 2 of 5 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Susan Beckman
Trustee
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$127K (2020) → $155K (2025)
Elizabeth Barteld
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
20 hrs/week
$38K (2025)
Laura Beckman Sheldon
Board Memebe
Trustee → Board Memebe, 2025
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
$38K (2020) → $0 (2025)
Robert Beckman
Board Memebe
New on the 2025 filing
20 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tom Beckman
Board Memebe
New on the 2025 filing
20 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Olivia Sheldon (2024) — Trustee
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $155K, to Susan Beckman (Trustee). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Robert Gould Foundation Inc
How much does Robert Gould Foundation Inc give each year?
Robert Gould Foundation Inc gave $309K across 24 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $315K across 24 grants.
What is Robert Gould Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Robert Gould Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $12,854, across 24 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Robert Gould Foundation Inc that year got $10K on average.
Where does Robert Gould Foundation Inc give grants?
Robert Gould Foundation Inc gives mostly in Ohio: 72% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Colorado (21%). The most frequent recipient cities were Cincinnati, OH (16 grants), Aspen, CO (2 grants), Milford, OH (2 grants) and Sheridan, WY (2 grants).
Who are Robert Gould Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Robert Gould Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include CET ($55,000), Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club ($45,000) and Cincinnati Nature Center ($30,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 42% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Robert Gould Foundation Inc?
Robert Gould Foundation Inc reported $6.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $535K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $533K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Robert Gould Foundation Inc fund?
No foundation mission is stated. Its grants include support for organizations whose own missions span different fields. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Robert Gould Foundation Inc?
The foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Robert Gould Foundation Inc's EIN?
Robert Gould Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 31-6064275. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS December 19, 2023)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 14, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Other open foundation grants in Ohio
Ohio Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Robert Gould Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
The Greater Cincinnati Foundation
Cincinnati, OH
The Greater Cincinnati Foundation funds nonprofits working on education, housing, community and cultural vibrancy, and related regional needs, with responsive grants focused on its eight-county Greater Cincinnati service area. Its 2024 median grant was $20,000, though amounts vary widely; specific opportunities include awards of up to $35,000 for Resilient Communities and up to $450,000 through the Neighborhood Development Fund. It lists RFP and letter-of-intent opportunities but does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.0B
Grants
1,408
Total Given
$184.4M
Charles H Dater Foundation Inc
Cincinnati, OH
The Charles H. Dater Foundation supports programs and projects benefiting children and young people in Greater Cincinnati, especially in arts and culture, education, healthcare, and social services. It makes about 150 grants a year, typically ranging from $20,000 to over $100,000; applications are submitted electronically, but the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$101.9M
Grants
144
Total Given
$5.4M
Louise Taft Semple Foundation
Cincinnati, OH
The Louise Taft Semple Foundation primarily funds arts and cultural projects in the Cincinnati region, while also considering education, civic, social service, and environmental initiatives. In 2024, grants ranged from $750 to $260,000, with a median of $15,000; most funding went to Ohio, with some in Kentucky and elsewhere. The profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$25.3M
Grants
56
Total Given
$1.8M
The Thomas J Emery Memorial
Cincinnati, OH
The Thomas J. Emery Memorial funds capital and program needs that improve Greater Cincinnati residents’ social, cultural, educational, civic, and physical conditions, typically awarding $1,500–$175,000, with a 2024 median of $15,000. It usually supports organizations in designated counties in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana, and accepts letters of inquiry from 501(c)(3) organizations.
Assets
$33.9M
Grants
67
Total Given
$1.6M
Robert a & Marian K Kennedy
Cincinnati, OH
The foundation supports a range of charitable organizations, including education, community, arts, and health-related groups. In 2025, it made 57 grants of $500 to $17,500, with a median grant of $2,000; most funding went to Ohio, followed by Kentucky and South Carolina. It accepts letters as application materials and lists an October 31 deadline.
Assets
$1.2M
Grants
57
Total Given
$139K
The Oliver Family Foundation
Cincinnati, OH
The Oliver Family Foundation supports medical, cultural, environmental, social-service, and community organizations, with awards intended for the Greater Cincinnati area. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,000 to $350,000, with a median of $17,500. The filing provides no application form or deadline and says giving is not limited to preselected organizations; it does not explicitly state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$43.7M
Grants
62
Total Given
$2.8M
More similar funders
More Funders in Ohio
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Robert Gould Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/robert-gould-foundation-inc-morg_83453bf1f2e84ea7bebd1c9410760d09
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_316064275_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Robert Gould Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/robert-gould-foundation-inc-morg_83453bf1f2e84ea7bebd1c9410760d09},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-20. 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 Robert Gould Foundation Inc'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.
Robert Gould Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?