Spaulding Foundation

Foundation · Grantmaker Cincinnati, OH EIN: 31-1096254

The Spaulding Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation based in Cincinnati, Ohio, established in 1984 and incorporated in 1997. The foundation serves the Greater Cincinnati area with a focus on improving quality of life in Hamilton County and contiguous counties. It has earned a reputation among grantees for an exemplary application process and demonstrates a strong preference for benefiting children and vulnerable populations. The foundation supports both major institutions and smaller community-based nonprofits.

Key facts about Spaulding Foundation

In short: Spaulding Foundation gave $1.5M across 47 grants in 2025 (avg $33K), mostly in Ohio. 40% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

EIN
31-1096254
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2025
Annual giving (2025)
$1,545,944
Grants made (2025)
47
Average grant
$32,892
Median grant
$21,165
New grantees (estimate)
40% first-time grantees (18 of 45, 2025)
Total assets
$35,637,255
Primary geography
Ohio (92% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
How to apply
The foundation does not maintain a public website. Full details ↓
Deadline
March 1, June 1, September 1, December 1

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Quick answers about Spaulding Foundation

How much does Spaulding Foundation give each year?

Spaulding Foundation gave $1.5M across 47 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $1.8M across 41 grants.

What is Spaulding Foundation's typical grant size?

Spaulding Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $21,165, and its average grant was $32,892, across 47 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Spaulding Foundation that year got $22K on average.

Where does Spaulding Foundation give grants?

Spaulding Foundation gives mostly in Ohio: 92% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Kentucky (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Cincinnati, OH (32 grants), Liberty Township, OH (2 grants) and Hamilton, OH (2 grants).

Does Spaulding Foundation give general operating support?

Occasionally: 2% of Spaulding Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 47) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

Who are Spaulding Foundation's largest grantees?

Spaulding Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden ($500,000), NewPath Child & Family Solutions ($75,000) and Serenity Recovery Network ($50,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 40% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.

Is Spaulding Foundation open to new grantees?

40%

first-time grantees, 2025

In 2025, 18 of 45 grantees (40%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $22K; repeat grants $41K. How we count

Medians: $20K first-time, $25K repeat.

  • 11% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
  • Giving grew 23% from 2022 to 2025. Method
  • In 2025 it paid out 83% 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 (2021–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.

Next steps with Spaulding Foundation

Financial Overview

From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$35.6M

+3.1% YoY

Annual Giving

$1.5M

-16.1% YoY

Grant Count

47

+14.6% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$33K

-26.8% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Spaulding Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.1M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation's mission focuses on improving quality of life in Hamilton County, Ohio and contiguous counties. Primary funding areas include:

  • Mental health services
  • Mental and physical disabilities
  • Substance abuse prevention and treatment
  • Services for women and children subjected to domestic violence, rape, and abuse
  • Child welfare and family services
  • Health and human services

The foundation supports initiatives benefiting children and youth, economically disadvantaged individuals, victims of violence or crime, and people with disabilities.

Grantmaking

Grant Range

$10,000 to $50,000+

Average Grant

$35,100

Review Cycle

- Application deadlines: March 1, June 1, September 1, December 1

How to Apply

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation primarily serves Hamilton County, Ohio and contiguous counties. It also funds initiatives in Kentucky, including cities such as Cincinnati, Dayton, and Covington.

Grant Distribution by State

3states

Share of all 47 itemized 2025 grant dollars.

Cities

CincinnatiCovingtonFlorenceFort MitchellMilfordHamiltonLiberty TownshipLovelandIndependenceEdgewoodMasonNewportPleasant PlainWest ChesterAuroraBlue AshCaliforniaDaytonGoshenLebanon

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Assets & Giving (2024):

  • Total assets: $28,923,240
  • Annual giving: $1,400,500
  • Total revenues: $2,485,110 (2023)
  • Total expenses: $1,876,772 (2023)

IRS Status:

  • EIN: 31-1096254
  • Tax-exempt status: Since June 1984
  • Classification: 501(c)(3) Private Foundation (NTEE code T20)
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$2.5M$5M$7.5M$10M20212022202320242025
Metric202520242023
Total Assets$35,637,255$34,578,065$28,315,089
Revenue$3,224,047$7,905,245$2,073,337
Expenses$2,164,871$2,250,420$2,498,254
Qualifying Distributions$1,779,020$2,045,240$2,258,530
Net Investment Income$3,021,961$7,736,523$1,855,328
Distributable Amount$2,141,958$1,662,033$1,859,092

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 30, 2025)
  2. Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 13, 2026)
  3. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$1M$2M$3M53 grants202141 grants202258 grants202341 grants202447 grants2025

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2025

Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden: $500KCincinnati Zoo & BotanicalGarden$500KNewPath Child & Family Solutions: $75KNewPath Child & FamilySolutions$75KSerenity Recovery Network: $50KSerenity Recovery Network$50KFamily Nurturing Center: $50KFamily Nurturing Center$50KStepping Stones: $30KStepping Stones$30KEDGE Teen Center: $30KEDGE Teen Center$30KBeech Acres Parenting Center: $30KBeech Acres Parenting Center$30KPLAN of Southwest Ohio: $30KPLAN of Southwest Ohio$30KFound House Interfaith Housing Network: $30KFound House Interfaith HousingNetwork$30KFreestore Foodbank: $30KFreestore Foodbank$30K

Grant Size Distribution

240 grants across all recorded years

225<$50K9$50–100K1$100–250K2$250–500K3$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden Cincinnati, OHCapital support for construction of Giraffe's Tower Exhibit$500,000
NewPath Child & Family Solutions Cincinnati, OHCapital funding to renovate building as residential unit for children with mental health issues$75,000
Serenity Recovery Network Cincinnati, OHCapital funding for housing units for adults in recovery$50,000
Family Nurturing Center Florence, KYCapital funding to renovate facility to expand services to children and families impacted by abuse$50,000
Stepping Stones Cincinnati, OHFunding for Adult Day Services for disabled adults$30,000
EDGE Teen Center Liberty Township, OHFunding for Afterschool Program for at-risk children$30,000
Beech Acres Parenting Center Cincinnati, OHFunding for Beyond the Classroom integrating mental health and support services in schools$30,000
PLAN of Southwest Ohio Cincinnati, OHFunding for Family Surrogacy Program planning long term care for disabled family members$30,000
Found House Interfaith Housing Network Cincinnati, OHFunding for permanent supportive housing program aiding chronically homeless individuals with disabilities$30,000
Freestore Foodbank Cincinnati, OHFunding for Stabilization Program providing case management to individuals and families$30,000

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

Trustees:

  • Emily Prather
  • Linda K Marlow
  • Ross Prather
  • Doug Marlow
  • John E Prather
  • Lisa L Prather

Staff:

  • Laura Dunderman, Grant Administrator

Spaulding Foundation's 2024 filing lists 4 officers; all 4 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • Linda K Marlow

    Trustee

    On filings since 2021

    10 hrs/week

    $12K (2021) → $52K (2024)

  • Ross Prather

    Trustee

    On filings since 2023

    10 hrs/week

    $3K (2023) → $17K (2024)

  • Doug Marlow

    Trustee

    New on the 2024 filing

    10 hrs/week

    $17K (2024)

  • Emily Prather

    Trustee

    New on the 2024 filing

    10 hrs/week

    $17K (2024)

Former officers (3)
  • Former: James R Marlow (2021–2023) — Trustee · Filing note: Deceased 43023
  • Former: John E Prather (2021–2023) — President · Filing note: Deceased 63022
  • Former: Lisa L Prather (2021–2023) — Trustee

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2024. "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

Linda K Marlow — Trustee: $52KLinda K MarlowTrustee$52KEmily Prather — Trustee: $17KEmily PratherTrustee$17KRoss Prather — Trustee: $17KRoss PratherTrustee$17KDoug Marlow — Trustee: $17KDoug MarlowTrustee$17K

Recent Grantees

Recent developments and announcements

Recent grants have supported organizations including:

Churches Active in Northside (CAIN) — Rainbow Choice Food Pantry ($30,000)

PLAN of Southwest Ohio — Case Management and Services for Families of Disabled Adults ($30,000)

Found House-Interfaith Housing Network — Permanent Supportive Housing Program for Homeless Families ($30,000)

Contact Information

Address: 8040 Hosbrook Road, Suite 440 Cincinnati, OH 45236

Phone: (513) 936-0101

Contact Person: Laura Dunderman, Grant Administrator

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Spaulding Foundation fund?

The foundation's mission focuses on improving quality of life in Hamilton County, Ohio and contiguous counties. Primary funding areas include: • Mental health services • Mental and physical disabilities • Substance abuse prevention and treatment • Services for women and children subjected to domestic violence, rape, and abuse • Child welfare and family services • Health and human services The foundation supports initiatives benefiting children and youth, economically disadvantaged individuals, …

How do I apply for a grant from Spaulding Foundation?

The foundation does not maintain a public website. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑

How much is Spaulding Foundation required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2025, Spaulding Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.1M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

What is Spaulding Foundation's EIN?

Spaulding Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 31-1096254. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.

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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.

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