The Gates Mills Improvement Society

The Bascom Little Fund

Cleveland Heights, OH

Murphy Family Foundation

Solon, OH

The Murphy Family Foundation primarily funds nonprofit programs addressing poverty in greater Cleveland, especially food assistance, shelter, and educational support for disadvantaged people. Its 2025 grants ranged from $1,000 to $20,000, with a median of $5,000; applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations, and the foundation’s application guidelines describe how to apply.

The Joseph and Florence Mandel Family-

Cleveland, OH

The foundation supports arts and cultural institutions, education, and community organizations, with most 2024 grant dollars going to Ohio and Florida and smaller amounts to New York and other states. Its 85 grants ranged from $2 to $1.9 million, with a median of $18,000. It does not use a formal application form and does not restrict giving to preselected organizations; requests should include a project description, amount and term, financial information, and IRS exemption documentation.

The Cynthia Parker Matthews Family Found

Cleveland, OH

The Cleveland-based foundation supports preselected charitable organizations, including groups working in children’s health, animal welfare, family support, and music; these are represented among its grantees, not stated as formal focus areas. In 2025, its 14 grants ranged from $10,000 to $500,000, with a median of $87,500, and most funding went to Ohio. It does not accept unsolicited funding requests.

The Char and Chuck Fowler Family

Mayfield Heights, OH

The Char and Chuck Fowler Family Foundation funded Northeast Ohio nonprofits working in criminal justice, AYA cancer support, reproductive health, environmental action, and the arts. In 2024, grants ranged from $500 to $200,000, with a median of $20,000. As of December 2, 2025, it no longer accepts funding requests.

Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation

Houston, TX

The foundation funds programs and scholarships directly connected to classical violin performance and study, including violin instruction at music schools, conservatories, and universities across multiple states. Its 2024 grants ranged from $4,000 to $250,000, with a median of $70,000. The filing says it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations, but does not explicitly state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Ohio Child Care Resource and Referral Association

Columbus, OH

OCCRRA funds Ohio organizations serving child care, early learning, and youth development, including through program-specific stabilization and access grants. Its 2025 grants ranged from $6,960 to $50,970, with a median of $30,060. Organizations apply for assistance and are reviewed against program criteria; unsolicited requests are not addressed in the information provided.

Columbus Foundation

Columbus, OH

The Columbus Foundation supports a broad range of nonprofit work, including arts, education, health, basic needs, neighborhoods, and capacity building, primarily in central Ohio. Its 2024 grants had a median of $21,471, though amounts varied widely. Most grants are directed by donors and aren’t made through an application process, but some specific programs accept applications.

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.

The Cleveland Foundation

Cleveland, OH

The Cleveland Foundation funds education, human services, neighborhoods and housing, health, arts and culture, the environment, economic development, and other community priorities, primarily through grants to nonprofits in Cuyahoga, Lake and Geauga counties. Its 2024 grants ranged from about $5,000 to $17.5 million, with a median of about $30,700. It accepts applications year-round through its standard grant process, with deadlines determining which cycle an application enters.

The Scripps Howard Foundation

Cincinnati, OH

The foundation supports journalism education and related programs that foster informed, engaged communities, including journalism fellowships and environmental and technology-focused journalism initiatives. In 2024, grants ranged from $25 to $675,706, with a median of $1,250; funding was concentrated in Maryland and Washington, D.C., followed by Arizona, Ohio, and Colorado. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Nisource Charitable Foundation

Columbus, OH

The NiSource Charitable Foundation supports nonprofits addressing safety, workforce and economic development, environmental stewardship, STEM and energy education, and basic needs in communities across Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Its 2024 grants ranged from $60 to $2.1 million, with a median of $3,000. The filing directs applicants to contact the Foundation for application materials and deadlines; it does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.