The Hogrefe Foundation
The Hogrefe Foundation is a private foundation based in Sandusky, Ohio. Its stated mission is to help make Erie County a better place for its citizens, with a focus on children; its 2024 grants went to recipients in Ohio.
The Hogrefe Foundation at a glance
In short: The Hogrefe Foundation gave $209K across 11 grants in 2024 (avg $19K), mostly in Ohio. 20% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $209,100
- -15.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 11
- +37.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $19,009
- -38.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $500
- Total assets
- $451,977
- -26.5% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 20% first-time grantees (2 of 10, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Ohio (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Hogrefe Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Its filing directs applicants to see its website for application forms and materials; it lists deadlines as varying. The foundation’s website invites local nonprofit organizations interested in collaboration to reach out.
- Contact
Application contact: The Hogrefe Foundation
Mailing address: 152 Columbus Ave, Sandusky, OH 44870
Phone: (617) 817-3261
Email: mhogrefe@forlovewithlove.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Hogrefe Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Sandusky State Theater ($200K). Together the top 10 received $209K.
Grant Size Distribution
38 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 36 grants of 38 (95%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All grant dollars reported for 2024 went to recipients in Ohio. The foundation’s stated mission centers on Erie County, and its website describes local activities in Sandusky and surrounding communities.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 11 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The Hogrefe Foundation open to new grantees?
20%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 2 of 10 grantees (20%) were first-time recipients. With only 10 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 10 points. First grants averaged $575; repeat grants $26K. How we count
Medians: $575 first-time, $650 repeat.
- 60% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 661% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $123K (2020) to $248K (2023). In 2024 it made 11 grants totaling $209K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Sandusky State Theater Sandusky, OH | Building Remodel | $200,000 |
| Erie County Economic Development Fu Sandusky, OH | Business Developments | $4,500 |
| Ohio Pyro and Flame Inc Sandusky, OH | Indoor Pyro Oversight and Production | $1,000 |
| Sandusky Pride Sandusky, OH | Embrace LGBTQ+ Community | $1,000 |
| Oh-Go Sandusky, OH | Food Pantry | $500 |
| National Association Letter Carrier Brooklyn Heights, OH | Food Drive | $500 |
| Idea Advocates Inc Marengo, OH | Support Those with Disabilities | $500 |
| American Driving School Sandusky, OH | Driver's Education | $350 |
| Sandusky City Schools Sandusky, OH | Education Curriculum | $300 |
| Oh-Go Sandusky, OH | Project Share | $300 |
Ready to take the next step with The Hogrefe Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $451,977 | $51,609 | $214,676 | $209,100 | 11 | $209,100 | $13,207 | $31,616 |
| 2023 | $615,044 | $-3,173 | $255,412 | $248,150 | 8 | $248,150 | $17,199 | $38,914 |
| 2020 | $240,489 | $305,629 | $125,098 | $122,880 | 19 | — | $4 | $2,985 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Hogrefe Foundation reported a distributable amount of $32K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is to improve life in Erie County, with particular attention to children, including supporting their education and wellness. Its website also describes park cleanups as an initiative intended to help young people learn life skills.
The 2024 filing lists grants for a range of purposes, including a theater building remodel, business development, food assistance, disability support, education, and LGBTQ+ community support. Among the supported organizations, OH-GO describes its mission as delivering goods to disadvantaged children through a mobile service and offering learning experiences in their local environments.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 11 grants totaling $209,100. Grant amounts ranged from $150 to $200,000, with a median of $500. The largest award was $200,000 to Sandusky State Theater for a building remodel. Other grants included $4,500 to Erie County Economic Development FU for business developments; $1,000 each to Ohio Pyro and Flame Inc for indoor pyro oversight and production and to Sandusky Pride to embrace the LGBTQ+ community; and $500 to OH-GO for a food pantry. OH-GO also received $300 for Project Share.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Meghan Hogrefe as president and Richard Hogrefe as secretary. It lists Sharon Salmon, Blake Harris, Alan Griffiths, and Tracy Guerra as board members. The foundation’s website also identifies Sharon Salmon, Alan Griffiths, Tracy Guerra, and Richard and Meghan Hogrefe as board members.
The Hogrefe Foundation is led by Meghan Hogrefe, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 6 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Meghan Hogrefe
President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Richard Hogrefe
Secretary
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Alan Griffiths
Board Member
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Blake Harris
Board Member
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Sharon Salmon
Board Member
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Tracy Guerra
Board Member
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "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 The Hogrefe Foundation
How much does The Hogrefe Foundation give each year?
The Hogrefe Foundation gave $209K across 11 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $248K across 8 grants.
What is The Hogrefe Foundation's typical grant size?
The Hogrefe Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $500, and its average grant was $19,009, across 11 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Hogrefe Foundation that year got $575 on average.
Where does The Hogrefe Foundation give grants?
The Hogrefe Foundation gives mostly in Ohio: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Sandusky, OH (8 grants).
Does The Hogrefe Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 11 grants with a stated purpose on The Hogrefe Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are The Hogrefe Foundation's largest grantees?
The Hogrefe Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Sandusky State Theater ($200,000), Erie County Economic Development Fu ($4,500) and Ohio Pyro and Flame Inc ($1,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 98% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Hogrefe Foundation?
The Hogrefe Foundation reported $452K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $209K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $32K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Hogrefe Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to improve life in Erie County, with particular attention to children, including supporting their education and wellness. Its website also describes park cleanups as an initiative intended to help young people learn life skills. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Hogrefe Foundation?
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Hogrefe Foundation's EIN?
The Hogrefe Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 82-5030849. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Hogrefe 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
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Hogrefe Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-hogrefe-foundation-morg_8f8edcf0b6c2481581dda305b95aaf3c
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_825030849_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Hogrefe Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-hogrefe-foundation-morg_8f8edcf0b6c2481581dda305b95aaf3c},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. 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 The Hogrefe Foundation'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.
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