The Hous Foundation Inc
The Hous Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Westerville, Ohio. Founded in 2022 to honor Annie Niewenhous and her children, Isabelle and Parker, it supports children’s access to extracurricular and other non-school activities.
The Hous Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: The Hous Foundation Inc gave $51K across 49 grants in 2025 (avg $1K), mostly in Ohio. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $50,715
- -0.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 49
- +345.5% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $1,035
- -77.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $500
- Total assets
- $949,180
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Ohio (98% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The Hous Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
For activity scholarships, a parent or guardian submits the online application. The 2025 filing lists Sonya Thesing as the contact for the application process. The filing describes contributions to charitable organizations as limited to preselected organizations.
- Review Cycle
- The website and 2025 filing state that applications are reviewed on the 15th of each month. The website says applicants are notified by the 21st and provider payments are made by the end of that month, subject to available funds.
- Deadline
- The website and 2025 filing state that applications are reviewed on the 15th of each month.
- Contact
Application contact: Sonya Thesing
Mailing address: PO Box 1522, Westerville, OH 43086
Phone: (614) 259-7329
Website: https://www.housfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Hous Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Shining Diamonds Dance Studio ($13K). Together the top 10 received $32K.
Grant Size Distribution
60 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 60 grants of 60 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s scholarship information identifies Central Ohio and Maryland as the communities it serves; the 2025 filing specifies Central Ohio and Bel Air, Maryland. In the 2025 grant data, 98% of grant dollars went to recipients in Ohio, with 1% in Illinois and 0% each in Florida and New York.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 49 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2024 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $51K (2025) to $51K (2024). In 2025 it made 49 grants totaling $51K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Shining Diamonds Dance Studio Columbus, OH | Registration Fees (25) | $12,500 |
| Brick Sports Gahanna, OH | Registration Fees | $4,950 |
| Hilltop Cowboys Zeffy Columbus, OH | Team Fees | $4,220 |
| The Cheer Institute Columbus, OH | FEE - (16) | $3,200 |
| Community for New Direction Columbus, OH | College Trips | $1,900 |
| Columbus Diamonds Elite Cheer Westerville, OH | Registration Fees | $1,300 |
| Michelle Tuesday Music School Gahanna, OH | Piano Lessons | $1,265 |
| Young Chefs Academy Columbus, OH | Registration Fees | $1,112 |
| Barcelona United SC Pickerington, OH | Registration Fees | $1,000 |
| Oriental Martial Arts College Reynoldsburg, OH | Registration | $1,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Hous Foundation Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $949,180 | $136,137 | $150,400 | $50,715 | 49 | $52,175 | — |
| 2024 | $948,811 | $91,729 | $54,671 | $51,000 | 11 | $52,500 | $78,495 |
| 2023 | $1,003,500 | $59,348 | $68,553 | — | — | — | $48,699 |
| 2022 | $1,012,705 | $1,053,099 | $40,394 | — | — | — | $60,821 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation says it empowers children by expanding their access to activities and opportunities. Its website lists eligible activity costs such as sports and recreation, music, art, dance, theater, coding, STEM and learning programs, camps, clubs, and some equipment. Scholarships are paid directly to the program provider, not to families, and do not cover school tuition, required tutoring, or personal items unrelated to the activity. The website says the average scholarship is $200–$500 per child per year; the 2025 filing describes awards of $50–$500.
The foundation’s earlier Infinity Fund supported established nonprofit organizations seeking to improve children’s quality of life. For example, Community for New Direction Inc., which received $1,900 in 2025, describes its work as empowering individuals through innovative programs and positive relationships, serving economically distressed neighborhoods, and providing youth programs as well as adult mental health and substance-use-disorder treatment.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 49 grants totaling $50,715. Itemized grants ranged from $64 to $12,500, with a median of $500. The largest listed award was $12,500 to Shining Diamonds Dance Studio for registration fees. Other notable awards included $4,950 to Brick Sports for registration fees, $4,220 to Hilltop Cowboys Zeffy for team fees, $3,200 to The Cheer Institute for fees, and $1,900 to Community for New Direction for college trips.
The foundation’s website says families must apply separately for each activity or season. A parent or guardian applies online for a child aged 5–18 who lives in Central Ohio or Maryland and whose family needs financial help. Applications are reviewed by at least two people based on financial need and available funding; awards are not guaranteed, and payments go directly to providers. The website says children of foundation board members or staff are ineligible. Separately, the foundation’s 2025 filing states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Timothy Owens as secretary; Gus Niewenhous and Kelly Cullum as co-chairs; Patricia DiPietro as treasurer; Susan Niewenhous, Kerri Bashore, Sally Sexton, and Lindsey Wiggers as directors; and Sonya Thesing as “Executive DI.”
The Hous Foundation Inc's 2025 filing lists 9 officers; none of the 9 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Kerri Bashore
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lindsey Wiggers
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Susan Niewenhous
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sally Sexton
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Patricia Dipietro
Treasurer
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Timothy Owens
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gus Niewenhous
Co-Chair
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kelly Cullum
Co-Chair
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sonya Thesing
Executive Di
New on the 2025 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: George Niewenhous (2022–2024) — Co-Founder
- Former: Kimberly Delich (2022–2024) — Director
- Former: Mary Kelly Cullum (2022–2024) — Co-Founder
- Former: Sarah Sexton (2022–2024) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2022–2025. "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 The Hous Foundation Inc
How much does The Hous Foundation Inc give each year?
The Hous Foundation Inc gave $51K across 49 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $51K across 11 grants.
What is The Hous Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
The Hous Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $500, and its average grant was $1,035, across 49 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Hous Foundation Inc give grants?
The Hous Foundation Inc gives mostly in Ohio: 98% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Columbus, OH (15 grants), Gahanna, OH (6 grants), Pickerington, OH (5 grants) and Westerville, OH (5 grants).
Does The Hous Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 49 grants with a stated purpose on The Hous Foundation Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Registration Fees" (17 grants), "Registration" (4 grants) and "Registration Fee" (3 grants).
Who are The Hous Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
The Hous Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Shining Diamonds Dance Studio ($12,500), Brick Sports ($4,950) and Hilltop Cowboys Zeffy ($4,220), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 43% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Hous Foundation Inc?
The Hous Foundation Inc reported $949K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $136K.
What does The Hous Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation says it empowers children by expanding their access to activities and opportunities. Its website lists eligible activity costs such as sports and recreation, music, art, dance, theater, coding, STEM and learning programs, camps, clubs, and some equipment. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Hous Foundation Inc?
For activity scholarships, a parent or guardian submits the online application. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Hous Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Hous Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 86-2813227. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2022–2025.
Does The Hous Foundation Inc 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
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 3, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2022–2024
Live grants for the work The Hous Foundation Inc funds
Human Services Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Hous Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Hous Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-hous-foundation-inc-morg_acf60be9fdb24792a60c54fa0ec79160
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_862813227_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Hous Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-hous-foundation-inc-morg_acf60be9fdb24792a60c54fa0ec79160},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-17. 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 Hous 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.
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