The John Milton Costello Foundation
The John Milton Costello Foundation is a private foundation based in Cleveland, Ohio. Its 2020 IRS filing, marked as the organization’s final return, reports that it gave 18 grants totaling $28,000. The filing indicates that the foundation has terminated or is winding down, so the application information below should not be treated as current.
The John Milton Costello Foundation at a glance
In short: The John Milton Costello Foundation gave $28K across 18 grants in 2020 (avg $2K), mostly in Ohio. Source: 2020 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2020)
- $28,000
- Grants made (2020)
- 18
- Average grant
- $1,556
- Median grant
- $1,500
- Primary geography
- Ohio (100% of itemized 2020 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2020 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2020; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The John Milton Costello Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The 2020 filing says there was no formal application and that a letter outlining activities was sufficient. It also says the foundation did not restrict giving to preselected organizations. The filing’s application instructions are not current because it is marked as the final return.
- Review Cycle
- The filing listed a deadline prior to November 1. This is a past application cycle, not an open deadline.
- Deadline
- The filing listed a deadline prior to November 1.
- Contact
Application contact: Bernard H Niehaus
Mailing address: 200 Public Square Suite 3000, Cleveland, OH 44114
Phone: (216) 515-1607
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The John Milton Costello Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2020
The largest 2020 recipient was Catholic Hunger & Shelter Fund ($2K). Together the top 10 received $19K.
Grant Size Distribution
18 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 18 grants of 18 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The filing states that awards were restricted to the Greater Cleveland, Ohio area. All grant dollars reported for 2020 went to recipients in Ohio.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2020 grant dollars across all 18 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
In 2020 it made 18 grants totaling $28K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Catholic Hunger & Shelter Fund Cleveland, OH | Human Services | $2,000 |
| Holy Family Home Parma, OH | Human Services | $2,000 |
| Jennings Center for Older Adults Cleveland, OH | Human Services | $2,000 |
| Joseph's Home Clelveland, OH | Human Services | $2,000 |
| Reginia Health Center Richfield, OH | Human Services | $2,000 |
| Greater Cleveland Food Bank Cleveland, OH | Human Services | $2,000 |
| Building Healthy Communities Cleveland, OH | Human Services | $2,000 |
| Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center Cleveland, OH | Human Services | $2,000 |
| Urban Community School Cleveland, OH | Human Services | $1,500 |
| The Legal Aid Society Cleveland, OH | Human Services | $1,500 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $29,814 | $38,792 | $28,000 | 18 | $27,215 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The filing lists the foundation’s general area of support as human services. Its 2020 grantees included organizations serving older adults, people with acute medical needs, neighbors facing hunger, and people with disabilities. For example, Jennings Center for Older Adults describes its work as supporting individuals as they age, while Joseph’s Home describes providing care for people without resources who have acute medical needs. The Greater Cleveland Food Bank says it provides food and essential resources to neighbors facing hunger, and Vocational Guidance Services describes creating pathways to community engagement, independence, and employment for people with disabilities. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own work, not a stated mission of the foundation.
Grantmaking
In 2020, the foundation made 18 grants totaling $28,000. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $2,000, with a median grant of $1,500. Notable awards included $2,000 each to Catholic Hunger & Shelter Fund, Holy Family Home, Jennings Center for Older Adults, Joseph’s Home, Reginia Health Center, Greater Cleveland Food Bank, Building Healthy Communities, and Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center. Urban Community School, The Legal Aid Society, Vocational Guidance Services, and Metro Catholic School each received $1,500.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2020 filing lists Christine M Bellarosa as Trustee, Lynn Kratky as Treasurer and Trustee, and Bernard H Niehaus as President, Secretary, and Trustee.
The John Milton Costello Foundation is led by Bernard H Niehaus, President & Secretary on the 2020 filing; all 3 officers listed in 2020 are compensated.
Officers on the 2020 filing
Bernard H Niehaus
President & Secretary
New on the 2020 filing
1 hr/week
$3K (2020)
Christine M Bellarosa
Trustee
New on the 2020 filing
1 hr/week
$3K (2020)
Lynn Kratky
Treasurer & Trustee
New on the 2020 filing
1 hr/week
$3K (2020)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2020 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2020 filing was $3K, to Christine M Bellarosa (Trustee). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The John Milton Costello Foundation
How much does The John Milton Costello Foundation give each year?
The John Milton Costello Foundation gave $28K across 18 grants in 2020, according to its 2020 IRS Form 990-PF.
What is The John Milton Costello Foundation's typical grant size?
The John Milton Costello Foundation's median grant in 2020 was $1,500, and its average grant was $1,556, across 18 grants on its 2020 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The John Milton Costello Foundation give grants?
The John Milton Costello Foundation gives mostly in Ohio: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2020 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Cleveland, OH (15 grants).
Does The John Milton Costello Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2020: none of the 18 grants with a stated purpose on The John Milton Costello Foundation's 2020 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Human Services" (18 grants).
Who are The John Milton Costello Foundation's largest grantees?
The John Milton Costello Foundation's largest 2020 grantees include Catholic Hunger & Shelter Fund ($2,000), Holy Family Home ($2,000) and Jennings Center for Older Adults ($2,000), according to its 2020 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 21% of its itemized 2020 grant dollars.
What does The John Milton Costello Foundation fund?
The filing lists the foundation’s general area of support as human services. Its 2020 grantees included organizations serving older adults, people with acute medical needs, neighbors facing hunger, and people with disabilities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The John Milton Costello Foundation?
The 2020 filing says there was no formal application and that a letter outlining activities was sufficient. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The John Milton Costello Foundation's EIN?
The John Milton Costello Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 34-6738800. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020.
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 year 2020
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Figures come from The John Milton Costello 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.
The John Milton Costello Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?