The Northern Cincinnai Foundation
The Northern Cincinnati Foundation is a community foundation established in 1999 and based in West Chester, Ohio. Founded as a grassroots organization by community members around a kitchen table, the foundation has grown to become a significant philanthropic institution in the Northern Cincinnati region. The foundation facilitates philanthropy by helping individuals, families, businesses, schools, churches, and other organizations give back to their communities through various charitable funds and giving vehicles.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$33.8M
+35.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.0M
+89.6% YoY
Grant Count
47
+9.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$43K
+73.5% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: Transforming generosity into impact by encouraging, supporting, and facilitating philanthropy to create more vibrant communities in Northern Cincinnati.
Core Values: Community, Stewardship, and Impact
Primary Funding Areas:
- Human Services
- Youth Development
- Community Development
- Arts & Culture
- Education
- Faith-Based Organizations
- Health
- Animals & Pets
Grantmaking
The Northern Cincinnati Foundation manages 170+ charitable funds, with 67% of assets endowed for sustained, long-term impact. The foundation distributes millions in grants annually.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily serves Northern Cincinnati and the surrounding region, including Ohio, Minnesota, and Kentucky.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Giving (Most Recent Data):
- Total assets: $33,769,376 (2024)
- Total assets: $24,900,377 (2023)
- Total giving: $2,377,138 (2024)
- Total revenues: $3,431,511 (2023)
- Total expenses: $2,072,078 (2023)
- Number of employees: 3
Historical Growth:
- Founded in 1999 with no large bequest, funded by collective efforts of everyday individuals and small businesses
- Has surpassed $27 million in assets
- 25 years in business as of 2024
- 172 charitable funds managed
Governance:
- Annually audited and certified
- Publishes annual year-in-review reports and tax documents
- Operates with integrity, transparency, and accountability
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $33,769,376 | $24,900,377 | $21,388,644 |
| Revenue | $10,733,417 | $3,431,511 | $1,879,258 |
| Expenses | $2,986,820 | $2,072,078 | $2,245,297 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $852,936 | $768,802 | $117,468 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
235 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
4 open opportunities from The Northern Cincinnai Foundation
Northern Cincinnati Foundation Scholarship Grant
THE NORTHERN CINCINNAI FOUNDATION
Amount
Up to US $1,500
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Power of the Purse Grant Program
THE NORTHERN CINCINNAI FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Tide Cleaners Scholarship
THE NORTHERN CINCINNAI FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board of Directors:
- Nick Enger – Chair; President & Chief Technology Officer, ATC
- Dave Meyer – Vice Chair; Partner (retired), Ernst & Young
- Steve Wannamaker – Secretary; Entrepreneur, Media Innovator, and Civic Leader
- Sarah Johnston – Treasurer; Strategic Advisor, BRANDITO Midwest
- Karen Gibbs – Vice President
- Dave Bruno – Board Member
- Matt Crossin – Board Member; Market Leader Commercial Banking, Commerce
Staff:
- Erin Satzger – President & CEO
- Nancy Fister – Chief Financial Officer
- Dane Baldwin – Director of Donor Relations
Board members are elected for 4-year terms.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ERIN SATZGER | PRESIDENT & | 40 | $140,000 |
| KAREN GIBBS | VICE PRESIDE | 40 | $73,250 |
| NANCY FISTER | VP OF FINANC | 20 | $51,000 |
| DAN BENHASE | BOARD CHAIR | 0.5 | — |
| JEANNE BRAUNS | BOARD MEMBER | 0.5 | — |
| DAVE BRUNO | BOARD MEMBER | 0.5 | — |
| NICK ENGER | BOARD VICE-C | 0.5 | — |
| BEN HELWIG | BOARD MEMBER | 0.5 | — |
| GAIL JACKSON-MILLER | BOARD MEMBER | 0.5 | — |
| IAN MURRAY | SECRETARY | 0.5 | — |
| RAY MURRAY | BOARD MEMBER | 0.5 | — |
| SETH PRIESTLE | BOARD MEMBER | 0.5 | — |
| CAROL RUSSELL | BOARD MEMBER | 0.5 | — |
| BILL SCHUMACKER | BOARD MEMBER | 0.5 | — |
| DR KRIS TITKO | BOARD MEMBER | 0.5 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Northern Cincinnati Foundation announced a Bitcoin-backed scholarship endowment supporting Catholic education, demonstrating innovative approaches to fund development and donor engagement.
Northern Cincinnati Foundation Announces Bitcoin-Backed Scholarship EndowmentThe foundation has announced board leadership transitions, indicating ongoing governance evolution and organizational development.
Northern Cincinnati Foundation Announces Board Leadership Transitions - TheSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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