The William R Orthwein Jr and Laura
The William R Orthwein Jr and Laura Rand Orthwein Foundation is an independent private foundation based in St. Louis, Missouri. Established in 2004 and granted charitable status in August 2014, the foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to philanthropic giving in support of education and the arts.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$76.7M
+7.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$5.7M
+7.3% YoY
Grant Count
43
-15.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$132K
+27.2% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The William R Orthwein Jr and Laura reported a distributable amount of $5.1M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation honors the interests of William R. Orthwein Jr. and Laura Rand Orthwein in education and the arts. The foundation supports operating funds and provides grants on a national basis.
Grantmaking
The foundation makes grants available for operating funds. Recent major gifts demonstrate significant commitment to cultural institutions:
Review Cycle
. Prospective grantees are advised to approach the foundation directly for more information. The fiscal year end is December.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation provides support nationally.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2023:
- Total Assets: $71,081,750 (ledger value)
- Annual Income: $26,701,841
- Revenue: $5.54 million
- Expenses: $6.36 million
- Total Liabilities: $0
The foundation is ranked 7,799 among the top 10,000 U.S. foundations by assets.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $76,672,942 | $71,081,750 | $71,897,476 |
| Revenue | $12,619,570 | $5,542,594 | $4,024,869 |
| Expenses | $7,028,378 | $6,358,320 | $5,721,449 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $5,665,380 | $5,281,041 | $4,651,672 |
| Net Investment Income | $10,841,585 | $1,719,087 | $432,336 |
| Distributable Amount | $5,069,501 | $4,632,121 | $4,493,700 |
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
236 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Missouri Historical Society ($531,505), Forest Park Forever ($500,000), St Louis Zoo ($450,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| BARNES-JEWISH HOSPITAL FOUNDATION ST LOUIS, MO | GENERAL OPERATING | $105,015 |
| BEYOND HOUSING ST LOUIS, MO | GENERAL OPERATING | $30,000 |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS ST LOUIS, MO | GENERAL OPERATING | $50,000 |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB ST LOUIS, MO | GENERAL OPERATING | $50,000 |
| CAMP RAINBOW FENTON, MO | GENERAL OPERATING | $20,000 |
| CARDINAL GLENNON ST LOUIS, MO | GENERAL OPERATING | $250,000 |
| CENTRAL INSTITUTE FOR THE DEAF ST LOUIS, MO | GENERAL OPERATING | $20,000 |
| CITY ACADEMY ST LOUIS, MO | GENERAL OPERATING | $25,000 |
| CRISIS NURSERY ST LOUIS, MO | GENERAL OPERATING | $35,000 |
| EQUINE ASSISTED THERAPY WILDWOOD, MO | GENERAL OPERATING | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Nettie O. Dodge serves as president of the Orthwein Foundation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| NETTIE O DODGE | DIRECTOR AND PRESIDENT | 2 | $10,000 |
| STEPHEN C JONES | DIRECTOR AND SECRETARY | 2 | — |
| ELISABETH BACON | DIRECTOR AND TREASURER | 2 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation announced a $3 million gift to The Muny in 2024 for the Orthwein Entrance project, described as the largest single financial gift to The Muny from the Orthwein Foundation. The project will enhance accessibility for patrons, including those using wheelchair assistance, and will feature improved pedestrian surfaces, lighting, benches, a passenger drop-off area, new signage, landscaped planter beds, security enhancements, and drainage improvements for the adjacent East Tributary waterway.
William R Orthwein Jr And Laura Rand Orthwein Foundation IncContact Information
Phone: 314-306-1839
Address: PO Box 22069, St Louis, MO 63126-0069
EIN: 46-4746588
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The William R Orthwein Jr and Laura fund?
The foundation honors the interests of William R. Orthwein Jr. and Laura Rand Orthwein in education and the arts. The foundation supports operating funds and provides grants on a national basis.
How do I apply for a grant from The William R Orthwein Jr and Laura?
The foundation makes grants available for operating funds. Recent major gifts demonstrate significant commitment to cultural institutions: • **$3 million gift** to The Muny for construction of the Orthwein Entrance pedestrian walkway, improving accessibility between the Lower Muny Lot and the theatre's east entrance. Construction is scheduled to begin after the 2026 season and be completed before the 2027 season. • **$2 million gift** to The Muny's Second Century Capital Campaign for major capi…
Where does The William R Orthwein Jr and Laura make grants?
The foundation provides support nationally.
What size grants does The William R Orthwein Jr and Laura award?
In 2024, The William R Orthwein Jr and Laura awarded 43 grants totaling $5.7M — an average of about $132K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The William R Orthwein Jr and Laura required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The William R Orthwein Jr and Laura reported a distributable amount of $5.1M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The William R Orthwein Jr and Laura's EIN?
The William R Orthwein Jr and Laura's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-4746588. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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