The William R Orthwein Jr and Laura Rand Orthwein Foundation Inc
THE WILLIAM R ORTHWEIN JR AND LAURA is a private foundation based in St. Louis, Missouri. Its 2024 filing states that its sole charitable activity is making grants and contributions to qualified charitable organizations; it conducts no direct charitable activities.
The William R Orthwein Jr and Laura Rand Orthwein Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: The William R Orthwein Jr and Laura Rand Orthwein Foundation Inc gave $5.7M across 43 grants in 2024 (avg $132K), mostly in Missouri. 14% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $5,665,380
- +7.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 43
- -15.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $131,753
- +27.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $76,672,942
- +7.9% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 14% first-time grantees (6 of 43, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Missouri (95% 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 William R Orthwein Jr and Laura Rand Orthwein Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
Applicants must submit a complete proposal, including an application form and a two-page cover letter. Grants are not made to charities outside the United States.
- Review Cycle
- The filing states a June 1 application deadline and says final grant decisions will be made by November 30. The June 1, 2026 deadline has passed.
- Deadline
- The filing states a June 1 application deadline and says final grant decisions will be made by November 30.
- Contact
Application contact: William R Orthwein Jr Laura Rand Or
Mailing address: PO Box 22069, St Louis, MO 63126
Phone: (314) 306-1839
Email: foundation@wrolro.net
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The William R Orthwein Jr and Laura Rand Orthwein Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Missouri Historical Society ($532K). Together the top 10 received $3.6M.
Grant Size Distribution
249 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 103 grants of 249 (41%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 95% of grant dollars went to Missouri recipients. The remaining reported shares went to Connecticut (3%), Tennessee (1%), Oklahoma (1%), and New York (0%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 43 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The William R Orthwein Jr and Laura Rand Orthwein Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
14%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 6 of 43 grantees (14%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $25K; repeat grants $149K. How we count
Medians: $20K first-time, $100K repeat.
- 70% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−2%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 112% 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 $4.7M (2022) to $5.8M (2021). In 2024 it made 43 grants totaling $5.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Historical Society St. Louis, MO | General Operating | $531,505 |
| Forest Park Forever St. Louis, MO | General Operating | $500,000 |
| St Louis Zoo St. Louis, MO | General Operating | $450,000 |
| Micds St. Louis, MO | General Operating | $393,807 |
| Missouri Botanical Garden St. Louis, MO | General Operating | $393,807 |
| St Luke's Health Corporation Chesterfield, MO | General Operating | $393,807 |
| Cardinal Glennon St. Louis, MO | General Operating | $250,000 |
| Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition St. Louis, MO | General Operating | $250,000 |
| St Louis Science Center St. Louis, MO | General Operating | $236,284 |
| St Louis Symphony Society St. Louis, MO | General Operating | $236,284 |
Ready to take the next step with The William R Orthwein Jr and Laura Rand Orthwein Foundation Inc?
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 | $76,672,942 | $12,619,570 | $7,028,378 | $5,665,380 | 43 | $5,665,380 | $10,841,585 | $5,069,501 |
| 2023 | $71,081,750 | $5,542,594 | $6,358,320 | $5,281,041 | 51 | $5,281,041 | $1,719,087 | $4,632,121 |
| 2022 | $71,897,476 | $4,024,869 | $5,721,449 | $4,651,672 | 43 | $4,651,672 | $432,336 | $4,493,700 |
| 2021 | $73,594,056 | $14,006,042 | $7,085,879 | $5,805,575 | 56 | $5,805,575 | $9,607,874 | $4,901,702 |
| 2020 | $66,673,893 | $8,813,680 | $6,136,102 | $5,101,302 | 56 | — | $5,122,079 | $4,252,267 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The William R Orthwein Jr and Laura Rand Orthwein Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $5.1M 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 filing does not state a separate mission or specific focus areas. The 2024 grants show support for a range of organizations, including cultural, educational, health, and community organizations. For example, the Missouri Historical Society describes its work as educational and community programs, collections and conservation, library and research, and exhibitions. Forest Park Forever says it works with the City of St. Louis to restore, maintain, and sustain Forest Park. St. Louis Children’s Hospital Foundation describes its role as supporting pediatric care and related programs and initiatives.
Other 2024 grantees describe work including hunger relief (Operation Food Search), support for young people (Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri), and home-based services for babies and families (Nurses for Newborns).
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 43 grants totaling $5,665,380. Grant amounts ranged from $10,000 to $531,505, with a median of $50,000.
The largest reported grants included $531,505 to the Missouri Historical Society and $500,000 to Forest Park Forever, both for general operating support. Other large general operating grants included $450,000 to the St. Louis Zoo, $393,807 each to MICDS, Missouri Botanical Garden, and St. Luke’s Health Corporation, and $250,000 each to Cardinal Glennon and Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition. The foundation also gave $100,000 to Wings of Hope, $75,000 to Operation Food Search, and $50,000 each to Big Brothers Big Sisters and Nurses for Newborns.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Nettie O. Dodge as director and president, Stephen C. Jones as director and secretary, and Elisabeth Bacon as director and treasurer.
The William R Orthwein Jr and Laura Rand Orthwein Foundation Inc is led by Nettie O. Dodge, Director & President on every filing since 2020; 1 of 3 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Nettie O. Dodge
Director & President
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$10K (2020) → $10K (2024)
Stephen C. Jones
Director & Secretary
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Elisabeth Bacon
Director & Treasurer
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Laura Hartmann (2020–2022) — Director & Treasurer
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $10K, to Nettie O Dodge (Director and President).
Frequently asked questions about The William R Orthwein Jr and Laura Rand Orthwein Foundation Inc
How much does The William R Orthwein Jr and Laura Rand Orthwein Foundation Inc give each year?
The William R Orthwein Jr and Laura Rand Orthwein Foundation Inc gave $5.7M across 43 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $5.3M across 51 grants.
What is The William R Orthwein Jr and Laura Rand Orthwein Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
The William R Orthwein Jr and Laura Rand Orthwein Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $50,000, and its average grant was $131,753, across 43 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The William R Orthwein Jr and Laura Rand Orthwein Foundation Inc that year got $25K on average.
Where does The William R Orthwein Jr and Laura Rand Orthwein Foundation Inc give grants?
The William R Orthwein Jr and Laura Rand Orthwein Foundation Inc gives mostly in Missouri: 95% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were St. Louis, MO (34 grants) and Chesterfield, MO (2 grants).
Does The William R Orthwein Jr and Laura Rand Orthwein Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The William R Orthwein Jr and Laura Rand Orthwein Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (43 of 43) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The William R Orthwein Jr and Laura Rand Orthwein Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
The William R Orthwein Jr and Laura Rand Orthwein Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Missouri Historical Society ($531,505), Forest Park Forever ($500,000) and St Louis Zoo ($450,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 26% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The William R Orthwein Jr and Laura Rand Orthwein Foundation Inc?
The William R Orthwein Jr and Laura Rand Orthwein Foundation Inc reported $76.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $5.7M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $5.1M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The William R Orthwein Jr and Laura Rand Orthwein Foundation Inc fund?
The filing does not state a separate mission or specific focus areas. The 2024 grants show support for a range of organizations, including cultural, educational, health, and community organizations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The William R Orthwein Jr and Laura Rand Orthwein Foundation Inc?
Applicants must submit a complete proposal, including an application form and a two-page cover letter. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The William R Orthwein Jr and Laura Rand Orthwein Foundation Inc's EIN?
The William R Orthwein Jr and Laura Rand Orthwein Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-4746588. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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 William R Orthwein Jr and Laura Rand Orthwein Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 6, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-william-r-orthwein-jr-and-laura-rand-orthwein-foundation-inc-morg_630427bcf92d46369cc9b71a253760f0
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_464746588_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The William R Orthwein Jr and Laura Rand Orthwein Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-william-r-orthwein-jr-and-laura-rand-orthwein-foundation-inc-morg_630427bcf92d46369cc9b71a253760f0},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-06. 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 William R Orthwein Jr and Laura Rand Orthwein 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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