TQL Foundation Inc is a private corporate foundation based in Cincinnati, Ohio. Established in 2016, the foundation is affiliated with Total Quality Logistics (TQL), the second-largest freight brokerage in North America and one of the largest global third-party logistics firms. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to philanthropic grantmaking.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$1.8M
-23.0% YoY
Grant Count
63
-10.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$28K
-14.4% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's grantmaking focuses on:
- Education
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
- Human Services
The foundation emphasizes employee choice in determining funding priorities, with grants directed toward organizations where TQL employees volunteer and donate personally.
Grantmaking
Any form can be used. Organizations may be asked to submit proof of tax-exempt status.
Grant Range
$177–$384,000
Average Grant
$22,000–$30,000
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's grantmaking is concentrated in:
- Ohio (primary focus)
- Tennessee
- Missouri
- Florida
- Illinois
Grantmaking reaches organizations across seven states, with Ohio, Florida, and Illinois accounting for 91% of all grants.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (2024):
- Total assets: $25,142,815
- Total giving: $1,780,759
Assets & Revenue (2023):
- Total assets: $25,504,333
- Total revenues: $378,259
- Total expenses: $2,445,444
- Investment income and dividends: $655,211
- Total liabilities: $0
Historical Growth: Total assets have grown from $7.3 million in 2015 to $25.1 million in 2024.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| 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
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include American Online Giving Foundation ($563,180), Guardian Angels Parishchurch ($250,000), Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cincinnati ($111,065).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| A CARING PLACE CINCINNATI, OH | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY CINCINNATI, OH | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $28,125 |
| AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION CINCINNATI, OH | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $1,500 |
| AMERICAN ONLINE GIVING FOUNDATION HUDSON, OH | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $563,180 |
| ARTSWAVE CINCINNATI, OH | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $30,000 |
| ARUNA CINCINNATI, OH | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $1,500 |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF CINCINNATI CINCINNATI, OH | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $111,065 |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF GREATER CINCINNATI CINCINNATI, OH | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| CANCER FREE KIDS LOVELAND, OH | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| CINCINNATI CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL CINCINNATI, OH | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $25,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- William J Keating Jr (Principal Officer)
- Kenneth G Oaks (Trustee)
- Michael Zins (Trustee)
- Kerry Byrne (Trustee, TQL President)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KENNETH G OAKS | CHAIRMAN | 1 | — |
| MICHAEL ZINS | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| KERRY BYRNE | PRES/SEC | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**2024 Giving:**
TQL donated $4 million through employee matching and sponsorships, supporting 3,600 nonprofits. The company ranked No. 7 on the Cincinnati Business Courier's inaugural "Most Giving Companies" list. TQL's 2024 charitable partners included Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati, Ronald McDonald House, CancerFree KIDS, Sam Hubbard Foundation, Cincinnati Nature Center, University of Cincinnati Food Pantry, and Disabled American Veterans.
2025 Annual Report by SVDPcincinnati - Issuu**Employee Participation:**
During the 2024 Annual Giving Campaign, 79% of TQL's 9,000+ employees participated in giving, far exceeding the 10% average employee participation rate in employer matching programs. The company offers a 50% match on employee contributions to any charity of their choice.
**Cumulative Impact:**
Since 2006, TQL has donated over $32.4 million to nonprofits through TQL Cares and the TQL Foundation.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Tql Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation's grantmaking focuses on: • Education • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking • Human Services The foundation emphasizes employee choice in determining funding priorities, with grants directed toward organizations where TQL employees volunteer and donate personally.
How do I apply for a grant from Tql Foundation Inc?
**Grant Activity:** • Total giving (2024): $1,780,759 • Total giving (2023): $2,445,444 • Typical award range: $50–$1,006,000 • Median grant: $5,000 • Average grant: $22,000–$30,000 • Grant range: $177–$384,000 **Recent Grant Recipients (2023):** • National Philanthropic Trust: $500,000 • American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: $100,000 • Cincinnati Works Inc: $75,000 • Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center • Big Brothers Big Sisters • Feeding America • Humane Society of the United …
Where does Tql Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation's grantmaking is concentrated in: • Ohio (primary focus) • Tennessee • Missouri • Florida • Illinois Grantmaking reaches organizations across seven states, with Ohio, Florida, and Illinois accounting for 91% of all grants.
What size grants does Tql Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Tql Foundation Inc awarded 63 grants totaling $1.8M — an average of about $28K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Tql Foundation Inc's EIN?
Tql Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-2494883. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
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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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