THE AUSTIN E KNOWLTON FOUNDATION INC

Supporting OrganizationIRS data 2022–2024

CINCINNATI, OHEIN 311044475 Website

Annual Giving

$11.6M-5% YoY

Grants

Median Grant

$30K

Organizations Funded

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Foundation Overview

Mission

The Austin E. Knowlton Foundation was established to promote the ideals of higher education, support student success, and enable colleges and universities to create more rewarding and inspiring educational experiences. The Knowlton Foundations primary mission is to promote and advance higher education in the United States through direct grants and contributions to qualified colleges and universities.

Focus Areas

higher educationcollege and university facilitiesscholarships and student aidk-12 educationcareer development and career centersscience and mathematics educationarchitecture educationperforming arts (ballet, music)

Grant Types

scholarship grantscapital/capital campaign grants (building/facilities)program/operating supportpublic educational grants

Funded Initiatives

Austin E Knowlton Foundation Inc. gave $12,204,256 in grants in 2023 with 43 awards. Notable recent grants include $500,000 to Augustana College for student scholarships and financial aid, and $15 million to The Ohio State University for the Biomedical and Materials Engineering Complex.

How to Apply

The foundation works primarily through partnerships with individual colleges and universities rather than having a centralized application portal. Contact Sherri L. Calk, Chief Administrative Officer at 513.381.2400 for inquiries. Since 1981, the Foundation has endowed millions of dollars in scholarships to students attending qualified colleges and universities in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. Preference is given to Ohio students who plan to major in a STEM field.

Based on publicly available information from the foundation's 990 filings and website.

Giving History

2024-5%

$11.6M

Grants

Median

$30K

States

2023+7%

$12.2M

Grants

Median

$30K

States

2022

$11.4M

Grants

Median

$25K

States

Grant Size Distribution

$30K

Typical Grant (Median)

$5K

Smallest

$15K

25th Pctile

$100K

75th Pctile

$6.0M

Largest

Excludes grants ≤ $5K. Half fall between $15K and $100K.

Largest Recent Grants

$6.0M

2024

OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION

OH · BMEC BUILDING

$1.0M

2024

THE COLLEGE OF WOOSTER

OH · LOWRY CENTER

$1.0M

2024

DENISON UNIVERSITY

OH · CAREER EXPLORATION CENTER

$925K

2024

RONALD REAGAN PRESIDENTIAL FDN & INSTITUTE

CA · PROGRAM SERVICES

$500K

2024

GEORGETOWN COLLEGE

KY · DAVIS-REID ALUMNI GYM PROJECT

Geographic Focus

$8.9M24 grants

$1.1M2 grants

$500K1 grants

$205K8 grants

$200K1 grants

Top states by total grant dollars. Based on IRS filing data.

Financial Overview

YearTotal AssetsGrants Paid

2024

$266.5M

$11.6M(4.3%)

2023

$237.4M

$12.2M(5.1%)

2022

$215.8M

$11.4M(5.3%)

Grants paid shown as percentage of total assets

Network Intelligence

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Data sourced from IRS 990 and 990-PF filings and publicly available foundation websites. Grant data, financial figures, and organizational details reflect historical filings and may not represent current operations or funding priorities. Verify directly with the foundation before applying. See an issue? Let us know.