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    THE JAMES J AND JOAN A GARDNER

    Supporting OrganizationIRS data 2022–2024
    CINCINNATI, OHEIN 311397164 Website

    Annual Giving

    $8.7M+16% YoY

    Grants

    101

    Median Grant

    $25K

    Organizations Funded

    107

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    Foundation Overview

    Mission

    Dedicated to enriching the lives of our fellow citizens. Committed to building a better society and believe in the potential for positive change.

    Focus Areas

    k-12 educationhigher educationchildren's health (pediatric medicine)arts and cultural institutionsconservation and parkstrail and outdoor recreationfood security and food bankshomelessness and housing

    Funded Initiatives

    Awarded over $109 million to nearly 300 nonprofits over three decades. Recent major gifts: $15M to Cincinnati Children's Mental and Behavioral Health Institute, $5.25M to UC Health neurological care, Gardner Family Center for Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders.

    How to Apply

    Quarterly grant cycle. Online applications through Grant Interface portal. Must be 501(c)(3). Q4 deadline October 17, 2025. Organizations denied must wait one full year before reapplying.

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

    Giving History

    2024+16%

    $8.7M

    Grants

    101

    Median

    $25K

    States

    13

    2023-4%

    $7.5M

    Grants

    71

    Median

    $25K

    States

    14

    2022

    $7.8M

    Grants

    81

    Median

    $25K

    States

    11

    Grant Size Distribution

    $25K

    Typical Grant (Median)

    $1K

    Smallest

    $15K

    25th Pctile

    $60K

    75th Pctile

    $1.5M

    Largest

    Excludes grants ≤ $5K. Half fall between $15K and $60K.

    Largest Recent Grants

    $1.5M

    2024

    CINCINNATI CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL MEDICAL CENTER

    OH · EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION

    $875K

    2024

    UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI FOUNDATION

    OH · EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION

    $800K

    2024

    ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF CINCINNATI (CINCINNATI ZOO & BOTANICAL GARDEN)

    OH · EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION

    $664K

    2024

    ACCELERATE GREAT SCHOOLS

    OH · EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION

    $500K

    2024

    GREAT PARKS FOREVER

    OH · EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION

    Geographic Focus

    OH
    $7.5M69 grants
    CO
    $355K7 grants
    FL
    $230K7 grants
    KS
    $130K2 grants
    DC
    $127K3 grants

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

    Financial Overview

    YearTotal AssetsGrants Paid
    2024
    $84.2M
    $8.7M(10.3%)
    2023
    $73.9M
    $7.5M(10.1%)
    2022
    $66.9M
    $7.8M(11.7%)

    Grants paid shown as percentage of total assets

    Network Intelligence

    Funding follows networks, not keywords

    SciRise maps 4.8M+ grants across 16,000+ foundations to identify which ones are most likely to fund organizations like yours — based on who they already fund, not just what they say they fund.

    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.

    Questions?