Community Improvement Grants in Ohio

Explore verified institutional foundations, typical award distributions, and active grantmakers supporting community programs across Ohio.

Total Capital Deployed
$1.49B

Across 5,367 verified foundation awards

Typical Grant Size
$278,368

Median award for community in Ohio

Open to New Applicants
80%

Of active community foundations accept unsolicited proposals

Community Improvement Grant Funding Landscape in Ohio

Nonprofits focused on Community Improvement in Ohio received $1.49B across 5,367 verified foundation grants over recent tax filings. The typical (median) community grant in Ohio is $278,368, though awards range from smaller $5,000–$25,000 community programming grants up to multi-million-dollar institutional and endowment commitments.

Major Ohio funders actively supporting community initiatives include The Ford Foundation, Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors INC, Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston INC, alongside national foundations funding Ohio organizations, youth initiatives, and community programs. Of the active institutional grantmakers funding community in Ohio, 80% accept unsolicited grant proposals from new applicants, offering immediate funding opportunities for growing 501(c)(3) organizations.

Top Funded Cities in OhioBy Total Capital
Cincinnati27,079 grants awarded
$4.28B
Cleveland18,030 grants awarded
$1.25B
Columbus14,205 grants awarded
$1.14B
Toledo4,816 grants awarded
$320.1M
Akron6,084 grants awarded
$228.6M
Grant Size Distribution TiersBy Grant Count
Grassroots & Seed (<$25,000)74%
Ideal for emerging nonprofits, project pilots, and local programming
Mid-Tier & Capacity ($25K – $100K)17%
Core operational funding, staff expansion, and multi-year programs
Major Endowments ($100,000+)8%
Capital campaigns, statewide initiatives, and major institutional grants
Top Institutional Foundations Funding Community Improvement in OhioRanked by annual charitable capital distribution • Form 990-PF & Community Foundations
FoundationHeadquartersAnnual GivingTypical GrantApplication StatusAction
The Ford Foundation
EIN: 131684331
New York, NY$844.7M$100KInvitation OnlyView Profile →
Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors INC
EIN: 133615533
New York, NY$275M$100KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston INC
EIN: 042103559
Boston, MA$273.6M$27KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
Boston Foundation INC
EIN: 042104021
Boston, MA$228.4M$25KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
The San Francisco Foundation
EIN: 010679337
San Francisco, CA$218.4M$26KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
Greater Horizons
EIN: 200849590
Kansas City, MO$212.2M$15KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
The New York Community Trust
EIN: 133062214
New York, NY$193.8M$20KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
Local Initiatives Support Corporation
EIN: 133030229
New York, NY$102.8M$40KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
Maine Community Foundation INC
EIN: 010391479
Ellsworth, ME$57.6M$18KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
Surdna Foundation INC
EIN: 136108163
New York, NY$56.5M$90KInvitation OnlyView Profile →
Rsf Social Finance INC
EIN: 136082763
San Francisco, CA$48.2M$25KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
Fjc
EIN: 133848582
New York, NY$41.7M$17KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
Ernst & Young Foundation
EIN: 136094489
New York, NY$16.7M$14KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
Jobs for the Future INC
EIN: 061164568
Boston, MA$12.4M$48KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
Kolatch Family Foundation
EIN: 133918276
Englewood, NJ$6.9M$10KInvitation OnlyView Profile →
Showing verified grantmakers • Commercial DAFs & university endowments excludedView all in Ohio directory →

Frequently Asked Questions About Community Improvement Grants in Ohio

How much grant funding is available for community in Ohio?

Over $1.49B has been deployed across 5,367 verified foundation grants in Ohio according to recent Form 990-PF and 990 filings.

What is the typical community grant size in Ohio?

The median grant award is approximately $278,368. However, local grassroots initiatives often receive $5,000–$25,000, while regional endowments can exceed $250,000+.

Which foundations in Ohio accept unsolicited proposals?

Approximately 80% of verified institutional grantmakers funding community in Ohio accept unsolicited applications without a pre-existing relationship.

How can my nonprofit find foundations that match our mission?

Use NPO Grant to analyze peer award ledgers in Ohio, identify foundations with active giving history in your city, and contact verified program officers directly.