This foundation concentrates its giving locally in the Cleveland area, prioritizing major support for a regional cultural institution and sustained support for a local Episcopal parish. The largest share of funds has gone repeatedly to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History (including campaign and annual fund gifts), with a substantial second beneficiary being St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. Their grants signal interest in cultural/educational capital projects and ongoing operating support for faith-based community institutions.
B Charles and Jay G Ames Foundation C/o Cornerstone Family Office has put repeated large gifts behind the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, including a $450,000 campaign commitment paired with annual fund support in 2023 and another six-figure campaign and annual fund gift in 2024 and 2025. That pattern shows a funder willing to mix capital campaign backing with ongoing operating support for the same institution over multiple years. Beyond the museum, the foundation has also made substantial support available to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Cleveland Heights, alongside other grants to schools, health-related nonprofits, and local community institutions in Greater Cleveland. Its giving profile suggests a strong local orientation with a preference for organizations that combine community presence with tangible programs or facilities. Recent grants include support for scholarship funds, tuition assistance, capital improvements, palliative care and hospice services, and event-linked fundraising. The foundation also appears comfortable funding both general support and restricted purposes, depending on the recipient and project. Across the recent grants list, the Cleveland area stands out as the center of activity, with awards going to museums, churches, schools, and service organizations that serve regional audiences.
In cultural and educational work, the foundation supported the Cleveland Museum of Art with a $20,000 general grant in 2025, adding to its broader pattern of backing Greater Cleveland institutions. Education and student support also appear in grants to Hathaway Brown School, which received $10,000 for tuition assistance and $7,500 for the Ames Family Principle Scholarship Fund, plus an additional $4,000 for its infant and toddler center. Health and care-related grants show another strand of giving. University Hospitals received $25,000 for its palliative care and hospice fund in 2025, following a $39,000 award in 2024 that also included palliative care and hospice support. Community-serving youth and family organizations also appear, including Open Doors Academy, which received $50,000 for general support and $4,156 for its Holiday Heart Giving Program.
$716K
$16.4M
$1.4M
$967K
Most grants fall between $2K and $17K, with a median of $9K.
25th Percentile
$2K
Median
$9K
75th Percentile
$17K
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeSign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Concentrated, high-dollar giving to a very small number of local recipients; repeat multi-grant support to a flagship museum combined with a large unrestricted gift to a faith-based parish.
Notable grantees: Cleveland Museum of Natural History, St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Typical grant size is modest relative to the foundation’s largest awards, with a p25 of $2,375, a median of $9,250, and a p75 of $16,667. The recent record shows a mix of one-off grants and repeat support: several recipients appear in more than one year, including the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Boys Hope Girls Hope, Fieldstone Farm Therapeutic Riding Center, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, The First Tee of Cleveland, and Gilmour Academy Weber Stadium Reno. The structure appears philanthropic rather than program-investment driven, since it makes grants and funds individuals, but does not make program-related investments. The grant list also includes both unrestricted/general support and purpose-specific awards.
Giving is concentrated in Ohio, which accounts for 74% of grants and is also the top state by grant count. Recipient cities cluster around Greater Cleveland, including Cleveland, Cleveland Heights, Chagrin Falls, Garfield Heights, Lyndhurst, Shaker Heights, Newburgh Heights, and Gates Mills. The pattern is regional rather than national, and the recipient-country distribution shows all grants going to U.S. organizations.
Recent grants show support for museums, churches, schools, health organizations, youth programs, land conservation, and community service providers. Examples include the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Hathaway Brown School, University Hospitals, Open Doors Academy, and Western Reserve Land Conservancy.
It uses both. The recent list includes general grants such as $270,000 to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and $20,000 to The Cleveland Museum of Art, alongside restricted gifts such as $25,000 to University Hospitals for palliative care and hospice and $10,000 to Hathaway Brown School for tuition assistance.
The grant-size profile is centered in the low five figures: p25 is $2,375, the median is $9,250, and p75 is $16,667. Recent awards include both smaller checks and larger commitments, with a few six-figure gifts standing out above the typical range.
Ohio is the main destination for grants, with 74% of grants going to recipients in the state. The recipient list clusters around Greater Cleveland cities such as Cleveland, Cleveland Heights, Chagrin Falls, Garfield Heights, Lyndhurst, Shaker Heights, and Gates Mills.
Yes. The recent grants list shows repeat support to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History across 2023, 2024, and 2025; Fieldstone Farm Therapeutic Riding Center in 2023, 2024, and 2025; St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in 2023 and 2024; and Gilmour Academy Weber Stadium Reno in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY | CLEVELAND, OH | $140,000 | 2026 | $130,000 TRANSFORMING THE WORLD OF DISCOVERY CAMPAIGN$10,000 ANNUAL FUND |
| CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY | CLEVELAND, OH | $108,000 | 2026 | ENTREPRENEURSHIP THROUGH ACQUISITION/WEATHERHEAD SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT AMES FAMILY PRINCIPLE SCHOLARSHIP |
| CLEVELAND CLINIC FOUNDATION | CLEVELAND, OH | $102,046 | 2026 | CLEVELAND CLINIC CHILDREN'S SIGNATURE EVENT: $1,046.33AMES FAMILY PHILANTHROPIC FUND: $100,000VELOSANO: $1,000 |
| HOPE IGNITES NORTHEASTERN OH (BOYS HOPE GIRLS HOPE) | GARFIELD HTS, OH | $61,397 | 2026 | $42,900 DRIVE FORE HOPE$4,000 EVENING OF HOPE$2,826 VELOSANO$11,671 GENERAL |
| FIELDSTONE FARM THERAPEUTIC RIDING CENTER | CHAGRIN FALLS, OH | $50,000 | 2026 | FIELDSTONE FARM PROGRAMS |
| PARTNERSHIP SCHOOLS | CLEVELAND, OH | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS | CLEVELAND, OH | $25,000 | 2026 | $25,000 PALLIATIVE CARE AND HOSPICE FUND |
| CLEVELAND STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | CLEVELAND, OH | $25,000 | 2026 | THE AMES FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP |
| RESCUE VILLAGE | NOVELTY, OH | $17,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| HATHAWAY BROWN SCHOOL | SHAKER HTS, OH | $15,650 | 2026 | $1,000 UNRESTRICTED FUND$1,250 FACULTY EXCELLENCE FUND$1,400 INFANT & TODDLER CENTER$2,000 PLAYGROUND FUND - LIGHTING THE WAY$10,000 AMES PRINCIPLE SCHOLARSHIP FUND |
| JOHNS'S ISLAND FOUNDATION | INDIAN RIVER SHORES, FL | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| HILLCREST YMCA | LYNDHURST, OH | $15,000 | 2026 | $15,000 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS TO THE ROOF |
| THE CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART | CLEVELAND, OH | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| TWO FOUNDATION | CHAGRIN FALLS, OH | $10,000 | 2026 | ANNUAL APPEAL FUND |
| RIVERSIDE THEATRE | VERO BEACH, FL | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| CHILDREN'S HUNGER ALLIANCE | COLUMBUS, OH | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| PLAYHOUSE SQUARE FOUNDATION | CLEVELAND, OH | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| CREATIVE LIVING FOR LIFE | MEDINA, OH | $10,000 | 2026 | URSULINE SISTERS CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| WESTERN RESERVE LAND CONSERVANCY | MORELAND HILLS, OH | $8,393 | 2026 | $2,215 GENERAL$3,000 CONSTRUCTION OF GRIMM'S GAZEBO$3,178 WHITE NORTH |
| WHITE MEMORIAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | RALEIGH, NC | $8,000 | 2026 | $1,000 GENERAL$2,000 WEEKDAY SCHOOL$5,000 WDS FUNDRAISER |
| WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY | WINSTONSALEM, NC | $5,500 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| CLEVELAND HEARING AND SPEECH CENTER | CLEVELAND, OH | $5,000 | 2026 | SIGNS OF GROWTH CAMPAIGN |
| OHIO WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY | DELAWARE, OH | $5,000 | 2026 | OHIO WESLEYAN FUND - PROMISE SCHOLARSHIP |
| THE GATHERING PLACE | BEACHWOOD, OH | $5,000 | 2026 | OPERATING SUPPORT - ANNUAL FUND CAMPAIGN |
| PIANO CLEVELAND | SHAKER HTS, OH | $5,000 | 2026 | $2,500 A GRAND BRUNCH GALA FUND THE NEED$2,500 CLEVELAND INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION |
| KENT STATE UNIVERSITY | KENT, OH | $3,800 | 2026 | 2026 ANNUAL FASHION SHOW - SPONSORSHIP |
| RAHAB MINISTRIES | CANTON, OH | $2,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| GESU CATHOLIC SCHOOL | UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, OH | $1,700 | 2026 | FALL FUNDRAISER |
| GILMOUR ACADEMY | GATES MILLS, OH | $1,250 | 2026 | WEBER STADIUM RENOVATION - TURF AND TRACK REPLACEMENT |
| COLGATE UNIVERSITY TREASURERS OFFICE | HAMILTON, NY | $1,250 | 2026 | THE CAMPAIGN FOR THE THIRD CENTURY |
| CLEVELAND BALLET | CLEVELAND, OH | $1,200 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| VERO BEACH POLICE FOUNDATION INC | VERO BEACH, FL | $1,000 | 2026 | VERO BEACH POLICE K-9 MEMORIAL |
| HOCKEY PLAYERS IN BUSINESS INC | KIRTLAND HILLS, OH | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| WESTERN RESERVE HISTORICAL SOCIETY | CLEVELAND, OH | $1,000 | 2026 | AMERICAN DREAM, IMMIGRANTS AND THE BUSINESS OF FASHION EXHIBIT (COSTUME WING) |
| YORKIE RESCUE OF THE CAROLINAS | SALISBURY, NC | $400 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| KIRTLAND COUNTRY CLUB SCHOLARSHIP FUND | WILLOUGHBY, OH | $100 | 2026 | THE KCC SCHOLARSHIP FUND |
| CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY | CLEVELAND, OH | $130,000 | 2025 | $120,000 TRANSFORMING THE WORLD OF DISCOVERY CAMPAIGN$10,000 ANNUAL FUND |
| FIELDSTONE FARM THERAPEUTIC RICING CENTER | CHAGRIN FALLS, OH | $65,500 | 2025 | $500 CHEFS UNBRIDLED EVENT$50,000 RIDERSHIP PROGRAM$15,000 STUDENT SPONSORSHIP |
| BOYS HOPE GIRLS HOPE | GARFIELD HTS, OH | $56,496 | 2025 | $43,600 DRIVE FORE HOPE$12,896 GENERAL |
| WESTERN RESERVE LAND CONSERVANCY | MORELAND HILLS, OH | $55,000 | 2025 | $50,000 WHITE NORTH STABLES KITCHEN RENOVATION AND CONSTRUCTION OF GRIMM'S GAZEBO$5,000 GENERAL |
| OPEN DOORS ACADEMY | CLEVELAND, OH | $54,156 | 2025 | $50,000 GENERAL$4,156 HOLIDAY HEART GIVING PROGRAM |
| MINDS MATTER | CLEVELAND, OH | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF NORTHEAST OHIO INC | CLEVELAND, OH | $25,000 | 2025 | PATIO UPGRADES |
| UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS | CLEVELAND, OH | $25,000 | 2025 | $25,000 PALLIATIVE CARE AND HOSPICE FUND |
| PARTNERSHIP SCHOOLS | CLEVELAND, OH | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| THE CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART | CLEVELAND, OH | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| GILMOUR ACADEMY WEBER STADIUM RENO | GATES MILLS, OH | $18,667 | 2025 | LANCER ATHLETICS |
| RESCUE VILLAGE | NOVELTY, OH | $18,400 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| JOHN'S ISLAND COMMUNICTY SERVICE LEAGUE INC | VERO BEACH, FL | $15,150 | 2025 | $5,150 "ON THE BOARDWALK" GALA$10,000 GENERAL |
| HILLCREST YMCA | LYNDHURST, OH | $15,000 | 2025 | $10,000 REPLACING LOBBY HVAC UNIT$5,000 UPGRADING FAMILY CHANGING ROOM |
CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
$140,000$130,000 TRANSFORMING THE WORLD OF DISCOVERY CAMPAIGN$10,000 ANNUAL FUND
CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
$108,000ENTREPRENEURSHIP THROUGH ACQUISITION/WEATHERHEAD SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT AMES FAMILY PRINCIPLE SCHOLARSHIP
CLEVELAND CLINIC FOUNDATION
$102,046CLEVELAND CLINIC CHILDREN'S SIGNATURE EVENT: $1,046.33AMES FAMILY PHILANTHROPIC FUND: $100,000VELOSANO: $1,000
HOPE IGNITES NORTHEASTERN OH (BOYS HOPE GIRLS HOPE)
$61,397$42,900 DRIVE FORE HOPE$4,000 EVENING OF HOPE$2,826 VELOSANO$11,671 GENERAL
PARTNERSHIP SCHOOLS
GENERAL
UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS
$25,000$25,000 PALLIATIVE CARE AND HOSPICE FUND
RESCUE VILLAGE
$17,000GENERAL
$1,000 UNRESTRICTED FUND$1,250 FACULTY EXCELLENCE FUND$1,400 INFANT & TODDLER CENTER$2,000 PLAYGROUND FUND - LIGHTING THE WAY$10,000 AMES PRINCIPLE SCHOLARSHIP FUND
HILLCREST YMCA
$15,000$15,000 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS TO THE ROOF
THE CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART
$10,000GENERAL
RIVERSIDE THEATRE
$10,000GENERAL
CREATIVE LIVING FOR LIFE
$10,000URSULINE SISTERS CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
$2,215 GENERAL$3,000 CONSTRUCTION OF GRIMM'S GAZEBO$3,178 WHITE NORTH
WHITE MEMORIAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
$8,000$1,000 GENERAL$2,000 WEEKDAY SCHOOL$5,000 WDS FUNDRAISER
THE GATHERING PLACE
$5,000OPERATING SUPPORT - ANNUAL FUND CAMPAIGN
PIANO CLEVELAND
$5,000$2,500 A GRAND BRUNCH GALA FUND THE NEED$2,500 CLEVELAND INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION
KENT STATE UNIVERSITY
$3,8002026 ANNUAL FASHION SHOW - SPONSORSHIP
RAHAB MINISTRIES
$2,000GENERAL
GESU CATHOLIC SCHOOL
$1,700FALL FUNDRAISER
GILMOUR ACADEMY
$1,250WEBER STADIUM RENOVATION - TURF AND TRACK REPLACEMENT
VERO BEACH POLICE FOUNDATION INC
$1,000VERO BEACH POLICE K-9 MEMORIAL
HOCKEY PLAYERS IN BUSINESS INC
$1,000GENERAL
WESTERN RESERVE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$1,000AMERICAN DREAM, IMMIGRANTS AND THE BUSINESS OF FASHION EXHIBIT (COSTUME WING)
YORKIE RESCUE OF THE CAROLINAS
$400GENERAL
KIRTLAND COUNTRY CLUB SCHOLARSHIP FUND
$100THE KCC SCHOLARSHIP FUND
CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
$130,000$120,000 TRANSFORMING THE WORLD OF DISCOVERY CAMPAIGN$10,000 ANNUAL FUND
$500 CHEFS UNBRIDLED EVENT$50,000 RIDERSHIP PROGRAM$15,000 STUDENT SPONSORSHIP
BOYS HOPE GIRLS HOPE
$56,496$43,600 DRIVE FORE HOPE$12,896 GENERAL
$50,000 WHITE NORTH STABLES KITCHEN RENOVATION AND CONSTRUCTION OF GRIMM'S GAZEBO$5,000 GENERAL
OPEN DOORS ACADEMY
$54,156$50,000 GENERAL$4,156 HOLIDAY HEART GIVING PROGRAM
UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS
$25,000$25,000 PALLIATIVE CARE AND HOSPICE FUND
PARTNERSHIP SCHOOLS
$25,000GENERAL
THE CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART
$20,000GENERAL
GILMOUR ACADEMY WEBER STADIUM RENO
$18,667LANCER ATHLETICS
RESCUE VILLAGE
$18,400GENERAL
JOHN'S ISLAND COMMUNICTY SERVICE LEAGUE INC
$15,150$5,150 "ON THE BOARDWALK" GALA$10,000 GENERAL
HILLCREST YMCA
$15,000$10,000 REPLACING LOBBY HVAC UNIT$5,000 UPGRADING FAMILY CHANGING ROOM