The David N and Ann Early Foundation concentrates giving in the Cincinnati region with a strong emphasis on public libraries and animal welfare, regularly supporting the Library Foundation of Cincinnati & Hamilton County and the League for Animal Welfare through substantial, repeat grants. Secondary interests include regional higher-education institutions and family/children’s health supports (e.g., Ronald McDonald House and university family-sciences programs). Grants are mission-support gifts rather than project-specific, indicating preference for general operating or broad program support.
Concentrated regional giving with several large repeat grants to a small set of core organizations; mostly unrestricted mission-support checks in mid-size to large amounts rather than many small gifts.
David N and Ann Early Foundation’s recent giving is anchored by repeat support for the Library Foundation of Cincinnati & Hamilton County and the League for Animal Welfare, with both organizations appearing among the largest grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025. That pattern points to a foundation that backs mission support over short-term projects and returns to the same local institutions across years. Its highest recent grants also extend beyond those two core recipients to Thomas More University, Ronald McDonald House of Cincinnati, and the University of Kentucky Family Sciences Dept., showing a mix of community services, higher education, and family-focused support. The foundation gives at a regional scale, with most grants landing in Ohio and Kentucky recipients. Recent awards range from mid-sized operating gifts to larger commitments in the mid-$40,000 range, including multiple grants at the same level to both library and animal welfare partners. The grant list also shows support for Catholic and urban-education organizations in Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati-area nonprofits such as Matthew 25 Ministries and the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. Across the file, the common thread is steady institutional support for organizations serving the Cincinnati metro and nearby Kentucky communities.
Public library support is one of the clearest themes in the file. The foundation gave $44,960 in 2025 to the Library Foundation of Cincinnati & Hamilton County, and the same organization also received $41,530 in 2024. Animal welfare is the other major pillar, with $44,960 in 2025 to League for Animal Welfare Batavia Ohio and $41,530 in 2024 to the same group. Family and hospitality support appears through Ronald McDonald House of Cincinnati, which received $29,000 in 2023, $20,000 in 2024, and $21,000 in 2025. Higher education is another recurring area: Thomas More University received $30,000 in 2025 and $20,000 in 2024, while the University of Kentucky Family Sciences Dept. received $25,000 in 2025 and $20,000 in 2024. The grant list also includes support for Notre Dame Urban Education Center and Alliance of Catholic Urban Education in Covington.
Typical grants cluster around a middle-size operating range: the 25th percentile is $4,750, the median is $10,000, and the 75th percentile is $17,000. The file shows repeated support for the same recipients across multiple years, especially in library, animal welfare, and family-services categories, which indicates recurring rather than one-off giving. Grants are described as support for mission, suggesting general operating or broad program support rather than tightly restricted project funding. The foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments.
$241K
$2.9M
$119K
$324K
Most grants fall between $5K and $17K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$17K
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Notable grantees: Library Foundation of Cincinnati & Hamilton County, League for Animal Welfare (including Batavia affiliate), Thomas More University, Ronald McDonald House of Cincinnati, University of Kentucky Family Sciences Department
Grants are concentrated in the Cincinnati metro and nearby Northern Kentucky, with 70% of grants going to recipients in Ohio and Kentucky together making up the strongest giving state by count. Cincinnati and Batavia appear repeatedly, along with Crestview Hills, Lexington, Covington, and Blue Ash. All recent grants in the file go to U.S. recipients. The pattern is regional rather than national, with Ohio and Kentucky organizations accounting for the visible grant activity.
The clearest patterns are public libraries, animal welfare groups, higher-education institutions, and family-focused service organizations. The recent grants list shows repeated support for the Library Foundation of Cincinnati & Hamilton County, League for Animal Welfare, Thomas More University, Ronald McDonald House of Cincinnati, and the University of Kentucky Family Sciences Dept.
Yes. Several recipients appear across multiple years, including the Library Foundation of Cincinnati & Hamilton County, League for Animal Welfare, Ronald McDonald House of Cincinnati, Thomas More University, and the University of Kentucky Family Sciences Dept. That repeated pattern suggests ongoing relationships.
The grant-size distribution centers on modest operating gifts: the 25th percentile is $4,750, the median is $10,000, and the 75th percentile is $17,000. The recent grants file also includes larger awards in the $40,000 range to recurring partners.
Giving is regional and heavily centered on Ohio and Kentucky. 70% of grants go to recipients in Ohio, Kentucky is the top state by grant count, and recent recipients include organizations in Cincinnati, Batavia, Crestview Hills, Lexington, Covington, and Blue Ash.
The grant purposes are described as support for mission. That wording appears across the recent grants list, which points to general operating or broad program support rather than project-specific awards.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LIBRARY FOUNDATION OF CINCINNATI & HAMILTON COUNTY | CINCINNATI, OH | $44,960 | 2025 | IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION |
| LEAGUE FOR ANIMAL WELFARE BATAVIA OHIO | BATAVIA, OH | $44,960 | 2025 | IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION |
| THOMAS MORE UNIVERSITY | CRESTVIEW HILLS, KY | $30,000 | 2025 | IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION |
| UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY FAMILY SCIENCES DEPT | LEXINGTON, KY | $25,000 | 2025 | IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION |
| RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE OF CINCINNATI | CINCINNATI, OH | $21,000 | 2025 | IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION |
| NOTRE DAME OF NORTHERN KENTUCKY URBAN EDUCATION | COVINGTON, KY | $10,000 | 2025 | IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION |
| CINCINNATI ZOO & BOTANICAL GARDEN | CINCINNATI, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION |
| ALLIANCE OF CATHOLIC URBAN EDUCATION | COVINGTON, KY | $10,000 | 2025 | IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION |
| MATTHEW 25 MINISTRIES | BLUE ASH, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION |
| CINCINNATI CHILDRENS HOSPITAL | CINCINNATI, OH | $5,000 | 2025 | IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION |
| BRIGHTEN CENTER | NEWPORT, KY | $5,000 | 2025 | IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION |
| MAY WE HELP | CINCINNATI, OH | $5,000 | 2025 | IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION |
| JUVENILE DIABETES RESEARCH | CINCINNATI, OH | $5,000 | 2025 | IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION |
| PROKIDS | CINCINNATI, OH | $4,000 | 2025 | IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION |
| HEARTT ANIMAL RESCUE | CINCINNATI, OH | $3,000 | 2025 | IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION |
| OHIO ALLEYCAT RESOURCENEUTER CLINIC | CINCINNATI, OH | $3,000 | 2025 | IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION |
| PAW PRINTS ANIMAL RESCUE | FLORENCE, KY | $2,000 | 2025 | IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION |
| SAVE THE ANIMALS FOUNDATION | CINCINNATI, OH | $2,000 | 2025 | IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION |
| INDIAN HILL HISTORICAL SOCIETY | CINCINNATI, OH | $1,200 | 2025 | IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION |
| LEAGUE FOR ANIMAL WELFARE BATAVIA OHIO | BATAVIA, OH | $41,530 | 2024 | IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION |
| LIBRARY FOUNDATION OF CINCINNATI & HAMILTON COUNTY | CINCINNATI, OH | $41,530 | 2024 | IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION |
| UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY FAMILY SCIENCES DEPT | LEXINGTON, KY | $20,000 | 2024 | IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION |
| THOMAS MORE UNIVERSITY | CRESTVIEW HILLS, KY | $20,000 | 2024 | IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION |
| RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE OF CINCINNATI | CINCINNATI, OH | $20,000 | 2024 | IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION |
| NOTRE DAME OF NORTHERN KENTUCKY URBAN EDUCATION | COVINGTON, KY | $11,115 | 2024 | IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION |
| ALLIANCE OF CATHOLIC URBAN EDUCATION | COVINGTON, KY | $10,000 | 2024 | IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION |
| MATTHEW 25 MINISTRIES | BLUE ASH, OH | $10,000 | 2024 | IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION |
| CINCINNATI ZOO & BOTANICAL GARDEN | CINCINNATI, OH | $10,000 | 2024 | IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION |
| MAY WE HELP | CINCINNATI, OH | $5,000 | 2024 | IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION |
| BRIGHTEN CENTER | NEWPORT, KY | $5,000 | 2024 | IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION |
| CINCINNATI CHILDRENS HOSPITAL | CINCINNATI, OH | $4,000 | 2024 | IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION |
| OHIO ALLEYCAT RESOURCENEUTER CLINIC | CINCINNATI, OH | $3,103 | 2024 | IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION |
| HEARTT ANIMAL RESCUE | CINCINNATI, OH | $3,000 | 2024 | IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION |
| BETHANY HOUSE SERVICES | CINCINNATI, OH | $2,000 | 2024 | IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION |
| THE CHILDRENS THEATRE OF CINCINNATI | CINCINNATI, OH | $1,000 | 2024 | IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION |
| SAVE THE ANIMALS FOUNDATION | CINCINNATI, OH | $400 | 2024 | IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION |
| LIBRARY FOUNDATION FOR CINCINNATI AND HAMILTON COUNTY | CINCINNATI, OH | $43,156 | 2023 | IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION |
| LEAGUE FOR ANIMAL WELFARE | BATAVIA, OH | $43,156 | 2023 | IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION |
| LIBRARY FOUNDATION FOR CINCINNATI AND HAMILTON COUNTY | CINCINNATI, OH | $36,745 | 2023 | IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION |
| LEAGUE FOR ANIMAL WELFARE | BATAVIA, OH | $36,745 | 2023 | IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION |
| RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE OF CINCINNATI | CINCINNATI, OH | $29,000 | 2023 | IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION |
| RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE OF CINCINNATI | CINCINNATI, OH | $20,000 | 2023 | IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION |
| UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY | LEXINGTON, KY | $16,000 | 2023 | IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION |
| UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY | LEXINGTON, KY | $16,000 | 2023 | IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION |
| THOMAS MORE UNIVERSITY | CRESTVIEW HILLS, KY | $16,000 | 2023 | IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION |
| THOMAS MORE UNIVERSITY | CRESTVIEW HILLS, KY | $16,000 | 2023 | IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION |
| NOTRE DAME URBAN EDUCATION CENTER | COVINGTON, KY | $15,155 | 2023 | IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION |
| NOTRE DAME URBAN EDUCATION CENTER | COVINGTON, KY | $14,400 | 2023 | IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION |
| MATTHEW 25 MINISTRIES | BLUE ASH, OH | $14,400 | 2023 | IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION |
| CINCINNATI ZOO & BOTANICAL GARDEN | CINCINNATI, OH | $10,000 | 2023 | IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION |
IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION
LEAGUE FOR ANIMAL WELFARE BATAVIA OHIO
$44,960IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION
UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY FAMILY SCIENCES DEPT
$25,000IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE OF CINCINNATI
$21,000IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION
NOTRE DAME OF NORTHERN KENTUCKY URBAN EDUCATION
IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION
CINCINNATI ZOO & BOTANICAL GARDEN
$10,000IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION
ALLIANCE OF CATHOLIC URBAN EDUCATION
$10,000IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION
CINCINNATI CHILDRENS HOSPITAL
$5,000IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION
BRIGHTEN CENTER
$5,000IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION
JUVENILE DIABETES RESEARCH
$5,000IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION
HEARTT ANIMAL RESCUE
$3,000IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION
OHIO ALLEYCAT RESOURCENEUTER CLINIC
$3,000IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION
PAW PRINTS ANIMAL RESCUE
$2,000IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION
INDIAN HILL HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$1,200IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION
LEAGUE FOR ANIMAL WELFARE BATAVIA OHIO
$41,530IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION
IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION
UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY FAMILY SCIENCES DEPT
$20,000IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION
THOMAS MORE UNIVERSITY
$20,000IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE OF CINCINNATI
$20,000IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION
NOTRE DAME OF NORTHERN KENTUCKY URBAN EDUCATION
$11,115IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION
ALLIANCE OF CATHOLIC URBAN EDUCATION
$10,000IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION
CINCINNATI ZOO & BOTANICAL GARDEN
$10,000IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION
BRIGHTEN CENTER
$5,000IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION
CINCINNATI CHILDRENS HOSPITAL
$4,000IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION
OHIO ALLEYCAT RESOURCENEUTER CLINIC
$3,103IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION
HEARTT ANIMAL RESCUE
$3,000IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION
THE CHILDRENS THEATRE OF CINCINNATI
$1,000IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION
IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION
IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE OF CINCINNATI
$29,000IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE OF CINCINNATI
$20,000IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION
UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
$16,000IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION
UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
$16,000IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION
NOTRE DAME URBAN EDUCATION CENTER
$15,155IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION
NOTRE DAME URBAN EDUCATION CENTER
$14,400IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION
CINCINNATI ZOO & BOTANICAL GARDEN
$10,000IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION