The Dorn Family Foundation concentrates its giving locally in the Cleveland area with substantial, unrestricted operating support to a very small number of organizations. Their grants skew toward emergency/disaster relief through the American Red Cross and toward sustaining regional arts and arts education via the Beck Center for the Arts. The foundation appears to prioritize flexible funding that supports core operations rather than project-restricted gifts.
A repeated pattern defines the Dorn Family Foundation’s grantmaking: unrestricted operating support to a small set of Cleveland-area nonprofits, paired with selective support for arts, education, and community relief. In 2024 and 2023, the foundation gave $40,000 each year to the American Red Cross for unrestricted operating support, one of its largest recurring awards. It also backed the Beck Center for the Arts with $30,000 in both years for general operating support, indicating a steady relationship with a regional arts institution. Beyond those anchors, the foundation’s recent grants include support for Hospice of the Western Reserve, City Mission, Cleveland Christian Home, and the Cleveland Foodbank, all in Cleveland, reflecting a strong local emphasis. The foundation also extends its giving to specific educational and preservation efforts, such as scholarships for non-traditional students at Florida Gulf Coast University and preservation work at Friends of Richfield Heritage Preserve. The overall picture is of a funder that concentrates on flexible, core support while making targeted gifts to organizations serving community needs, arts participation, education, and preservation.
In emergency response and relief, the foundation gave $40,000 in 2024 to the American Red Cross for unrestricted operating support. For regional arts, it provided $30,000 to the Beck Center for the Arts in both 2024 and 2023 for general operating support, and it also supported the Musical Arts Association with $6,000 in 2024 for orchestra-related operating support. Education-related grants appear in several forms: Florida Gulf Coast University received $21,500 in 2024 and $20,000 in 2023 for scholarships for non-traditional students, while Pine Ridge Middle School received $20,000 in 2024 and $16,000 in 2023 for student incentives, professional development, and security camera work. The foundation also funded preservation at Friends of Richfield Heritage Preserve for the Amity and North Houses.
Typical grants fall in a narrow band: the 25th percentile is $10,000, the median is $15,000, and the 75th percentile is $20,000. That distribution matches a pattern of steady, moderate-sized gifts rather than large one-time awards. Several recipients appear in both 2023 and 2024, including the American Red Cross, Beck Center for the Arts, Hospice of the Western Reserve, City Mission, Lake Erie Nature & Science Center, Florida Gulf Coast University, Cleveland Christian Home, Salvation Army, Cleveland Foodbank, Friends of Richfield Heritage Preserve, Great Lakes Science Center, National Museum of the Great Lakes, and Musical Arts Association. The foundation funds individuals, and the recent record shows scholarship support as one of the ways that appears.
$333K
$2.8M
$524K
$391K
Most grants fall between $10K and $20K, with a median of $15K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$15K
75th Percentile
$20K
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Concentrated and focused: a few relatively large grants to repeat grantees, primarily unrestricted operating support, with an explicit local/regional orientation.
Notable grantees: American Red Cross, Beck Center for the Arts
The foundation gives almost entirely in the United States, with all recent grants recorded there. Ohio is the main recipient state, accounting for 84% of grants and including Cleveland, Lakewood, Bay Village, Bedford, Toledo, and Highland Hills. Cleveland appears most often among recipient cities, including awards to the American Red Cross, Hospice of the Western Reserve, City Mission, Cleveland Christian Home, Salvation Army, Cleveland Foodbank, Great Lakes Science Center, and Musical Arts Association. Outside Ohio, grants also went to Fort Meyers and Naples in Florida.
The recent grants show support for emergency relief, arts and arts education, health and human services, education, preservation, and science institutions. Examples include the American Red Cross, Beck Center for the Arts, Hospice of the Western Reserve, Cleveland Foodbank, Friends of Richfield Heritage Preserve, and Great Lakes Science Center.
Yes. Ohio receives 84% of the grants in the recent record, and the top recipient cities are concentrated there, especially Cleveland. Other Ohio recipient cities include Lakewood, Bay Village, Bedford, Toledo, and Highland Hills.
The 25th percentile grant is $10,000, the median is $15,000, and the 75th percentile is $20,000. Recent awards also include larger recurring gifts of $30,000 and $40,000.
The recent record leans toward flexible support. Many awards are labeled unrestricted operating support or general operating support, including gifts to the American Red Cross, Hospice of the Western Reserve, City Mission, Cleveland Christian Home, Cleveland Foodbank, and Beck Center for the Arts.
Yes. Several recipients appear in both 2023 and 2024, including the American Red Cross, Beck Center for the Arts, Hospice of the Western Reserve, City Mission, Lake Erie Nature & Science Center, Florida Gulf Coast University, Cleveland Christian Home, Salvation Army, Cleveland Foodbank, Friends of Richfield Heritage Preserve, Great Lakes Science Center, National Museum of the Great Lakes, and Musical Arts Association.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN RED CROSS | CLEVELAND, OH | $45,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BECK CENTER FOR THE ARTS | LAKEWOOD, OH | $30,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE CENTERS | CLEVELAND, OH | $25,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATIN SUPPORT |
| LAKE ERIE NATURE & SCIENCE CENTER | BAY VILLAGE, OH | $25,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HOSPICE OF THE WESTERN RESERVE | CLEVELAND, OH | $20,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FRIENDS OF RICHFIELD HERITAGE PRESERVE | RICHFIELD, OH | $20,000 | 2026 | PRESERVE AMITY AND NORTH HOUSES |
| GREAT LAKES SCIENCE CENTER | CLEVELAND, OH | $20,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT |
| GREATER CLEVELAND FOODBANK | CLEVELAND, OH | $20,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT |
| PINE RIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL | NAPLES, FL | $20,000 | 2026 | LUNCH LOUNGE, STUD INCENT, PROF DEV |
| CITY MISSION | CLEVELAND, OH | $20,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY | FORT MYERS, FL | $20,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP NON-TRADITIONAL STUDENTS |
| SALVATION ARMY | CLEVELAND, OH | $15,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MUSICAL ARTS ASSOCIATION | CLEVELAND, OH | $10,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED OPER SUPPORT-ORCHESTRA |
| ACHIEVEMENT CENTERS FOR CHILDREN | HIGHLAND HILLS, OH | $10,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE GREAT LAKES | TOLEDO, OH | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HARRY CHAPIN FOOD BANK OF SOTHWEST FLORIDA | FORT MYERS, FL | $5,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FUND FOR OUR ECONOMIC FUTURE | CLEVELAND, OH | $5,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CHRISTIAN SCIENCE READING ROOM | ROCKY RIVER, OH | $5,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ACTS - ACTION IN COMMUNITY THROUGH SERVICE OF PRINCE WILLIAM | DUMFRIES, VA | $5,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY | FORT MYERS, FL | $2,500 | 2026 | SALUTE TO EDUCATORS EVENT |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS | CLEVELAND, OH | $45,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BECK CENTER FOR THE ARTS | LAKEWOOD, OH | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| LAKE ERIE NATURE & SCIENCE CENTER | BAY VILLAGE, OH | $25,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CLEVELAND CHRISTIAN HOME | CLEVELAND, OH | $25,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATIN SUPPORT |
| GREAT LAKES SCIENCE CENTER | CLEVELAND, OH | $20,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY | FORT MYERS, FL | $20,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP NON-TRADITIONAL STUDENTS |
| CITY MISSION | CLEVELAND, OH | $20,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HOSPICE OF THE WESTERN RESERVE | CLEVELAND, OH | $20,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT |
| GREATER CLEVELAND FOODBANK | CLEVELAND, OH | $20,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT |
| PINE RIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL | NAPLES, FL | $20,000 | 2025 | STUD INCENTIVES, PROF DEV, MEDIA CEN |
| SALVATION ARMY | CLEVELAND, OH | $15,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT |
| LAKE ERIE NATURE & SCIENCE CENTER | BAY VILLAGE, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | WILDLIFE GARDENS |
| FRIENDS OF RICHFIELD HERITAGE PRESERVE | RICHFIELD, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | PRESERVE AMITY AND NORTH HOUSES |
| NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE GREAT LAKES | TOLEDO, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ACHIEVEMENT CENTERS FOR CHILDREN | HIGHLAND HILLS, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MUSICAL ARTS ASSOCIATION | CLEVELAND, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED OPER SUPPORT-ORCHESTRA |
| CHRISTIAN SCIENCE READING ROOM | ROCKY RIVER, OH | $5,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FUND FOR OUR ECONOMIC FUTURE | CLEVELAND, OH | $5,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY | FORT MYERS, FL | $3,000 | 2025 | EARLY LEARNING - STROLLERS, AED, GEN |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS | CLEVELAND, OH | $40,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BECK CENTER FOR THE ARTS | LAKEWOOD, OH | $30,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY | FORT MEYERS, FL | $21,500 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIP NON-TRADITIONAL STUDENTS |
| HOSPICE OF THE WESTERN RESERVE | CLEVELAND, OH | $21,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CITY MISSION | CLEVELAND, OH | $20,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CLEVELAND CHRISTIAN HOME | CLEVELAND, OH | $20,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATIN SUPPORT |
| LAKE ERIE NATURE & SCIENCE CENTER | BAY VILLAGE, OH | $20,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT |
| PINE RIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL | NAPLES, FL | $20,000 | 2024 | STUD INCENTIVES, PROF DEV, SEC CAM |
| CLEVELAND FOODBANK | CLEVELAND, OH | $15,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SALVATION ARMY | CLEVELAND, OH | $15,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FRIENDS OF RICHFIELD HERITAGE PRESERVE | BEDFORD, OH | $10,000 | 2024 | PRESERVE AMITY AND NORTH HOUSES |
AMERICAN RED CROSS
$45,000UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT
BECK CENTER FOR THE ARTS
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
THE CENTERS
$25,000UNRESTRICTED OPERATIN SUPPORT
FRIENDS OF RICHFIELD HERITAGE PRESERVE
$20,000PRESERVE AMITY AND NORTH HOUSES
GREAT LAKES SCIENCE CENTER
$20,000UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT
PINE RIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL
$20,000LUNCH LOUNGE, STUD INCENT, PROF DEV
CITY MISSION
$20,000UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT
FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY
$20,000SCHOLARSHIP NON-TRADITIONAL STUDENTS
SALVATION ARMY
$15,000UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE GREAT LAKES
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE READING ROOM
$5,000UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT
ACTS - ACTION IN COMMUNITY THROUGH SERVICE OF PRINCE WILLIAM
$5,000UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT
FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY
$2,500SALUTE TO EDUCATORS EVENT
AMERICAN RED CROSS
$45,000UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT
BECK CENTER FOR THE ARTS
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
GREAT LAKES SCIENCE CENTER
$20,000UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT
FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY
$20,000SCHOLARSHIP NON-TRADITIONAL STUDENTS
CITY MISSION
$20,000UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT
PINE RIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL
$20,000STUD INCENTIVES, PROF DEV, MEDIA CEN
SALVATION ARMY
$15,000UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT
FRIENDS OF RICHFIELD HERITAGE PRESERVE
$10,000PRESERVE AMITY AND NORTH HOUSES
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE GREAT LAKES
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE READING ROOM
$5,000UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT
FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY
$3,000EARLY LEARNING - STROLLERS, AED, GEN
BECK CENTER FOR THE ARTS
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY
$21,500SCHOLARSHIP NON-TRADITIONAL STUDENTS
CITY MISSION
$20,000UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT
PINE RIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL
$20,000STUD INCENTIVES, PROF DEV, SEC CAM
SALVATION ARMY
$15,000UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT
FRIENDS OF RICHFIELD HERITAGE PRESERVE
$10,000PRESERVE AMITY AND NORTH HOUSES