The Mather Fund concentrates its giving in higher education and conservation-oriented education, favoring a small number of sizeable awards rather than many small grants. Recent grants show a mix of unrestricted operating support to colleges and civic university institutions and a large, repeated investment in a conservation education center. Funding appears targeted and relationship-driven rather than broadly distributed across many organizations.
A $385,000 award to Tall Timbers Research Station stands out in the Mather Fund’s recent giving and points to a clear emphasis on conservation education. The Elizabeth Ring Mather William Gwinn Mather Fund pairs that environmental focus with sustained support for higher education, civic institutions, and selected community organizations. In the recent-grants list, Kenyon College appears multiple times across 2023, 2024, and 2025, including unrestricted operating support and funding for the Philander Chase Conservancy and the Kenyon Fund, suggesting a continuing institutional relationship. The fund also backed University Circle Inc with unrestricted operating support in 2025, alongside grants to cultural and health organizations such as the Musical Arts Association, Magnolia Clubhouse, Planned Parenthood, and Sisters of Charity Health Systems. Smaller awards in the record include support for digital activities at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and a vertical treatment room at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital. The pattern is selective rather than broad, with grants clustered around a limited set of organizations and purposes across education, conservation, and community-serving institutions.
Conservation and environmental education is the clearest theme in the recent record. The fund gave $385,000 to Tall Timbers Research Station in 2023 and another $115,000 in 2024 for the same conservation education center purpose, then followed with a $25,000 unrestricted operating grant in 2025. Higher education is another recurring area: Kenyon College received $100,000 in 2023 for unrestricted operating support, plus later support for the Kenyon Fund and the Philander Chase Conservancy. The fund also made a $25,000 unrestricted operating grant to Williams College in 2023 and a $20,000 CFDE pledge in 2024. Beyond that, the record includes civic and cultural support such as $125,000 to University Circle Inc for unrestricted operating support and $25,000 to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum for digital activities.
Typical grant size is small relative to the largest awards: the 25th percentile is $5,000, the median is $5,000, and the 75th percentile is $10,000. Even so, the recent list shows several much larger grants, which indicates a mix of modest awards and selected larger commitments. The pattern also suggests recurring relationships rather than one-off gifts: Tall Timbers Research Station, Kenyon College, Scenic Ohio, Lawrence & Memorial Hospital, and Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum each appear more than once. The fund is not a DAF and does not fund individuals. Its recent grants point to operating support, endowment support, and capital or program-specific support rather than a single funding mode.
$1.1M
$22.2M
$4.2M
$1.3M
Most grants fall between $5K and $10K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$10K
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Very concentrated giving: few large grants (one dominant multi-grant recipient) with a preference for unrestricted operating support to educational institutions and targeted capacity/capital support to a conservation education center.
Notable grantees: Tall Timbers Research Station, University Circle Inc, Kenyon College
Grants are national and all recent recipients shown are in the US. Ohio is a major recipient state, with 37% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state, though the top state by grant count is Pennsylvania. Recent Ohio recipients include University Circle Inc, Kenyon College, Sisters of Charity Health Systems, Magnolia Clubhouse, Planned Parenthood, and May Dugan Center. Outside Ohio, recent grants reached Tallahassee, Florida; New London, Connecticut; Boston, Massachusetts; Washington, DC; and Denver, Colorado, showing a dispersed but selective geographic footprint.
The recent record centers on conservation education, higher education, and selected civic or community-serving institutions. Examples include Tall Timbers Research Station for conservation education, Kenyon College for operating and program support, and University Circle Inc for unrestricted operating support.
Yes. Tall Timbers Research Station appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Kenyon College appears repeatedly across the same period, and Lawrence & Memorial Hospital, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and Scenic Ohio also receive more than one grant.
The typical award is $5,000 at both the 25th percentile and the median, with the 75th percentile at $10,000. The recent list also includes larger strategic grants, such as $125,000 to University Circle Inc and $385,000 to Tall Timbers Research Station.
The grant program is national, but Ohio recipients appear frequently in the recent list. The foundation gives 37% of its grants to recipients in Ohio, while Pennsylvania is the top state by grant count overall. Recent Ohio grantees include Kenyon College, University Circle Inc, and Sisters of Charity Health Systems.
Recent grantees include Tall Timbers Research Station, University Circle Inc, Kenyon College, Art Garage Denver, Astoria Park Conservancy, Scenic Ohio, Lawrence & Memorial Hospital, Williams College, and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY CIRCLE INC | CLEVELAND, OH | $125,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ASTORIA PARK CONSERVANCY | JACKSON, WY | $50,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY COUNCIL | WASHINGTON, DC | $40,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING EXPENSES |
| SISTERS OF CHARITY HEALTH SYSTEMS | CLEVELAND, OH | $40,000 | 2025 | 20K NEW VAN, 20K GEN OP EXP |
| KENYON COLLEGE | KENYON, OH | $35,000 | 2025 | KENYON FUND |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD | CLEVELAND, OH | $25,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MAGNOLIA CLUBHOUSE | CLEVELAND, OH | $25,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT |
| TALL TIMBERS RESEARCH STATION | TALLAHASSEE, FL | $25,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ISABELLA STEWART GARDNER MUSEUM | BOSTON, MA | $25,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT DIGITAL ACTIVITIES |
| LAWRENCE & MEMORIAL HOSPITAL | NEW LONDON, CT | $25,000 | 2025 | VERTICAL TREATMENT ROOM |
| MCCLEAN HOSPITAL | BELMONT, MA | $25,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT |
| KENYON COLLEGE | KENYON, OH | $25,000 | 2025 | PHILANDER CHASE CONSERVANCY |
| BOK TOWER GARDENS | LAKE WALES, FL | $25,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS BOSTON | BOSTON, MA | $20,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MAY DUGAN CENTER | CLEVELAND, OH | $20,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING EXPENSES |
| PHILLIPS ACADEMY | ANDOVER, MA | $15,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT |
| WESTERN RESERVE LAND CONSERVANCY | NOVELTY, OH | $15,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT |
| STARTING POINT | CLEVELAND, OH | $15,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING EXPENSES |
| KENYON COLLEGE | GAMBIER, OH | $15,000 | 2025 | KENYON REVIEW |
| ART GARAGE DENVER | DENVER, CO | $15,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CO2 COALITION | ARLINGTON, VA | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CHARITY WATER | FRANKLIN, TN | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING EXPENSES |
| LAND STUDIO | CLEVELAND, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT |
| OWL CREEK CONSERVANCY | MOUNT VERNON, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING EXPENSES |
| MERCY CORPS | PORTLAND, OR | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NATURE CENTER AT SHAKER LAKES | CLEVELAND, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL FUND |
| THE BAIL PROJECT INC | VENICE, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT |
| METROHEALTH FOUNDATION | CLEVELAND, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | SAFE PROJECT |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY | MT VERNON, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT |
| GIVEWELLORG | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ESPLANADE ASSOCIATION | BOSTON, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CUYAHOGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION | CLEVELAND, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING EXPENSES |
| CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY | PITTSBURGH, PA | $10,000 | 2025 | IRELAND FAMILY UNDERGRADUATE RESEARC |
| DENVER ART MUSEUM | DENVER, CO | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT |
| WINTER SANCTUARY | MT VERNON, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT |
| PRETERM CLEVELAND INC | CLEVELAND, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT |
| WALSH PARK BENEVOLENT CORP | FISHERS ISLAND, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HEAD START OF KNOX COUNTY | MOUNT VERNON, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT |
| LAKEVIEW CEMETERY FOUNDATION | CLEVELAND, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT |
| UNIVERSITY SCHOOL | HUNTING VALLEY, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CLEVELAND ANIMAL PROTECTIVE LEAGUE | CLEVELAND, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT |
| YALE UNIVERSITY | NEW HAVEN, CT | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT |
| KENYON COLLEGE | KENYON, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | BROWN FAMILY ENVIRON. CENTER |
| CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY | CLEVELAND, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | LAW SCHOOL ANNUAL FUND |
| INTERCHURCH SOCIAL SERV OF KNOX CO | MOUNT VERNON, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HOUSING NANTUCKET | NANTUCKET, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SALVATION ARMY | CLEVELAND, OH | $7,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT |
| DENVER BOTANICAL GARDENS | DENVER, CO | $5,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING EXPENSES |
| SAMAANTA FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HENRY L FERGUSON MUSEUM | FISHERS ISLAND, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT |
SISTERS OF CHARITY HEALTH SYSTEMS
$40,00020K NEW VAN, 20K GEN OP EXP
PLANNED PARENTHOOD
UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT
MCCLEAN HOSPITAL
$25,000UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT
BOK TOWER GARDENS
$25,000UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT
MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS BOSTON
$20,000UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT
MAY DUGAN CENTER
$20,000UNRESTRICTED OPERATING EXPENSES
WESTERN RESERVE LAND CONSERVANCY
$15,000UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT
ART GARAGE DENVER
$15,000UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT
CO2 COALITION
$10,000UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT
CHARITY WATER
$10,000UNRESTRICTED OPERATING EXPENSES
OWL CREEK CONSERVANCY
$10,000UNRESTRICTED OPERATING EXPENSES
MERCY CORPS
$10,000UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT
THE BAIL PROJECT INC
$10,000UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT
GIVEWELLORG
$10,000UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT
WINTER SANCTUARY
$10,000UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT
HEAD START OF KNOX COUNTY
$10,000UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT
YALE UNIVERSITY
$10,000UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT
CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
$10,000LAW SCHOOL ANNUAL FUND
INTERCHURCH SOCIAL SERV OF KNOX CO
$10,000UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT
HOUSING NANTUCKET
$10,000UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT
SALVATION ARMY
$7,500UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT
DENVER BOTANICAL GARDENS
$5,000UNRESTRICTED OPERATING EXPENSES
SAMAANTA FOUNDATION
$5,000UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT