The Robert A & Marian K Kennedy Charitable Trust makes a very small number of modest-to-midsize grants focused on charitable institutions rather than broad philanthropic portfolios. Recent awards indicate interest in historic preservation/cultural sites and services for children with special needs, with at least one beneficiary in the foundation's Cincinnati area and another outside the region. The trust appears to favor one-off, impact-oriented gifts to mission-driven nonprofits.
Concentrated, low-volume giving: a couple of relatively large single-year grants rather than many small awards or long-term multi-year commitments; appears to fund mission-specific projects or operating support.
A 2023 award of $20,000 to Drayton Hall in Charleston stands out as the largest recent grant from Robert a & Marian K Kennedy Charitable Trust. That gift sits alongside a pattern of modest-to-midsize support for nonprofits that serve children, preserve cultural assets, or promote charitable purposes through local institutions. The trust’s recent grants include repeated support for Springer School and Center in Cincinnati, as well as smaller gifts to organizations such as Inner City Youth Opportunities, the Cincinnati Zoo, and Alice Lloyd College. The trust’s giving profile suggests a narrow, place-based approach rather than a broad portfolio. Many recipients are Cincinnati organizations, but the trust also funds selected charities outside the city and even outside Ohio. Its recent awards are often framed as support to “promote charitable purpose,” which appears across institutions with education, youth, arts, disability services, and preservation missions. In practice, the foundation’s grantmaking reads as targeted support for mission-driven nonprofits rather than program-specific project funding.
One clear thread in the trust’s giving is special education and disability-related support. Springer School and Center received $12,500 in 2023 and another $2,500 in 2024, making it one of the trust’s most visible recurring beneficiaries. The Cincinnati Assn for the Blind also received two grants, $2,000 in 2023 and $2,000 in 2024. A second area is youth and family services. Inner City Youth Opportunities received $5,000 in 2024 and $4,000 in 2023, while Prokids received $2,500 in 2024. The Dragonfly Foundation also appears in the recent grants list with a $2,500 award in 2024. The trust also backs cultural and educational institutions. Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra received $2,000 in 2024, and Cincinnati Zoo received $5,000 in both 2023 and 2024. Outside Cincinnati, Drayton Hall received $20,000 in 2023 for charitable purposes tied to its historic site role.
Typical grants are small: the 25th percentile is $1,000, the median is $1,000, and the 75th percentile is $2,000. Recent giving includes a few larger outliers, but most awards cluster at the $2,000 to $2,500 level. The trust shows some repeat support across years, including Springer School and Center, Cincinnati Zoo, Inner City Youth Opportunities, Alice Lloyd College, Faith Freedom Life, Ladd Inc, the Cincinnati Assn for the Blind, and East End Adult Education Center. It is a trust rather than a donor-advised fund or operating charity, and it does not make program-related investments or grants to individuals.
$139K
$1.2M
$200K
$196K
Most grants fall between $1K and $2K, with a median of $1K.
25th Percentile
$1K
Median
$1K
75th Percentile
$2K
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.
Notable grantees: Drayton Hall, Springer School and Center
Giving is overwhelmingly local: 89% of grants go to recipients in Ohio, and every recipient in the recent-grants list is in the United States. Cincinnati is the main center of activity, with many awards landing there, including grants to Springer School and Center, Inner City Youth Opportunities, and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Outside Cincinnati, the trust also gave to Dayton, Columbus, Pippa Passes, and Charleston. That mix shows a strong Ohio focus with a limited set of exceptions beyond the state.
Recent grants show support for historic preservation and cultural sites, special education and therapeutic schooling for children with disabilities, and regional charitable institutions. Examples include Drayton Hall in Charleston, Springer School and Center in Cincinnati, and the Cincinnati Zoo.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Springer School and Center ($12,500 in 2023 and $2,500 in 2024), Cincinnati Zoo ($5,000 in both 2023 and 2024), and Inner City Youth Opportunities ($4,000 in 2023 and $5,000 in 2024).
The grant-size distribution is very small. The 25th percentile is $1,000, the median is $1,000, and the 75th percentile is $2,000. Most recent awards cluster near $2,000 or $2,500.
Ohio is the top state by grant count, and 89% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. Recent Ohio recipients are concentrated in Cincinnati, with additional grants to Dayton and Columbus.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPRINGER SCHOOL AND CENTER | CINCINNATI, OH | $17,500 | 2026 | PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| FAITH FREEDOM LIFE | CINCINNATI, OH | $10,000 | 2026 | PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| ST STEPHEN CATHOLIC CHURCH | CINCINNATI, OH | $8,000 | 2026 | PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| DRAYTON HALL | CHARLESTON, SC | $7,500 | 2026 | PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| ALICE LLOYD COLLEGE | PIPPA PASSES, KY | $7,000 | 2026 | PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| CINCINNATI PUBLIC RADIO | CINCINNATI, OH | $5,000 | 2026 | PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| THE DRAGONFLY FOUNDATION | CINCINNATI, OH | $4,000 | 2026 | PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| ST BONIFACE SCHOOL | CINCINNATI, OH | $3,992 | 2026 | PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| CINCINNATI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | CINCINNATI, OH | $3,000 | 2026 | PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| WORKING IN NEIGHBORHOODS | CINCINNATI, OH | $3,000 | 2026 | PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| CATHOLIC INNER-CITY SCHOOLS EDUCATION FUND | CINCINNATI, OH | $2,500 | 2026 | PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| SERENITY RECOVERY NETWORK | CINCINNATI, OH | $2,500 | 2026 | PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| HENRY HOSEA HOUSE | NEWPORT, KY | $2,500 | 2026 | PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| NKU CHASE LAW SCHOOL | HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, KY | $2,500 | 2026 | PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| MELANOMA KNOW MORE | CINCINNATI, OH | $2,500 | 2026 | PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| CINCINNATI MUSEUM CENTER | CINCINNATI, OH | $2,500 | 2026 | PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| THE ALS ASSOCIATION CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN CHAPTER | COLUMBUS, OH | $2,500 | 2026 | PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| BREAKLTHROUGH TID JDRF | CINCINNATI, OH | $2,000 | 2026 | PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| NEW LIFE FURNITURE BANK | CINCINNATI, OH | $2,000 | 2026 | PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| CATHOLIOC CHARITIES SW OHIO | CINCINNATI, OH | $2,000 | 2026 | PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| CITY GOSPEL MISSION | CINCINNATI, OH | $2,000 | 2026 | PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| CINCINNATI YOUTH COLLABORATIVE | CINCINNATI, OH | $2,000 | 2026 | PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| LIGHTHOUSE YOUTH & FAMILY SERVICES | CINCINNATI, OH | $2,000 | 2026 | PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| ELIZABETH'S NEW LIFE CENTER | DAYTON, OH | $2,000 | 2026 | PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| PRO BONO PARTNERSHIP OF OHIO | CINCINNATI, OH | $2,000 | 2026 | PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| HEARING SPEECH & DEAF CENTER | CINCINNATI, OH | $2,000 | 2026 | PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| SHELTERHOUSE | CINCINNATI, OH | $2,000 | 2026 | PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| FRIENDS OF HARRIET BEECHER STOWE HOUSE | CINCINNATI, OH | $2,000 | 2026 | PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| MAY WE HELP | CINCINNATI, OH | $2,000 | 2026 | PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING SERVICES OF HA | HAMILTON, OH | $1,500 | 2026 | PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| PLAYHOUSE IN THE PARK | CINCINNATI, OH | $1,500 | 2026 | PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| RAPTOR INC | MILFORD, OH | $1,000 | 2026 | PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| ADVENTURE CREW | CINCINNATI, OH | $1,000 | 2026 | PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| CLIFTON CULTURAL ARTS CENTER | CINCINNATI, OH | $1,000 | 2026 | PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| CORNERSTONE RENTER EQUITY | CINCINNATI, OH | $1,000 | 2026 | PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS | HAMILTON, OH | $1,000 | 2026 | PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| SWEET CHEEKS DIAPER BANK | CINCINNATI, OH | $1,000 | 2026 | PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| ADOPT A CLASS | CINCINNATI, OH | $1,000 | 2026 | PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| WAVE | NEWPORT, KY | $1,000 | 2026 | PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| DCCH CENTER FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILI | FT MITCHELL, KY | $1,000 | 2026 | PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| MADISONVILLE EDUCATION & ASSISTANCE MEAC | CINCINNATI, OH | $1,000 | 2026 | PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| CINCINNATI NATURE CENTER | MILFORD, OH | $1,000 | 2026 | PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| THE CARNEGIE THEATRE | COVINGTON, KY | $1,000 | 2026 | PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| NOTRE DAME URBAN EDUCATION CENTER | COVINGTON, KY | $1,000 | 2026 | PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| GUIDING LIGHT | CINCINNATI, OH | $1,000 | 2026 | PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| CARING PARTNERS INTERNATIONAL | FRANKLIN, OH | $1,000 | 2026 | PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| CANCE FAMILY CARE | CINCINNATI, OH | $1,000 | 2026 | PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| TUTOR TEENS | VILLA HILLS, KY | $1,000 | 2026 | PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY | CINCINNATI, OH | $1,000 | 2026 | PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| CINCINNATI LANDMARK PRODUCTIONS | CINCINNATI, OH | $1,000 | 2026 | PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
FAITH FREEDOM LIFE
$10,000PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE
ST STEPHEN CATHOLIC CHURCH
$8,000PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE
PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE
ST BONIFACE SCHOOL
$3,992PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE
CATHOLIC INNER-CITY SCHOOLS EDUCATION FUND
$2,500PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE
SERENITY RECOVERY NETWORK
$2,500PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE
HENRY HOSEA HOUSE
$2,500PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE
NKU CHASE LAW SCHOOL
$2,500PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE
MELANOMA KNOW MORE
$2,500PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE
THE ALS ASSOCIATION CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN CHAPTER
$2,500PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE
BREAKLTHROUGH TID JDRF
$2,000PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE
CATHOLIOC CHARITIES SW OHIO
$2,000PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE
SHELTERHOUSE
$2,000PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE
FRIENDS OF HARRIET BEECHER STOWE HOUSE
$2,000PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE
NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING SERVICES OF HA
$1,500PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE
PLAYHOUSE IN THE PARK
$1,500PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE
RAPTOR INC
$1,000PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE
SWEET CHEEKS DIAPER BANK
$1,000PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE
ADOPT A CLASS
$1,000PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE
WAVE
$1,000PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE
DCCH CENTER FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILI
$1,000PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE
MADISONVILLE EDUCATION & ASSISTANCE MEAC
$1,000PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE
CINCINNATI NATURE CENTER
$1,000PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE
NOTRE DAME URBAN EDUCATION CENTER
$1,000PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE
GUIDING LIGHT
$1,000PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE
CARING PARTNERS INTERNATIONAL
$1,000PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE
TUTOR TEENS
$1,000PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
$1,000PROMOTE CHARITABLE PURPOSE