The Sam J Frankino Foundation focuses on a small number of sizable, locally concentrated gifts in Greater Cleveland that support major cultural, health, emergency relief, and private education institutions. Grants skew toward operating and capital/endowment support rather than many small awards, and the foundation repeatedly funds several flagship organizations. Their giving emphasizes institutional sustainability (museum operating, hospital cancer care, school endowment/building) and community wellbeing through health and emergency-response partners.
Focus Areas
Major Cleveland cultural institution operating support (e.g., Cleveland Museum of Art)Local hospital-based cancer care and specialty health funding (University Hospitals — Siedman Cancer)Cardiovascular health advocacy and programming (American Heart Association — Go Red initiatives)Local disaster relief and community sponsorships (American Red Cross of Greater Cleveland)Catholic/independent secondary education endowment, capital projects, and scholarships (Gilmour Academy)
Who They Fund
women (including women-focused health programs)
About Sam J Frankino Foundation
The Sam J Frankino Foundation’s recent giving is anchored by large, repeated operating grants to Cleveland institutions and by multi-year support for health and education partners. Its largest recent gifts include $500,000 to the Cleveland Museum of Art in both 2024 and 2025, and $460,700 and $400,000 to University Hospitals of Cleveland for Siedman Cancer. Those awards sit within a pattern of local, institutional support rather than a broad scatter of small grants. The foundation also backs community health and civic response work, with significant funding to the American Red Cross of Greater Cleveland and the American Heart Association Ne Ohio. Alongside those priorities, it supports Catholic and independent education through Gilmour Academy and the Catholic Community Foundation. The recent record shows a funder that uses operating support, sponsorships, endowment support, research funding, and capital-related awards to sustain organizations that serve Greater Cleveland.
What Sam J Frankino Foundation Funds
In arts and culture, The Sam J Frankino Foundation gave $500,000 in 2025 to the Cleveland Museum of Art for operating support, matching a $500,000 operating grant the prior year. In health, it gave $305,230 in 2025 to American Heart Association Ne Ohio for the Go Red for Women Fund, and $162,043 in 2024 for the same fund. Medical giving also includes $200,000 in 2023 to University Hospitals of Cleveland for research. In education, it gave $253,950 in 2025 to Gilmour Academy for endowment, building fund, and the SJF Scholarship Fund. The foundation also supported Catholic Community Foundation with $130,000 for scholarship and $143,612 for operating support.
How Sam J Frankino Foundation Gives
Typical grant size clusters around $10,000 at the median, with the 25th percentile at $5,000 and the 75th percentile at $25,000. The recent record also includes much larger institutional gifts, showing that the foundation uses a small number of sizable awards alongside many smaller ones. Several recipients appear across multiple years, including the Cleveland Museum of Art, University Hospitals of Cleveland, American Heart Association Ne Ohio, Gilmour Academy, and American Red Cross of Greater Cleveland. The foundation’s active programs include both unsolicited and competitive channels, with two application cycles each year in the general grantmaking program.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$3M
Total Assets
$48.6M
Total Revenue
$3.8M
Total Expenses
$4.1M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $5K and $25K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$25K
Geographic Reach
Local11 states funded
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Where Sam J Frankino Foundation Funds
Top 2 recipient countries by grant volume for Sam J Frankino Foundation.
Rank
Country
Grants
Total
Share
1
United StatesDomestic
262
$8.3M
99.2%
2
Other Countries
Deep Analysis
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cancer patients and related research beneficiaries
students/scholars (scholarship recipients)
global or international communities
general operating beneficiaries (unspecified nonprofits)
Giving Approach
Concentrated, high-dollar giving with a small number of grants per year; repeat funding to flagship local institutions across operating, capital, and program-specific purposes rather than broad distributed microgrants.
Funding Style
sponsorship (event/organizational)scholarship fundingendowment/permanent fund supportcapital/building fund (facility & infrastructure)general/unrestricted operating support
Notable grantees: Cleveland Museum of Art, University Hospitals of Cleveland (Siedman Cancer Center), American Red Cross of Greater Cleveland, American Heart Association — Northeast Ohio, Gilmour Academy
Topics
cancer research & support (Siedman Cancer)women's cardiovascular health (Go Red for Women)research grantsfundraising/event sponsorshiphigher education/student scholarshipscapital projects/infrastructureglobal/international programs
Where Sam J Frankino Foundation Makes Grants
The giving is heavily concentrated in Ohio, which accounts for 87% of grants and is the top state by grant count. Cleveland is the main recipient city, with additional gifts in Gates Mills and Mantua. Outside Ohio, the recent grants list includes Springfield, Massachusetts, and the recipient-country distribution shows 2 grants in Oceania outside the United States. The overall pattern is local, with the foundation’s grants landing overwhelmingly in the state where it gives most often.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sam J Frankino Foundation
What kinds of organizations does The Sam J Frankino Foundation support?
Its active programs cover education and youth development, medical and health and human services, arts, culture and heritage, community development and social services, environmental sustainability, and international and global initiatives. Recent grants show support for museums, hospitals, disaster relief, schools, and community health groups.
Does the foundation support health-related work?
Yes. The program list includes medical, health and human services, and recent grants include $460,700 and $400,000 to University Hospitals of Cleveland for Siedman Cancer, plus $305,230 to American Heart Association Ne Ohio for the Go Red for Women Fund.
How concentrated is the foundation’s giving in Ohio?
Very concentrated. Ohio is the top state by grant count, and 87% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. Cleveland is the most common recipient city in the recent grants list.
Does The Sam J Frankino Foundation accept unsolicited applications?
Yes for several listed programs. The community development and social services, medical, health and human services, arts, culture and heritage, international and global initiatives, education and youth development, environmental sustainability, and general grant program all accept unsolicited applications.
What is a typical grant size?
The grant-size distribution centers on $5,000 at the 25th percentile, $10,000 at the median, and $25,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent grants list also shows larger awards for operating, research, sponsorship, endowment, and capital-related support.
Latest 990 Filing
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
2
$93K
0.8%
Recipient country reflects the grantee's headquarters per IRS 990-PF and Schedule F filings, not the program's implementation country.
Recent Grants
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
Recipient
Location
Amount
Year
Purpose
CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART
CLEVELAND, OH
$500,000
2025
OPERATING
UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS OF CLEVELAND
CLEVELAND, OH
$400,000
2025
SIEDMAN CANCER
AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION NE OHIO
CLEVELAND, OH
$305,230
2025
GO RED FOR WOMEN FUND
GILMOUR ACADEMY
GATES MILLS, OH
$253,950
2025
ENDOWMENT; BUILDING FUND; SJF SCHOLARSHIP FUND
CATHOLIC COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
CLEVELAND, OH
$143,612
2025
OPERATING
HOSPICE OF THE WESTERN RESERVE
CLEVELAND, OH
$125,000
2025
OPERATING
AMERICAN RED CROSS OF GREATER CLEVELAND
CLEVELAND, OH
$81,364
2025
OPERATING
HATTIE LARLHAM FOUNDATION
MANTUA, OH
$60,000
2025
SPONSORSHIP
ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION
SOLON, OH
$60,000
2025
OPERATING
HANDS TOGETHER
SPRINGFIELD, MA
$50,000
2025
OPERATING
STAN HYWET HALL & GARDENS
AKRON, OH
$50,000
2025
OPERATING
PATRONS OF THE ARTS IN THE VATICAN MUSEUMS - ROME
EUROPE PALAZZOAPOSTOLICO
$47,871
2025
OPERATING
LOVE IN NEGLECTED COMMUNITIES
STOW, OH
$43,000
2025
OPERATING
PATRONS OF THE ARTS IN THE VATICAN MUSEUMS OF OHIO INC
CLEVELAND, OH
$42,579
2025
OPERATING
CHILDREN OF FALLEN PATRIOTS FOUNDATION
RESTON, VA
$35,000
2025
OPERATING
THE SALVATION ARMY OF GREATER CLEVELAND
CLEVELAND, OH
$35,000
2025
OPERATING
PARKINSON'S FOUNDATION INC
NEW YORK, NY
$30,000
2025
OPERATING
CLEVELAND ORCHESTRA
CLEVELAND, OH
$30,000
2025
OPERATING
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY
CLEVELAND, OH
$30,000
2025
OPERATING
THE GREAT LAKES MUSEUM SCIENCE CENTER
CLEVELAND, OH
$30,000
2025
OPERATING
JOSEPH'S HOME
CLEVELAND, OH
$25,572
2025
OPERATING
CUYAHOGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION
CLEVELAND, OH
$25,000
2025
OPERATING
ST JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL
MEMPHIS, TN
$25,000
2025
OPERATING
BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF NE OHIO
CLEVELAND, OH
$25,000
2025
OPERATING
CLEVELAND CLINIC CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
CLEVELAND, OH
$25,000
2025
OPERATING
NOTRE DAME-CATHEDRAL LATIN SCHOOL
CHARDON, OH
$25,000
2025
OPERATING
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE OF CLEVELAND INC
CLEVELAND, OH
$20,000
2025
OPERATING
LUPUS FOUNDATION OF AMERICA
BRECKSVILLE, OH
$20,000
2025
OPERATING
LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY
INDEPENDENCE, OH
$20,000
2025
OPERATING
HARMONY FOUNDATION INTERNATIONAL INC
NASHVILLE, OH
$16,000
2025
SPONSORSHIP
MAY DUGAN CENTER
CLEVELAND, OH
$15,000
2025
OPERATING
CORNERSTONE OF HOPE
INDEPENDENCE, OH
$15,000
2025
OPERATING
I AM BOUNDLESS
INDEPENDENCE, OH
$15,000
2025
OPERATING
IDEASTREAM
CLEVELAND, OH
$15,000
2025
OPERATING
THE CITY MISSION
CLEVELAND, OH
$15,000
2025
OPERATING
CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
CLEVELAND, OH
$15,000
2025
OPERATING
MALACHI HOUSE
CLEVELAND, OH
$15,000
2025
OPERATING
ECUMENICAL SHELTER NETWORK OF LAKE COUNTY
PAINESVILLE, OH
$15,000
2025
OPERATING
CROSSROADS HEALTH
MENTOR, OH
$12,000
2025
OPERATING
A KID AGAIN NORTHERN OHIO
TWINSBURG, OH
$10,000
2025
OPERATING
GEAUGA COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY RESCUE VILLAGE
NOVELTY, OH
$10,000
2025
OPERATING
ONE HEALTH ORGANIZATION
CLEVELAND, OH
$10,000
2025
OPERATING
ADOPTION NETWORK CLEVELAND
CLEVELAND, OH
$10,000
2025
OPERATING
TRANSFORMATIONS BY AUSTIN ANGELS
CLEVELAND, OH
$10,000
2025
OPERATING
FRONT STEPS HOUSING AND SERVICES
CLEVELAND, OH
$10,000
2025
OPERATING
ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI PARISH
GATES MILLS, OH
$10,000
2025
HEART OF SHEPHERD
WOMENSAFE INC
CHARDON, OH
$10,000
2025
OPERATING
HIRE HEROES USA
ALPHARETTA, GA
$10,000
2025
OPERATING
MEDWISH INTERNATIONAL
NORTH OLMSTED, OH
$10,000
2025
OPERATING
PARTNERSHIP SCHOOLS FOR INNER-CITY EDUCATION
NEW YORK, NY
$10,000
2025
OPERATING
CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART
$500,000
CLEVELAND, OH2025
OPERATING
UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS OF CLEVELAND
$400,000
CLEVELAND, OH2025
SIEDMAN CANCER
AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION NE OHIO
$305,230
CLEVELAND, OH2025
GO RED FOR WOMEN FUND
GILMOUR ACADEMY
$253,950
GATES MILLS, OH2025
ENDOWMENT; BUILDING FUND; SJF SCHOLARSHIP FUND
CATHOLIC COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$143,612
CLEVELAND, OH2025
OPERATING
HOSPICE OF THE WESTERN RESERVE
$125,000
CLEVELAND, OH2025
OPERATING
AMERICAN RED CROSS OF GREATER CLEVELAND
$81,364
CLEVELAND, OH2025
OPERATING
HATTIE LARLHAM FOUNDATION
$60,000
MANTUA, OH2025
SPONSORSHIP
ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION
$60,000
SOLON, OH2025
OPERATING
HANDS TOGETHER
$50,000
SPRINGFIELD, MA2025
OPERATING
STAN HYWET HALL & GARDENS
$50,000
AKRON, OH2025
OPERATING
PATRONS OF THE ARTS IN THE VATICAN MUSEUMS - ROME
$47,871
EUROPE PALAZZOAPOSTOLICO2025
OPERATING
LOVE IN NEGLECTED COMMUNITIES
$43,000
STOW, OH2025
OPERATING
PATRONS OF THE ARTS IN THE VATICAN MUSEUMS OF OHIO INC
$42,579
CLEVELAND, OH2025
OPERATING
CHILDREN OF FALLEN PATRIOTS FOUNDATION
$35,000
RESTON, VA2025
OPERATING
THE SALVATION ARMY OF GREATER CLEVELAND
$35,000
CLEVELAND, OH2025
OPERATING
PARKINSON'S FOUNDATION INC
$30,000
NEW YORK, NY2025
OPERATING
CLEVELAND ORCHESTRA
$30,000
CLEVELAND, OH2025
OPERATING
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY
$30,000
CLEVELAND, OH2025
OPERATING
THE GREAT LAKES MUSEUM SCIENCE CENTER
$30,000
CLEVELAND, OH2025
OPERATING
JOSEPH'S HOME
$25,572
CLEVELAND, OH2025
OPERATING
CUYAHOGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION
$25,000
CLEVELAND, OH2025
OPERATING
ST JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL
$25,000
MEMPHIS, TN2025
OPERATING
BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF NE OHIO
$25,000
CLEVELAND, OH2025
OPERATING
CLEVELAND CLINIC CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
$25,000
CLEVELAND, OH2025
OPERATING
NOTRE DAME-CATHEDRAL LATIN SCHOOL
$25,000
CHARDON, OH2025
OPERATING
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE OF CLEVELAND INC
$20,000
CLEVELAND, OH2025
OPERATING
LUPUS FOUNDATION OF AMERICA
$20,000
BRECKSVILLE, OH2025
OPERATING
LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY
$20,000
INDEPENDENCE, OH2025
OPERATING
HARMONY FOUNDATION INTERNATIONAL INC
$16,000
NASHVILLE, OH2025
SPONSORSHIP
MAY DUGAN CENTER
$15,000
CLEVELAND, OH2025
OPERATING
CORNERSTONE OF HOPE
$15,000
INDEPENDENCE, OH2025
OPERATING
I AM BOUNDLESS
$15,000
INDEPENDENCE, OH2025
OPERATING
IDEASTREAM
$15,000
CLEVELAND, OH2025
OPERATING
THE CITY MISSION
$15,000
CLEVELAND, OH2025
OPERATING
CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
$15,000
CLEVELAND, OH2025
OPERATING
MALACHI HOUSE
$15,000
CLEVELAND, OH2025
OPERATING
ECUMENICAL SHELTER NETWORK OF LAKE COUNTY
$15,000
PAINESVILLE, OH2025
OPERATING
CROSSROADS HEALTH
$12,000
MENTOR, OH2025
OPERATING
A KID AGAIN NORTHERN OHIO
$10,000
TWINSBURG, OH2025
OPERATING
GEAUGA COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY RESCUE VILLAGE
$10,000
NOVELTY, OH2025
OPERATING
ONE HEALTH ORGANIZATION
$10,000
CLEVELAND, OH2025
OPERATING
ADOPTION NETWORK CLEVELAND
$10,000
CLEVELAND, OH2025
OPERATING
TRANSFORMATIONS BY AUSTIN ANGELS
$10,000
CLEVELAND, OH2025
OPERATING
FRONT STEPS HOUSING AND SERVICES
$10,000
CLEVELAND, OH2025
OPERATING
ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI PARISH
$10,000
GATES MILLS, OH2025
HEART OF SHEPHERD
WOMENSAFE INC
$10,000
CHARDON, OH2025
OPERATING
HIRE HEROES USA
$10,000
ALPHARETTA, GA2025
OPERATING
MEDWISH INTERNATIONAL
$10,000
NORTH OLMSTED, OH2025
OPERATING
PARTNERSHIP SCHOOLS FOR INNER-CITY EDUCATION
$10,000
NEW YORK, NY2025
OPERATING
Open Grant Opportunities
Current and upcoming funding from Sam J Frankino Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Open nowRolling / open intake
Community Development & Social Services
community developmentsocial servicespoverty alleviation+6 more
Who can apply: Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, particularly those whose missions align with the Foundation's funding priorities. LOI required first; invited organizations submit full application. Generally one grant per organization per year.
Deadline: Spring cycle LOI deadline: March 16, 2026; application deadline: April 24, 2026. Fall cycle LOI deadline: August 7, 2026; application deadline: September 25, 2026.
educationyouth developmentacademic enrichment+4 more
Who can apply: Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, particularly those whose missions align with the Foundation's funding priorities. LOI required first; invited organizations submit full application. Generally one grant per organization per year.
Deadline: Spring cycle LOI deadline: March 16, 2026; application deadline: April 24, 2026. Fall cycle LOI deadline: August 7, 2026; application deadline: September 25, 2026.
medical researchscientific innovationhealth-related education+5 more
Who can apply: Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, particularly those whose missions align with the Foundation's funding priorities. LOI required first; invited organizations submit full application. Generally one grant per organization per year.
Deadline: Spring cycle LOI deadline: March 16, 2026; application deadline: April 24, 2026. Fall cycle LOI deadline: August 7, 2026; application deadline: September 25, 2026.
arts and cultureheritage preservationItalian-American heritage+4 more
Who can apply: Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, particularly those whose missions align with the Foundation's funding priorities. LOI required first; invited organizations submit full application. Generally one grant per organization per year.
Deadline: Spring cycle LOI deadline: March 16, 2026; application deadline: April 24, 2026. Fall cycle LOI deadline: August 7, 2026; application deadline: September 25, 2026.
environmental sustainabilityclean airclean water+4 more
Who can apply: Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, particularly those whose missions align with the Foundation's funding priorities. LOI required first; invited organizations submit full application. Generally one grant per organization per year.
Deadline: Spring cycle LOI deadline: March 16, 2026; application deadline: April 24, 2026. Fall cycle LOI deadline: August 7, 2026; application deadline: September 25, 2026.
Who can apply: Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, particularly those whose missions align with the Foundation's funding priorities. LOI required first; invited organizations submit full application. Generally one grant per organization per year.
Deadline: Spring cycle LOI deadline: March 16, 2026; application deadline: April 24, 2026. Fall cycle LOI deadline: August 7, 2026; application deadline: September 25, 2026.
Deadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
