The Venner Family Foundation makes a small number of sizable, unrestricted operating grants to local community institutions in and around Wadsworth, OH. Their recent awards show a mix of place-based civic infrastructure (downtown Main Street), performing arts (Piano Cleveland), and faith-linked philanthropy (Catholic Community Foundation), indicating interest in sustaining core operations of organizations that shape local cultural and community life.
Concentrated giving: few, relatively large ($50K) one-off operating grants; emphasis on unrestricted or general operating support to a mix of local civic, arts, and faith-affiliated organizations rather than many small gifts.
The Venner Family Foundation’s recent giving is shaped by operating support for community institutions, with two $50,000 grants in 2024 going to Piano Cleveland and Main Street Wadsworth. That pairing shows the foundation backing both cultural programming and downtown civic life, rather than isolated project work. Across the recent grants list, the foundation appears to favor organizations that keep services, programs, and institutions running: faith-linked philanthropy through the Catholic Community Foundation, neighborhood service through St Vincent De Paul Society, and arts organizations such as Akron Symphony and Cleveland Institute of Music. The grant record also includes support for education and institutional capacity. Alice Lloyd College received grants in both 2023 and 2024, while Case Western Reserve University and Case Fund - Case Alumni Assn each appear more than once. Larger awards are uncommon relative to the overall pattern, but when they do appear they are tied to operating budgets, annual funds, or campaign support rather than restricted program pilots. The result is a profile centered on sustaining established nonprofits, especially those connected to the foundation’s Ohio civic, cultural, educational, and faith communities.
In community development, the foundation gave $50,000 to Main Street Wadsworth for operating support, pointing to interest in the organizations that anchor downtown life. Arts funding is another clear thread: Piano Cleveland received $50,000 for its operating fund, and Akron Symphony and Cleveland Institute of Music each received $10,000 for operating expenses. Education appears through a mix of institutional and scholarship-oriented support. Alice Lloyd College received $15,000 in 2023 and $10,000 in 2024 for education, while Case Western Reserve University received operating support in both 2023 and 2024. The foundation also supported annual fundraising infrastructure, including $10,000 to Case Fund - Case Alumni Assn for its annual fund. Faith-linked charitable work is present as well, with $50,000 to Catholic Community Foundation for operating expenses and $15,000 to St Vincent De Paul Society in Akron for operating expenses.
Typical grants cluster at a modest scale: the 25th percentile is $5,000, while both the median and the 75th percentile are $5,000 and $10,000, respectively. That pattern fits a foundation making many smaller operating grants, with a limited number of larger awards at $25,000 and $50,000. Recurring support is visible in the recent record: several recipients appear in multiple years, including Alice Lloyd College, Case Western Reserve University, Akron Symphony, Tuesday Musical, St Vincent De Paul Society, Akron Childrens Hospital Foundatio, and Case Fund - Case Alumni Assn. The foundation is a regular funder, not a DAF or an individual-giving vehicle, and the recent grants indicate a preference for operating support, annual funds, campaign support, and education-related giving.
$348K
$6M
$240K
$358K
Most grants fall between $5K and $10K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$10K
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Notable grantees: Main Street Wadsworth, Piano Cleveland, Catholic Community Foundation
Most grants go to Ohio recipients, and 44% of grant dollars in the HQ state points to a strong in-state pattern even though giving is national overall. Recent Ohio recipients include Wadsworth, Cleveland, Akron, and surrounding Northeast Ohio communities. Outside Ohio, grants also reached Washington, DC; Arlington, VA; Houston, TX; Hillsdale, MI; Pippa Passes, KY; New York, NY; and Memphis, TN. Texas is the top state by grant count, showing that the foundation’s giving footprint extends beyond its Ohio base.
The recent record centers on nonprofit organizations that need operating support, annual fund support, or campaign support. Examples include arts groups, Catholic-affiliated charitable organizations, downtown civic organizations, universities, colleges, and scholarship-oriented education programs.
No. Ohio receives a large share of the grants, including recipients in Wadsworth, Cleveland, and Akron, but the foundation’s giving is national. The recent list also includes organizations in Washington, DC; Arlington, VA; Houston, TX; Hillsdale, MI; Pippa Passes, KY; New York, NY; and Memphis, TN.
The typical award is small and consistent: the 25th percentile is $5,000, the median is $5,000, and the 75th percentile is $10,000. The recent record also includes larger grants of $25,000 and $50,000, but those are less common.
Yes. Several organizations appear in more than one year, including Alice Lloyd College, Case Western Reserve University, Akron Symphony, Tuesday Musical, St Vincent De Paul Society, Akron Childrens Hospital Foundatio, and Case Fund - Case Alumni Assn. That suggests the foundation often renews support rather than giving only once.
Ohio is the main recipient state, with 44% of grants going to organizations in the HQ state. Even so, Texas is the top state by grant count, which shows that the foundation’s giving is not limited to its home area and reaches a broader national set of recipients.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WADSWORTH SQUARE FOUNDATION | WADSWORTH, OH | $50,000 | 2026 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| PIANO CLEVELAND | CLEVELAND, OH | $50,000 | 2026 | OPERATING FUND |
| ALICE LLOYD COLLEGE | PIPPA PASSES, KY | $20,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $20,000 | 2026 | OPERATING FUND |
| AKRON CHILDRENS HOSPITAL FOUNDATIO | AKRON, OH | $15,000 | 2026 | BUILDING THE PROMISE CAMPAIGN |
| ST VINCENT DEPAUL SOCIETY | AKRON, OH | $15,000 | 2026 | FUND OPERATING EXPENSES |
| FAMILY RESEARCH COUNCIL | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2026 | FUND OPERATING EXPENSES |
| HILLSDALE COLLEGE | HILLSDALE, MI | $10,000 | 2026 | FUND OPERATING EXPENSES |
| CONVENTION OF STATES FOUNDATION | HOUSTON, TX | $10,000 | 2026 | FUND OPERATING EXPENSES |
| INSTITUTE FOR JUSTICE | ARLINGTON, VA | $10,000 | 2026 | FUND OPERATING EXPENSES |
| TUESDAY MUSICAL | AKRON, OH | $10,000 | 2026 | FUND OPERATING EXPENSES |
| CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY | CLEVELAND, OH | $10,000 | 2026 | FUND OPERATING EXPENSES |
| AKRON SYMPHONY | AKRON, OH | $10,000 | 2026 | FUND OPERATING EXPENSES |
| CLEVELAND INSTITUTE OF MUSIC | CLEVELAND, OH | $10,000 | 2026 | FUND OPERATING EXPENSES |
| THE LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE | ARLINGTON, VA | $10,000 | 2026 | FUND OPERATING EXPENSES |
| STAN HYWET HALL & GARDENS | AKRON, OH | $5,000 | 2026 | ANNUAL FUND |
| SACRED HEART SCHOOL ENDOWMENT | WADSWORTH, OH | $5,000 | 2026 | SCHOOL ENDOWMENT FUND |
| CASE FUND - CASE ALUMNI ASSN | CLEVELAND, OH | $5,000 | 2026 | ANNUAL FUND |
| CAPITAL RESEARCH CENTER | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| LIFE LEGAL DEFENSE FOUNDATION | NAPA, CA | $5,000 | 2026 | FUND OPERATING EXPENSES |
| REGINA HEALTH CENTER | RICHFIELD, OH | $5,000 | 2026 | FUND OPERATING EXPENSES |
| SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION OF WADSWORTH | WADSWORTH, OH | $5,000 | 2026 | FUND SCHOLARSHIPS |
| TURNING POINT USA | PHOENIX, AZ | $5,000 | 2026 | OPERATING FUND |
| THE VILLAGE OF ST EDWARD | FAIRLAWN, OH | $5,000 | 2026 | OPERATING FUND |
| JUDICIAL WATCH | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,000 | 2026 | FUND OPERATING EXPENSES |
| SIGMA CHI FOUNDATION | EVANSTON, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | ANNUAL FUND |
| PRAGER UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | SHERMN OAKS, CA | $5,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| PACIFIC LEGAL FOUNDATION | SACRAMENTO, CA | $5,000 | 2026 | FUND OPERATING EXPENSES |
| HALO FOUNDATION | AKRON, OH | $3,000 | 2026 | OPERATING FUND |
| NATIONAL LEGAL & POLICY CENTER | FALLS CHURCH, VA | $3,000 | 2026 | FUND OPERATING EXPENSES |
| INSTITUTE FOR HUMANE STUDIES | ARLINGTON, VA | $3,000 | 2026 | FUND OPERATING EXPENSES |
| THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE | COLUMBUS, OH | $2,000 | 2026 | OPERATING FUND |
| AKRON CIVIC THEATRE | AKRON, OH | $2,000 | 2026 | FUND OPERATING EXPENSES |
| SUMMIT CHORAL SOCIETY | AKRON, OH | $2,000 | 2026 | FUND OPERATING EXPENSES |
| BROKEN CHAINS MINISTRY | AKRON, OH | $2,000 | 2026 | FUND OPERATING EXPENSES |
| CATO INSTITUTE | WASHINGTON, DC | $2,000 | 2026 | FUND OPERTING EXPENSES |
| AKRON CIVIC THEATRE | AKRON, OH | $2,000 | 2026 | FUND OPERATING EXPENSES |
| MEDIA RESEARCH CENTER | RESTON, VA | $2,000 | 2026 | FUND OPERATING EXPENSES |
| PIANO CLEVELAND | CLEVELAND, OH | $50,000 | 2025 | OPERATING FUND |
| THE VILLAGE OF ST EDWARD | FAIRLAWN, OH | $40,000 | 2025 | OPERATING FUND |
| THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $20,000 | 2025 | OPERATING FUND |
| ST VINCENT DEPAUL SOCIETY | AKRON, OH | $15,000 | 2025 | FUND OPERATING EXPENSES |
| AKRON CHILDRENS HOSPITAL FOUNDATIO | AKRON, OH | $15,000 | 2025 | BUILDING THE PROMISE CAMPAIGN |
| CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY | CLEVELAND, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | FUND OPERATING EXPENSES |
| TUESDAY MUSICAL | AKRON, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | FUND OPERATING EXPENSES |
| CLEVELAND INSTITUTE OF MUSIC | CLEVELAND, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | FUND OPERATING EXPENSES |
| HILLSDALE COLLEGE | HILLSDALE, MI | $10,000 | 2025 | FUND OPERATING EXPENSES |
| AKRON SYMPHONY | AKRON, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | FUND OPERATING EXPENSES |
| FAMILY RESEARCH COUNCIL | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2025 | FUND OPERATING EXPENSES |
| ALICE LLOYD COLLEGE | PIPPA PASSES, KY | $10,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
WADSWORTH SQUARE FOUNDATION
$50,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
PIANO CLEVELAND
$50,000OPERATING FUND
ST VINCENT DEPAUL SOCIETY
FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
TUESDAY MUSICAL
$10,000FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
$10,000FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
AKRON SYMPHONY
$10,000FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
CLEVELAND INSTITUTE OF MUSIC
$10,000FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
SACRED HEART SCHOOL ENDOWMENT
$5,000SCHOOL ENDOWMENT FUND
CASE FUND - CASE ALUMNI ASSN
$5,000ANNUAL FUND
SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION OF WADSWORTH
$5,000FUND SCHOLARSHIPS
TURNING POINT USA
$5,000OPERATING FUND
THE VILLAGE OF ST EDWARD
$5,000OPERATING FUND
HALO FOUNDATION
$3,000OPERATING FUND
AKRON CIVIC THEATRE
$2,000FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
SUMMIT CHORAL SOCIETY
$2,000FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
BROKEN CHAINS MINISTRY
$2,000FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
AKRON CIVIC THEATRE
$2,000FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
PIANO CLEVELAND
$50,000OPERATING FUND
THE VILLAGE OF ST EDWARD
$40,000OPERATING FUND
ST VINCENT DEPAUL SOCIETY
$15,000FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
$10,000FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
TUESDAY MUSICAL
$10,000FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
CLEVELAND INSTITUTE OF MUSIC
$10,000FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
AKRON SYMPHONY
$10,000FUND OPERATING EXPENSES