The foundation concentrates philanthropic support in the St. Louis region, providing significant general operating grants to major civic institutions that preserve natural and cultural assets. Its giving emphasizes sustaining flagship public resources—botanical science and gardens, regional history and museums, and the stewardship of Forest Park—rather than project-specific funding. Recipients are large, established nonprofits that serve broad public audiences in the metro area.
Highly concentrated: very few, large unrestricted/general operating grants to established local institutions; repeat support to flagship grantees and focus on sustaining core operations rather than many small or project-specific awards.
The William R Orthwein Jr and Laura Rand Orthwein Foundation Inc directs large general operating grants to long-standing St. Louis civic institutions, with repeated support for organizations that maintain major public assets in the region. Its recent grant record shows sustained backing for botanical science and garden operations, regional history and museum work, and the stewardship of Forest Park, alongside support for schools, health organizations, and cultural nonprofits. The largest recent grants include $656,403 to Missouri Botanical Garden in 2024 and $531,505 to Missouri Historical Society in 2025, both listed as general operating support. The foundation’s pattern is defined by flexible funding rather than project-only awards. Recipients in the recent grants list are established nonprofits serving broad public audiences, including St Louis Zoo, St Louis Science Center, St Louis Symphony Society, and St Louis Art Museum. Several organizations appear across multiple years, which suggests continuity in support for core budgets rather than one-time program funding. The recent grants also include institutions tied to education and human services, such as MICDS and St Luke's Health Corporation, showing a portfolio that extends beyond cultural assets while remaining centered on the St. Louis area.
A clear theme is general operating support for civic institutions that shape St. Louis public life. The foundation gave $500,000 to Forest Park Forever in 2025 for general operating support, and it also backed the St Louis Zoo with $450,000 in 2025 and $300,000 in 2024, both as unrestricted support. Cultural institutions are another recurring area. In 2025, it gave $189,027 to St Louis Art Museum for general operating support, following $171,075 in 2024 and $167,700 in 2023. The St Louis Science Center and St Louis Symphony Society each received multiple general operating grants across 2023 through 2025. The foundation also supports human services and education-related organizations. Recent grants include $250,000 to Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition in 2025, $250,000 to Cardinal Glennon in 2025, and $393,807 to MICDS in 2025, all listed as general operating support.
$5.7M
$76.7M
$12.6M
$7M
Most grants fall between $25K and $143K, with a median of $50K.
25th Percentile
$25K
Median
$50K
75th Percentile
$143K
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Notable grantees: Missouri Botanical Garden, Missouri Historical Society, Forest Park Forever
Typical grants fall at $25,000 at the 25th percentile, $50,000 at the median, and $142,562 at the 75th percentile, with larger awards reserved for major civic institutions. The recent record shows repeated grants to the same recipients over multiple years, including Missouri Botanical Garden, MICDS, St Luke's Health Corporation, St Louis Science Center, St Louis Symphony Society, and St Louis Art Museum. That pattern points to sustained support rather than isolated awards. The foundation is a regular funder, not a DAF, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. The grants listed are overwhelmingly general operating support.
Giving is concentrated in Missouri, which accounts for 90% of grants to recipients in the HQ state, and the top state by grant count is MO. The recent grants list is heavily centered in St. Louis, with additional awards in Chesterfield. Recipient locations in the data include St Louis, MO and Chesterfield, MO, and all recorded grants are in the United States. The geographic pattern is local and metropolitan rather than multi-state or international.
The recent grants are overwhelmingly listed as general operating support. Examples in the data include awards to Missouri Botanical Garden, Forest Park Forever, St Louis Zoo, and St Louis Art Museum, indicating a preference for flexible funding that supports core organizational budgets.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Missouri Botanical Garden, MICDS, St Luke's Health Corporation, St Louis Science Center, St Louis Symphony Society, and St Louis Art Museum. That recurring pattern suggests ongoing support rather than one-time project grants.
The grant-size distribution shows a 25th percentile of $25,000, a median of $50,000, and a 75th percentile of $142,562. Recent awards also include much larger operating grants for major St. Louis institutions.
Its giving is local and concentrated in Missouri. The top state by grant count is MO, and 90% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. The recent grants list shows a strong concentration in St. Louis, with some grants to Chesterfield, MO.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MISSOURI HISTORICAL SOCIETY | ST LOUIS, MO | $531,505 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| FOREST PARK FOREVER | ST LOUIS, MO | $500,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ST LOUIS ZOO | ST LOUIS, MO | $450,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| MICDS | ST LOUIS, MO | $393,807 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ST LUKE'S HEALTH CORPORATION | CHESTERFIELD, MO | $393,807 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN | ST LOUIS, MO | $393,807 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| CARDINAL GLENNON | ST LOUIS, MO | $250,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| FOSTER & ADOPTIVE CARE COALITION | ST LOUIS, MO | $250,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ST LOUIS SCIENCE CENTER | ST LOUIS, MO | $236,284 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ST LOUIS SYMPHONY SOCIETY | ST LOUIS, MO | $236,284 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ST LOUIS ART MUSEUM | ST LOUIS, MO | $189,027 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ST LOUIS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | ST LOUIS, MO | $186,520 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| YALE UNIVERSITY | NEW HAVEN, CT | $157,523 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ST LOUIS AREA COUNCIL BOY SCOUTS | ST LOUIS, MO | $157,523 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| THE SAINT LOUIS MERCANTILE LIBRARY | ST LOUIS, MO | $125,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY | ST LOUIS, MO | $118,761 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| BARNES-JEWISH HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | ST LOUIS, MO | $105,015 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| TOWER GROVE PARK | ST LOUIS, MO | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| WINGS OF HOPE | CHESTERFIELD, MO | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| OPERATION FOOD SEARCH | ST LOUIS, MO | $75,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| PROMISE COMMUNITY HOMES | ST LOUIS, MO | $75,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| NURSES FOR NEWBORNS | ST LOUIS, MO | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| YWCA | ST LOUIS, MO | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS | ST LOUIS, MO | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB | ST LOUIS, MO | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY | NASHVILLE, TN | $42,006 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| FOLDS OF HONOR | OWASSO, OK | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| CRISIS NURSERY | ST LOUIS, MO | $35,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | ST LOUIS, MO | $31,505 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| PETER & PAUL COMMUNITY SERVICES | ST LOUIS, MO | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| BEYOND HOUSING | ST LOUIS, MO | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| THE HAVEN OF GRACE | ST LOUIS, MO | $26,254 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| PARAQUAD | ST LOUIS, MO | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| SHERWOOD FOREST | ST LOUIS, MO | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| NPOWER | BROOKLYN, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| CITY ACADEMY | ST LOUIS, MO | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| CENTRAL INSTITUTE FOR THE DEAF | ST LOUIS, MO | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| CAMP RAINBOW | FENTON, MO | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ROSSMAN SCHOOL | ST LOUIS, MO | $15,752 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| OUR LADY'S INN | ST LOUIS, MO | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| LIFT FOR LIFE GYM | ST LOUIS, MO | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| EQUINE ASSISTED THERAPY | WILDWOOD, MO | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| HELP 4 TRANSPLANT KIDS | HIGH RIDGE, MO | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN | ST LOUIS, MO | $656,403 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ST LUKE'S HEALTH CORPORATION | CHESTERFIELD, MO | $356,406 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| MICDS | ST LOUIS, MO | $356,406 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ST LOUIS ZOO | ST LOUIS, MO | $300,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| CARDINAL GLENNON | ST LOUIS, MO | $250,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| FOSTER & ADOPTIVE CARE COALITION | ST LOUIS, MO | $250,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ST LOUIS SCIENCE CENTER | ST LOUIS, MO | $213,847 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
MISSOURI HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$531,505GENERAL OPERATING
FOREST PARK FOREVER
$500,000GENERAL OPERATING
ST LOUIS ZOO
$450,000GENERAL OPERATING
MICDS
$393,807GENERAL OPERATING
ST LUKE'S HEALTH CORPORATION
$393,807GENERAL OPERATING
MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN
$393,807GENERAL OPERATING
CARDINAL GLENNON
GENERAL OPERATING
FOSTER & ADOPTIVE CARE COALITION
$250,000GENERAL OPERATING
ST LOUIS SCIENCE CENTER
$236,284GENERAL OPERATING
ST LOUIS SYMPHONY SOCIETY
$236,284GENERAL OPERATING
ST LOUIS ART MUSEUM
$189,027GENERAL OPERATING
ST LOUIS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
$186,520GENERAL OPERATING
YALE UNIVERSITY
$157,523GENERAL OPERATING
ST LOUIS AREA COUNCIL BOY SCOUTS
$157,523GENERAL OPERATING
THE SAINT LOUIS MERCANTILE LIBRARY
$125,000GENERAL OPERATING
WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
$118,761GENERAL OPERATING
BARNES-JEWISH HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
$105,015GENERAL OPERATING
TOWER GROVE PARK
$100,000GENERAL OPERATING
WINGS OF HOPE
$100,000GENERAL OPERATING
OPERATION FOOD SEARCH
$75,000GENERAL OPERATING
PROMISE COMMUNITY HOMES
$75,000GENERAL OPERATING
NURSES FOR NEWBORNS
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING
YWCA
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING
VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
$42,006GENERAL OPERATING
FOLDS OF HONOR
$40,000GENERAL OPERATING
CRISIS NURSERY
$35,000GENERAL OPERATING
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
$31,505GENERAL OPERATING
PETER & PAUL COMMUNITY SERVICES
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING
BEYOND HOUSING
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING
THE HAVEN OF GRACE
$26,254GENERAL OPERATING
PARAQUAD
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING
SHERWOOD FOREST
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING
NPOWER
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING
CITY ACADEMY
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING
CENTRAL INSTITUTE FOR THE DEAF
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING
CAMP RAINBOW
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING
ROSSMAN SCHOOL
$15,752GENERAL OPERATING
OUR LADY'S INN
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING
LIFT FOR LIFE GYM
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING
EQUINE ASSISTED THERAPY
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING
HELP 4 TRANSPLANT KIDS
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING
MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN
$656,403GENERAL OPERATING
ST LUKE'S HEALTH CORPORATION
$356,406GENERAL OPERATING
MICDS
$356,406GENERAL OPERATING
ST LOUIS ZOO
$300,000GENERAL OPERATING
CARDINAL GLENNON
$250,000GENERAL OPERATING
FOSTER & ADOPTIVE CARE COALITION
$250,000GENERAL OPERATING
ST LOUIS SCIENCE CENTER
$213,847GENERAL OPERATING