The John J & Mary R Schiff Foundation concentrates its giving in the Cincinnati region, prioritizing arts and cultural institutions, local higher education and medical education, and youth-serving social service organizations. It makes a small number of very large grants (often multi-million-dollar gifts) to a handful of repeat grantees and civic projects, and also supports local heritage/military memorial initiatives. Its portfolio blends cultural capital (theater, photography, symphony) with investments in education, children's services, and community-facing facilities.
A few of the foundation’s largest recent gifts show a clear pattern: it backs Cincinnati institutions at a scale that can reach into the multi-million-dollar range. John J & Mary R Schiff Foundation has given repeated general support to The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati, Xavier University, and ProKids, alongside major gifts to civic and cultural anchors such as the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Art Museum, and the University of Cincinnati’s medical education programs. The recent record also includes support for the USS Cincinnati Memorial Peace Pavilion and the US Naval Institute Foundation, showing that its portfolio is not limited to arts and education alone. The foundation’s grantmaking combines large unrestricted awards with repeat support for a concentrated group of recipients. Several organizations appear multiple times across the recent grants list, including Xavier University, The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati, Fotofocus, and Children’s Hospital Medical Center. That repeat pattern suggests long-term relationships rather than one-off project funding. Most of the named recipients are Cincinnati-based, and the foundation’s giving reaches local universities, youth-serving nonprofits, museums, performing arts organizations, and health-related institutions.
Arts and culture are a major part of the foundation’s portfolio. It gave $2,750,000 to Fotofocus Cincinnati for general support in 2023 and $2,750,000 to Fotofocus in 2025, along with $1,700,000 to Cincinnati Art Museum in 2023 and again in 2025. Education is another visible thread. The foundation awarded $7,970,000 to Xavier University for general support in 2025, after earlier general-support grants of $2,800,000 and $2,300,000 in 2023. It also gave $2,000,000 to Cincinnati State Technical and Community College in 2025. Health and youth-serving organizations appear as well. In 2025, the foundation gave $5,000,000 to Boys & Girls Club of Greater Cincinnati and $5,150,000 to Wesley Services Organization Fka Wesley Hall Inc, while Children’s Hospital Medical Center received $1,500,000 in both 2023 and 2025.
The recent grant record shows a high-distribution style: p25 is $100,000, median grant size is $200,000, and p75 is $1,000,000. At the top end, the foundation also makes awards in the multi-million-dollar range, including several $5 million-plus grants. The presence of the same organizations across multiple years points to recurring support rather than isolated gifts. The foundation is a private foundation, not a funder of individuals, and it does not make program-related investments. Its recent awards are listed as general support, indicating flexible funding rather than narrowly designated project grants.
$47.9M
$176.6M
$51.8M
$49.2M
Most grants fall between $100K and $1M, with a median of $200K.
25th Percentile
$100K
Median
$200K
75th Percentile
$1M
About 69% of grants go to recipients in OH.
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Concentrated, high-value grants to a small set of repeat local institutions and civic projects rather than many small awards; combines multi-million gifts to universities and cultural anchors with periodic large gifts to youth-serving nonprofits and memorial initiatives.
Notable grantees: Xavier University, The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati, ProKids / ProKids Inc, FotoFocus (and FotoFocus Cincinnati), US Naval Institute Foundation / Northern Cincinnati Foundation (USS Cincinnati Memorial)
Grantmaking is heavily centered in Ohio, with 69% of grants going to recipients in the foundation’s HQ state. Cincinnati is the dominant recipient city, with repeated awards to organizations there across arts, education, health, and youth services. Outside Ohio, the recent record includes Annapolis, Maryland, through the US Naval Institute Foundation. The grant list shows all recipient-country activity in the United States.
Its recent grants favor Cincinnati arts and cultural institutions, local higher education, youth-serving nonprofits, and health-related university and hospital programs. Named recipients include Xavier University, The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati, ProKids, Children’s Hospital Medical Center, and the Cincinnati Art Museum.
Yes. The recent grants list repeatedly labels awards as general support, including multi-million-dollar grants to Xavier University, The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati, and ProKids. That pattern indicates flexible funding rather than narrowly restricted project-only support.
The typical grant-size distribution is large: p25 is $100,000, median grant size is $200,000, and p75 is $1,000,000. The recent list also includes awards in the multi-million-dollar range, showing that the foundation often operates above the median.
Ohio is the main recipient state, accounting for 69% of grants. Cincinnati is the central city in the recent record, with most named recipients located there, while the only non-Ohio location in the top recent grants is Annapolis, Maryland.
Yes. Several organizations appear more than once in the recent grants list, including Xavier University, The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati, Fotofocus, ProKids, and Children’s Hospital Medical Center. That repeated presence suggests ongoing relationships with a core group of recipients.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XAVIER UNIVERSITY | CINCINNATI, OH | $7,970,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| XAVIER UNIVERSITY | CINCINNATI, OH | $7,970,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WESLEY SERVICES ORGANIZATION FKA WESLEY HALL INC | CINCINNATI, OH | $5,150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF GREATER CINCINNATI | CINCINNATI, OH | $5,000,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PROKIDS | CINCINNATI, OH | $5,000,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE CHILDREN'S THEATRE OF CINCINNATI | CINCINNATI, OH | $5,000,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PROKIDS | CINCINNATI, OH | $3,000,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FOTOFOCUS | CINCINNATI, OH | $2,750,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NORTHERN CINCINNATI FOUNDATION (USS CINCINNATI MEMORIAL PEACE PAVILION) | CINCINNATI, OH | $2,500,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CINCINNATI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | SOUTH YARMOUTH, MA | $2,000,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CINCINNATI STATE TECHNICAL AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE | CINCINNATI, OH | $2,000,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE CHILDREN'S THEATRE OF CINCINNATI | CINCINNATI, OH | $2,000,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| COLLEGE OF MEDICINE - UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI | CINCINNATI, OH | $2,000,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CINCINNATI MUSEUM CENTER | CINCINNATI, OH | $2,000,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI FOUNDATION | CINCINNATI, OH | $2,000,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CINCINNATI ART MUSEUM | CINCINNATI, OH | $1,700,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CINCINNATI ART MUSEUM | CINCINNATI, OH | $1,700,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL MEDICAL CENTER | CINCINNATI, OH | $1,500,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL MEDICAL CENTER | CINCINNATI, OH | $1,500,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FOTOFOCUS | CINCINNATI, OH | $1,500,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CINCINNATI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | SOUTH YARMOUTH, MA | $1,200,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FREESTOREFOODBANK | CINCINNATI, OH | $1,200,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CINCINNATI CANCER FOUNDATION | CINCINNATI, OH | $1,000,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| INTERLOCHEN CENTER FOR THE ARTS | INTERLOCHEN, MI | $1,000,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CINCINNATI CANCER FOUNDATION | CINCINNATI, OH | $1,000,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NORTHERN CINCINNATI FOUNDATION (USS CINCINNATI MEMORIAL PEACE PAVILION) | CINCINNATI, OH | $1,000,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NAVY LEAGUE OF THE US | ARLINGTON, VA | $810,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FREESTOREFOODBANK | CINCINNATI, OH | $700,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ACTIVITIES BEYOND THE CLASSROOM | CINCINNATI, OH | $625,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SHILOH UNITED METHODIST CHURCH | CINCINNATI, OH | $600,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SAMARITANS OF NEW YORK | NEW YORK CITY, NY | $500,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NEUSOLE FOUNDATION | FOREST PARK, OH | $400,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| USS CONSTITUTION MUSEUM INC | BOSTON, MA | $400,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| US NAVAL ACADEMY FOUNDATION | ANNAPOLIS, MD | $400,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| USS CONSTITUTION MUSEUM INC | BOSTON, MA | $400,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| US NAVAL INSTITUTE FOUNDATION INC | ANNAPOLIS, MD | $400,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| US NAVAL ACADEMY FOUNDATION | ANNAPOLIS, MD | $400,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| US NAVAL INSTITUTE FOUNDATION INC | ANNAPOLIS, MD | $400,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SPCA - CINCINNATI | CINCINNATI, OH | $300,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SPCA - CINCINNATI | CINCINNATI, OH | $300,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WESTERN HILLS HIGH SCHOOL | CINCINNATI, OH | $260,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ST XAVIER CHURCH | ST MARYS, GA | $250,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CINCINNATI OBSERVATORY | CINCINNATI, OH | $250,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SHILOH UNITED METHODIST CHURCH | CINCINNATI, OH | $200,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL UNDERGROUND RAILROAD FREEDOM CENTER | CINCINNATI, OH | $200,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL UNDERGROUND RAILROAD FREEDOM CENTER | CINCINNATI, OH | $200,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ORAL HEALTH FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $200,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CONTEMPORARY ARTS CENTER | CINCINNATI, OH | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CONTEMPORARY ARTS CENTER | CINCINNATI, OH | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WESLEY SERVICES ORGANIZATION FKA WESLEY HALL INC | CINCINNATI, OH | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
XAVIER UNIVERSITY
$7,970,000GENERAL SUPPORT
XAVIER UNIVERSITY
$7,970,000GENERAL SUPPORT
WESLEY SERVICES ORGANIZATION FKA WESLEY HALL INC
$5,150,000GENERAL SUPPORT
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF GREATER CINCINNATI
$5,000,000GENERAL SUPPORT
PROKIDS
$5,000,000GENERAL SUPPORT
THE CHILDREN'S THEATRE OF CINCINNATI
$5,000,000GENERAL SUPPORT
PROKIDS
$3,000,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FOTOFOCUS
$2,750,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NORTHERN CINCINNATI FOUNDATION (USS CINCINNATI MEMORIAL PEACE PAVILION)
$2,500,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CINCINNATI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
$2,000,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CINCINNATI STATE TECHNICAL AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE
$2,000,000GENERAL SUPPORT
THE CHILDREN'S THEATRE OF CINCINNATI
$2,000,000GENERAL SUPPORT
COLLEGE OF MEDICINE - UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI
$2,000,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CINCINNATI MUSEUM CENTER
$2,000,000GENERAL SUPPORT
UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI FOUNDATION
$2,000,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CINCINNATI ART MUSEUM
$1,700,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CINCINNATI ART MUSEUM
$1,700,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL MEDICAL CENTER
$1,500,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL MEDICAL CENTER
$1,500,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FOTOFOCUS
$1,500,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CINCINNATI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
$1,200,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FREESTOREFOODBANK
$1,200,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CINCINNATI CANCER FOUNDATION
$1,000,000GENERAL SUPPORT
INTERLOCHEN CENTER FOR THE ARTS
$1,000,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CINCINNATI CANCER FOUNDATION
$1,000,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NORTHERN CINCINNATI FOUNDATION (USS CINCINNATI MEMORIAL PEACE PAVILION)
$1,000,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NAVY LEAGUE OF THE US
$810,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FREESTOREFOODBANK
$700,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ACTIVITIES BEYOND THE CLASSROOM
$625,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SHILOH UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
$600,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SAMARITANS OF NEW YORK
$500,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NEUSOLE FOUNDATION
$400,000GENERAL SUPPORT
USS CONSTITUTION MUSEUM INC
$400,000GENERAL SUPPORT
US NAVAL ACADEMY FOUNDATION
$400,000GENERAL SUPPORT
USS CONSTITUTION MUSEUM INC
$400,000GENERAL SUPPORT
US NAVAL INSTITUTE FOUNDATION INC
$400,000GENERAL SUPPORT
US NAVAL ACADEMY FOUNDATION
$400,000GENERAL SUPPORT
US NAVAL INSTITUTE FOUNDATION INC
$400,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SPCA - CINCINNATI
$300,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SPCA - CINCINNATI
$300,000GENERAL SUPPORT
WESTERN HILLS HIGH SCHOOL
$260,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ST XAVIER CHURCH
$250,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CINCINNATI OBSERVATORY
$250,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SHILOH UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
$200,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NATIONAL UNDERGROUND RAILROAD FREEDOM CENTER
$200,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NATIONAL UNDERGROUND RAILROAD FREEDOM CENTER
$200,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ORAL HEALTH FOUNDATION
$200,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CONTEMPORARY ARTS CENTER
$150,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CONTEMPORARY ARTS CENTER
$150,000GENERAL SUPPORT
WESLEY SERVICES ORGANIZATION FKA WESLEY HALL INC
$150,000GENERAL SUPPORT