The Austin E Knowlton Foundation Inc
Historical FunderCincinnati, Ohio · EIN 31-1044475 · Private foundation · Website
Grants paid (2024)$11.6M
Organizations funded46
Typical grant$30,000
Total assets$266.5M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $15,000 and $100,000.
From the return
How to apply
The foundation filed the following application information (Form 990-PF Part XV, tax year 2024):
| Contact | SHERRI L CALK |
|---|---|
| Address | 312 WALNUT STREET SUITE 3130, CINCINNATI OH 45202 |
| Phone | 5133812400 |
| SCALK@AEKFOUNDATION.ORG | |
| Form and materials | ANY FORM. ORGANIZATION IS REQUIRED TO SUBMIT PROOF OF TAX-EXEMPT STATUS |
| Deadlines | NONE |
| Restrictions | NONE |
Copied as filed. Deadlines on a tax return describe the foundation's usual process; they are not confirmation of a current open cycle.
What it funds
Share of grant lines on the latest return, classified from the purpose each grant states.
Where it gives
47% of grants went outside Ohio.
Grants paid in tax year 2024
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio State University Foundation | Columbus, OH | Bmec building | $6,000,000 |
| Denison University | Granville, OH | Career exploration center | $1,000,000 |
| The College of Wooster | Wooster, OH | Lowry center | $1,000,000 |
| Ronald Reagan Presidential Fdn & Institute | Simi Valley, CA | Program services | $925,000 |
| Georgetown College | Georgetown, KY | Davis-Reid alumni gym project | $500,000 |
| Institute for Citizens and Scholars | Princeton, NJ | Program services | $200,000 |
| Ronald Reagan Presidential Fdn & Institute | Simi Valley, CA | National economic forum | $200,000 |
| The Alexander Hamilton Society | Washington, DC | Program services | $200,000 |
| Alliance for Higher Education in Prison | Denver, CO | Program services | $150,000 |
| Camping and Education Foundation | Cincinnati, OH | Program services | $150,000 |
| Augustana College | Rock Island, IL | Apep program | $100,000 |
| Kenyon College | Gambier, OH | Scholarship fund | $100,000 |
| Ohio Justice and Policy Center | Cincinnati, OH | Program services | $100,000 |
| Ohio State University Foundation | Columbus, OH | Knowlton school of architecture | $100,000 |
| Ten Thousand Villages | Akron, PA | Program services | $100,000 |
| The Cincinnati Ballet Company Inc | Cincinnati, OH | Program services | $100,000 |
| University of Tx Southwestern Medical Center | Dallas, TX | Public educational grant | $60,000 |
| Cincinnati Mennonite Fellowship | Cincinnati, OH | Program services | $50,000 |
| Most Valuable Kids of Greater Cincinnati | Norwood, OH | Program services | $50,000 |
| Denison University | Granville, OH | Program services | $40,000 |
| Gillespie Cty Youth Livestock Show Assoc | Fredericksburg, TX | Program services | $35,000 |
| Hill Country Community Needs Council | Fredericksburg, TX | Program services | $30,000 |
| Ten Thousand Villages of Cincinnati | Cincinnati, OH | Program services | $30,000 |
| The Good Samaritan Center | Fredericksburg, TX | Program services | $30,000 |
| Childhood Food Solutions | Cincinnati, OH | Program services | $25,000 |
| Dan Beard Council Bsa | Cincinnati, OH | Program services | $25,000 |
| Mennonite Church USA | Elkhart, IN | Program services | $25,000 |
| National Association of Scholars Inc | New York, NY | Program services | $25,000 |
| Otterbein University | Westerville, OH | Equine science program | $25,000 |
| Augustana College | Rock Island, IL | Scholarship fund | $20,000 |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati | Cincinnati, OH | Program services | $20,000 |
| Mennonite Central Committee US | Akron, PA | Program services | $20,000 |
| Stepping Stones Inc | Cincinnati, OH | Program services | $20,000 |
| Former Texas Rangers Foundation | Fredericksburg, TX | Program services | $15,000 |
| Frontiers of Flight Museum Inc | Dallas, TX | Program services | $15,000 |
| Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra | Cincinnati, OH | Program services | $10,000 |
| Cincinnati Nature Center | Milford, OH | Program services | $10,000 |
| Equiatude Foundation | Fredericksburg, TX | Program services | $10,000 |
| Hudson Link for Higher Education in Prison Inc | Ossining, NY | Program services | $10,000 |
| Ken Anderson Alliance | Cincinnati, OH | Program services | $10,000 |
| Luzerne Music Center Inc | Lake Luzerne, NY | Program services | $10,000 |
| Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue Inc | San Angelo, TX | Program services | $10,000 |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cincinnati | Cincinnati, OH | Program services | $5,000 |
| Lighthouse Youth Services | Cincinnati, OH | Program services | $5,000 |
| Ohio State University Foundation | Columbus, OH | Aek executive terminal & aviation learning center | $5,000 |
| The Greater Cinti Television Ed Fdn | Cincinnati, OH | Program services | $5,000 |
Grants approved for future payment
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denison University | Granville, OH | Career exploration center | $10,000,000 |
| Ohio State University Foundation | Columbus, OH | Bmec building | $5,500,000 |
| Ronald Reagan Presidential Fdn & Institute | Simi Valley, CA | Program services | $1,450,000 |
| Augustana College | Rock Island, IL | Apep program | $800,000 |
| Georgetown College | Georgetown, KY | Davis-Reid alumni gym project | $500,000 |
| Muskingum University | New Concord, OH | John and annie glenn fellows program | $250,000 |
| University of Tx Southwestern Medical Center | Dallas, TX | Public educational grant | $90,000 |
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $11,575,000 | 53 |
| 2023 | $12,204,256 | 49 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2024, filed Nov 4, 2025 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202533089349100843
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 31-1044475
- Profile updated Nov 5, 2026
Facts on this page come from the foundation's own IRS Form 990-PF filings as published by the IRS. Grantvello does not know whether a foundation is accepting proposals right now: a past grant is not an open opportunity. Always confirm current guidelines with the funder before applying.