The James J and Joan a Gardner Family Foundation
Historical FunderCincinnati, Ohio · EIN 31-1397164 · Private foundation · Website
Grants paid (2024)$8.7M
Organizations funded101
Typical grant$25,000
Total assets$231.8M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $15,000 and $60,000.
From the return
How to apply
The foundation filed the following application information (Form 990-PF Part XV, tax year 2024):
| Contact | THE JAMES J AND JOAN A GARDNER FAMI |
|---|---|
| Address | 8044 MONTGOMERY ROAD SUITE 480, CINCINNATI OH 45236 |
| Phone | 5134591085 |
| Form and materials | LETTER STATING PURPOSE AND AMOUNT OF GRANT/GENERAL INFORMATION ON ORGANIZATION |
| 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
31% of grants went outside Ohio.
Grants paid in tax year 2024
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center | Cincinnati, OH | Exempt purpose of organization | $1,500,000 |
| University of Cincinnati Foundation | Cincinnati, OH | Exempt purpose of organization | $875,000 |
| Zoological Society of Cincinnati (Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden) | Cincinnati, OH | Exempt purpose of organization | $800,000 |
| Accelerate Great Schools | Cincinnati, OH | Exempt purpose of organization | $664,240 |
| Great Parks Forever | Cincinnati, OH | Exempt purpose of organization | $500,000 |
| Mary Magdalen Foundation Inc | Cincinnati, OH | Exempt purpose of organization | $300,000 |
| Xavier Jesuit Academy | Cincinnati, OH | Exempt purpose of organization | $250,000 |
| Accelerate Great Schools | Cincinnati, OH | Exempt purpose of organization | $177,975 |
| Cincinnati Works Inc | Cincinnati, OH | Exempt purpose of organization | $150,000 |
| Kenzie's Closet | Cincinnati, OH | Exempt purpose of organization | $150,000 |
| Luke 5 Adventures | Mason, OH | Exempt purpose of organization | $145,000 |
| Tri-State Trails | Cincinnati, OH | Exempt purpose of organization | $125,000 |
| St Xavier High School | Cincinnati, OH | Exempt purpose of organization | $100,000 |
| Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur Ohio Province | Cincinnati, OH | Exempt purpose of organization | $100,000 |
| Santa Maria Community Services | Cincinnati, OH | Exempt purpose of organization | $100,000 |
| Catholic Leadership Institute (Cli) | Malvern, PA | Exempt purpose of organization | $100,000 |
| Captains for Clean Water Inc | Fort Myers, FL | Exempt purpose of organization | $100,000 |
| Prokids | Cincinnati, OH | Exempt purpose of organization | $100,000 |
| Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership Inc | Washington, DC | Exempt purpose of organization | $100,000 |
| Pregnancy Resource Connection | Granby, CO | Exempt purpose of organization | $100,000 |
| The Children's Theatre of Cincinnati | Cincinnati, OH | Exempt purpose of organization | $100,000 |
| Valley Hope Association Foundation | Norton, KS | Exempt purpose of organization | $100,000 |
| Cincinnati Museum Association (Cincinnati Art Museum) | Cincinnati, OH | Exempt purpose of organization | $83,000 |
| Boys Hope Girls Hope of Greater Cincinnati | Cincinnati, OH | Exempt purpose of organization | $75,000 |
| Living Arrangements for the Developmentally Disabled Inc (Ladd) | Cincinnati, OH | Exempt purpose of organization | $70,000 |
| Pregnancy Resource Connection | Granby, CO | Exempt purpose of organization | $60,000 |
| Freestore Foodbank Inc | Cincinnati, OH | Exempt purpose of organization | $50,000 |
| Make-A-Wish Foundation of Ohio Kentucky and Indiana | Cincinnati, OH | Exempt purpose of organization | $50,000 |
| Boys Hope Girls Hope of Greater Cincinnati | Cincinnati, OH | Exempt purpose of organization | $50,000 |
| Focus Points Family Resource Center | Denver, CO | Exempt purpose of organization | $50,000 |
| Saint Paul's Outreach | Mendota Heights, MN | Exempt purpose of organization | $50,000 |
| LA Soupe Inc | Cincinnati, OH | Exempt purpose of organization | $50,000 |
| Jefferson County Library Foundation | Wheat Ridge, CO | Exempt purpose of organization | $50,000 |
| Coral Restoration Foundation | Tavernier, FL | Exempt purpose of organization | $50,000 |
| Samaritan's Purse | Boone, NC | Exempt purpose of organization | $50,000 |
| Matthew 25 Ministries | Blue Ash, OH | Exempt purpose of organization | $50,000 |
| American Red Cross | Cincinnati, OH | Exempt purpose of organization | $50,000 |
| Ispace Inc | Cincinnati, OH | Exempt purpose of organization | $50,000 |
| God's Love We Deliver Inc | New York, NY | Exempt purpose of organization | $50,000 |
| Bethany House Services Inc | Cincinnati, OH | Exempt purpose of organization | $50,000 |
| Conservation Colorado Education Fund | Denver, CO | Exempt purpose of organization | $50,000 |
| Zoological Society of Cincinnati (Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden) | Cincinnati, OH | Exempt purpose of organization | $50,000 |
| The Angelico Project | Lakeside Park, KY | Exempt purpose of organization | $40,000 |
| Lowcountry Land Trust Inc | Charleston, SC | Exempt purpose of organization | $38,000 |
| Literacy Network of Greater Cincinnati Dba Queen City Book Bank | Cincinnati, OH | Exempt purpose of organization | $30,000 |
| Tender Mercies Inc | Cincinnati, OH | Exempt purpose of organization | $30,000 |
| Ispace Inc | Cincinnati, OH | Exempt purpose of organization | $30,000 |
| Valley Hope Association Foundation | Norton, KS | Exempt purpose of organization | $30,000 |
| Porter-Gaud School (O'quinn School of Mount Pleasant) | Charleston, SC | Exempt purpose of organization | $26,000 |
| Reviv Family Support Foundation (Formerly Vivian's Victory Inc) | Cincinnati, OH | Exempt purpose of organization | $25,200 |
| Rotary Foundation of Cincinnati | Cincinnati, OH | Exempt purpose of organization | $25,000 |
| Cincinnati Nature Center Association | Milford, OH | Exempt purpose of organization | $25,000 |
| Boys Hope Girls Hope of Greater Cincinnati | Cincinnati, OH | Exempt purpose of organization | $25,000 |
| Sam Hubbard Foundation | Cincinnati, OH | Exempt purpose of organization | $25,000 |
| Karen Wellington Foundation for Living With Breast Cancer | Cincinnati, OH | Exempt purpose of organization | $25,000 |
| Beech Acres Parenting Center | Cincinnati, OH | Exempt purpose of organization | $25,000 |
| Ursuline Academy of Cincinnati | Cincinnati, OH | Exempt purpose of organization | $25,000 |
| Upper Colorado Watershed Environmental Team | Fraser, CO | Exempt purpose of organization | $25,000 |
| Springer School and Center | Cincinnati, OH | Exempt purpose of organization | $25,000 |
| Ronald Mcdonald House Charities of Greater Cincinnati | Cincinnati, OH | Exempt purpose of organization | $25,000 |
Showing the 60 largest of 101 grants to organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $8,700,000 | 101 |
| 2023 | $7,500,000 | 71 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2024, filed Nov 14, 2025 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202513189349100311
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 31-1397164
- 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.