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The Christ Foundation

Annual Giving
$3.0M
Grant Range
$10K - $0.9M
Decision Time
2mo

The Christ Foundation - Funder Overview

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $2,961,121 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $73.8 million
  • Number of Grants: 132 awards (2023)
  • Average Grant: $22,433
  • Grant Range: $10,000 - $900,000
  • Geographic Focus: Ohio and surrounding states (with some national/international funding)
  • Decision Time: 6-10 weeks per cycle

Contact Details

  • Website: https://thechristfdn.org
  • Grant Portal: grants.thechristfdn.org
  • Phone: 330.877.1155
  • Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1180, Hartville, OH 44632

Overview

Founded in 1971 by Jerry and Patricia Moore, The Christ Foundation is a private foundation dedicated to expressing Christian faith through acts of charity. With assets totaling $73.8 million, the foundation operates under the tagline "Blessing Others. Renewing Hope." Jerry Moore's personal experience with the impact of divorce on blended families inspired his commitment to helping children in foster care, which began in 1965 when he started providing financial support to a boys' home. After friend Flavel Orange suggested creating a formal organization in 1970, the foundation was officially established in 1971. Though founder Jerry Moore passed away in 2020, the foundation continues his legacy of funding organizations that "restore individuals, strengthen families, and sustain communities." The foundation awards grants averaging $10,000 to 200-300 nonprofits annually, focusing on organizations addressing child hunger, homelessness, addiction, and human trafficking. Guided by biblical principles from Matthew 25:40 and 1 Peter 4:10, the foundation emphasizes stewardship and using gifts to serve those "unable to help themselves."

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Competitive Grants: Application-based funding across three annual cycles supporting programs with "significant and sustainable impact." Grant amounts typically range from $10,000 to over $100,000 depending on organization size and project scope.

Matching Grants: The foundation offers matching grant partnerships where they pledge to match (fully or partially) contributions made to selected partner organizations during specified timeframes, effectively doubling donor impact. Current matching grants range from $10,000 to $900,000 with organizations including:

  • Christian Children's Home of Ohio ($900,000)
  • Urban Vision ($80,000 total over 2027-2028)
  • Broken Chains ($75,000 over 2025-2026)
  • Toward the Goal Ministries ($70,000 total)
  • Hannah's House ($60,000 total over two periods)
  • Hartville Christian School ($50,000)

Legacy Scholarship Fund: Provides educational scholarships, though specific details require direct inquiry.

Priority Areas

The foundation supports organizations working in eight priority sectors:

  1. Christian Education: Faith-based schools and learning centers with Christian curricula
  2. Community Enrichment: Neighborhood development and youth programs
  3. Family Preservation: Services supporting at-risk families, foster care systems
  4. Food Insecurity: Hunger relief and nutritional assistance programs
  5. Housing: Shelter provision and residential support programs
  6. Health: Wellness initiatives and medical assistance programs
  7. Mentorship: Youth guidance and life coaching services
  8. Women and Children Care: Maternal health and child welfare programs

The foundation particularly emphasizes organizations serving children and youth, addressing issues like child hunger, homelessness, addiction, and human trafficking through a Christian lens.

What They Don't Fund

The foundation explicitly excludes:

  • Building funds and capital improvements
  • Grant-making foundations
  • Fund drives
  • Travel/transportation cost coverage
  • Individuals
  • Lobbying groups
  • Labor unions
  • Endowment campaigns
  • Fraternal organizations

Governance and Leadership

Leadership Team

Executive Director: Lewis Yoder

Senior Staff:

  • Andi Kadas – Director of Operations
  • Bethany Adkins – Marketing and Communications
  • Terri Longo – Accounts Manager
  • Danielle Wilson – Administrative Assistant

Founder's Philosophy

Jerry Moore, the foundation's founder, believed that "all good things come from Jesus Christ" and used the foundation as a vehicle to "bless those most in need." His approach emphasized gratitude and stewardship, with the conviction that "charity expresses our Christian faith and draws us closer to God." This philosophy continues to guide the foundation's work, with the organization describing itself as being "founded upon the principal that charity is an expression of our Christian faith that unites us with God."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Eligibility: Organizations must be 501(c)(3) not-for-profit public charities with an IRS tax-exempt determination letter.

Application Cycles: The foundation operates three annual funding cycles with specific submission windows:

CycleApplication WindowDecision Notification
SpringFebruary 15 – March 31By last Friday of May
SummerMay 15 – June 30By last Friday of August
FallAugust 15 – September 30By first Friday of December

Application Process:

  1. Complete online application via grants.thechristfdn.org
  2. Submit required documentation (see below)
  3. Foundation may request additional information or meetings
  4. Receive initial notification within 45 days (approval, denial, or forwarding to Trustees)
  5. Selected applications undergo Trustee review for final decisions
  6. Receive official funding notification with award amount

Required Documentation:

  • Current year detailed organizational budget
  • Current financial statements (balance sheet and operating statement)
  • Program-specific budget
  • Current board member list
  • Top 10 donors from prior fiscal year
  • IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter

Important Limitation: Organizations may only apply for funding for one project/program in a given 12-month timeframe.

Decision Timeline

Applications receive initial screening within 45 days of submission. Final decisions are communicated by the end of the cycle:

  • Spring cycle: Decisions by last Friday of May (approximately 6-10 weeks)
  • Summer cycle: Decisions by last Friday of August (approximately 6-10 weeks)
  • Fall cycle: Decisions by first Friday of December (approximately 8-10 weeks)

Success Rates

Based on available data, the foundation made 132 awards in 2023 totaling approximately $2.96 million. While specific application-to-award ratios are not publicly disclosed, the foundation awards grants to 200-300 nonprofits annually, suggesting a competitive but accessible process for well-aligned organizations.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations that are unsuccessful may reapply in subsequent cycles, though the foundation requires that organizations only apply for one project/program within any 12-month timeframe. This effectively limits organizations to a maximum of one application per year.

Application Success Factors

What the Foundation Values

The foundation explicitly states that successful "grant proposals should attend to basic community needs, achieve and sustain significant and long-term impact and possess well-defined objectives." They favor applications that demonstrate:

  1. Financial Sustainability: The foundation prefers applications that "include financial commitments from other organizations and can be independently sustained long term." Show how your project will continue beyond their funding.

  2. Measurable Outcomes: Applications must have "well-defined objectives and measurable outcomes that improve the quality of life in the local community." Be specific about metrics and expected impact.

  3. Collaborative Funding: The foundation explicitly favors applications demonstrating "financial commitments from other organizations," suggesting they prefer to be part of a larger funding coalition rather than sole funders.

  4. Long-term Impact: Emphasis on sustainable, lasting change rather than short-term fixes. Projects should address root causes and create enduring solutions.

Recent Grant Recipients as Examples

Organizations that have received significant support include:

  • Christian Children's Home of Ohio: Received a $900,000 matching grant, demonstrating the foundation's commitment to substantial investments in established child welfare organizations
  • Urban Vision: Received $80,000 for holistic community development transforming urban neighborhoods and empowering children and families
  • Broken Chains: Funded for programming addressing addiction and recovery
  • Hannah's House: Supported for providing safe, nurturing environment for pregnant women and new mothers in need
  • Lake Township FISH: Funded for food distribution programs
  • Hartville Christian School: Supported for Christian education
  • Compassion International: Demonstrates willingness to fund larger, established national/international organizations

Alignment Factors

Given the foundation's history and mission, applications are most competitive when they:

  • Address needs of children and youth, particularly those in vulnerable situations
  • Operate through a Christian faith-based framework
  • Focus on restoration (individuals), strengthening (families), and sustainability (communities)
  • Demonstrate fiscal responsibility and collaborative partnerships
  • Serve Ohio and surrounding states (though national/international organizations are considered)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Christian Identity is Essential: This foundation explicitly grounds its work in Christian faith and biblical principles. Organizations should clearly articulate their Christian mission and how their work expresses faith through service.

  2. Demonstrate Collaborative Funding: The foundation explicitly prefers applications with "financial commitments from other organizations." Position your request as part of a broader funding strategy, not as sole support.

  3. Focus on Children and Vulnerable Populations: While the foundation supports various causes, its history and emphasis on "the least of these" suggests strongest alignment with organizations serving children, youth, and those "unable to help themselves."

  4. Emphasize Long-term Sustainability: The foundation wants to see that projects will have lasting impact and can be "independently sustained long term." Show your sustainability plan beyond their funding.

  5. Apply During the Right Cycle: Plan ahead to submit during one of the three annual cycles. With only one application allowed per 12-month period, timing is critical—choose your strongest project.

  6. Use Specific, Measurable Objectives: Applications must demonstrate "well-defined objectives and measurable outcomes." Vague goals will not succeed—be specific about what you'll accomplish and how you'll measure it.

  7. Consider Matching Grant Partnerships: If your organization runs fundraising campaigns, inquire about matching grant opportunities, which can significantly amplify donor contributions and demonstrate community support.

References

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