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 totalling $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 organisation in 1970, the foundation was officially established in 1971. Though founder Jerry Moore passed away in 2020, the foundation continues his legacy of funding organisations that "restore individuals, strengthen families, and sustain communities." In 2023, the foundation awarded 132 grants totalling approximately $2.96 million. The foundation's director of operations has indicated they support 200-300 non-profits annually, though this figure may include various forms of support beyond competitive grants. Guided by biblical principles from Matthew 25:40 and 1 Peter 4:10, the foundation emphasises stewardship and using gifts to serve those "unable to help themselves," focusing on organisations addressing child hunger, homelessness, addiction, and human trafficking.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

Competitive Grants: Application-based funding across three annual cycles supporting programmes with "significant and sustainable impact." Grant amounts typically range from $10,000 to over $100,000 depending on organisation 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 organisations during specified timeframes, effectively doubling donor impact. Current matching grants range from $10,000 to $900,000 with organisations 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 organisations working in eight priority sectors:

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

The foundation particularly emphasises organisations 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:

• Individuals
• Lobbying groups
• Political action groups
• Labour unions
• Endowment campaigns
• Fraternal organisations

The foundation may decline grant proposals for:

• Building funds and capital improvements
• Grant-making foundations
• Unanticipated short-term deficits
• Fund drives or fundraising events
• Travel/transportation or lodging expenses

Governance and Leadership

Leadership Team

Executive Director: Lewis Yoder

Senior Staff:

• Andi Kadas – Director of Operations

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 emphasised 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 organisation 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: Organisations 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:

Cycle	Application Window	Decision Notification
Spring	Approximately January 15 – March 31	By last Friday of May
Summer	Approximately April 15 – June 30	By last Friday of August
Fall	Approximately July 15 – September 30	By 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:

• IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter (including 509(a) status)
• Financial statements and/or Form 990 for prior year
• Current financial statements (balance sheet and operating statement)
• Detailed budget for the programme/project for which the grant is being requested
• Current board member list
• Top 10 donors from prior fiscal year

Important Limitation: Organisations may only apply for funding for one project/programme 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 totalling approximately $2.96 million. While specific application-to-award ratios are not publicly disclosed, the foundation indicates they support hundreds of non-profits annually, suggesting a competitive but accessible process for well-aligned organisations.

Reapplication Policy

Organisations that are unsuccessful may reapply in subsequent cycles, though the foundation requires that organisations only apply for one project/programme within any 12-month timeframe. This effectively limits organisations 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 favour applications that demonstrate:

1. Financial Sustainability: The foundation prefers applications that "include financial commitments from other organisations 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 favours applications demonstrating "financial commitments from other organisations," 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

Organisations 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 organisations
• Urban Vision: Received $80,000 for holistic community development transforming urban neighbourhoods 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 programmes
• Hartville Christian School: Supported for Christian education
• Compassion International: Demonstrates willingness to fund larger, established national/international organisations

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 organisations are considered)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Christian Identity is Essential: This foundation explicitly grounds its work in Christian faith and biblical principles. Organisations 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 organisations." 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 organisations serving children, youth, and those "unable to help themselves."

4. Emphasise 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 organisation runs fundraising campaigns, inquire about matching grant opportunities, which can significantly amplify donor contributions and demonstrate community support.

References

• The Christ Foundation official website: https://thechristfdn.org (Accessed December 2024)
• About Us page: https://thechristfdn.org/about-us/ (Accessed December 2024)
• What We Fund: https://thechristfdn.org/what-we-fund/ (Accessed December 2024)
• How to Apply: https://thechristfdn.org/how-to-apply/ (Accessed December 2024)
• Matching Grants: https://thechristfdn.org/matching-grants/ (Accessed December 2024)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/237121546 (Accessed December 2024)
• Cause IQ Profile: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/christ-foundation,237121546/ (Accessed December 2024)
• Instrumentl 990 Report: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/christ-foundation (Accessed December 2024)
• Candid Foundation Directory: https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=CHRI029 (Accessed December 2024)
• Yahoo News article: https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/christ-foundation-hartville-works-lift-095219966.html (Accessed December 2024)