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Belford Family Charitable Fund Inc

Annual Giving
$1.6M
Grant Range
Up to $10.0M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,644,759 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (no public application process)
  • Decision Time: Not applicable (trustee discretion)
  • Grant Range: Varies significantly; major grants up to $10 million documented
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Ohio, with secondary residence in Naples, FL
  • Total Assets: $37.8 million (2024)

Contact Details

Belford Family Charitable Fund Inc

  • Address: 501 Morrison Rd Ste 100, Gahanna, OH 43230 (also listed with Naples, FL address)
  • EIN: 26-2390465
  • President: David A. Belford
  • Website: Not available
  • Email: Not publicly available
  • Phone: Not publicly available

Overview

The Belford Family Charitable Fund Inc was established in 2008 as a private independent foundation. With assets of approximately $37.8 million and annual charitable disbursements of $1.6 million (2024), the foundation supports education, health care including cancer hospitals and spinal cord injury research, and children's organizations, particularly camps for seriously ill children. Founded by David and Jenni Belford, prominent Columbus, Ohio philanthropists, the foundation is best known for its $10 million gift to Ohio State University in 2018 to establish The Belford Center for Spinal Cord Injury. The family also co-founded Flying Horse Farms, a SeriousFun Children's Network camp in Mt. Gilead, Ohio, serving children with serious illnesses. The foundation operates through trustee discretion rather than a public application process, focusing on causes personally meaningful to the Belford family.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

This foundation does not operate formal grant programs with published guidelines. Grants are made at the discretion of the trustees based on their philanthropic interests.

Priority Areas

Based on documented giving patterns, the foundation prioritizes:

  • Medical Research and Healthcare: Significant support for spinal cord injury research, cancer hospitals, and medical centers
  • Children with Serious Illnesses: Camps and programs serving children facing serious health challenges
  • Education: Educational institutions and programs

Notable Grants:

  • $10 million to Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center (2018) to establish The Belford Center for Spinal Cord Injury, including two endowed chairs and a research innovation fund
  • Ongoing support for Flying Horse Farms, a medical specialty camp for children with serious illnesses

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, so funding is restricted to causes identified by the trustees. There is no public information about explicit exclusions beyond the fact that grants are limited to areas of trustee interest: education, health, and children's organizations.

Governance and Leadership

David A. Belford serves as President of the Belford Family Charitable Fund. David and his wife Jenni are prominent Columbus, Ohio philanthropists known for their commitment to children with serious illnesses and medical research.

David Belford has been involved in furniture-related businesses in Columbus and has strong ties to Central Ohio. The Belfords also maintain a residence in Naples, Florida, where David serves on boards including Artis-Naples and the Naples Children & Education Foundation.

On their $10 million gift to Ohio State: "Through their charitable fund, the Belford family is making this gift to advance scientific research that will improve the quality of life for people with spinal cord injuries, which often lead to additional health problems, including high blood pressure, incontinence, increased risk for infection, obesity and diabetes."

On Flying Horse Farms: In 2005, the Belfords "were moved to build a permanent, year-round camp for children with serious illnesses" after being inspired by their experiences hosting children through their own farm activities and discovering Paul Newman's SeriousFun Children's Network.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. Grants are made at the discretion of the trustees based on their personal philanthropic interests and relationships. The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications or proposals.

Grants appear to be initiated by the trustees themselves, focusing on causes they have personal connections to or deep interest in, particularly in the Columbus, Ohio area and causes related to children with serious illnesses and medical research.

Getting on Their Radar

The Belford family's documented giving pattern shows a strong focus on:

Flying Horse Farms: The Belfords co-founded this SeriousFun Children's Network camp in Mt. Gilead, Ohio, which opened in 2010. Organizations working in the serious childhood illness space, particularly through the SeriousFun Children's Network (founded by Paul Newman), may align with their interests.

Ohio State University Medical Center: Their $10 million gift established The Belford Center for Spinal Cord Injury. Organizations conducting innovative medical research, particularly in areas affecting quality of life for people with chronic conditions, may be of interest.

Naples, Florida connections: The Belfords maintain ties to Naples, where David serves as a trustee of the Naples Children & Education Foundation (NCEF). Organizations aligned with NCEF's mission may have indirect connections.

Given the highly personal nature of this family foundation's giving, the most realistic pathway would be through existing relationships with organizations the family already supports or through board connections in Columbus, Ohio and Naples, Florida.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation operates through trustee discretion without a public application process, traditional success factors do not apply. However, understanding their giving philosophy provides insight:

Causes that resonate personally: The Belford family's major gifts reflect deeply personal commitments. Flying Horse Farms grew from their own experiences hosting children, and the spinal cord injury center addresses conditions that "often lead to additional health problems" affecting quality of life.

Long-term impact focus: Their gifts establish endowed chairs, research funds, and permanent infrastructure (like Flying Horse Farms) rather than short-term program support, indicating interest in sustainable, transformative impact.

Quality of life emphasis: Whether spinal cord injury research or camps for seriously ill children, their giving focuses on improving quality of life for vulnerable populations facing ongoing health challenges.

Connection to Ohio: The majority of documented giving benefits Ohio-based organizations, particularly in the Columbus area where the family has deep roots.

Alignment with SeriousFun Children's Network philosophy: The family's commitment to Flying Horse Farms shows alignment with Paul Newman's vision of transformative camp experiences for children with serious illnesses.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process exists - this foundation makes grants solely at trustee discretion
  • Strong geographic focus on Ohio, particularly Columbus area, with secondary interest in Naples, FL
  • Major gifts in medical research and children's health - particularly spinal cord injury research and camps for seriously ill children
  • Preference for transformative, enduring impact through endowments and infrastructure rather than annual operating support
  • Personal connection drives giving - the Belfords support causes they have direct involvement with or deep personal interest in
  • Significant capacity for major gifts - $10 million to Ohio State demonstrates willingness to make transformational investments
  • Family co-founded Flying Horse Farms - organizations serving children with serious illnesses, especially within the SeriousFun Network, align with their mission

References

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