The Ariel Foundation

• The Ariel Foundation funds local organisations in the Mount Vernon area working on arts and culture, civic and community life, economic development, education, health and human services, community preservation and revitalisation, and parks and public areas, so groups outside that area are not eligible.
• Most grants to organisations fall between $5,000 and $275,000, with a median of about $26,000, so a modest request in that range is realistic for most applicants; larger requests are possible, but applicants seeking a major grant are encouraged to start a conversation with the foundation early in the planning process, before submitting a Letter of Inquiry.
• Applications proceed through a Letter of Inquiry, recommended by 1 January, 1 April, 1 July or 1 October for quarterly consideration, with invited applicants then asked to complete a formal application online.
• A very high share of grant dollars (92%) has gone to organisations the foundation had already funded in the previous two filings, suggesting it leans towards ongoing relationships with known grantees, so new applicants should expect this to be a relationship-led funder and plan to engage before applying.
• It does not fund organisations that do not meet its criteria, religious organisations (except where eligible organisations support non-sectarian social service activities open to the community), fraternal and veterans organisations, programmes that are solely athletic and not connected to broader community or development goals, or political campaigns.

The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:

• Cooper Park Development Company · Heartland commerce park (hcp) corridor improvement project
  $2,760,8502024 tax year
• Knox County Land Reutilization Corporation · Various projects
  $775,8112024 tax year
• City of Mount Vernon · Various projects
  $750,9642024 tax year
• Knox County Foundation · Economic development support
  $500,0002024 tax year
• Alcohol and Drug Freedom Center of Knox County · Capital expansion project
  $500,0002024 tax year
• Salvation Army of Mount Vernon · Childcare center capital campaign match
  $500,0002024 tax year
• Mount Vernon Nazarene University · Various projects
  $285,1652024 tax year
• Behavioral Healthcare Partners of Central Ohio · Knox county behavioral health crisis center
  $250,0002024 tax year

Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.

Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.