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Gessner Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$1.6M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.1M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,634,000 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available (invitation only)
  • Decision Time: Not specified
  • Grant Range: Estimated $5,000 - $100,000
  • Average Grant Size: $36,376
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Ohio (especially Stark County), with grants also in Colorado, New York, South Carolina, and Virginia

Contact Details

Address: 4154 Nottinghill Gate Road, Columbus, OH
Phone: 614-607-0204
Website: None publicly available
Email: Not publicly available

Important: This foundation does not accept unsolicited applications and only makes grants to preselected organizations.

Overview

The Gessner Family Foundation was established in 2013 as a private family foundation with current assets of approximately $26 million. The foundation is closely connected to the Gessner family's ownership of MCTV (formerly Massillon Cable TV), a family-owned broadband services company serving over 50,000 customers in ten Ohio counties. In 2023, the foundation distributed $1,634,000 across 48 grants, with a focus on supporting community development, economic development, arts and culture, and education initiatives primarily in Ohio's Stark County region and Columbus area. The foundation reflects the family's commitment to local philanthropy and supporting communities where their business operates, with grants ranging from small programmatic support to major capital campaigns.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through trustee-directed grant-making without formal application cycles. Known grant examples include:

  • Capital Campaign Support: $100,000 grants (e.g., two grants to Massillon Museum in December 2023)
  • Economic Development: $100,000 to Stark Economic Development Board for "Strengthening Stark" professional office (December 2023)
  • Arts and Education: Support for early childhood education programs (Massillon Museum's Artful Living and Learning Program)
  • Community Support: Partner of Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank

Application method: Invitation only/trustee discretion

Priority Areas

Based on documented grants, the foundation supports:

  • Economic Development: Regional economic growth initiatives, particularly in Stark County
  • Arts and Culture: Museums and cultural institutions, especially capital improvements
  • Education: Early childhood education programs and learning initiatives
  • Community Services: Food security and basic needs organizations
  • Local Community Development: Organizations serving Ohio communities, particularly where MCTV operates

Geographic Focus

  • Primary: Stark County area (Canton, Massillon) and Columbus, Ohio
  • Secondary: Other Ohio communities, with occasional support in Colorado, New York, South Carolina, and Virginia

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, as a private family foundation making grants to preselected organizations, they likely do not fund:

  • Individuals
  • Organizations outside their areas of geographic focus
  • Organizations without a connection to the Gessner family or MCTV service areas

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by a volunteer board of directors, all serving without compensation:

  • Susan R. Gessner, President
  • Robert B. Gessner, Treasurer - Former President of MCTV (served 2002-2019), currently Chairman of Stark Economic Development Board, member of Strengthening Stark Government Committee. Robert has worked at MCTV since 1979 and has been deeply involved in Stark County economic development initiatives.
  • Elizabeth A. McAllister, Secretary

The Gessner family founded MCTV (Massillon Cable TV) in 1965-1966, originally established by Richard and Susan Gessner. The family has emphasized their commitment to local employment (supporting 150 families with jobs) and community philanthropy as part of their business legacy. Family members have noted that their company's legacy includes being "the beneficiary of philanthropy and a concern from a local company continuing to be in business."

Additional family involvement includes Nancy S. Gessner, who serves as Director of Community Development at MCTV and sits on the Stark Community Foundation board.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation explicitly states it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

Grants are made through trustee discretion, based on the board's knowledge of and relationships with organizations in their communities of interest. Organizations are selected by the trustees rather than through a competitive application process.

Getting on Their Radar

Given the foundation's connection to MCTV and the Gessner family's business operations:

  • Geographic Connection: The foundation shows strongest support for organizations in Stark County (Canton/Massillon area) and Columbus, Ohio, where the family has business and personal connections
  • Board Member Connections: Several Gessner family members serve on other boards (e.g., Nancy Gessner on Stark Community Foundation), creating pathways for awareness of community needs
  • Business Service Area: Organizations in the ten Ohio counties served by MCTV may have a connection point
  • MCTV Partnership: Organizations already partnering with MCTV in community initiatives may be considered for foundation support
  • Economic Development Focus: Given Robert Gessner's role with Stark Economic Development Board, organizations aligned with regional economic growth may attract attention

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. As an invitation-only funder making grants through trustee discretion, timing likely varies based on board meeting schedules and strategic priorities.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. In 2023, the foundation made 48 grants totaling $1,634,000.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable given the invitation-only nature of grant-making.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation operates through invitation and trustee discretion rather than competitive applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, based on their documented grant-making patterns:

Geographic Alignment: Organizations in Stark County and Columbus, Ohio, receive the strongest consideration, reflecting the family's business roots and ongoing connections.

Capital Projects: The foundation has demonstrated willingness to make substantial capital grants ($100,000) to institutions like the Massillon Museum, indicating interest in supporting long-term community infrastructure.

Economic Development Impact: The $100,000 grant to Stark Economic Development Board for "Strengthening Stark" reflects the family's commitment to regional economic growth, aligning with Robert Gessner's leadership role in economic development.

Educational Programming: Support for Massillon Museum's Artful Living and Learning Program demonstrates interest in early childhood education and innovative learning approaches.

Established Organizations: The foundation supports established institutions with track records, such as museums, economic development boards, and regional foodbanks.

Multi-Year Relationships: The Massillon Museum received two $100,000 grants in December 2023, suggesting the foundation may provide ongoing or phased support for major projects.

Community-Based Organizations: Partners like the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank indicate support for organizations addressing basic community needs.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Applications: This foundation does not accept unsolicited requests - do not submit proposals unless specifically invited by a trustee
  • Geographic Focus Matters: Strongest support goes to Stark County and Columbus areas where the Gessner family has business and personal ties through MCTV
  • Relationship-Driven: Grants flow from trustee awareness and existing relationships rather than competitive applications
  • Substantial Capital Support: The foundation makes significant capital grants ($100,000) for major projects, not just small programmatic grants
  • Economic Development Priority: Robert Gessner's leadership role in Stark County economic development signals strong foundation interest in regional growth initiatives
  • Average Grant: With 48 grants totaling $1.6M in 2023, average grant size is approximately $36,000, though range varies significantly
  • Family Business Connection: Organizations connected to MCTV service areas or partnering with the company on community initiatives may have visibility advantage

References

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