Cincinnati Foundation For The Aged

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,908,277
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: $5,000 - $403,000
• Geographic Focus: Greater Cincinnati, OH and Northern Kentucky (including Covington, Erlanger, Lebanon, Mason, and Villa Hills)

Contact Details

Address: 125 E Court St Ste 1000, Cincinnati, OH 45202 (or 2100 Fourth Vine Tower, 5 West, Cincinnati, OH 45202)

Phone: 513-381-6859

Contact Person: Heather Jansen, Secretary/Treasurer and Executive Director

EIN: 31-0536971

Note: The foundation does not appear to have a public website or email address listed.

Overview

Established in 1891, the Cincinnati Foundation For The Aged is one of the oldest charitable organizations focused on elderly care in the Cincinnati region. With total assets exceeding $34 million, the foundation fulfills a singular mission: to give financial assistance to indigent and elderly individuals, enabling them to gain acceptance and maintain themselves in qualified care facilities. The foundation makes grants to nonprofit nursing homes and retirement communities in the greater Cincinnati area, including surrounding regions in Ohio and Kentucky. Through approximately 15 grants annually totaling nearly $2 million, the foundation provides critical support to ensure that elderly individuals without adequate financial resources can access quality care facilities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates a single focused grant program with two primary beneficiary types:

• Direct Individual Assistance: Financial assistance to indigent elderly individuals to help them gain admission to and maintain residence in nonprofit nursing homes and qualified care facilities
• Institutional Grants: Grants to charitable organizations whose purpose is to extend aid to the aged and elderly (typically $5,000 - $403,000)

The foundation awarded $1,908,277 annually through 15 grants in recent years, with a median grant of $77,000.

Priority Areas

• Nursing home care costs for indigent elderly individuals
• Nonprofit retirement communities in greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky
• Assisted living and independent living community support
• Organizations dedicated to serving the aged and elderly population

Geographic Focus

Primary service area includes:

• Cincinnati, OH and surrounding areas
• Northern Kentucky (Covington, Erlanger, Villa Hills)
• Extended Greater Cincinnati region (Lebanon, Mason, OH)

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation's mission is exclusively focused on elderly care and assistance. Organizations serving other populations or purposes outside of elderly care would fall outside their funding priorities.

Governance and Leadership

President: Robert Porter III

Secretary/Treasurer and Executive Director: Heather Jansen

• Active on the board for nearly twenty years
• Duties include reviewing applications for financial assistance, negotiating contracts with local retirement communities, and managing day-to-day business operations

The foundation is governed by a board of trustees who serve with minimal or no compensation, reflecting the foundation's commitment to directing maximum resources toward its charitable mission.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Cincinnati Foundation For The Aged does not have a public application process or website. Based on available information, the foundation operates through trustee discretion and appears to work with established nonprofit retirement communities and nursing homes in the greater Cincinnati area.

The Executive Director, Heather Jansen, reviews applications for financial assistance and negotiates contracts with local retirement communities, suggesting that interested organizations should contact the foundation directly by phone at 513-381-6859.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. Given the foundation's small staff and focused mission, inquiries and applications are likely handled on a case-by-case basis.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly available. The foundation makes approximately 15 grants annually from what appears to be a limited pool of established relationships with retirement communities and care facilities in the region.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies are not publicly disclosed. However, the foundation appears to maintain ongoing relationships with several recipient organizations, as evidenced by repeat grants to the same facilities.

Grant Recipients

Recent grant recipients (2023) include:

• Cedar Village (Mason, OH) - $350,000 for nursing home care costs
• Baptist Life Communities (Erlanger, KY) - $148,000 for nursing home care costs
• Covington Ladies Home (Covington, KY) - $104,000 for nursing home care costs
• Epic House (Cincinnati, OH) - $77,000 for nursing home care costs
• Bayley Place (Cincinnati, OH) - $56,000 for nursing home care costs
• Cottingham Retirement Center (Cincinnati, OH) - $36,000 for nursing home care costs

These organizations represent the types of nonprofit retirement communities and care facilities that align with the foundation's mission.

Application Success Factors

Since the foundation does not have a public application process, success in securing funding likely depends on:

1. Mission Alignment: Organizations must serve the elderly population and provide nursing home or qualified care facility services
2. Nonprofit Status: Recipients must be nonprofit retirement communities or charitable organizations
3. Geographic Location: Strong preference for facilities located in the greater Cincinnati area and Northern Kentucky
4. Serving Indigent Populations: The foundation's explicit focus is on helping indigent elderly individuals, so facilities that serve low-income seniors are prioritized
5. Established Relationships: The foundation appears to work with a consistent group of care facilities, suggesting that building a relationship with the foundation's leadership is important
6. Direct Contact: Interested organizations should contact Executive Director Heather Jansen directly at 513-381-6859 to discuss potential funding opportunities

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Highly Specialized Mission: This foundation has a singular focus on helping indigent elderly individuals access nursing home and care facility services in the Cincinnati region
• No Public Application Process: There is no website or formal application portal; contact must be made directly via phone at 513-381-6859
• Relationship-Driven: The foundation appears to maintain ongoing relationships with approximately 15 care facilities, suggesting that building rapport with leadership is critical
• Geographic Specificity: Your organization must serve the greater Cincinnati, OH or Northern Kentucky area to be eligible
• Contact Heather Jansen: As Executive Director, she reviews applications and manages contracts with facilities
• Focus on Indigent Care: Emphasize your organization's commitment to serving low-income elderly individuals who cannot afford care on their own
• Substantial Grants Available: With grants ranging from $5,000 to over $400,000 and a median of $77,000, this foundation can provide significant support to qualifying organizations

References

• Cause IQ Profile: Cincinnati Foundation for the Aged, https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/cincinnati-foundation-for-the-aged,310536971/ (accessed January 2026)
• Grantable Foundation Profile: The Cincinnati Foundation For The Aged, https://www.grantable.co/search/funders/profile/the-cincinnati-foundation-for-the-aged-us-foundation-310536971 (accessed January 2026)
• Instrumentl 990 Report: Cincinnati Foundation for the Aged, https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/cincinnati-foundation-for-the-aged (accessed January 2026)
• The Grantsmanship Center Funder Profile: The Cincinnati Foundation for the Aged, https://www.tgci.com/funder/cincinnati-foundation-aged (accessed January 2026)
• GuideStar Profile: Cincinnati Foundation for the Aged, https://www.guidestar.org/profile/31-0536971 (accessed January 2026)
• Foundation Directory Online: The Cincinnati Foundation for the Aged, Candid, https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=CINC001 (accessed January 2026)